[Ctc67]

I've recently acquired a 1915 Colt New Service in .455 and want to load up some ammunition for it. I'm just getting set up to reload and have a set of Lee dies on the way. I'll be using Fiocchi brass, but would like some input on what commercial bullets and powder to use. Am I correct in thinking that the Colt would do fine with slightly stouter loads up to the equivalent of .45 Colt pressures (255 grain bullet at 750-850fps possibly)? Also, are there certain proof marks that would indicate where and if this gun saw service in WW1? Thanks

 

[Beerhunter]

You won't find that kind of information from Proof marks I'm afraid.

 

[singleshotman]

Try the "British militaria Forums" on the net, has tons of info on reloading the 455 Webley cartridge. Their search engine is not good, but read the messages and you will learn a lot . Most people do use Lee dies and the RCBS 265 grain bul]et.

 

[Ctc67]

Thank you, I will check that forum as well. With the proof marks on the gun, I would just like to know if it was British or Canadian military issue or commercial production. The serial number range is consistent with a batch of guns sent to Britain for use in WW1.

 

[RpR]

I've recently acquired a 1915 Colt New Service in .455 and want to load up some ammunition for it. I'm just getting set up to reload and have a set of Lee dies on the way. I'll be using Fiocchi brass, but would like some input on what commercial bullets and powder to use. Am I correct in thinking that the Colt would do fine with slightly stouter loads up to the equivalent of .45 Colt pressures (255 grain bullet at 750-850fps possibly)? Also, are there certain proof marks that would indicate where and if this gun saw service in WW1? Thanks View attachment 765415

The New Service is a very strong firearm, more so than the S&W equivalent either of which can handle rounds in the 900 fps range easily.

Had the machinery not been ruined by sitting outside, it would have been put back into production.

 

[Beerhunter]

With the proof marks on the gun, I would just like to know if it was British or Canadian military issue or commercial production. The serial number range is consistent with a batch of guns sent to Britain for use in WW1.

Pictures of any markings would be helpful in answering that.

 

[Ctc67]

I will try to take some photos. My gun has the crown stamps and the E under the grips but seems to be missing a lot of the other stamps I've seen referenced. Would this indicate that it was a commercially purchased sidearm for an officer perhaps? Also, does anyone have a safe .455 load that would launch a 255 grain bullet at around 850-900fs using Fiocchi Mk II brass with small pistol primers? I have read a little about how easy it is to get an overpressure situation when using very short cases such as these, and that's my major worry. I have also read that a hollow base bullet would give a little more of a safety window in that regard. Thank you all for the help.

 

[ward miller]

If you want a zippier load than .455, go get a revolver in a different caliber. Hot loads will print higher on the target, but pressure is your main worry and extra wear on a collector's item is not warranted by the extra fun to be derived from it. .45 Colt launches a bullet quite a bit faster than .455 Mark II, but it does so from a commodious case where pressure is less of a concern (solid .45s have a capacity of some 27.7 grains of water while balloon .455 Mark I's run about 20.1). Solid Mark I cases (such as Bertram or those made up from .45) would have less capacity, and the stubby Fiocchi Mark II solid head would have even less. If you try to extract .45 Colt velocity from a dinky case, your pressures are going to be quite higher. Reloading .455 Fiocchi Mark II cases with 3.9 grains Unique behind a 265 grain round nose hollow base bullet crimped in the top groove clocks about 615 fps at 8" from the muzzle while a 270 gr .454" SWC clocks some 675 with the same load, the velocity and pressure difference deriving from the greatly reduced case capacity when the solid base bullet is seated more deeply into the case. So be mindful of bullet seating depth, too.

 

[RpR]

Here is a page from handloads with loads that are safe for British made firearms.
I have a Canadian .455 New Service that came with a cylinder for .455 Colt/Webley MK I and and another for .45 Colt.
Your New Service can withstand at least twice as much pressure easily.


http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=455%20Webley&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

 

[45Auto]

For loading .455 I use a set of RCBS .45 ACP dies. This set has worked well using Dominion brand .455 brass, which I have been using for many years. I have not yet used any of the shorter .455 Fiochi brass, but it looks like good quality and one of these days I'll reload a box or two of that as well.

To get an idea of the strength of your Colt New Service, check out the various other rounds it was chambered for by Colt; 44 Russian, 45 Colt, 45 acp, etc. It is a fine old gun. As always, you must take care to setup your loading press with good lighting, have plenty of time to double check what you are doing and have no distractions!

 

[dougstump]

Ctc67,

Are you in the Birmingham area? I'll be there the week of the 14th & would be happy to help. I use the starting load for my Webley-Fosbery. It's like shooting a big BB gun, but it cycles OK.

 

[Ctc67]

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'm still waiting on my .455 dies, but I plan on getting some powder and ordering some bullets this weekend. I am happy to hear that I shouldn't have any worries with reasonable loads in the Colt. I like having the strongest weapon I can in any particular caliber. If I really want to hot rod something, I'll load up some .45 Colt for my Ruger Redhawk. I'm thinking about an Enfield or S&W Victory .38/200 to round out my military service revolvers, but I'm still holding out for one of the oddball Indian contract Ruger Service Sixes in that caliber just because I like things that are overbuilt.

Thank you Doug for the offer of assistance, but I'm about two hours from Birmingham unfortunately.

 

[John Sukey In Memoriam]

Ctc67,

Are you in the Birmingham area? I'll be there the week of the 14th & would be happy to help. I use the starting load for my Webley-Fosbery. It's like shooting a big BB gun, but it cycles OK.

Again that reminded me of friends Fosberry. He took it to the range without giving it a thorough cleaning first and the dried grease disabled the disconnector. It went FULL AUTO on him, the last round ending up in the overhead at the range:laugh:

 

[Beerhunter]

My gun has the crown stamps and the E under the grips but seems to be missing a lot of the other stamps I've seen referenced. .

Both military inspection marks and certain civilian Proof marks have crowns and so you need to be more specific about the marks.

If the gun was sold commercially, that is to say NOT issued by the War Department, it will have ONLY Civilian Proof marks. If it only has military inspection marks then it will be an issued gun. If it has both sets of marks then it will be an issued gun that was later sold on the UK civilian market.

Rather than my do a tutorial on British Proof marks, it is easier to have either good descriptions of any marks or (preferably) photographs.

 

[Alkali]

Ctc - Ken Waters wrote an excellent article on this very thing years ago in Handloader magazine. I'll be able to locate a copy next week, if you should still need it.

My son and I also have New Service .455's; British purchased during WWI. Both have had the .45 Colt caliber alteration and since .45 Colt brass is readily available (and .455 is not); we use .45 Colt data in moderation with great success.

 

[Ctc67]

Alkali, I would like to see that article if possible. Thank you

 

[Ctc67]

I haven't been able to get any detailed pictures of my proof marks, but I did sit down and examine them this morning. The only proofs I've been able to locate are crown over V proofs alternated with crown over P proofs circling the cylinder and an additional crown over V on barrel. There is another proof on the barrel adjacent to the crown over V, but I'm not able to make it out. It may also be the crown over P. Those are the only non-Colt markings on the gun that I've been able to locate. I believe the gun has been reblued at some point as the finish is just too nice. I've got 100 rounds of Fiocchi ammo and can't wait to try her out. I will then try my luck at reloading.