Pistol · Obsolete / Non-standard
.450 Adams
The British military revolver cartridge of the 1870s–1880s, preceding the .455 Webley.
- Caliber
- 0.4559″ · 11.58 mm
- Introduced
- 1868
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military, Self-Defense
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1868
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Robert Adams / Eley Brothers
- Manufacturer
- Various (historical)
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 22 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 11,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 75 yd
- Recoil
- 3–5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .450 Adams — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.58 | 0.456 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.17 | 0.479 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.18 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.95 | 0.510 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.10 | 0.043 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 17.60 | 0.693 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 28.50 | 1.122 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .450 Adams is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .450 Adams
2 models in the database chamber .450 Adams. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Robert Adams developed his self-cocking revolver in 1851 and the .450 Adams cartridge followed as British forces transitioned from cap-and-ball to metallic cartridge arms in the late 1860s. The cartridge armed British officers through the intensely active colonial period of the 1870s–1880s. The Webley adopted in 1887 and its .455 cartridge superseded the .450 Adams, but many officers continued carrying privately purchased Adams revolvers into the 1890s. Original Adams and transitional Webley revolvers in .450 Adams are collected as Victorian military antiques.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .450 Adams use?
- .450 Adams typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .450 Adams?
- .450 Adams uses a 0.4559″ (11.58 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .450 Adams still in production?
- .450 Adams is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is .450 Adams used for?
- .450 Adams is primarily used for military, self-defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 8 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →