Lindcott Armory Pistol · Obsolete / Non-standard
.455 Webley
The standard British military sidearm cartridge through both World Wars.
- Caliber
- 0.4555″ · 11.57 mm
- Introduced
- 1887
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military, Self-Defense
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1887
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Webley & Scott
- Manufacturer
- Fiocchi / PolyWad
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 25 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 13,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 100 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–3.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
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 ⌀ | 11.57 | 0.456 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.14 | 0.478 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.15 | 0.478 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.50 | 0.531 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 0.99 | 0.039 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 22.50 | 0.886 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 37.08 | 1.460 | ✓ |
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. .455 Webley is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 2 active loads across 2 brands. Top 11 shown.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sellier & Bellot | Lead RN | 262 | Lead RN | 600 | 209 | — |
| Fiocchi | Lead RN | 262 | Lead RN | 600 | 209 | — |
| Eley | Ball | 265 | LRN | 720 | 305 | — |
| Kynoch | Ball | 265 | LRN | 720 | 305 | — |
| Imperial Chemical Industries | Lead RN | 265 | Lead RN | 600 | 212 | — |
| Kynoch | MkII Lead RN Service | 265 | Lead RN | 600 | 212 | — |
| Eley | MkII Ball | 265 | Lead RN | 600 | 212 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom SP | 265 | Lead Round Nose | 600 | 212 | — |
| Kynoch | Soft Nose | 265 | Lead Round Nose | 600 | 212 | — |
| Kynoch | MkVI Lead RN Service | 265 | Lead RN | 600 | 212 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 265 | Lead Round Nose | 600 | 212 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 .455 Webley
12 models in the database chamber .455 Webley. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Adopted in 1887 for the Webley Mk I revolver, the .455 Webley became the defining British military pistol cartridge for 60 years. The Webley top-break revolver in .455 was issued to British and Commonwealth officers through the Boer War, WWI, and WWII. Trench warfare of WWI produced legendary accounts of Webley revolvers continuing to function under the most appalling mud and grime conditions that stoppages would plague semi-automatics. The .455 was officially replaced by the .380/200 (a .38 S&W variant) in 1927 for the new Enfield No. 2 revolver, but Webleys in .455 remained in service through WWII in large numbers. Fiocchi and PolyWad produce modern ammunition for the significant collector community.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .455 Webley use?
- .455 Webley typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .455 Webley?
- .455 Webley uses a 0.4555″ (11.57 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .455 Webley still in production?
- .455 Webley is limited; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .455 Webley used for?
- .455 Webley is primarily used for military, self-defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 2 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →