I did some searching but didn't find a thread on this specifically. If I missed one, I would be pleased if someone would point it out.
Way back in my 20's, I walked into my favorite gun shop and the owner had a Webley Mk VI for sale, complete with an original leather holster ( butt-stitched, no less!) and a box of Canadian 455 Colt cartridges. I foolishly shot a few. Wish I hadn't.
My Dad thought it was probably faced-off for 45 ACP with moon clips. We bought some and it wouldn't close. 45 AR, however, did fit and functioned fine but accuracy wasn't the best. Back then, it didn't occur to me that the slugs were undersized.
Years later, good sense sunk in and I realized that the cylinder couldn't have been modified as the proofs were still showing, duh!
Not wanting to shoot any more of the Canadian stuff, I bought some Fiocchi, which were very expensive and extremely mild. They also looked very short.
I decided to make some from 45 Colt brass and research on case lengths left me more confused than when I started.
I finally decided to go with the 455 Colt length. According to my records, this was around .882".
Being short on cash, a really good mold was out of the question so I bought a Lee mold intended for use in a Ruger Old Army. The fit was good, it was easy to cast and accuracy was streaks better than the 45AR. I used fluxed sheathing lead and the sack I have on hand says they weigh 225 grains.
Am I just as well to stick with the 455 Colt length or is there a "best" case length? I didn't like the Fiocchi case because it didn't seem optimum for the bullet to have to travel so far before hitting the forcing cone.