Range test 25-7 3rd time

[andy52]

As some of you may remember I was having a heck of a time getting the 25-7 to shoot accurately. First attempt was with Oregon Trails 255gr RNFP and Accurate #5 powder I may have just used a shotgun it was so bad. Then I tried Unique results were just as bad. I decided to try some GT Bullets in 255gr SWC and RNFP the improvement was outstanding. Just got back from the range I was getting right at 2" groups with the SWC and just over a inch with the RNFPs. These were both shot at 15 yds off a rest. I'm pleased because a few had suggested the gun might be thread choked and now I won't have to go through the BS of lapping the bore.

[robertrwalsh]

Nothing succeeds like success, based on trying different things until one works well. Congrats.

[jack the toad]

Glad to hear andy. Can you give some more background, oversize charge holes, etc. or just the load???
I recently acquired some pin gauges and all my 25 colts gauged a tight .450. An N prefix dash 5, an alpha-numeric -5 and a -9. I need to check the -2's, 625's, 1917 HE's, etc, etc.

[andy52]

Originally Posted by jack the toad

Glad to hear andy. Can you give some more background, oversize charge holes, etc. or just the load???
I recently acquired some pin gauges and all my 25 colts gauged a tight .450. An N prefix dash 5, an alpha-numeric -5 and a -9. I need to check the -2's, 625's, 1917 HE's, etc, etc.

Yes sir I can it wasn't the loads overall just the Oregon Trails bullets. I'd already checked the throats when I first got the 25-7
there were all .452, the 25-7 isn't known to have oversized throats.
After the first dismal group of reloads I slugged the barrel to see if it might be thread choked as some here suggested the slug when through without seeming to hang up in the forcing cone area but I still wasn't sure. Then I tried pin gauges on the barrel a .442 slid down the barrel without stoppage, the .443 wouldn't go at all which seemed right.
That's when I decided to try different bullets I ordered 255gr SWC and RNFPs from GT Bullets which took 6 weeks to receive due to the current issues. I got the bullets about a week ago and loaded them with the same powder charge as the previous
Oregon Trails there wasn't even a comparison between the two the GTs simply out preformed the others.
Just as a final check I borrowed a buddies Blackhawk to try the Oregon Trails that I had loaded previously it shot them better then my 25 but they were still pretty dismal groups.
So in the end I have about 400 Oregon Trails bullets that will go into the melting pot.

[pittpa]

Originally Posted by andy52

As some of you may remember I was having a heck of a time getting the 25-7 to shoot accurately. First attempt was with Oregon Trails 255gr RNFP and Accurate #5 powder I may have just used a shotgun it was so bad. Then I tried Unique results were just as bad. I decided to try some GT Bullets in 255gr SWC and RNFP the improvement was outstanding. Just got back from the range I was getting right at 2" groups with the SWC and just over a inch with the RNFPs. These were both shot at 15 yds off a rest. I'm pleased because a few had suggested the gun might be thread choked and now I won't have to go through the BS of lapping the bore.

Hello Andy, do you have a chrono? I have a 25-9 with good chambers and accuracy issues. Mine seems to shoot tighter groups with more velocity. I'm wondering about the velocity of your loads. Or would you mind mentioning the number of grains used so I could see where it fits in with the load data?
P.S. GT bullets is now looking 3 months out on shipping new orders.
Thanks, Dave

[andy52]

Originally Posted by pittpa

Hello Andy, do you have a chrono? I have a 25-9 with good chambers and accuracy issues. Mine seems to shoot tighter groups with more velocity. I'm wondering about the velocity of your loads. Or would you mind mentioning then number of grains used so I could see where it fits in with the load data?
P.S. GT bullets is now looking 3 months out on shipping new orders.
Thanks, Dave

Dave I do have a chrono but it's a Magnetospeed and can't be used on handguns.
The load I'm using is 9grs of Accurate #5 which according to the data should be about 875 fps, the max load for standard .45 colt with this load is 9.3 which is listed at 936fps. This data is according to the powder manufacturer.

GT bullets are a pretty soft alloy and I have a feeling if pushed much over 900-1000 fps would become a leading problem.

Just as a side note and this really doesn't say a whole lot about the load itself when I got off the bench I loaded 6 rounds and stepped up to 7 yds and put all 6 in a 2 inch circle off hand.