Any tips for using LSWCs in moonclips? My 625 seems to really prefer FMJ, but I really want to use LSWC. I loaded some hardcast 200gr LSWC in clips and they seem to work fine, but then I tried some Berry's 185gr and some 200gr Bear Creek moly SWCs and they seem to work fine at first, but once I shoot a few clips they hang up on loading, and have to be pushed in hard by hand. I thought it may be too much shoulder, but that would hang up when cold. I don't see any lube buildup in the chambers, and if I toss in a clip of FMJ they still work fine, even when the SWCs are binding.

Thanks for any suggestions.

gwalchmai,

I use LSCW in my modified 1917. I just seat them so the forward driving band is nearly flush with the case mouth.

I've used them in my 625 without issue. I think Lionhound may be right, seat them a little deeper.

Bill

Are your cylinders chamfered or does it have the stock sharp edge? FMJ are going to be the best for reliability, but a lot of guys shoot lead to keep the cost down. 230 gr FMJ seem to drop in like a magnet to steel!

I've never tried Berry's, but Bear Creek moly-coated gave me a lot of trouble. Some of the coating would build up on the lip in the cylinder, causing problems like you describe. I shot the rest of my stash of Bear Creeks in 45Colt, and only use lswc's these days, with no problems.

I have a M625JM and I have had a lot of trouble with lead bullets and chambering. One reason is I try to load it like a revolver with the longest OAL possible. If I seat to the normal LSWC depth I have the problems you describe. Although I have noticed is very pronounced when I shoot lighter loads. If I shoot loads that don't get the case to seal off, obturate, then I have a bigger ring and soot in the chambers. A nylon brush makes it go away for the most part. If I load a little higher in the pressure range it goes away and I don't have to be so particular about the seating depth.

If your problem with loading is a time issue because of the LSWC then you need to get your chambers chamfered. That's not the problem you were describing but I thought I would throw that in there anyway.

I shoot Penn Bullets Inc. 200 gr. LSWCBB Target (.452) and have had no issue on my 25-5. OAL at 1.250" max. The shoulder of the bullet is about 1/16" above the top with a crimp I believe at .459
Drop right in with a little "jiggle" now and then, but always go in without force. I don't think you should ever have to put force to load these.

I figured it out. I had my sizing die set to not go down all the way, so the bottom 1/8" of the case wasn't getting resized. This worked fine in my 1911s, and in my convertible Blackhawks, but apparently the 625 has tighter chambers. I ran the sizer down all the way and everything works fine now.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Another question, though. Can you load .45ACP with moonclips to the same OAL and load level as .45 AR? Just curious.

Yes