...tried out a bunch of test reloads:
all cast boolits:
185 SWC hot load 231;
185 SWC hot load Titegroup;
165 SWC hot load Clays;
repeated with moderate loads same powders;

225 truncated FP and 230 RN in medium and hot load same powders PLUS hot load Trail Boss;

Actually, I *started* with the lighter loads and worked up to the hotter ones...

control batch:
Old military 230 ball, unknown powder;
New factory 230 ball, "
Factory 200 JHP, "

Impressive groups with the cast loads, sitting, open sights at (only!) 15 yards, some off hand and some from rest.

Mostly I like the hotter 231s and Clays.

Had lots of 6-shot groups in the sub 2" range.
I know better is to be expected; for me with a new pistol and antique eyeballs, I'm pretty happy.

Ive noticed that with cast made with tender lovin care. Cast has provided me with accuracy I could never achieve before.

I like 231 and a 230g cast TC too. I use them in a 1911 and my powder charge is the ubiquitous 5.3g standard, so I don't suppose they're marching down range too fast, but they're as close to factory as I can imagine.

Did you chrono your loads?

quote:

for me with a new pistol and antique eyeballs

M657,
I resemble that remark!

That youngun of mine can out shoot me now!

At least it isn't with my gun though!


I have a M625JM that has got to be one of the most accurate revolvers I have ever owned. It shoots like a house a fire with bullets sized to .452" and any powder and any charge! It is truly amazing! Some of my bullets are 252gr LSWC going about 1000fps too!

I hate to mention that I have loaded some 160gr at about 650fps just for hoops and hollers too. Embarrassing at the range! 60ft they go like this: "Pop...................tink"

I, too, am a fan of the 625-8 JM Special. Just recently, I added a 5" 625-6 to my battery. I mounted a Simmons 30mm Red Dot and have had it out for three sessions in the past couple of weeks. It apparently is going to shoot just as well as the JM (which is pretty much "wonderful").

Here is a five shot group shot at 25 yards, standing two handed. I can do this from time to time but cannot do it on demand (however, the gun CAN do it on demand). Both the JM and the 5" will, on demand, from the Ransom Rest shoot well under 1" at 25 yards.

This particular load was using the H&G #130 bullet over 4.1 Red Dot. This is a comfortable target load that you can shoot all day long. Both of my 625's seem to be relatively insensitive to bullet or powder changes. Recently I shot a 100x100 (on the timed fire target) at 25 yards using three different bullets (Saeco #68, H&G #130, and H&G #68) with two different powder charges (4.1 Red Dot and 4.0 Bullseye). This was standing two handed. I call that EXCELLENT performance for the revolver.

You will note that this target presented here has the group somewhat to the right of the "X" ring. I have some vision problems and have been trying to shoot right handed with the left eye. The gun was centered in the "X" ring. This target was shot right handed with the right eye and it is interesting to note that group is centered approximately 1 1/4" to the right using the left eye zero.

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Now that's what I call honesty in reporting! Thanks for posting the target Dale.

We love to see the paper it was printed on. Someone else show us some groups

This is a M625-4 25 yard group from a few years ago, when my eyes were better than they are now.

I use 5.1grs of W231 with 210swc for my 5 inch 625-6, all my other 45's.

Then there's my 1986 4 inch 657.210swc with 7grs of Unque.

Both guns with these loads are super accurate.

But after 2 months of weekly range visits I had to give the edge to the 657.

That really surprised me.