Any Reason to Load .45 Auto Rim?

[Vartarg]

I currently load .45ACP for several semi-autos, and just acquired a 625 revolver, along with a goodly supply of moonclips.

I've done searches on the .45 Auto Rim round, and done some looking around on the internet about it, and would appreciate some input on why I might want to pick up some .45 AR cases and a shellholder?

One reason might be to make up some fairly stout woods/hunting loads with 265 gr lead bullets.

Another would be the fact that I'm always looking around for another cartridge to tinker with! Sometimes I think it's almost as much fun as a new gun.....

So, what can I do with the .45 AR that I can't do with the .45ACP??

Any comments or suggestions? Thanks.

[aphelion]

It all boils down to whether or not you want to use moonclips. If you don't mind loading and unloading moonclips, then there is no reason to use AR brass.

[Roadranger]

Vartarg, if you just want to tinker,go ahead and get some AR brass and a shell holder and load a few rounds. There are not any stout loads that you can load in an AR case that you can't load in a 45ACP+p case. The only reason for the AR case is to get around the moon clips. With that said, the AR case works very well with Keith bullets and a roll crimp. Bob!

[Jellybean]

You don't even need moonclips since all they are for is extraction, a stick will work just fine if you're not in a hurry.

[Ivan the Butcher]

Had an old Enlield that had been milled for ACP on clips, but it didn't extract, so AR rounds loades to 450 mark whatever specs shot to point of aim, rod or pencil to knock out. It was a good woods/truck/canoe gun.

[Calaveras Slim]

I have a M22 and love it, but not the moon clips. I load the AR and keep the moon clip for a quick reload if needed.

I carry the M22 while hunting and my only load for it is AR. I don't mess the moon clip unless I have to.

[nutsforsmiths]

Loading 45AR and ACP makes it easy to not get the rounds confused, which can be handy if you have a favorite load for the semi and also find a favorite load for the revolver that are different. Can't confuse the two by putting the revolver load into a semi auto.

Also, as already mentioned, no moon clips is nice.

[Murphy2000]

So, what can I do with the .45 AR that I can't do with the .45ACP??

Any comments or suggestions? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Oh, about 1,050-1,100 FPS with a 240 Gr. SWC for one.

I've gotten to this velocity using Lyman's #452423 bullet and Herco powder. Of course this is in MY gun. A 240 Gr. SWC is nothing to sneeze at and I am unaware of any .45ACP round that will even get you close to this.

The Model 625 in .45ACP/AR is the ONE gun would pick as my 'go to' revolver as a do it all. Light loads for practice and small game. JHP's for carrying for selfdense and the handloaded SWC's for hunting. Hard to beat if ya' ask me.

Murphy2000

[michael thornton]

i would rather use the moon clips, buy my moon clips 100 at the time

[Mike, SC Hunter]

This evening I shot 100 or so autorim in my 625 mtn gun and mdl. 22. I was using a cast 255 swc pushed by a healthy charge of unique. This load shoots well in all my ACP revolvers. I still use MC's but I shoot a lot of AR too.

[Skip Sackett]

Well, if all you have is the M625 in 45ACP you don't NEED to buy any 45AR brass. If you have an auto too, I would suggest getting some.

Either that or changing bullets for those "heavier than normal" 45ACP loads. The M625 will take whatever you can dish out. They consistently load the 460 Rowland and other higher pressure loads in that exact same gun.

I have two way to identify rounds that ONLY go in my M625JM. They either have a 240gr and above LSWC, something that will not feed in my other 45ACP firearms, or they are put into 45AR brass.

Case in point, I have 100 rounds of 45AR rounds with an H&G #502, 240gr LSWC right now in an ammo box that says that they will develop 1100fps from that 4" tube.

If all you have to do is get a shell holder, go for it. What $10-$15 for one? If you are like the rest of us, this week you will waste more than that on things that aren't as much fun as dinking around with a new round!

Just sayin'

[ArchAngelCD]

So, what can I do with the .45 AR that I can't do with the .45ACP??

Like already seed, the 45 AR can be used without moonclips whereas the 45 Auto can't.

Just a note, from everything I've read about the .45 AR the load data, powders, bullets and performance is exactly the same as in the 45 Auto.

[Rodentman]

I load the .45 acp and the .45 ar just so I can have another cartridge to play with. I have a .45 auto and a 625. I like to keep the acp brass just for the auto.

[Andy Griffith]

Well, what are the reasons not to load the .45 Auto Rim?

I don't have any.

As Red Green would say, "If the women done find you handsome, at least they'll find you handy."

[moxie]

The heavy loads are doable because the gun is a 625, not because the round is an AR. The ACP can be loaded just as hot as the AR, provided you shoot it in the 625, not a stock 1911. The brass is the same except for the rim. And you don't need a stick to eject the AR rounds. The rim is there for that purpose. You can get .45 Super brass that is indeed stronger than ACP/AR, and perhaps go with pretty hot loads. Starline sells the brass. But, many say don't do it in the 625.

[David Sinko]

Here's the best use I've found yet for Auto Rim brass: a .45 Colt shot capsule chock full of #9 shot. I used 6 grs. of 231 and it's a brisk load with more recoil than I had expected. I have R-P brass and need to use a rather heavy taper crimp and no flair prior to seating the shot cartridge, or else it will be too loose. The pattern at a few feet is far more devastating than any .38 shot cartridge.

This should also work in ACP brass as well but AR is better for those times you need to throw in a single cartridge and shoot quickly. Many of the new "improved" 625s do not fire loose ACP cartridges reliably.

Dave Sinko

[Skip Sackett]

Originally Posted by David Sinko

Here's the best use I've found yet for Auto Rim brass: a .45 Colt shot capsule chock full of #9 shot. I used 6 grs. of 231 and it's a brisk load with more recoil than I had expected. I have R-P brass and need to use a rather heavy taper crimp and no flair prior to seating the shot cartridge, or else it will be too loose. The pattern at a few feet is far more devastating than any .38 shot cartridge.

This should also work in ACP brass as well but AR is better for those times you need to throw in a single cartridge and shoot quickly. Many of the new "improved" 625s do not fire loose ACP cartridges reliably.

Dave Sinko

Now those look cool!

I haven't tried this yet but will now!

[Shooter6br]

I have three 45 acp weapons. Kimber Target II , a Smith 25-2, and a Mech Tech carbine. I load to be compatible for all three. Also 45 ACP brass is cheaper than 45AR. I use moon clips in the Smith. I use RIMZ moon clips. Easy to use and good on the fingers . just my 2 cents

[smokey04]

I started loading AR brass years ago because I got several hundred rounds of new brass in a trade. I like carrying with the ARs loaded and ACPs in clips [2,3 &6] for reloads. While fooling around with loads I tried 255 gr.& 300gr. Keith style semi-wads with the AR case. Man,just the look of that round is like looking at a pit bull!If for no other reason to load them, they look cool and can be very accurate.My loads were hot [notice I'm not saying what,but not over the max.] in a Mod. 25-2, 61/2" and they were devastating on targets. The old 25-2 doesn't slap your palm quite as soundly as a med.hot .44 Mag., but it DO let you know it went off!I'm still saying I'm going to get a old mod. Ruger Convert and a Colt NF.ACP cylinder opened up at the back end to use ARs in them.BTW; IIRC the AR brass has slightly less capacity than the ACP which, in this case makes the round slighty more efficient. Nick

[ChuckS1]

The only drawback, like everyone has said, is that you either have to use moonclips (major PITA, I think) or just poke the ACP brass out with something (I use a Bic pen I keep in my range box). I have a couple hundred pieces of AR brass, but frankly it's not worth my time to use my single stage press to load it when I can crank out a hundred ACP rounds on my SDB.

[Fishslayer]

I've kinda wondered if I could roll up some Big Dogs for my M1950. I was worried the steel between the chambers might be a bit thin for hotrodding the .45ACP.
250gr LSWC over some slow powder would get somebody's attention.

[Frank237]

Originally Posted by Fishslayer

I've kinda wondered if I could roll up some Big Dogs for my M1950. I was worried the steel between the chambers might be a bit thin for hotrodding the .45ACP.
250gr LSWC over some slow powder would get somebody's attention.

Several yrs back I somehow got set up with Starline and helped them to test their soon to be released .45 AR brass. I loaded 240-255 gr SWC's with a roll crimp over healthy doses of Unique and Herco.

Don't have my crono data handy, but I surpassed 1000 fps and they all extracted easily from my M625 5". Never tried any in my 25-2 though.

DO recall I loaded some of that brass SEVEN times and it seemed to hold up fine.

I ended up with a load that tosses the 245 gr SWC Lyman slug at 950 fps. Felt the loss of that 50-100 fps didn't amount to much...and the small drop in pressure was nice insurace, should any find their way into my older M25-2 .

I'd bet a guy could load the 25-2's and 1950 UP pretty well...but WHY push it.

FN in MT

[Win]

5 or 6 years ago I purchased 500 pieces of 45ar from Starline. Great brass that makes into great ammo...without using the clips. I have 2 625s and prefer it over 45acp brass in those guns.