I loaded up some test loads for my 25-5. I was using a 255g LSWC with various powders, but the Green Dot (6.5g) load grouped the best at 20 yds.

The problem is it shoots high, are the front sights regulated more for 200 or 230 grain bullets?

Thanks,
C/R JPG

If your revolver is a .45 ACP, the sights should be regulated for the 230 grain RN hardball load. The adjustable sights will allow you to go all the way down to 200 grain SWC target loads and even as low as the 185 grain SWC.

If your gun is a .45 Colt, it should be able to print on with 255 grain RN or SWC loads.

Sir, it's a common problem. My 25-5 and -9 both printed high with 250s, and I understand the -7s do it, too. 200s print much closer to point of aim in my 25-9.

If you want 250s to print right in your gun, you'll need to modify the sights, either taller in the front or shorter in the rear.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

My four inch 25-5 shot way high with 255gr bullets at 825 to 850fps, I had a new front sight made, centered the elevation on the rear sight and filed the front sight to a point of aim impact at 25 yards with the 255gr bullet at 850fps. I never shoot a bullet lighter than 250gr out of my .45 Colt's so this works for me.

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Stay safe people!

Ron, Vulcan

Thanks!

This load was an experiment - good shooter.

At this point it looks like 200g LSWC from my 45 ACP loads will be checked next, then the 185 JHPs.

I'll stash the 250s and 255s for later if I want to change the front sight.

JPG/CR

Lost Internet this morning during my reply.

My M25-7 shoots high with almost anything over 230gr. I really like the 45-270SAA but at 280gr +, they shoot 6" high @ 25 yards.

I even filed a bit off of the rear sight to try to get them to hit right. Gave up and went to this boolit:


200gr LRNHP @ 900fps. POA/POI

Greetings
You can expoxy a round brass rod piece to the front sight which will get those grounds on target. 5 minute expoxy will eventually come loose again but it takes alot of shootoing.
Mike in Peru

"Aim Low Sheriff, they be riding Shetlands"

Sorry, just had to.

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Still Running Against the Wind

But the whole fun factor with the 45 Colt is dem big ole 255 gr projectiles. Find a way to modify your front sight or go to the old Kentucky windage thing.

Just extend your range...them bullets have to drop sometime.

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Have .44, will travel

If your Smith has a removable front sight, Smith probably has higher ones.

I had the same problem with my Model 29 (8 3/8" barrel). I replaced the front sight with a higher one. No further problems.

Otherwise, I have also silver soldered (low temp silver solder) extra height on the front sight then filed to fit. If you can't or don't want to do it, a good pistolsmith can.

On the other hand, because of vision problems I have gone to Red Dot sights on many of my revolvers and LOVE them!





FWIW
Dale53

... or else take up giraffe hunting.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

I just did an CAD drawing of a line of sight that would be 6" high @ 25 yards. That line of site would be 24" high @ 100 yards if the bullet would keep on that straight path.

Running that through a ballistics program is kind of cool. That big ole' 280gr slug leaving the barrel @ 1000fps (I have some that are leaving closer to 1400fps! but not out of the Smith ) and 6" high at 25 yards puts it right on for 150 yards! Just to put into perspective, at that velocity from the barrel, at that 150 yard distance, it still has 480ft/lbs of energy!

More than a 357Mag @ 1150fps & a 158gr @ the muzzle! Just sayin'!

Look out giraffes!

Ron - it gave me a big grin - thanks

Skip - thanks for the calculation - I didn't drive the 255 at that velocity, but that mass at any speed is respectable.

The load printed about 3 1/2" high at 20 yds with a tight grouping.

The 45 Colt is a classic with the 250g bullet. This 25-5 is great but strange with 45 AR/ACP class weights.

I looked at the sight and don't see any proud pins.

CR/JPG

See if you can measure the height of your rear sight blade. You may be able to get one of lower height from S & W parts or Brownell's. They are not hard to replace. I had the same problem in reverse years ago with a 29-2. It shot too low. A higher rear blade did the trick.

It may seem counter-intuitive that heavy bullets can shoot high.

It's a function of recoil. Heavier bullets, more recoil. Heavier recoil causes the barrel to rise higher even before the bullet has exited the barrel. This causes the bullet to impact high.

A higher front sight lowers the point of aim, and compensates for the higher recoil. Lighter bullets will then print low.

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HIKayaker

Keep in mind:
You can adjust your sights, your cartridge loads, or your eyes......they all work.
The red dot is amazing...ask any bullseye shooter....and it is adjustable.
Install adjustable open sights...
with your loads (light) you will always shoot high. You must standardize, with fixed sight guns, for a standard .45 Colt factory load approx. (250gr bullet @ 900fps). if you shoot lighter loads, they will shoot high...Magnum-like loads will shoot lower.
Terry