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Old 05-26-2018, 10:13 AM
Roy8202 Roy8202 is offline
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Default Loads for 625-8

Am a hardcore revolver shooter. Just aquired a 625-8. A friend gave me a box each of lead swc 200 gr and lead 230 round nose. Have several pounds of 231 and Bullseye. Shoot paper at 10 to 25 yards. Any suggestions on good loads for these two bullets? Thanks
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Old 05-26-2018, 12:25 PM
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Congratulations on the 625! I have a 625 JM. If you have a JM, they tend to lead easily & badly. Not shooting any fast or hot loads. I like plated, or coated bullets. Really like Berry's plated RNFP 200gr. for ACP, & Colt, and 230gr. Bob
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Old 05-26-2018, 01:03 PM
g8rb8 g8rb8 is offline
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I have a 625-8 PC and have not tried the two bullets you have available but use the powder you will use so for what it's worth here my experience.

I have only tried two bullets and about 4 different loads in the 625-8. I found all shot equally well which was very good. I have no formal groupings or chronograph data. Neither of these load left the barrel dirty or leaded up the barrel but did leave debris, not so excessive as to cause a problem, in the forcing cone that required a little extra effort with a brass brush and Hoppe's No. 9.

Xtreme plated 45-200 SWC (i.e. copper plated, 200 grain, semi-wad cutter, diameter 0.451)

Missouri Bullet Company coated ".45 Button - Hi-Tek" - 185 grain, 0.452 SWC, Brinell 12, optimized for Bullseye Shooting

I started with the Xtreme product but the Missouri Bullet Company product seems to shoot better (maybe?) but I have no objective data to prove it.

I have used both HP-38 and W231 powders (essentially the same powders) and have had good results with 4.6 grains of these powders with either bullet.

Here's a link to the Hodgdon reloading data website which I have found to be a reasonable resource for .38 special, .45 acp, .44 special, and .44 magnum load.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
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Old 05-26-2018, 03:10 PM
Wise_A Wise_A is offline
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3.7 - 4.2 grains of Bullseye for both the 200-gr LSWC and 230-gr LRN. 3.7 for a geezer load, 4.0 for shooting a little further or a little cleaner.

I'm not a big fan of HP-38/WW-231 in .45, especially not in .45 ACP revolvers. It's not bad, just not superlative at any particular thing, and it seems to be a little temperature-sensitive at light loadings in my climate.

Personally, I prefer 4.2 gr of WST under a 200-gr LSWC.
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Old 05-26-2018, 03:40 PM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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In my 1917 (Brazilian Contract) and my 625 Series of 1989 I use WW231/HP38 4.7grains with 200 RNFP (also in my other 45 ACP guns! It burns a little dirty, but nails targets!

My Father-in-Law went NRA Distinguished in the late 60's using 4.2 of Bullseye over an Alcan primer, over a CCI or WLP you need one or two extra 10ths of a grain to get the same velocity. The best low velocity bullet I ever found for 45 was Star of Indianapolis (out of business for several years!) lead 185 SWC/HP over 231. Worked great in both ACP and Long Colt loads! I still have a few boxes (500's) so I haven't looked for a substitute yet. The bullet has the bearing surface of a 200 gr. but 7.5% less weight, it works very well! Try and push it about 700-725 FPS. I shot it in 12 different guns (Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch) and never had any leading issues! I've heard there a few companies making a similar bullet. You will want pure lead and swaged, not cast! It works well in any throat that is halfway close to specifications (ACP or Long Colt).

These thumb sized hunks of lead and not only good at punching holes in paper, but make quick work of garden pests too.

Ivan
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Old 05-26-2018, 04:50 PM
Willyboy Willyboy is offline
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Default 45 loads

I had a 625-8 PC, not JM. I loaded 200gr and 230gr lswc with 5.0 gr of HP38. Willyboy
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Old 05-26-2018, 07:54 PM
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For many years I have used 4.3 gr 231 behind a 200 gr cast SWC. It is mild, around 700 fps, but very accurate.
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Old 05-29-2018, 07:31 PM
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I use 3.9 gr Bullseye under both a cast 185 gr LSWC and Hornady swaged 200 gr LSWC. Both are great paper puncher loads, and don't lead the barrel.

I've tried both 4.0 and 5.0 gr Bullseye under a 230 gr LRN, I was underwhelmed with the accuracy. Maybe the bullets are too hard? I think 5.0 worked better than 4.0.

5.0 gr Bullseye under a 230 gr FMJ worked ok, but not as well as the paper puncher loads.
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Old 05-31-2018, 08:42 AM
zeke zeke is online now
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Just went through about 1000 coated 200 lrnfp's loaded with 5.8 gns hp-38 in Starline 45 ar cases. The coating increased dia to .453. Clean and very accurate. If memory serves, 5.0 to 5.5 gns hp-38 can work well with 230 lrn.

If I could ask a question for 625-8 owners? Do your chambers have the old style ledge in the chambers? Am not asking wether you can actually shoot individual rounds, but whether the sharp ledge (not the short transition to bullet dia) is still there to headspace off of if need be?

Am trying to differentiate that from whether the ledge is still there, from whether round can headspace off of the short transition to bullet dia.

Thanks, any help sincerely appreciated.
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Old 05-31-2018, 09:04 AM
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my pet load on a 25-5 was 4.7 BE and a 200 gr SWC. So accurate.
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Old 05-31-2018, 10:40 AM
Hasbeen1945 Hasbeen1945 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Willyboy View Post
I had a 625-8 PC, not JM. I loaded 200gr and 230gr lswc with 5.0 gr of HP38. Willyboy
5grains of 231 with a 200 grain Missouri RNFP coated bullet. I shot this load in my 625-3 and my 45 auto’s. Works good in both.
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Old 06-16-2018, 04:38 PM
TSQUARED TSQUARED is offline
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With age I have become less tolerant of recoil and now shoot the 230 gr. plated or jacketed bullets at ca 575 fps. Knocks down steel plates with ease and very mild recoil. With the plated bullets I tend to use Trail Boss, VV N310, WAA Lite or Extra Lite. With the jacketed bullets I do not use Trail Boss.
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Old 07-13-2018, 01:31 PM
tommy F tommy F is offline
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I like 4.0 titegroup with lead 185-230 gr in a all revolvers and semi autos. I scored several thousand Star 185 HP discussed above and plan to load some soon
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Old 07-13-2018, 03:21 PM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy F View Post
I scored several thousand Star 185 HP discussed above and plan to load some soon
You are very lucky indeed!

Ivan
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