Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-05-2018, 10:58 PM
342ti 342ti is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 20
Liked 167 Times in 98 Posts
Default 45 Colt Bullseye Loads

Going to start reloading for 45 Colt as soon as my 25-5 shows up next week. It has the good throats/.452”-.453”, 4”bbl. I have 8-10 lbs Bullseye on hand, so I’m looking for some good range loads, accurate and light. Am open to bullet weights, was looking towards 250/255gr SWC. Also, has anyone heard of having problems with sight adjustment and light loads ratio, on the 25-5? Previous owner was saying he ran out of elevation adjustment, until he stepped up his loads around the 850-900fps mark? I never heard of anything like that, but never owned a 45 Colt either. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-05-2018, 11:53 PM
rockquarry rockquarry is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,552
Likes: 4
Liked 8,885 Times in 4,121 Posts
Default

I've been shooting various .45 Colt revolvers, rifles, and a carbine for more than forty years, mostly with the Lyman #454424, about 255- 260 grs. I thought I had tried Bullseye at one time, but cannot find it listed in my notes.

That's a huge case for such a fast powder, though it may work fine. However, I'd attempt to locate published data from a reputable source before I would rely on Internet suggestions. Check the Alliant paper manual (or perhaps the website) and the Speer book. Speer often uses powders other manuals neglect. There are likely other sources.

I don't shoot .45 Colt much anymore. I used Unique for many years but found HS-6 to be a slightly better .45 Colt powder. As for elevation adjustment, my two 25-5s, a 4" and 6", always shot high (about 3"-4" at 25 yards with the elevation adjustment all the way down. This was with muzzle velocities of around 800 fps with the 4" and 850 fps with the 6". A higher velocity will correct the problem, but with noticeably increased recoil.

I doubt you'll be able to get 900 fps with a heavy bullet using Bullseye powder and stay within standard pressure parameters, but that's only a guess on my part. People load these guns hot, but I wouldn't do it.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 07-06-2018, 12:06 AM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,479
Likes: 236
Liked 28,938 Times in 14,012 Posts
Default

For many years, my only .45 Colt load is 6.5 grains of Bullseye and a 200 grain flat nose lead (Cowboy) bullet. Good accuracy and about 900 fps MV.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 07-06-2018, 09:16 AM
cowboy4evr cowboy4evr is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 185
Liked 3,297 Times in 1,523 Posts
Default

Going from 5.0-7.0 grs in .5 increments you should find the load that you are looking for . 6.0-6.5 seems to be what many have used in the past .
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-06-2018, 09:47 AM
Forrest r Forrest r is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 170
Liked 1,636 Times in 681 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 342ti View Post
Previous owner was saying he ran out of elevation adjustment, until he stepped up his loads around the 850-900fps mark? I never heard of anything like that, but never owned a 45 Colt either. Thanks.
????Odd

Slower bullet tend to print higher, ='s lowering the rear sight.
Heavier bullets tend to print higher, ='s lowering the rear sight.

A chart showing the correct rear sight height.


A formula to use to figure out your sight height/lowering adjustments.

Example:
I do a test load with a revolver and it's hitting 6" high @ 25yds.
9" x (6"/300)

9" is the distance between the front and rear sight
6" is how high (could be low/left/right also) the load is hitting
300 is how many inches the load was tested @ 25yds ='s 300"

6" divided by 300" ='s .02" or 2/100th's of an inch

9" x .02" ='s .18" or 18/100th's of an inch

If I want that load that's hitting 6" high to hit the poa. I have to lower the rear sight .18" (18/100th's of an inch).
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 07-06-2018, 10:31 AM
JD Mahan JD Mahan is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 4
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

But there's 900 inches in 25yds.

25yds * 3 = 75ft

75ft * 12 = 900 inches
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-06-2018, 11:20 AM
cowboy4evr cowboy4evr is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 185
Liked 3,297 Times in 1,523 Posts
Default

The only time I ever ran out of sight adjustment was with a 25-10 , 6" barrel . Using 255 gr cast bullets with the rear sight all the way down wasn't enough . I had to have a higher front sight installed . There was a rumor that those particular 45's had been sighted to shoot 185 gr . My 25-5 has no problem with 255gr bullets to 300 gr for sight adjustment . I have shot loads from " mild to wild " . Maybe , someone in the past changed out the front sight to a lower one . Buying used guns can be a challenge as we don't always know what was done in the past . Hope this helps , Paul
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-06-2018, 11:40 AM
ameridaddy ameridaddy is offline
US Veteran
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: central Virginia
Posts: 2,890
Likes: 13,143
Liked 6,891 Times in 2,087 Posts
Default

My 25-5 shot ~6" high with a 255 gr bullet @ ~800 fps. Looking closely, it appeared to me Smith used the same one piece barrel and sight that they used for the Model 29, just a different bore. Registered for the 29, shooting a lighter bullet much faster than Colt 45, it would leave the 25 shooting high. It was too high even for 6 o'clock hold on a 25 yd target.
I had to mill off the front sight blade and install a .043" taller one to hit point of aim and leave some room for both up and down elevation adjustment at the rear sight.

Last edited by ameridaddy; 07-06-2018 at 11:53 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 08-07-2018, 07:59 PM
992B 992B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 1,383
Liked 133 Times in 55 Posts
Default

I have a model 25-5 just like yours. Using any brand 45 Colt brass, 8.5 of Unique, 240 to 250 gr cast bullet, and most importantly use a Remington large pistol primer, 2-1/2 as I recall. I experimented and found 454 diameter bullets shoot better than 452. Gary
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-07-2018, 08:29 PM
GypsmJim GypsmJim is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 22
Liked 5,547 Times in 1,940 Posts
Default

I have several 45 Colts, including a 25-5. When the powder shortage hit a couple years ago I tried to convert all my handguns to Bullseye, since I had an ample supply.

I ended up switching back to Unique when I was able to get some. 45 Colt, 41 Mag and 357 Mag will work with Bullseye, but they simply work better with Unique.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-07-2018, 08:35 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
SWCA Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 10,039
Liked 10,047 Times in 4,758 Posts
Default

I’ve only had 4-inch versions of the 25s, a couple of 25-5s and a 25-9. They all shot high with my handloads using a 260 gr Keith bullet and Unique or 800X. With that in mind, I’d think using a lighter weight bullet, as D Walt suggests, would be a good idea. His Bullseye load sounds like an ideal starting place, but I haven’t tried it. I just might!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-08-2018, 09:19 AM
cowboy4evr cowboy4evr is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 185
Liked 3,297 Times in 1,523 Posts
Default

My favorite Bullseye load is 7.0 grs using the " Keith " 255 gr swc (HG 501). It was very accurate and pleasant to shoot for me in my 25-5 , 4" barrel . I tried backing it down some , but came back to 7.0 grs . Regards, Paul
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-08-2018, 09:30 AM
loc n load loc n load is offline
SWCA Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: S/W Indiana
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 1,923
Liked 2,458 Times in 876 Posts
Default Bullseye

Bullseye will work just fine in 45LC. I load 280 grain full wadcutters and 238 gr HBWC’s over bullseye. They are quite accurate and have plenty of steam downrange. I have a couple 25-5’s and shoot them with either the 255 gr SWC or the WC. I have never had any kind of sight issues with any of my loads.

Last edited by loc n load; 08-08-2018 at 05:16 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-08-2018, 01:32 PM
GCF GCF is offline
Member
45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads 45 Colt Bullseye Loads  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 967
Likes: 217
Liked 609 Times in 246 Posts
Default

VV N-330 if you can find it. The 255 grain was from a Lee mold, IIRC, & the 265 grain was a Keith bullet. All sized to fit the cylinder throats, w/ only a moderate hardness alloy.

625-6 MG
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 625Group-02.JPG (51.8 KB, 16 views)
File Type: jpg 625Group-03.JPG (42.9 KB, 16 views)
File Type: jpg 625Group-04.JPG (40.7 KB, 13 views)
__________________
Regards - GCF

Last edited by GCF; 08-08-2018 at 01:35 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Light 38 Secial Loads W/ Bullseye bananaman Reloading 15 08-21-2014 09:11 PM
reduced loads - bullseye or....? deadear dan Reloading 22 07-22-2013 12:03 PM
Light 10mm loads with Bullseye madmikeb Reloading 2 07-07-2011 11:07 AM
Loads for mid-level 357 using 125 gr. lead and Bullseye? Hammerdown77 Reloading 3 11-13-2010 07:28 PM
Bullseye 10mm loads for the 610 tdan Reloading 4 01-31-2010 02:06 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:53 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)