Model 25 45 LC Hunting Load

rxbrew · May 9, 2011

Any one outhere has a good load for Hunting ( Hogs/Whitetails) that will be safe to shoot in a Model 25-5. Is the 300gr +P safe to shhot in the Model 25. I do reload and this is a new gun to me ,so if any of you have any sugguestions I would appreciate it.
Thanks Fred

okie john · May 9, 2011

rxbrew said:
Any one outhere has a good load for Hunting ( Hogs/Whitetails) that will be safe to shoot in a Model 25-5. Is the 300gr +P safe to shhot in the Model 25. I do reload and this is a new gun to me ,so if any of you have any sugguestions I would appreciate it.
Thanks Fred

No way I'd shoot a +P anything out of a 25-5. I'd keep it to a hardcast 250-grain bullet at 1,000 fps, which you can easily do with Unique or 2400.

Okie John

John Eilertson · May 13, 2011

I loaded for my 6" 25-5, and never went above 250 grains. Hit like a hammer, believe me. It will take down the game you described. Good luck!

Huckelberry75 · May 24, 2011

That is an awfully hot round for that gun. In a blackhawk, ok, but not in a M25. Stick with the 200-255 cast pills and 8-10 gns of Unique. Start low and work up.

redlevel · May 24, 2011

I can tell you for a certainty that a 255 grain swc over 9.2 grains of Unique will hole a 150 lb Georgia whitetail through and through, dropping him right where he stood. That's from either a 4" Mountain Gun, a 7.5" OM Blackhawk, or a Winchester Model 94AE Trapper with an 18" barrel. That is a very pleasant load to shoot from any of those guns. Makes a loud bang, a lot of smoke, and hits hard. I pointed out on another forum today that John Linebaugh says that with good bullet placement, a 260 grain bullet at 900 fps performs as well in game as a .270 or 30-06 class rifle bullet. That's a strong statement, but coming from Linebaugh, it has some meaning. His theory is that a "bigger hammer" just hits harder.

WyoStillhunter · Jun 2, 2011

Here is a revealing article on the factors that make handgun ammo effective on game. As some have said above, in .45 LC it doesn't take the heaviest bullet or the highest velocity to achieve satisfactory outcome on deer and hogs.

Beartooth Bullets > Tech Notes

Ron H. · Jun 3, 2011

WyoStillhunter said:
Here is a revealing article on the factors that make handgun ammo effective on game. As some have said above, in .45 LC it doesn't take the heaviest bullet or the highest velocity to achieve satisfactory outcome on deer and hogs.

Beartooth Bullets > Tech Notes

Sir, interesting article. Thanks for posting it.

Semper Fi,

Ron H.

tdan · Jun 3, 2011

My 2 cents on developing ANY load for hunting........from .22lr to 600 Nitro: Work up a load that is THE MOST ACCURATE and that you can SHOOT ACCURATELY in your specific gun. If that 300gr. bullet is not as accurate as a 255-260gr. pill, don't waste time, powder, and primers on that weight of bullet. 9.0 grains of Unique fueling a 255gr. SWC is a tried and true 45 Colt load. Even better in my experience is a max load of Tite-group with that same weight bullet. My 625-5 will print a one-hole group at 25yds with 255-260gr leads fueled with Tite-group. I seem to remember another regular poster on this forum has a saying: Accuracy is king, penetration is queen, and everything else is angels dancing on the head of a pin. You certainly don't have to worry about penetration with a 255-260gr lead moving at 900+ fps. That bullet will go through a horse, much less a deer.

A10 · Jun 3, 2011

I shoot the Buffalo Bore 300's through my 25-13 as a large critter defense load. It's a thumper (bites on both ends), and I don't shoot many, but they haven't loosened the gun up. I have talked with the BB guys and they say they are "safe" to shoot in the gun, meaning it won't blow up, but they may loosen the weapon faster than standard loads. I did a bunch of research, and it seems as long as you stay below 25,000 cup or so you won't have a problem. Some recommend a 32,000 cup limit. My hand hurts enough with the BB load, so i don't plan on going any hotter. Like I said, not pleasant to shoot but less pleasant for any critter I'm facing.

Arisin Wind · Jun 3, 2011

Here's an article about 25-5 loads.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

Mule88 · Jun 22, 2011

As already mentioned, a 250 gn bullet @ 1000 should cover anything you would want to hunt except perhaps game that may want to eat you. Ive shot my 625 with these loads they are comfortable, accurate and not too hard on the gun. If you need more power go to a .44 .460 or a .500

ArchAngelCD · Jun 22, 2011

The 45 Colt was developed to shoot a horse right out from under it's rider and did so quite well with a 250gr projectile traveling at 900 fps. I personally see no reason to add weight or velocity to that formula. A horse is much tougher than a deer and even a hog because the horse is so muscular. Besides, a "normal" 45 Colt load is easier on your revolver and more importantly easier on you.

matsu · Jun 22, 2011

your problem with larger bullets is S&W has a short cylinder oal you can't get some of the longer bullets in the case without sticking out and if you seat deeper you will increase pressure

deltazulu334 · Aug 17, 2011

short cylinder S&W .45 Colt handloads

matsu said:
your problem with larger bullets is S&W has a short cylinder oal you can't get some of the longer bullets in the case without sticking out and if you seat deeper you will increase pressure

I've found a load for my .455 HE 2nd Model ( 1.58" cylinder length. It was rechambered to .45 Colt ) which is very accurate, powerful, and IMO easy on my revolver. It is based around an Oregon Trail 255 grain SWC with bevel base. This bullet has its crimping groove positioned correctly to provide an over-all cartridge length ideal for my Smith's cylinder. (I believe that Oregon Trail still offers this bullet in both .452" and .454" diameters.) I've found that 8.4 grains of Unique gives 930 fps muzzle velocity on my chronograph.
Have not had the opportunity to use it on game yet, but have no doubt that it is up to any task in my home state.

41 fan · Aug 18, 2011

I load the RCBS 255 Kieth bullet to an oal of 1.594 for my guns with short cylinders. Using 9.0 gr. of Universal Clays I get 1045 fps from a 7.5 inch Uberti and 950 from a 5.75 Colt SAA. With 6.0 gr. of Red Dot I get 800 fps from my 455 HE that has been converted to 45 Colt. Dean

Model 25 45 LC Hunting Load

rxbrew

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