Reloading data for 45 gap in 625

[Beans]

I thought I would play around some and I was given 50 rds of 180 Gr 45 GAP factory rds.

I have loaded them in moon clips, They will be fired tomorrow at the range in my 625 model 1989 4 inch 625.

I would like to reload some light target loads using 185 RNFP lead bullets,

Anyone played around with this ammo.

 

[Beans]

I thought I would play around some and I was given 50 rds of 180 Gr 45 GAP factory rds.

I have loaded them in moon clips, They will be fired tomorrow at the range in my 625 model 1989 4 inch 625.

I would like to reload some light target loads using 185 RNFP lead bullets,

Anyone played around with this ammo.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

I kinda wud like to play also but can't justify buying anymore dies just to reload the gap.

MY take is that in the Glock, this is a respectable round but I suspect in the revolver it would be anemic.

 

[Erich]

You do realize that these are the wrong rounds for the gun, right?

I assume that you know this, but I'm not sure: I had to help out a guy on the range this weekend who was attempting (unsuccessfully) to shoot .45 ACP from his .45 Colt SAA.

My advice would be to stick with the plentiful and correct ammo for which your gun is designed, and to borrow someone's .45 GAP pistol if you're determined to shoot the rounds you were gifted.

 

[Paul5388]

Erich,

Since he's head spacing on the moon clips, it isn't much different than using .38 Specials in a .357 Mag or any other shorter round in a longer chamber.

 

[haggis]

Except in this case the ".38 Specials" operate at a higher pressure than the ".357 Magnums".

Buck

 

[Paul5388]

And that's supposed to be detrimental to a M625? If it doesn't operate at higher pressures than a .45 Super or .450 Rowland, it really shouldn't be a problem.

 

[duckloads]

Is the 45GAP a higher pressure round than the 45ACP? If it is, I wouldn't shoot them in my 625 without factory OK.

 

[Paul5388]

Since Clark's Custom Guns rechambers the M625 to .450 Rowland, why would you have to ask the factory? The answer is obvious, since the factory won't even tell you you can use a handload.

 

[handgunner356]

The .45 gap is suppose to be loaded to the same pressure as the .45 +P. So I don't see a pressure problem as long as the right powders are used. There is very little case capacity to work with so that will narrow the powder selection even more. I guess there could be a advange to loading/ejecting the shorter cases, but you're back to the scrubing the cylinder good before using standard ACP.

 

[DJINCO]

From the Lyman 3rd P&R Handbook

230gr 7.5gr Blue Dot approx 18,000 psi 45GAP
230gr 6.6gr Unique approx 15,800 psi 45ACP

 

[Beans]

This has been a good day. I shot 36 rds of American Eagle 185 Gr .45 GAP rounds in my 4 inch 1989 S&W 625 .45 ACP.

The low rd is a flinch it was the first round fired, and I called it low.

The other 5 rds went into a outside to outside measure grouop of .930 horizonal and 1.14 Vertical group.

The other 30 rds went into a a sub 2 inch group, on a different target nothing to photograph just one hole

This was shot two handed, (all rounds were fired DA) with my forearms resting on the edge of my Ranger pickup truck bed.

Temp 68 Degrees wind 7-10 MPH. Distance 15 yards

 

[Beans]

Details.

The extractor grove in the 45 GAP is cut deeper then the 45 ACP.

The moon clips held the 45 Gap but loosely and allowed them to be removed and inserted by hand.

Extraction was normal. Turn the gun barrel skyward open the cylinder and the brass fell out into my hand still in the moon clips

Recoil was slightly softer then the WWB 230 GR Handball which I contributed to the difference in bullet weight. 185 Gr vs 230 Grs

No signs of brass distress, all pressure signs were normal compared to a WWB 230 Gr 45 ACP round also fired today for comparison.

While I do not recommend this to anyone, I plan on continuing by reloading the 45 GAP Brass with 185 Gr RNL bullets.

Stuck in hard place with my model 1989-625 45 ACP, moon clips and 45 Gap ammo. No hesitation in using this combo for SD

 

[Beans]

I kinda wud like to play also but can't justify buying anymore dies just to reload the gap.

Several other websites posting state you can reload 45 ACP and 45 GAP on the same dies.

I will find out this week

 

[Hella]

[lang=no]Eg bruker samme utstyr for GAP som for ACP.
Dette til en 625-7[/lang]

 

[David Sinko]

I have shot .45 GAP out of my 625s without any problems. I handloaded it with regular ACP dies, but obviously they must be adjusted first. I used Speer brass and the fit into the moonclips was very loose but it does work. Some competitive shooters use special moonclips that hold the GAP case tightly, claiming faster reloads but the whole concept never made any sense to me. I have always felt that the .45 GAP is an answer in search of a question, whether used in a 625 or Glock pistol.

Dave Sinko

 

[Alk8944]

I would like to reload some light target loads using 185 RNFP lead bullets,...

Why? Unless you have a shortage of .45 ACP or Auto-Rim why would you want to waste time with 50 cases?

Loading data? It is exactly the same as if you were shooting the same cartridge in any other firearm. This is the same as asking for specific data for a 3" barrel because the loading manuals show that a 6" was used. The data doesn't change, just ballistic performance does with varying barrel length and firearm type.

 

[Hella]

GAP ws ACP.
I use GAP because then i can use smal pistol primes.
I don`t need to buy large pistol primers just for the .45.
And of cause ther i 1 grain less powder in there, each shoot.
1000-1500 shots eatch month, saving 1000-1500 grain of powder.
Faster reloads....? well....

 

[Jellybean]

Loading data? It is exactly the same as if you were shooting the same cartridge in any other firearm. This is the same as asking for specific data for a 3" barrel because the loading manuals show that a 6" was used. The data doesn't change, just ballistic performance does with varying barrel length and firearm type.

Not exactly. Loading data for ammo used in autos will be different than data that can be used in revolvers. Starting loads will be given that operated the slide in the test firearms and powders will be chosen that generate the pressure to operate it also. With different powders, or lower charges of the ones given, you can work up some very nice, low velocity, low pressure, loads for revolvers that nobody would list for an auto using the same cartridge. It's the same as demagnumizing a magnum by using powders and loads that are used in cowboy action ammo.

 

[BUFF]

Your .45 ACP crimping die may or may not be able to be adjusted far enough down to crimp the shorter GAP case. Sizing, flaring and seating shouldn't be an issue. Just gotta try it to see.