I came into shells that were loaded for my father in law when he was alive, they are 45 Long Colts with a 180 gr. JHP and marked 1100 FPS, but no powder info on box.
I'm wondering if these will be safe in my S&W 25-5?

I came into shells that were loaded for my father in law when he was alive, they are 45 Long Colts with a 180 gr. JHP and marked 1100 FPS, but no powder info on box.
I'm wondering if these will be safe in my S&W 25-5?

As far as my book looks that load looks to be a hunting load, those numbers are near or at the top of the charts for the 45 colt. I shoot mid range numbers out of my Smith and hot-hot rounds out of my Ruger blackhawk.

I've always been suspect of ANY reloads other than my own. I'd give them to someone to shoot out of a Blackhawk or something stronger than your 25-5. Why look for trouble?

FN in MT

I would not shoot them in my Smith unless there was a bear at the door and no other weapon around.

Ok, that about does it for me, I'll pull the bullets and start over.
Thanks everyone.

There is an article in HANDLOADER number 217 that you really need to get a copy of. Written by Brian Pearce, it explains the different power levels the .45 Colt can be loaded to, in different strength guns.

Basically, it says a model 25-5 has the exact same strength cylinder as a model 25-2, 625 (same thickness walls, materials etc.) and therefore is safe with loads that go up to 23,000PSI. That is the same pressure as .45 ACP +P loads generate, and S&W rates their model 25 variants chambered in .45 ACP for +P loads.

If you go to John Linebaughs websight,(the man who practically wrote the book on the .45 COLT) you will find all kinds of technical info on the 25-5/.45 Colt. He goes as far as 30,000PSI for a rating, while still keeping a 100% safety margin that is a requirement of his.

You can get a back issue of Handloader number 217 from Wolfe Publishing. Go to their web sight and I believe you can order it there. I simply called them and ordered it. It is by far the best article I've ever seen on the .45 Colt in 40 years of reading gun articles.

I also vote to pull!

Better safe than sorry!

Bob

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