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25-2 45 ACP

M

Model29-26.5

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I have found this model to have the nicest balance of power/kick/controllable recoil, at least at my beginner level.
Apologies to the real traditional collectors for my changing out the Patridge sight for a red ramp (the shame of it) but it twins up nicely with my 29-2 6.5 :)
It had a nice cleaning yesterday and will be taken out again tomorrow for another session down here in the Sunshine state.

As a side question, 45 ACP being half the price of 45 Colt… is 45 ACP even worth reloading?
I have moonclips, but I’ve never used them. I just push the shells out.
 

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I don't really want to shoot jacketed ammo in mine so I shoot cast bullet handloads in Auto Rim brass. Way cheaper than any factory ammo and is just like loading and shooting any other rimmed revolver ctg. Handloading gives you a choice of many different types of cast bullets and power levels you want compared to factory ammo.
 
alwslate said:
I don't really want to shoot jacketed ammo in mine so I shoot cast bullet handloads in Auto Rim brass. Way cheaper than any factory ammo and is just like loading and shooting any other rimmed revolver ctg. Handloading gives you a choice of many different types of cast bullets and power levels you want compared to factory ammo.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I guess you made my decision there.
I have Never reloaded before, and hoping to get together with a veteran to show me the ropes next week.
Auto rim Would totally be the way to go for this 25-2 So that I can use the extractor star.
Maybe I’ll buy a couple of boxes so I’ll at least have the brass to reload.
 
Long time reloader, and when I recently added things up, buying factory 230gr ball .45ACP was ~$.08/rnd more expensive than my 200gr LSWC handloads, with brass already in hand and current component costs. If you're starting from scratch, it would take a long time to write off the startup costs, but it's cheaper.

The bigger benefit is being able to tailor the load to the gun, and I prefer the 200gr LSWC for target shooting in both my 1911s and S&W revolvers in .45ACP.
 
Model29-26.5 said:
Thanks! I guess you made my decision there.
...
Maybe I’ll buy a couple of boxes so I’ll at least have the brass to reload.
Click to expand...
I've had my 25-2 since the 70's, and over those years, I've found 45 auto rim brass comes and goes from the shelves.
Given your intentions, I'd suggest you buy at least 100 auto rim cases as soon as you can. I haven't looked recently, but if they are currently available, they might soon disappear for a couple years.

Like awlslate and Rodan said, you'll love working up a target load, and once you find what it likes, reloading and shooting will be both economical and have rewarding accuracy, making it a delight all around.
You'll love it.
 
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I got clued into the .45ACP revolver game very late. When I was young it had to be .357magnum or .44magnum to get my interest. The whole .45ACP revolver game went right over my head. I got into it in my sixties and was amazed at how comfortable these large frame big bore handguns are to shoot. I have been downloading magnums for years and eventually branched into .44 special and 44/40 to satisfy my big bore revolver appetite while not battering my hand with heavy recoil. I got into Ruger Super Blackhawks because the muzzle flips upward rather than directly into the palm of my hand the way the big Smith 29 does. In conversion to the .45ACP revolver I was faced with a similar dilemma, do I reload .45ACP or branch into something totally different with the .45 Auto Rim. I have always had issues with moon clip of any kind and when a guy that used to shoot .45ACP in competition told me about the .45 Auto Rim alternative I never looked back. At the time Starline was selling 500 .45AR cases for a reasonable price and ever now and then I would snag a few .45AR cases that came up locally. I do not reload for .45 ACP and haven't ever done so. I had a sufficient supply of factory .45ACP ammo and do not shoot it enough to justify the need to reload for it. I have reloaded the AR cases a couple times each over the following years and being a revolver do not have to scurrying about hunting for my spent cases, they all fall easily into my hand when ejected from the cylinder. My advice is switch over the Auto Rim, unless you are already set up for ACP. I have found the Model of 1955 and early Model 1917 and Brazilian jobs all function very well on copper plated bullets and are very comfortable at speeds you would use for hard cast.
 
Several folks like the 45 Auto Rim. I have a few ACP revolvers and have used the Auto Rim cartridge but much prefer the modern full moon clip as provided by Ranch Products (Malinta Ohio).

As Rodan mentioned, handloading allows you to cater to your revolver and your preferences. I like wadcutter bullets. I load the SAECO 453 in ACP cases. Over a hardball dose of powder they make great hunting loads, or self defense loads. You could also use the same bullet with less powder for less recoil and still punch a big hole.

I have never seen where handloading has saved me any money. But, it has allowed me to more shooting for the same dollars!

Kevin

(SAECO 453 on bottom.)
 

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.45ACP is one of the cartridges I’ve steadily reloaded since I got into reloading back in the late-90s. I shoot a lot of it thru a Glock 21 and my S&W 25-2, everything from factory FMJ ammo, to JHPs to my reloads of various types. It’s an easy cartridge to get into if you’re new to reloading.
 
All factory .45ACP rounds are designed to ensure proper functioning in a semi-auto pistol. That means that the power-level has to be stout enough, and quick enough, to reliably cycle any auto gun...even when dirty. Plus, the bullets have to be designed to function well when hitting the feed ramp in an auto...so their shape is a compromise between reliable feeding and terminal performance.
When handloading for a revolver, you only need enough power to get the bullet to drop out of the muzzle. So, you can load at any power-level you want. And, since you don't have to worry about your bullet sliding up a feed ramp, you can choose whatever bullet your heart desires...including soft lead.
Reloading is a no-brainer.
 
daveboy said:
All factory .45ACP rounds are designed to ensure proper functioning in a semi-auto pistol. That means that the power-level has to be stout enough, and quick enough, to reliably cycle any auto gun...even when dirty. Plus, the bullets have to be designed to function well when hitting the feed ramp in an auto...so their shape is a compromise between reliable feeding and terminal performance.
When handloading for a revolver, you only need enough power to get the bullet to drop out of the muzzle. So, you can load at any power-level you want. And, since you don't have to worry about your bullet sliding up a feed ramp, you can choose whatever bullet your heart desires...including soft lead.
Reloading is a no-brainer.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Much appreciated. Best reason to reload so far!
 
1 45 ACP set of dies, spend the money and get Carbide.

1 45 Auto Rim shell holder, get the ACP shell holder while you are at it.

1 Loading press. This is the expensive part! You can get by with a cast aluminum model from Lee or RCBS. You could buy a used single stage press. You could buy a $1000 progressive. They all will do the job!

Loading manual, Brass, Bullets, Powder, and Primers. (I like WW231 which is the same as HP-38 & Winchester large Pistol Primers) (For all my 45 revolvers and autos I like 200 grain RNFP cast lead bullets. I like 5.5 grains of WW231 with that bullet.

Loads will perform the same in Auto Rim or ACP brass. I used Auto Rim brass in the early 1980's, as I advanced in my gun awareness and accumulations, I went to ACP brass and full moon clips for two reasons: 1) Speed of reloading in the woods, and 2) read change of ammo type, from target/plinking to Hunting/Personal Defense. I keep three full moons of SD ammo at all times and a 50 cal ammo can of the target stuff. A big jacket pocket full of moons is quite a bit of shooting.

My two revolvers are a 625-5 Model of 1989 and a 1917 Brazilian Contract (2nd batch), I'm also heavily invested in seven 1911's, three Sig 220's, and a Marlin Camp 45 (1990 Carbine). The Same bullets, primers and powder (different charge) are used in my 45 Colt loads for revolvers and Carbines. [With readjusting, I can use the same dies for both cartridges, just add a third shell holder- the same one for your 44 Mag/special].

Ivan
 
Model29-26.5 said:
Apologies to the real traditional collectors for my changing out the Patridge sight for a red ramp (the shame of it) ...

As a side question, 45 ACP being half the price of 45 Colt… is 45 ACP even worth reloading?
I have moonclips, but I’ve never used them. I just push the shells out.
Click to expand...

With the Partridge Sight you got accuracy out to 50 yards and the Red Ramp only 25 yards. That is just my preference on longer length barreled revolvers.

It depends on your shooting budget. But if you reload I would suggest the use of .45 Auto Rim in your 25-2. Now a new round the .45 Cowboy Special can be used in .45 Colt revolvers. You can load it down to make a nice plinking round comparable to a .22 LR in felt recoil.
 
Model29-26.5 said:
Thanks! I guess you made my decision there.
I have Never reloaded before, and hoping to get together with a veteran to show me the ropes next week.
Auto rim Would totally be the way to go for this 25-2 So that I can use the extractor star.
Maybe I’ll buy a couple of boxes so I’ll at least have the brass to reload.
Click to expand...

Starline Brass makes .45 Auto Rim brass. A bag of 500 pieces will last forever.
 
Moon clips are worth the trouble. They are faster and less "fidly" than speedloaders, which won't work with acp brass anyway.

In my experience the only factory pistol ammo you can buy anywhere close to the price of reloads is 9mm FMJ, and then only if you are buying it in bulk.

All other calibers, reloading = savings. YMMV, I'm using primers bought for $30 per K. (I'm not a hoarder, Ill use them all eventually.)
 
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+1 on moon clips. Load up before you leave for the range, and unload when you get home. I use a gallon freezer bag for 'empties' to keep the rest of the range bag clean. You just need a good tool for loading/unloading. I like the Mooner....

52751615689_6fa85f18df_c.jpg


52766531559_f11938af7c_c.jpg
 
I use only .45 Auto Rim in my 625. I save the ACP rounds for my Gold Cup.
4.9 grains of 231 with a 200 grain SWC. Same load for both guns.
 
Model29-26.5 said:
As a side question, 45 ACP being half the price of 45 Colt… is 45 ACP even worth reloading?
.
Click to expand...

I sure think so. I got 500 cases recently for around $40. Primers and powder I bought when it looked like there would be a President Dukakis. So it costs me little to reload 45 ACP or 45 Colt.

Even if you bought all your supplies yesterday it would make sense.
 
Although it is much newer, my 625 JM is fed for normal usage with RIMZ Poly moon clips. No tools needed. Thought about Auto Rim, but that is the only gun that I could use it in. My other pistols require 45 ACP or Colt. Bob
 
I shoot mine in revolver bowling pin matches a lot. Probably take 20 or so loaded full moon clips with me.

My load is 5.3 gr of 231 with a 225 gr truncated cone bullet from Missouri Bullets. Have shot several thousand thru mine.

This same load works great in my 1911
 
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