25-13 loads

[wls]

People,
Looking for some feedback on the following loads:
All use 255g LSWC Bullets and CCI 300 primers.
7.5-8.0g W231
8.0-8.5g Unique
8.o-8.5g HP38
16.0-16.5g 2400
Does anyone out there think these loads would be to hard on the 25-13 as a steady diet.

I'm trying to find one load for the Smith and a Cimmaron 4 3/4 to shoot about 50 - 100 rounds a month.

Thanks for your input.

wls

 

[wls]

People,
Looking for some feedback on the following loads:
All use 255g LSWC Bullets and CCI 300 primers.
7.5-8.0g W231
8.0-8.5g Unique
8.o-8.5g HP38
16.0-16.5g 2400
Does anyone out there think these loads would be to hard on the 25-13 as a steady diet.

I'm trying to find one load for the Smith and a Cimmaron 4 3/4 to shoot about 50 - 100 rounds a month.

Thanks for your input.

wls

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I don't load any of those powders for my 45 Colt loads, so can't comment intelligently on that part of your question. However, the 25-13 is a moderately strong revolver that is easily capable of handling up to 23Kpsi loads (equivalent to 45 ACP +P), so sayeth Brian Pearce and other knowledgeable handloader writers. Therefore, if the loads are suitable in the Cimmaron SAA clone, which should generally be held to 14Kpsi SAMMI spec for 45 Colt, they should be on the acceptably mild side for the 25-13.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

The only powder that I use is Win 231 and Lyman recommends only 7.4 max for the 250gr lead bullet. So you load is surpassing the recommended load.

Winchester recommends 7.1 as the max load.

 

[JeffR]

You also might want to note that Win 231 and HP-38 are the same powder. My Lyman manual also shows 7.4 gr of 231 as the max for a 250 gr bullet, so your 8.0-8.5 load of HP-38 may be a little over the top.

ETA: your 2400 load is at the top end for a 250 gr jacketed bullet (again, according to Lyman #48). However, Brian Pearce's Handloader article (April 2007) covering the RCBS-454-270 bullet shows 2400 loads up to 18.0 gr staying at or under 20k psi. Since you're running a lighter bullet, the pressure should, theoretically, be less. I've never personally loaded heavier that 15.0 gr 2400 under a 250 gr bullet in a Smith, and that had plenty of thump.

I don't load 45 Colt with Unique (yes, yes, I know, I'm in the minority there), so I can't comment on those loads - other than to say that Lyman #48 shows max loads ranging from 8.2 to 9.0 for the various styles of cast bullets listed.

ETA Again: sorry, missed your Cimarron reference in the original post. If you're wanting a round to do double duty, you will want to keep everything roughly in the 14k psi range. I wouldn't exceed 7.4 gr of 231/HP38, and IMO, your 2400 load is on the bleeding edge.

 

[David Sinko]

My experience with a 25-7 is that 7.4 grs. of 231 is nowhere near maximum in regard to what the gun can handle. My old standby load was 8.8 grs. of 231 and that worked quite well. Out of my 4" Redhawk the 8.8 gr. load was good for 945 FPS and many thousands of rounds.

Dave Sinko

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, FWIW, I've shot a great many cast 250s over 8.0 grains of Unique in .45 Colt. It's a good, accurate load and will not hurt Smiths or SAA clones. 8.5 grains also works well.

I haven't tried any of the other loads you mention.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Mine's a 25-7 and it really likes 7.5g W231 under a cast 255g SWC, but what it REALLY likes is 8.5 ~ 9g Unique under a 250g RNFP from a Lee mould. I tend to load 9g of Unique mostly.