25-2 loads
- Thread starter gsfxst
- Start date
My 25-2 does just fine with all the factory loads I've tried over the years. FWIW. YMMV.
USSR
Member
Since you are shooting your reloads and not factory loads, you should measure your throats. Every 25-2 that I have and have seen, has throats that measure .455" to .456". This is why I size my bullets to be used in my 25-2's to .455".
Don
Don
USSR
Member
I'm curious, you did measure it using a small hole gauge? If you just use a caliper you will not get a true reading.
Don
Don
USSR
Member
Uh, we are talking about the throats in the cylinder, not the barrel.
Don
Don
Lou_the_welder
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My 25-2 circa 1969 has the popular .457" throats. In my experience, it shoots plated .452"s really well.
I've done extensive reading here and there on this topic and have bought a .457" bullet sizer. For PC lead , to try and get it closer to the throat dimension. I don't resize bullets for the gun.
But for my shooting with it, non scoped I usually just shoot it at 15 yards. And can stay within a 10 ring on it. Using plated .452s that weren't resized.
I am a relatively new owner to this gun and have only put 1400 rounds on it. An untold round count by the previous owner. And use Ranch products moonclips. Picture below shown with xtreme 200gr 452"s.
I should do accuracy tests with this gun with properly sized bullets for it. But I don't shoot it very often. Someday I'll make the time.
I've done extensive reading here and there on this topic and have bought a .457" bullet sizer. For PC lead , to try and get it closer to the throat dimension. I don't resize bullets for the gun.
But for my shooting with it, non scoped I usually just shoot it at 15 yards. And can stay within a 10 ring on it. Using plated .452s that weren't resized.
I am a relatively new owner to this gun and have only put 1400 rounds on it. An untold round count by the previous owner. And use Ranch products moonclips. Picture below shown with xtreme 200gr 452"s.
I should do accuracy tests with this gun with properly sized bullets for it. But I don't shoot it very often. Someday I'll make the time.
Forrest r
Member
Oversized cylinders for revolvers that shoot 45acp's used to be common (+/- .456"). Cramer made a "target" swc bullet mold specifically for these revolvers.
The hollow based swc that mold casts shoots lights out in the extremely large cylinder throats.
The hollow based swc that mold casts shoots lights out in the extremely large cylinder throats.
USSR
Member
I bought a lot of MP Molds back in the day when they would make them oversized for you. It's the only way to go when you shoot pre-1980 25-2's and 25-5's.
Don
Don
Forrest r
Member
Actually cast several hollow based bullets for the oversized revolvers. The 230gr hbwc was cast from a MP (Mihec) mold.
Hollow based molds are nose pour molds. Meaning the sprue is cut off the nose of the bullet instead of the base. This creates excellent bullet bases increasing accuracy.
Hollow based molds are nose pour molds. Meaning the sprue is cut off the nose of the bullet instead of the base. This creates excellent bullet bases increasing accuracy.
USSR
Member
Yeah, Forrest, I've got that 230gr hbwc as well as the Webley Manstopper, which drops from my mold at 225 grains. Both are really accurate coming out of those large throated Model 25's.
Don
Don
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My 25-5 does very well with the 45 Colt loading I do. A Lee 90358 452-255-RF cast with my blend of Lyman #2 lead lubed with Lee Alox liquid. Over 6.5gr (.80cc) of IMR 800X powder for 890fps.
It never occurred to me to try the .45apc with moon clips.
It never occurred to me to try the .45apc with moon clips.
I am told that the problem was corrected in model 25s made after 1980 or so that have the alpha-numeric serial numbers (AAA1234)..
USSR
Member
That's what I heard as well. Took them long enough.
Don
Should be fine but it reminds me of a lesson learned:
I had loaded and fired a few hundred thousand .45 loads in a bunch of 1911s - they worked fine. I mainly loaded 230 gr. with enough Win 231 to get around 900+ fps.
Then I got a 25-2, used around 1974. I also had a Ruger Blackhawk with a convertable cylinder I got at the same time.
The rounds that worked every time in a 1911 often tied up both guns (entirely my fault, I was using a progressive press and the primer were not seated below the rim so often they were too high and tied up the gun or not low enough and misfired in the S&W.
Also they were inaccurate in the ruger and tumbled in the S&W - also my fault, in the S&W, as I had a hefty taper crimp. The ruger was hard to figure out but I finally gaged the chamber throats and found they were .448!
So buying a revolver (which I do love!) caused me to up my game while handloading - reducing the crimp to .469 and making sure my primers were sitting .004" below the rim fixed those problems.
As far as loads, depends on what you want to do. I use auto-rim cases with Lee 260 gr. flat nose bullets loaded long so I can use powder in the 2400 burning range. They get between 1000 and 1100 fps from my 5" 1955 "pre 25" and don't do half bad in my other 25s and 625.
Target is 3 shots at 25 yards off of bags. The gun is zeroed at 75 yards and hits 2" high at 25 where the target was shot.
I have quite a few deer and wild boar killing handguns but this is my favorite!
Riposte
