25 acp Reloading Quest

The Jim Cirillo story is kosher. I got it from him in person and it is in one of his books. Bad guy took about five or six .38 rnl at very close range in the head. He WALKED to the ambulance, though the cops did have to
help him up from the floor.

And I did have the most trouble with my reloading of .25 auto with powder handling. Also lately components have been difficult. GRAF had .25 cases recently and a couple of places had FMJ bullets.
 
Last edited:
I have a 950BS and I've been loading for it for some years now. I believe that most of the failures of this cartridge can be attributed to bullets that are too soft and/or low velocity. A proper hard jacketed 50 gr. bullet at appropriate velocity WILL penetrate. I get 895 FPS over the chrono with the 50 gr. FMJ and 1004 FPS with the Hornady 35 gr. XTP HP. I trust 50 grs. more than I trust 35 grs. and in my testing the HP has never expanded. Also, loading this cartridge at the "ragged edge" of performance requires the ability to accurately measure and then install 0.1 gr. of powder. It's the only cartridge I've ever loaded where a published maximum powder charge would result in the ejection of the fired primer from the cartridge case. Other than that, the Beretta has been a flawless performer and accurately dispensing 8 rounds at close range as fast as I can pull the trigger is a relatively simple matter.
 
The .25 acp horror stories are usually the result of either poorly loaded factory ammo (for some reason it's more difficult to consistently manage the .25, even though it's very similar to the .22 LR) or el cheapo guns with grossly oversize bores. A good gun, like the 950 or TPH, with good ammo, will yield surprising performance and penetration.
 
robertrwalsh said:
The Jim Cirillo story is kosher. I got it from him in person and it is in one of his books. Bad got took about five or six .38 rnl at very close range in the head. He WALKED to the ambulance, though the cops did have to
help him up from the floor.
Click to expand...
I'd attribute that mostly to the LRN than the cartridge as a whole.
at handgun velocities, they act like thoracic tourists. they come into town, see the sites, stop to pee and move on.
A flat point tends to be more of a thoracic terrorist, taking a swing at everything they see.

And I did have the most trouble with my reloading of .25 auto with powder handling. Also lately components have been difficult. GRAF had .25 cases recently and a couple of places had FMJ bullets.
Click to expand...
I think i'd go for hard cast coated. you might pick up a little velocity for free, but likely not much.
I wonder what the equipment looks like at the commercial level for raining 22 LR .... somewhere in there is a solution.
between the mini mouse centerfires, there is some niche need.
 
I can't imagine reloading .25 ACP and can't imagine that shooting one is much fun, if you are at all interested in shooting any kind of group. I actually used one to defend myself from a pack of dogs in the early morning hours before dawn. I don't know if I hit the closest one or not, but the sound sent them scurrying.
 
I have a CZ45 pistol now. A 25acp D/A only semiauto made in 1947.
Slightly larger than the run of the mill mouse gun, but just perfect for my
hands and assorted crooked fingers.

No safety, no slide stop, no sights.
A mag release on the bottom of the grip is the only exterior manipulation part.

I picked up a set of RCBS reloading dies w/a SH at a show some time back for $10. Can't let that package just lay there.
I figured it'd be good for something even if I never use it.

Then happened into 2 boxes of 100e fmj bullets for the 25acp.
I should reload for it, but ,,,sometime I guess.

....I'd use a small powder scoop when reloading for this. Easy to make and fail proof.

They are a fun novelty gun to take out on the range now and again. Just to see what they, and you, are capable of.
Everyone will want to try it out.
 
Also......

robertrwalsh said:
I have two Berettas, including a 950. I own five .25 autos. I have gone so far as to reload for them as ammo is so difficult and expensive. They are fun to shoot but not a serious self defense weapon. They will certainly kill, but will not necessarily kill the bad guy before he kills you first, unless you are attacked by a hamster or exceptionally small guinea pig. However, as noted above, pretty much any gun is better than no gun if you need a gun. They also look cool and make enough noise to attract attention.
Click to expand...

I never plan to pull the trigger just once.;)
 
I did load a few 25s. They were the hardest to do in my opinion. 32s weren't much better. As far as powder. 1 tenth less than max. The other thing with 25s was they were so small. My Colt had a real strong grip safety and made it hard to shoot. I found out how accurate it could be by taping it down and that sucker was very accurate 25 or 30 ft.But it had a little problem...sometimes it would go full auto for 2 or 3 shots...all of 'em once. The 32 I shot the most was a Savage..it shot ok. I have a Colt 32 down in the Vault downstairs...in a coffee can in parts. It ripped a whole mag off. twice..I didn't believe it the first time. I ought to have the old thing fixed...Hey the bank robbery thing..I was sitting on the porch across from the bank...small Eastern Shore town of bout 250. My father pulled up and told me he'd be right back..had to go to the bank. He went over opened the door shut it and hurried across the street. Guy came running out of the bank gun in hand and a bag. Father said he opened the door to go in and the guy in a mask turned and pointed a gun at him...Told me he said sorry to the guy... shut the door and left. The guy got like 20 grand...and they never caught him. That bank left the vault open all day...for years...never a problem...closed it after that. Next bank robbery was the teller...the one that got robbed
 
venomballistics said:
I'd attribute that mostly to the LRN than the cartridge as a whole.
at handgun velocities, they act like thoracic tourists. they come into town, see the sites, stop to pee and move on.
A flat point tends to be more of a thoracic terrorist, taking a swing at everything they see.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the laughs. That is funny! I agree too a flat point or SWC does more damage...thoracic tourist.
 
Has anyone tried to reload the hard cast 55gr. FP lead bullets used in the Buffalo Bore .25ACP loading...?

I found a source for those hard cast bullets and just bought a box of 500.

Would be interested in any ideas on load data...

I would probably use either Bullseye or Unique powder.
 
Andercomm said:
Has anyone tried to reload the hard cast 55gr. FP lead bullets used in the Buffalo Bore .25ACP loading...?

I found a source for those hard cast bullets and just bought a box of 500.

Would be interested in any ideas on load data...

I would probably use either Bullseye or Unique powder.
Click to expand...

That's an interesting bullet, but I'm sticking with the 50 Gr FMJ for the time being. OAL for this cartridge is important, and it's important to also be consistent with OAL. There's quite a bit of data on the .25 online, and in the books, so stick with that to begin with. I'm starting to think the .25 is a decent round, that not too many good guns were made for it. I would not try to handload for an older gun, only modern high quality pistols like the Beretta 950 and 21's. In my experience, the round can be loaded pretty hot, but be careful.
 
stanmerrell said:
That's an interesting bullet, but I'm sticking with the 50 Gr FMJ for the time being. OAL for this cartridge is important, and it's important to also be consistent with OAL. There's quite a bit of data on the .25 online, and in the books, so stick with that to begin with. I'm starting to think the .25 is a decent round, that not too many good guns were made for it. I would not try to handload for an older gun, only modern high quality pistols like the Beretta 950 and 21's. In my experience, the round can be loaded pretty hot, but be careful.
Click to expand...
Essentially, what it was meant to be, is a more durable 22 LR round.
If you've had a handful of 22s in a pocket for a few weeks, the reasoning becomes apparent.
I wish it's history would have included a few successful migrations away from pocket pistols where it would have been better enjoyed
 
The first handgun I owned was a Star .25 Auto. It was a well-made pistol. I bought it used. I didn't know much of anything about guns at the time. We test fired it out in the country and it worked as it should. It served as a "security blanket" for my Army wife when I was absent. Looking back, maybe the loud report would have scared a less determined criminal away.
 
Very interesting thread. I have 2 Seecamps .25s My wife has a Seecamp and a baby Browning. Interesting stories and link to the Buffalo Bore ammo. Thanks.
Oh and one more post I’m at 2,000 !
 
A .25 Beretta 418 was James Bond's main weapon in the early novels. The stiffs stacked up like cordwood so clearly this is an inexplicably accurate and deadly man stopper.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ISCS Yoda
The smallest .25 ACP
Replies
13
Views
1K
pazmaker
P
Kiwi cop
Chronographing two .38’s
Replies
11
Views
711
chief38
chief38
S
Ruger Redhawk replacing S&W 25-5 (.45s and family)
2 3
Replies
43
Views
2K
cowboy94916
C
BB57
Beretta 84BB
2 3
Replies
47
Views
9K
Warren Sear
Warren Sear
Old Corp
.357 bullets for deer - experience?
2 3
Replies
52
Views
6K
38SPL HV
38SPL HV

Latest posts

Back
Top