45 colt loads for smith model 25

[grice]

I used H110 and 296. I ended up on the lighter side of Linebaugh's listed loads. The upper levels are really stout and I don't see a real need for them unless you're in Grizzly country.

I've also used Ruger only loads found in the Speer manuals. They are lighter than Linebaugh's loads and perform exceptionally well.

A steady diet of these loads will, of course, speed the wear and tear on your weapon. For occasional use they aren't a problem.

I've used lots of 296 in my Bisley, super Blackhawk and my 29s , I've loaded 26.5 grains of 296 in the ruger Bisley 45 colt and it's a real boomer. I was surprised that Linebaugh uses 26 grains in his model 25. I can see where a steady diet of that load coukd send the gun to the doctor. Well I just loaded 19 grains of 2400, just a handful thst I'll try out this weekend and see how they perform in the accuracy dept. oh yeah I was also surprised at his top load with 2400, 22 grains. I loaded 23 grains with a 240 grain bullet 40 years ago in my ruger 45 colt and model 29. Accuracy seemed to suffer a little but I'm sure most of it was due to me flinching being young and inexperienced . I'll blame those days on Elmer Keith lol

 

[grice]

I used H110 and 296. I ended up on the lighter side of Linebaugh's listed loads. The upper levels are really stout and I don't see a real need for them unless you're in Grizzly country.

I've also used Ruger only loads found in the Speer manuals. They are lighter than Linebaugh's loads and perform exceptionally well.

A steady diet of these loads will, of course, speed the wear and tear on your weapon. For occasional use they aren't a problem.

I just looked at Speer and you're correct, they're very light compared to Linebaugh prescribes. I figure the 19 grains of 2400 behind the Keith 260 should net close to 1000 fps and not too hard on the gun.

 

[Marshal Kane]

8.5 grains of Unique under a 255 grain bullet is all I've ever needed out of an N frame. If you want to tank up the .45 Colt to magnum levels use a single action.

I'll second that if you add: Ruger single action or stronger. The charge hole walls in the original .45 Colt single actions are very thin and not built to hold up using loads at magnum levels.

 

[Arisin Wind]

8.5 grains of Unique under a 255 grain bullet is all I've ever needed out of an N frame. If you want to tank up the .45 Colt to magnum levels use a single action.

You can always go to the double action Redhawk in 45 Colt.

 

[grice]

Well this morning I tried 19 grains of 2400 and found it to be very accurate at 25 yards and no signs at all of excessive pressure, cases literally fell out of the cylinder. Recoil was a little heavy but not unimaginable although I don't think I'm up for shooting 100 rounds at a setting. I believe that this powder with the 260 Keith will do the job on a good size hog with no problem at all.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I figure the 19 grains of 2400 behind the Keith 260 should net close to 1000 fps and not too hard on the gun.

I have found 19.0gr/2400 to be very accurate in my 5" M25-13.

In Handloader #275 they got 1014fps using 18.5gr/2400 with a Speer 250gr GDHP from a 5-1/2" bbl. The article's data was supposed to be 23K psi or less (which is the same as SAAMI 45ACP +P power.)

I figure 19gr is ~1042fps. The slightly heavier, but lead bullet, should easily be +1050fps. That should handle most things.

.

 

[Bill Lear]

Factory .45 Colt loads are VERY mild.
The M25-ANY VERSION can handle more powerful loads than you'll find at the local supermarket unless you're shopping in the "boutique" aisle with brands such as Buffalo Bore and Underwood.

While I have not seen fit to craft "hot" loads for my M25-15, the gun could certainly go higher, but I see no reason to push it considering all the other options I have to generate extreme power.