45 colt loads for smith model 25

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grice

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Just curious if anyone here has used any of John Linebaugh s load data using the 260 grain Keith bullet in the model 25? If so I'd like to hear about the results pertaining to accuracy and penetration!
 
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Yes , I have shot his HS-6 load . It was accurate , had a lot of power . His 8.0 gr load of W231 / HP-38 is one of my favorites . It does all I will ever need . It's very accurate , can't tell you about penetration , was shooting into a target trap . Easy on the gun , easy on the shooter . Regards, Paul
 
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I'm don't use the Linebaugh loads in my guns, but I've found a somewhat reduced Linebaugh HS-6 load with the 255-260 grain Lyman #454424 to be my most accurate .45 Colt load so far.

I used the popular 8.5 Unique load for many years in a couple of S&W revolvers, a Ruger Blackhawk, and a Winchester 94 Trapper carbine. While Unique provided decent accuracy, HS-6 has proven to be more accurate with approximately the same velocity as the Unique load.
 
I have found Alliant's load data plenty powerful . They show 9.5 grs of Unique , 12.9 grs of Blue Dot all not exceeding 14K psi . I can tell you for a fact that either of those loads will do all anyone needs doing . I wouldn't worry about using John Linebaughs loads . Let's remember that he is a highly recognized gunsmith that can keep his 25's up in good condition . Regards, Paul
 
I used John's load data as a guide after I spoke with him on the phone. Just remember each revolver is different and velocities and pressure reached will vary from one to the next. My problem was finding a load that shot point of aim. Most loads were high even with the rear sight bottomed-out. I found a good load with a 270 gr. Keith and H110. Many suggested powders gave me violent recoil and/or muzzle blast unless loaded to low velocities. With John's advice, I reached a decent velocity with moderate recoil that shoots good groups at point of aim.

WILDPIG
 
All good advice above . Model 25's quite frequently have oversized cylinder throats . Check yours with pin gauges or slug them . Size your bullets .001 larger than throats . If you plan on steady diet of heavier loads get a Ruger as it'll stand up better over the long run . If you don't cast or can't find correct sized bullets & stick with Std pressure loads the Rem swaged 255gr RN with conical base will usually shoot acceptably . One I had had .456 throats & that's the only way I could get it to shoot groups vs patterns .
 
Mine is the newer 25-15, yeah I have rugers both in 45 colt and 44 magnum. I know about how much my 25 will take , my interest is speaking to others who have used some of his recommended loads to see how they performed.
 
Hey guys, the same here. I've been in the h
I've got a Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt and a Smith & Wesson 25-5 .45 Colt. It wasn't until afterwards of getting the Smith did I find out it couldn't handle stiffer loads.
I does have larger cylinder throats. I have loaded 255gr RNFP's, maybe 500+ rounds before getting the 255gr SWC @.454 diameter.
So I am looking for loads around 1050fps to 1150fps using Alliant 2400, Hodgdon's Power Pistol, AA #7, AA #9.
I have 8lbs of TiteGroup but not sure it if is not too fast of a powder?
I will look up the website for John Linebaugh and see what he has there.

Oh, btw, I have been trying to find out how the .45 Colt came to be called erroneously
.45 long Colt.
While reading through a Handloader issue that I had backordered, the April 2007 #246 issue, I found some helpful info from none other than Ken Waters on page 80, the last 2 paragraphs.
His research went back to 1873 where there was reference to the long colt.
However there were references dating just prior to WW I. Seems like men back then didn't have the savvy to recognize the difference between the. 45 Colt and the .45 ACP.
Most people today have erroneously thought it was the difference between the .45 S&W Schofield and the. 45 Colt.
A lot of my reloading manuals note to the erroneous nomenclature.
I guess a boatload of reloaders don't read manuals anymore, kinda dangerous I think. Thanks, David

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mikronis98 said:
Oh, btw, I have been trying to find out how the .45 Colt came to be called erroneously .45 long Colt.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

At one time in the 1800s, the army ordered several thousand S&W Schofields. This was because the Schofield was so much easier to use on horseback, with its break open design and cartridge ejector. S&W had developed their own .45 cartridge, not wanting to pay homage to Colt. This resulted in confusion because both cartridges could be fired in the Colt SAA, but not in the Schofield. For awhile, the army was ordering only .45 Schofield ammunition to alleviate confusion in the field. They eventually dropped the Schofield and its ammo.
What I have read (and seen on the Gun Stories TV show) is that the army began referring to 45 Colt as '45 Long Colt' to eliminate confusion. And Colt began labeling its cartons with that name as well. This I have personally seen. So I figure that if Colt used the term, that's all I need to know.
I know that you have said this version is erroneous. But this is the story as I have read/heard it.
 
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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.
 
There was a 45 SHORT Colt. Natural to say a 45 long colt.

This has been my interpretation as well.
"...Some newcomers to the game claim there is no such animal, but if they had shot the short variety that Remington turned out in such profusion before, during and after World War I they would see there was some basis in referring to the .45 Colt as the .45 Long..." (Elmer Keith, Sixguns, page 285)


Prescut
One of the silliest discussions in all of shooting.
 
I've used John's 260 loads in my 25-5. Accuracy was extremely good while recoil was up there with 44 Magnum loads.

My utility load for the 45 Colt is 9 grains of Unique with a 260-270 grain Keith type bullet. Great accuracy in my 25-5, Redhawk and Blackhawk.
 
Arisin Wind said:
I've used John's 260 loads in my 25-5. Accuracy was extremely good while recoil was up there with 44 Magnum loads.

My utility load for the 45 Colt is 9 grains of Unique with a 260-270 grain Keith type bullet. Great accuracy in my 25-5, Redhawk and Blackhawk.
Click to expand...

What powder did you use for the heavier load?
 
grice said:
What powder did you use for the heavier load?
Click to expand...

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.
 
oddshooter said:
There was a 45 SHORT Colt. Natural to say a 45 long colt.

This has been my interpretation as well.
"...Some newcomers to the game claim there is no such animal, but if they had shot the short variety that Remington turned out in such profusion before, during and after World War I they would see there was some basis in referring to the .45 Colt as the .45 Long..." (Elmer Keith, Sixguns, page 285)


Prescut
One of the silliest discussions in all of shooting.
Click to expand...

Ha! You just joined it! :)
 
In John Linebaughs article he goes on to say that both his wife and son have shot antelope out past 100 yds using 8.0 grs of HP-38 and a 255 gr cast bullet with excellent results / penetration . Regards, Paul
 
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Arisin Wind said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
Arisin Wind said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Trooper224 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
grice said:
I figure the 19 grains of 2400 behind the Keith 260 should net close to 1000 fps and not too hard on the gun.
Click to expand...

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. ;)

.
 
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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.
 
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