Heavy bullet 45 Colt loads for S&W revolvers?

[SmithNut]

Some years back I bought a good supply of 335 grn Lead flat point bullets I was wondering if there are any safe loads for Smith & Wessons using these heavy bullets???

I have a M625 Classic and a M25-9 and thought it would be fun to get some "plinking" loads using these 335 grn. bullets.

Knowing all the disclaimers out there suggest that warm loads, i.e., for Ruger and other robust designs... is it impossible to push these 335 grain bullets out of my Smiths staying within proper operating pressures?

Anyone ever do any experiments using these heavy bullets in the N frame platform?

If it's best to just leave the Smith's home and russell up some warm loads for my Ruger Vaquero I'm good with that too....

Thoughts???

 

[max]

I am not sure I have ever seen any light loads for such heavy bullets. Each of those would make 2 bullets for me.

You might search and see if you can find some Unique loads.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have shot 300 grain bullets in my 629 for years. It is showing no signs of having any problems. I don't think another 35 grains in a 45 will make any difference. I'm not sure how you would do that load in a short 45 ACP case. A 45 Colt case would be easy.

The key is to use the right powder for the job, and keep velocity low. I'm running 1050 FPS and won't go over 1100. Pressure = Velocity. The speed of sound is somewhere around 1100 FPS. By staying under that, my loads are very accurate out to 200M. You could possibly have the same situation with your loads. I'm getting the accuracy and mild recoil with H4227.

 

[505Gibbs]

That extra weight will limit case capacity so I don't think you'll be able to 'hot rod' much of a load - IMO. I think you'll be fine.

 

[DR505]

Please take a look at the April 2022 Handloader magazine, #337. Brian Pearce has a great article on loads for the Model 25/625. He explains that he likes to keep loads down at 23,000 psi for Smiths as they are rated for that in .45 ACP +P.

John Linebaugh explains that it is not the cylinder that is weak, but the frames that stretch and take a battering.

It may surprise many but the cylinder on the S&W .45 Colt is the same diameter as the Ruger Blackhawk. The webs (between chambers) and outside chamber wall are also the same. So basically the Ruger and S&W cylinders are identical in strength and dimension. We recommend handloads for the Ruger single action in .45 Colt caliber to 32,000 PSI levels.

While the S&W will take these loads safely such loads will greatly shorten the life of your gun. The frames on S&W are not heat treated thus are pretty soft. With loads that exceed what the gun can comfortably handle the frame stretches immediately lengthwise and then springs back. This all causes battering and soon your gun has excessive endshake...

...My other two favorite loads are 24.0 grains of H-110 and the 260 Keith for 1,080 fps and 23.5 grains of H-110 under the 310 Keith or 320 LBT for 1,100 fps. I use and recommend the use of these latter loads sparingly so you don't wear out your favorite sixgun prematurely. They are near the upper end of what the Smith and Wesson can handle safely. This is the load I carry when in bear country or on camping trips. This 4" S&W with the 310/320 at 1,100 fps is what I keep under my pillow in elk camp along with a strong flashlight. This is my everyday backcountry insurance policy...

...Neither I, handloads.com nor the author of this article assume any responsibility for any use of the data listed here. It is the responsibility of every handloader to verify the data they are using is safe in their individual handguns.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5
By: John Linebaugh

 

[BLUEDOT37]

45 Colt (+P) Medium Frame Sixguns - Handloader #337 (excerpt)
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