large throats, jacketed bullets and weight conundrum...

[toad67]

A while back I purchased a 4" 25-5 in 45 Colt off of GB. Gun is in great shape, but has large throats. How large, not sure since I only have pin gauges up to .458" and they still fall thru. I've pounded some lead balls thru the bore and they all come out at .451".
I reload and only have cast bullets, no jacketed ones and it hasn't liked anything that I've fed it so far.
Thinking about buying a box of jacketed ammo before I give up on it, but don't have any on hand and can't find any locally to speak of.
A buddy has a box of Hornady 225 FTX's, would these bullets give me an idea as to how it would shoot with jacketed bullets, when I really prefer 250's? Thanks.

 

[pantannojack]

I had a 25-5 30 some years ago. I could not hit the ground with it. A shooting buddy had one identical could hold 10 ring at 25 yds. I traded mine off for a Kimber 45. Much better served.

 

[toad67]

I had a 25-5 30 some years ago. I could not hit the ground with it. A shooting buddy had one identical could hold 10 ring at 25 yds. I traded mine off for a Kimber 45. Much better served.

The 4" gun is a nice one, but I want to make sure before I send it down the road.

 

[27 Man]

I have a 4" 25-5 and have the same problem with .452" SWC. I recently ordered some .455" SWC from Matt's Bullets and loaded 15 rounds each with 7.5 grains Unique. Both bullets weigh 255 grains. Shot three 5 shot at groups at 20 yards with each load. Results were very similar. Best group was 2 1/2" with the .452" load. Think I will try with jacketed next if I can find any.

 

[Fishinfool]

OP - My experience with guns with over sized throats is they usually will shoot undersized jacketed bullets better than undersized lead. Possibly try a cast, hollow base bullet? That worked for me in my oversized Colt SAA .45c.

I would just order a box of jacketed bullets if you reload, and give them a try. Maybe try a plated bullet as well?

Larry

 

[rufgr]

I had the same problem with a 25-5 and solved it with a Lyman 454309 mold. I described this process in a thread a few months ago.