Loads for 3" Mdl 25's 45ACP

[skids]

I have been loading 200 gr plated RN with 6.5 gr of Unique. I thought that I should be making power factor 825 fps. Just yesterday I was able to crono them and found out they were only hitting 705 fps. I then shot a couple of Federal factory hard ball and they made 759 fps. Any one have any ideas? I want to stay with Unique (as I have 10#) I am thinking of upping the bullet to 230. But still I want to try to keep the recoil down.

Thanks for any info,

Skids

 

[Hobie]

If you want to push the 230s to 850 you are going to get recoil.

 

[skids]

Power factor

I only need to hit 825 with a 200gr and 718 with a 230 gr. the power factor is gr X fps =165000.

Thanks

 

[Erich]

Part of your problem might be your plated swaged bullets. I only use cast in my 625-3 3". OTOH, there's a big difference in performance between 6.5 and 7.0 grains of Unique with a 200-gr LSWC .45 ACP bullet.

I have no idea if the following load meets SAAMI specs - it was perfectly safe in my gun but might not be safe in yours - I have no control over how you load - check manufacturer's published load data and work from there - start low and work up - inexperienced handloaders should operate under the supervision of someone with experience.

7.0 ought to do it for you - out of my 3" gun (5950' > sea level, 87°F) Meister 200-gr LSWCs over 7.0 gr Unique and a CCI standard primer did an average of 846.5 fps, with a spread of 63.74 and a deviation of 23.87. Not something I usually run in that gun, but the data might be of interest to you, given your problem.

FWIW, I have much better (more consistent and faster) results with 200-gr .45 ACPs when using Power Pistol or 7625 and manufacturer's published load data. Anyhow, you should be able to do what you need out of your gun with Unique.

Also FWIW, I don't find the recoil objectionable or strenuous from either 230-gr at 800 or 200-gr at 900, but there's no doubt in my mind that the 200-gr feels easier on me, even at the higher velocities. Momentum vs. energy, I guess.

 

[Steve C]

The 3" barrel is a handicap in getting the velocity you want.

Here are some things you can try:

Try switching to Winchester primers if you are not already using them. I've found they'll give you up to a 10% improvement in velocity over CCI.

Increase your crimp and shorten your OAL. If you can find an old die set with a roll crimp or use a .45 LC die to roll crimp at the bullet shoulder where it begins to taper for the heaviest crimp. Both OAL and crimp are not an issue in a revolver.

If those don't work bring your charge up a bit. Maximum .45 ACP 200gr load in Speer 13 with Unique is 7.3 grs.

Lead bullets also will shoot faster so you may want to switch to a cast bullet.

 

[David Sinko]

I haven't done much chrono work with my 3" 625 but then I look at is as a carry gun and not a match gun. I remember being disappointed by the velocity I got with the slower powders like Power Pistol, at least compared to my 4" 625s. I do recall easily breaking 900 FPS with Vihta Vuori N320 and the elderly Hornady 230 gr. FP, the fully copper encapsulated bullet. This is probably not what you're looking for if you want a match load, but it goes to show that you can still get some decent velocity from that short barrel.

Dave Sinko

 

[Skip Sackett]

One thing with Winchester Large Pistol Primers is that they do increase velocity a bit. Those that are formulated for both standard and magnum loads will do that.
The most I have ever gotten out of them though was about 30fps. Where they really do make a difference is in magnum loads that you used to use standard primers for, 2400 and the like. When you switch to WLP primers the spreads will be better as well as just a touch higher in average velocity.

If they did make you look different, maybe they could take a few pounds off of me! (6'2" and got plenty of hair! )

 

[Erich]

I deleted that "will they make me look taller and less bald?" post because it came across as snotty, and that's not what I'd intended.

 

[fredj338]

You'll probably get slightly less recoil & better powder burn using a 230grRN plated o/ 6gr of Unique. It makes about 775fps out of my 3.5" OM. If you want a very light recoiling round, try WST.

 

[Noah Zark]

I deleted that "will they make me look taller and less bald?" post because it came across as snotty, and that's not what I'd intended.

. . . and the dress doesn't make you look fat, either, Erich.

Noah

 

[bluetopper]

When all else fails..........try Bullseye.