M25 Target Loads

[Too Much Linguini]

Hey all. I am getting ready to shoot in a bullseye league again and have a few questions about suitable loads for my M25 (Model 25-15 with 6.5" barrel). I have been successful in previous leagues with this revolver using a Keith 454424, 260 gr using 20 gr of IMR4227. Very accurate load, but it is a "thumper" to shoot. I have put up with it cuz I hit what I aim at, but I am looking for something a little less punishing. Any thoughts out there?

 

[470Evans]

I have had success with that same bullet using 10grs of HS-6, I think you will find this a nice load. I use this in my Colts as well as Smiths.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I am going to try starting at 8+ gr.of CFE-Pistol for a similar weight bullet next time I load some 45 Colt for the range...

Cheers!

P.S. Where did you get your IMR 4227 load data, please? Seems like that could be pretty hot vis-a-vis a Colt clone (well, vs. a N-frame or a Ruger)?

 

[rockquarry]

I have had success with that same bullet using 10grs of HS-6, I think you will find this a nice load. I use this in my Colts as well as Smiths.

Regarding HS-6...I found this to be a "niche" powder, not at all versatile, but the most accurate load I found for the .45 Colt in a 25-5 was a heavy dose of HS-6 and the Lyman #454424 at about 260 grs. cast of ww alloy. This load was a bit more accurate than the often recommended 8.5 grs. Unique that I had used for forty years.

 

[max]

Try 7 to 8 grains of Unique. Somewhere in between, you should find an accurate load.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I always liked 7.0 grs of a fast burning powder ie : Bullseye , Red Dot , 700X , Winchester Super Target etc , using the above mentioned cast bullet . If you find 7.0 grs too much drop back to 6.5 . I also like 9.5 grs of Winchester Super Field using same bullet . WSF is like a slower burning Unique according to most burn rate charts . Again , if 9.5 grs of WSF is too much , drop back to 9.0 . Hope this helps , Regards Paul
BTW : Brian Pierce had an article in Handloader Magazine a few years ago outlining load data for 3 levels of power for the 45 Colt .

 

[Hair Trigger]

Power Pistol @8.5 gr., or Accurate #5 @10 gr. behind a 250 grain plated RNFP, are two loads I use in my 4" M25-5.

 

[rockquarry]

Try 7 to 8 grains of Unique. Somewhere in between, you should find an accurate load.

I never tried less than 8 grs. Unique. According to my notes, however, accuracy was better with 8.5. I don't shoot my 25-5 anymore. Should I develop a renewed interest in the cartridge, I'll try 7 grs. Unique and work upwards just a little.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I use LRNFP 230 to 240 grain bullets and 6.7 of WW231 over a WLP primer and have had exultant results in single actions from 4 to 7-inch barrel lengths and in 16 and 20-inch carbines! Handgun velocity is estimated around 800 fps.

I use the same charge and primer under a 185 grain LSWC/HP! It is much closer to900fps and knocks targets over with great authority even when hit very low!

Ivan

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The accurate load I have is a 255gr LSWC over 7.2gr W231.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...using a Keith 454424, 260 gr using 20 gr of IMR4227.
...looking for something a little less punishing.

According to Brian Pearce, Handloader #217 article, that load is approx. 1000fps, in the 16K to 19K psi range, which of course is no problem for a modern S&W 25-15 in 45 Colt.

If you want to tone it down a bit, and use less powder too, try 9.0grs of Power Pistol for about 900fps.

And Power Pistol is not case position sensitive either.

.

 

[toad67]

Why not try a lighter bullet?

 

[Model19man]

My S&W revolvers like a load with 7.5 grains of Unique for a Keith SWC at 250 grains for best accuracy. Nice shooting, not too much recoil, clean burning.

I have also tried 7.1 grains of W231 behind the same projectile. It's a pretty snappy load by comparison.

 

[Too Much Linguini]

Thanks for all of the responses. To answer one of the questions, I got the load data I am currently using from a hand loading article (don't remember the source) on loading the Keith bullet for 45 Colt. The comment was something to the affect, "if all else fails, try 20 grains of IMR4227". It proved correct, but I haven't really tried anything else. I will try some of your suggestions. I have Bullseye powder, so that is where I will start. As for a lighter bullet, that makes sense.

While we are talking about lighter bullets, I have a harebrained question. I have about 500, 45 185 gr Hornady XTP (#45100) I purchased for use in my 1911, but since they are JHP, they don't cycle reliably. Would I be crazy to try them in my Smith? Should I have any concerns with the .451" diameter as opposed to the .452" that I am currently loading? Crimping may be an issue as well?

 

[470Evans]

I believe that quote for the 4227 load came from John Taffin.

 

[Drm50]

I shoot the Lyman/Ideal 242gr Button Nose WC in 25-5s at 800fps. Have been using WW630 because came into it dirt cheap at action.
Also shot the standard 250gr RNFP cast and factory loads at 800-900fps
with Unique with very good results. Out of 83/8" & 61/2" model 25-5s.
If going to shoot 25' & 50' bullseye I would try the Wadcutter loads in your m25.

 

[Hair Trigger]

While we are talking about lighter bullets, I have a harebrained question. I have about 500, 45 185 gr Hornady XTP (#45100) I purchased for use in my 1911, but since they are JHP, they don't cycle reliably. Would I be crazy to try them in my Smith? Should I have any concerns with the .451" diameter as opposed to the .452" that I am currently loading? Crimping may be an issue as well?

Only real problem is getting a tight enough crimp to hold them. They don't have a cannelure (the 185gr. .451 bullets) for a roll crimp, and a taper crimp might not hold them well enough. The .45 Auto case isn't as big in the diameter at the mouth as the .45 Colt (.473 vs. .480 O.D.), so even when sized, the .451 bullets can be pushed in the .45 Colt case mouth by hand.

 

[jcelect]

Lighter

To the OP
Your load is a hunting load, probably good for deer. Go much lighter on the bullet and reduce the powder charge. This will produce a round that will recoil less and be more fun to shoot at paper. If you play with the powder charge you might find a load that will hit the same POA for the setting of your sight now! I would use a bullet around the 200gr weight and there are a bunch of powders great for this load!
jcelect

 

[max]

I have loaded 200 gr lead swc's meant for the 45acp in the larger cases. They seem to work fine and not as much recoil.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Thanks for all of the responses. To answer one of the questions, I got the load data I am currently using from a hand loading article (don't remember the source) on loading the Keith bullet for 45 Colt. The comment was something to the affect, "if all else fails, try 20 grains of IMR4227". It proved correct, but I haven't really tried anything else. I will try some of your suggestions. I have Bullseye powder, so that is where I will start. As for a lighter bullet, that makes sense.

While we are talking about lighter bullets, I have a harebrained question. I have about 500, 45 185 gr Hornady XTP (#45100) I purchased for use in my 1911, but since they are JHP, they don't cycle reliably. Would I be crazy to try them in my Smith? Should I have any concerns with the .451" diameter as opposed to the .452" that I am currently loading? Crimping may be an issue as well?

Purchased quite a few of the 185gr Hornady ZOMBIE MAX! (aka, FTX) bullets a while back and have loaded them successfully in both 45 Colt & 45acp: these do have a can, BTW. I don't recall any problems vis-a-vis any bullet movement (fore or aft) or cycling, but I use LEE Carbide FCDs for both calibers. Or the collet-style LEE die in 45 Colt for Ruger ONLY style loads.

IMHO bullets loaded at 45acp & 45 Colt "Level 1" pressures don't typically have these problems...

Cheers!