Mod 25-5 Heavy loads

[Ironworker]

I have a Mod 25-5 6" 45LC. Shooting 280gr GC cast and 340GC cast. 16.2 grs of Ali-ant 2400 LPMP 280 gr bullet averge MV was 906 FPS for 6 shots. 340 gr Bullet with same powder charge produced 1030 AVG FPS out of 6 shots. 280 gr bullet produced mild recoil and brass extracted with zero problem,no flattened primers. 340 gr cast bullet produced a slow but heavy recoil . zero case extraction problem and also no flattened primers. Am I causeing harm to my revolver ?

 

[Ashlander]

That's an N-frame gun. That's a monster, so it will take a beating. I suggest you compare it to a couple warmer factory loads. If your's are too much hotter then you can back off. Having said that, if you have no flattened primers and extraction is not a problem, most of the guys at the range would not think twice (but some of them are crazy).

 

[Rpg]

You won't hurt your revolver.

It is 'over built' to the extent that your loads won't hurt anything except your hand.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Just don't load any loads that are for TC or Ruger Super BH.
Way too hot for a Smith, I know.......

 

[BLUEDOT37]

25-5

16.2 grs of Ali-ant 2400 LPMP 280 gr bullet averge MV was 906 FPS for 6 shots. 340 gr Bullet with same powder charge produced 1030 AVG FPS out of 6 shots.

Have you seen this article?
Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

Why does the heavier bullet have a higher FPS than the lighter one with the same amount of powder?

.

 

[Bearbait in NM]

Iron,

We have had a few threads here about this, and their are lots more with a search.

As I have posted before, these loads are not going to have a definitive, yes they are safe. About all you can do is the research, and make up your own mind. What I have seen and read is that it seems like the loads that are above saami and somewhere about midway to top end Ruger loads may work out.

Here's the rub, again no definitive yes's or no's published, and you will not see pressure signs on your brass with these type of loads. If you are flattening primers or getting sticky extraction you are likely WAY over what the gun can take.

You're gonna be on your own to keep an eye on what the gun and it's parts are telling you. Did the gun go from zero endshake to a number that can be measured? Is there any peening on the cylinder stop notches or the bolt? Is the forcing cone starting to show signs of wear? And a host of other things.

Higher performance absolutely comes at a price. The trick is to keep track of the price, and decide whether you can live with it. I would also note that with these higher end loads, you are moving your safety margin considerably, and as such will need to really pay attention to your reloading techniques.

Just my opinion, and yes I run my 625 in 45acp pretty hard. You actually have more wiggle room than I do, as your longer case gives you a few more powder choices than me ;^)

Craig

 

[kaaskop49]

I do not handload, but I remember when the gun was introduced in the early 80's. It was a gun I had to have! Several magazine articles at that time pointed out that there was very little metal thickness between the bottom of the cylinder stop notches and the chamber walls, much less than on the .44 Mag N-frame revolvers. The writers believed that high pressure handloads were unwise in the 25-5.

Again, no handloading experience, just what I remember reading.

 

[gen3guy]

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. I'd never forgive myself if I blew up my 25-5. If I want hot 45s I have Blackhawks for that. Standard pressure .45 Colts are a helluva lot of fun anyway.

 

[USSR]

First, the 280gr bullet with 16.2gr of 2400 is perfectly safe and not particularly hot. I use 18.0gr of 2400 with a .45-270 SAA bullet in my 25-5. The 340gr bullet I can't say as I don't use bullets that heavy, but I certainly wouldn't shoot a lot of those or go any hotter. Lastly, I am assuming that "LPMP" is a magnum LPP. You don't use magnum primers with 2400 powder.

Don

 

[Model 1955]

I mostly shoot 250gr in mine. 9gr Unique with 250gr lead or 18gr 2400 with Hornady 250gr JHP. They are loads from Ken Waters Pet Loads. I haven't tried any but he also list 17gr of 2400 with a 273gr lead bullet as being safe for group II (Later Colt SA, New Service & S&W 1950 revolvers).

 

[Bearbait in NM]

I do not handload, but I remember when the gun was introduced in the early 80's. It was a gun I had to have! Several magazine articles at that time pointed out that there was very little metal thickness between the bottom of the cylinder stop notches and the chamber walls, much less than on the .44 Mag N-frame revolvers. The writers believed that high pressure handloads were unwise in the 25-5.

Again, no handloading experience, just what I remember reading.

Kaas,

Yes indeed, the walls are thin, compared to the 44 mags.

This thinness is one of the foundation for Ruger hot loads in the 45 caliber. The Ruger 44 mag can take X amount of pressure, the 45 Colt has Y amount of less metal. A little math and you arrive at what some would call safe pressure in the Ruger. I think you can find this logic in Linebaugh's writings.

It gets murky in the S&W, as you have the folks who post that the S&W 44 mag gets special heat treatment. Or not. Or blue is "stronger" than SS. or the other way around. Is the cylinder bolt different between N frames. Wider, stronger, heaver bolt spring in the 44 mag?

back to the Linebaugh writings, with the 45 caliber, you bring a potentially heavier bullet that is wider. You should not need to run the 45 as fast and as hard as the 44 bullet to achieve comparable results. If you want to run a 335 grain bullet at 1300 fps, get a Ruger. But there is a lot of fertile ground between that and a 250 doing 900 fps ;^)

Craig

 

[Ironworker]

Linebaugh writings

I read his article he says the S&W revolver can take 40,000psi ,but the frame only 30,000 . Then asks why they put a 40,000 PSI wheel in a 30,000PSI frame he doesn't know. He also shoots 23.5grs of H110 behind a 310gr Keth bullet and has fired thousands with no problems. My gun is tight ,zero end shake. So why did I load those loads so hot ? I guess just to experiment .I'll lighten the load .Thanks every one.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Never saw the need for more than 255 gr LSWC in mine-900-1000 fps.