Model 25-2 in 45 Win Mag?

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jamestx

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I have a 25-2 that I have wanted to customize for a long time. Since I got it from the original owner with box papers tool kit screwdriver etc I bought a beater 25-2 barrel and extra cylinder assembly do the original barrel will. E removed and saved and the extra cylinder I bought just bc it was from the same donor gun and now I'm thinking 45acp/45AR in original cylinder and maybe 45 Win Mag in 2nd cylinder?
Thoughts and opinions???
Will it Handle the cartridge/pressure ??
I mean same model and N frame are in 45 colt and 44 mag do why not.
Definitely would be different which are things I'm into.
 
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Look at the .45 cylinder, and note where the locking bolt notches are positioned. That's your potential failure point with full power .45 Win Mag ammo. Not a lot of steel there with a .45 chambered N frame cylinder. My thoughts, anyway.

Now, maybe something could be done with an X frame .460, and moon clips??

Larry
 
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I'm with the 2 above me. I just don't think there is enough meat in the cylinder, especially at the locking notches, to handle that kind of pressure. I wouldn't do it; I value my hands too much.
 
I agree but couldn't find max old or newer N frame pressure limits , as a 25 year handgun hunter I font want a bulky X frame anything IMO.
Just a wild thought on a Saturday afternoon lol
 
Factory 45 Win Mag is way too hot for those thin cylinder walls. However, if you wanted to load it like 45 Colt then it would be fine. Many people with 1917 Colts and some Smiths reamed all the way through would load 45winmag like 45Colt with 45Colt data.
 
Jim Watson said:
.45 Win Mag is 40,000 CUP, same as .44 Magnum. Chamber walls will be thinner. I wouldn't.
Click to expand...
While I basically agree with you and I wouldn't either I want to split the hairs finer. Old CUP pressure limits might have been the same 40,000 but current SAAMI psi limits are higher for .45 Win. Mag. than .44 Mag.

Maximum Average Pressure in PSI
36,000 .44 Mag.
23,000 .45 ACP +P
14,000 .45 Colt
41,500 .45 Win. Mag.

Using SAAMI maximum chamber dimensions .45 Win. Mag. chamber walls would be about 0.010" thinner than .44 Mag.

https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...FP-and-R-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

On the other hand, a reloader could never fire a .45 Win. Mag. factory cartridge and limit their powder charges to what they estimate would burn at pressures they'd be happy with in .45 Colt cartridges.
 
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I am a hand loader and yes I couldn't and wouldn't reamout a charmer yo 45 Win Mag just to down load it, IMO there is no point to it
 
25-5 using 45 win mag brass.

k22fan said:
While I basically agree with you and I wouldn't either I want to split the hairs finer. Old CUP pressure limits might have been the same 40,000 but current SAAMI psi limits are higher for .45 Win. Mag. than .44 Mag.

Maximum Average Pressure in PSI
36,000 .44 Mag.
23,000 .45 ACP +P
14,000 .45 Colt
41,500 .45 Win. Mag.

Using SAAMI maximum chamber dimensions .45 Win. Mag. chamber walls would be about 0.010" thinner than .44 Mag.

https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...FP-and-R-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

On the other hand, a reloader could never fire a .45 Win. Mag. factory cartridge and limit their powder charges to what they estimate would burn at pressures they'd be happy with in .45 Colt cartridges.
Click to expand...

I load the 45 win mag brass to 950-1000 fps for my 25-5 using 255 gr rnfplb Unique powder. 45 WM brass is more robust at the base, Works great!
 
Very interesting point about the 460 Rowland I didn't think of that.
 
I have a Model 625-3 which has been MagnaPorted and chambered for 460 Rowland. Works great but I haven't shot it much in recent years. My hands are getting old and brittle.
 
Doesn't sound like a good idea. There is the bolt-notch thing, and the longer extension of the barrel shank into the cylinder window, with the attendant shorter cylinder. I wouldn't try it. If you're bored with the 25-2, sell it and buy something else? JMHO. :)
 
Several years ago Ruger discontinued their Redhawk that was designed for .45 Colt only and replaced it with that also fires .45 ACP in Ruger's propitiatory full moon clips. I do not know of any reason why an owner could not fill those clips with .45 Win. Mag., drop them in and bang away without any safety concerns.

It seldom makes financial sense to pay a gunsmith to rebuild a gun into one that is similar to an easily obtained factory offering.
Unless you have a metal lathe, gunsmithing tools and skills the Ruger is worth looking at.
 
You could just go to 45 SUPER in your 45 ACP cylinder.

Operating at 28,000 PSI, the 45 SUPER can push a 230 grain JHP at over 1,100 FPS from a 5" barrel as opposed to the 45 ACP's at 850-880 FPS

You save money on chamber work and you can use your 45ACP hand loading dies without readjusting them :)

I have probably been shooting 45 SUPER for two+ decades now
 
Ok my original post is based on a 2nd spare cylinder assembly I have. The original 45acp/AR will primarily be used and in the gun the 2nd cylinder would be hypotheticals fir the Win Mag.
I don't care for Ruger DA revolvers never have so thats not even a consideration at this time. The revolver in question would be going to a Smith to convert it to 3.5" barrel with a DX or similar changeable front sight base , maybe keep the factory rear or change it for a Bowen rear and have the SB changed to RB, then re-blue in a gorgeous blue like Gary Reeders or similar. The original barrel will be kept after removal, the spare barrel I have will be used for the conversion. This is similar to the Jovino 25-2s I've seen in the past and Magna ports conversion etc no porting I can't stand ported guns.
 
Jamestx,

Before you pay to have your revolver trimmed to RB configuration, I would suggest you borrow a RB N frame and use it for a while. When I converted my M28-2 to 45ACP, I did the RB conversion and convinced myself it was perfect. It took a couple of years but now I have a set on RB/SB conversion grips to get it back to the SB style I seem to prefer.

Just a suggestion.

Kevin
 
StrawHat said:
Jamestx,

Before you pay to have your revolver trimmed to RB configuration, I would suggest you borrow a RB N frame and use it for a while. When I converted my M28-2 to 45ACP, I did the RB conversion and convinced myself it was perfect. It took a couple of years but now I have a set on RB/SB conversion grips to get it back to the SB style I seem to prefer.

Just a suggestion.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin,
I actually have a 625 PC N frame RB it's only Hilary lock gun I own, and I just sold a 629-4 N frame RB so I already no what they're like. In the calibers I'd be shooting there fine we're not talking big recoil here well maybe some if I do the Win Mag conversion but it's looking like not at this point.
This is why I hunt with so many strong SA revolvers I never have to worry about frame stretching and blown cylindersor parts coming loose like with Smith DA's , don't get me wrong I love my Smiths they just have there place.
I also had that idea of converting a 28 to 45acp but when and actual affordable 25-2 came along that was it:)
Jim
 
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