I thought I'd better check this out before I blow myself up. I have a S&W 625-9 mountain gun. I also have John Linebaugh's notes: "Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Model 25-5". In it he recommends 24.0 grs of H-110 and a 260 gr Keith bullet, but says to use them 'sparingly' as they are near the upper end of 25-5 strength. I'd like to make up a few of these for use in extreme situations, but probably would use them sparingly, if for no other reason than the recoil.
There are three areas that might get me in trouble, and I'd appreciate any enlightenment that readers could shine on the subject:
1. I have a 625-9 not a 25-5. Is the 629-9 any weaker than the 25-5?
2. I don't have H-110 powder but I've read that W-296 is the same stuff. I have 296. Can I substitute W-296 for H-110?
3. Most published loads for W-296 say to use the load as published; don't reduce it. I'd like to use 22-23 grs of W-296 to give a greater margin of safety. Will I run into problems of 'detonation' or anything else if I reduce the loads?
There are three areas that might get me in trouble, and I'd appreciate any enlightenment that readers could shine on the subject:
1. I have a 625-9 not a 25-5. Is the 629-9 any weaker than the 25-5?
2. I don't have H-110 powder but I've read that W-296 is the same stuff. I have 296. Can I substitute W-296 for H-110?
3. Most published loads for W-296 say to use the load as published; don't reduce it. I'd like to use 22-23 grs of W-296 to give a greater margin of safety. Will I run into problems of 'detonation' or anything else if I reduce the loads?
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