New 625 Owner

[keithherrington]

Dale,
What is your powder charge for your target load using the H&G 68? Have you seen an improvement in accuracy using the H&G 69 with the flat base?

 

[Stainz]

Try Ranch Products for the blued steel moonclips - they make them for other folks. I just got my second box-o-hundred - they've gone up - now $35/100 delivered. Nice folks. I second the Brownell's nutdriver suggestion - only $12-$15 - a deal, as it holds the six empties you peel off until you are ready to dump them - in my case, into a ziploc bag. You can't have too many loaded moonclips...

A metal .223 ammo can, with mat board scraps as separators - will hold five layers of 21+ loaded moonclips - 105 'clips - 630 rounds - plenty for that afternoon of plinking. Great Zombie protection, too. BTW, I had a regular 4" 625-8 I bought new in 9/02 - I replaced it with the new 625JM when it came out. I spent an unbearable several months without a .45 ACP revolver - never again! The best attributes, for me, of the 625JM are the spring-loaded front sight - allowed the HiViz to be swapped with the OEM gold beaded Patridge in seconds without tools - and I love that JM grip.

If you reload, the Starline .45 ACP brass loads more easily into those 'clips. They also make the .45 Auto Rim - which I load .45 Colt lead in, like the 255gr LSWC, at a tad warmer levels than .45 Colt permits. Starline brass is more economical and more likely available directly from them. They can't count either... unlike every bullet maker I know, they give you 'extras'. Those .45 ARs fit the HKS #25 Speedloaders, also available from Brownell's.

Welcome to the madness - and the Forum - HokieMike and Maxx!

Stainz

 

[Dale53]

cprher;
I am currently using 4.5 grs of 5066 as my target load with both the H&G #130 and the Saeco #68. That is equivalent to 4.0 grs of Bulleseye. 5066 is an obsolete powder (a very fine target powder for pistol but, nonetheless, is obsolete). I am currently using up all of my partial cans and kegs of miscellaneous powder on a probably fruitless quest to make life a bit simpler

.

The #130 has a flat base and is the "squatty SWC" and the Saeco #68 has a Bevel Base and is a longer SWC clone of the original H&G #68. I can see no difference in their practical accuracy in both my 1911's and my 625's.

These days, if I were buying a new mould (I am

) my choice would be a flat base by a slim margin.

One thing about the 625's in .45 ACP: It seems that most anything, within safety reasons, that I load in my 625's shoot extremely well. It would take a lot of time on the Ransom Rest to make a determination of which is slightly better than the other. When I replace my target powder (after I get low) my choice for the .38 Special and .45 ACP will probably be a keg of Hodgdon's Titegroup (based on a conversation I had with one of Hodgdon's Technicians at the NRA Convention in May 2008). However, there are many good choices, including Bullseye, 231, Red Dot, etc. I have not found powder to be a definitive choice on accuracy (confirming machine rest tests by the NRA in the late seventies and early eighties). Bullet quality is THE definitive choice regarding accuracy. I cast my own bullets so that I have full control on the quality.

Here is a picture of the H&G #130:

Dale53

 

[tbury]

My 5 inch loves titegroup. 5gr. of titegroup behind a 200 gr LSWC is my target load.

 

[Ops Officer]

HokieMike, I'm glad I saw Buff's post before I commented. I agree with everything he wrote. I would emphasize the importance of choosing the handgun you are most familiar with as your HD gun. Also, if there is a remote chance kids could get access to it, get a small safe and lock it up! I would reiterate Buff's warning about the safety. I was always taught the safety is located between your ears and not in your hands.

Shoot your 625. You are going to love it! I purchased a used Performance Center 624 JM with a 5" barrel a couple of years ago. I couldn't believe how smooth the double action trigger was. The single action breaks like my 1911. It is incredibly accurate. I purchased a slew of moonclips for it. Then, I couldn't resist getting another 625 in a 4" barrel. I had a Hi-Viz sight put on it and the action set up for 185 grain ammo. Last year I found a 625 in a 3" barrel. I have no idea why, because I don't plan to carry it. It shoots quite well. The damned things are addictive. Now, I lust after a 624, probably a 4". But the prices now are out of sight.

BTW, the grips you have look great.