New M25 Classic Shooting High

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G. Freeman

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Hello Folks,
Finally shot my M25 in 45 LC today. Reloads consisted of 250 gr LRNFP sized .452, 8.0 grs of Unique. My groupings were 4" high at 45'. Is this normal?

I shot 150 rounds total. Some of my loads are with 7.5 grs and others with 8.0 grs of Unique.

My front sight measures .280".

I'm considering changing the front sight to a taller Dawson unit, but found out I would have to drill the new front sight which I'm not really comfortable with.

Options, suggestions? I'd really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance.
 
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If your rear sight is bottomed out you could change the blade in it out to a lower one instead of going to a higher front sight.No drilling necessary.

Your grip does play a part in it. Firmer grip with stiffer wrist won't allow barrel to recoil as rapidly.
 
I had a 25-7 and I had the same problem with 250 grain bullets. When I posted the same question on here the responses were to go with lighter 200 grain bullets. I sold the gun before I got around to trying this though so I don't know if it would have worked or not.
 
7.5 - 8.0 is pretty slow, no? if you're rear sight is bottomed out, speed up the round or adapt the sights to the slower round you want to fire. might be worth putting the gun in someone else's hands and see how they far before making any changes.
 
If it's a new(er) gun, send back to factory. They will install a taller front blade, for free. They did that for my 66-8 (which also shot high with the rear sight bottomed).
 
My 25-5 is doing the same thing with the rear bottomed out. However, I am using 280 gr bullets and I am not sure that I can get them going fast enough (safely) in a 4" barrel. It looks like a shorter rear sight is my best bet if I stick with the heavy weight bullet.
 
I bought a 25-10 brand new , it shot high with rear sight bottomed out . I tried the lower rear sight blade , groove cut down to the housing that held the windage adjustment screw , still no better . I had to have a new front sight installed . The hardest part was to locate the cross pin that held it in place . Had to buy a new drift punch the correct size . You don't try to drill clear through from one side . You drill into the new front sight alternating from side to side . That cured the problem . It's a pain and I don't know why S&W still persists in using a front sight that is too low . I read that it was sighted for 185 gr bullets , yet the standard has and still is , 255 gr . After finding several other problems , I sold it , at a loss and was glad to get rid of it . Good Luck , Regards Paul
 
Thanks guys for the input. This is my 1st S&W firearms after having sold my last S&W more than 15 yrs ago. When I was doing my research, didn't see any indications about this model shooting high.

I have a few Ruger Blackhawks in 45 LC and the front sight never needed any change.

Yes, my rear sight is bottomed out. Just wanted to make sure I was not imagining things. Yeah, the standard is usually 250-255 gr LSWC.
 
4" high would not bother me at all. I would be more concerned about the group. You did not mention a bbl length. I would try 25 yards and 50 yards with the load you mentioned. I would also vary the load and see if you can tune a load to the gun, before I made modifications
 
My 25-7 shoots about three inches high at 7 yards. I have not tried it at any other range or played around with it with other loads. I really like the gun and seldom shoot .45 Colt anyway, so likely leave it like it is as I do not like the shorter rear sight blades. I'll just make do!!
 
The best and easiest fix for your problem is to install a higher rear sight blade. Once you start altering the gun, you end up with; an altered gun. The sight blade solution is reversible and will not affect the value of your expensive revolver, unlike grinding on your front sight.
 
Try using a more standard-velocity .45 Colt load -- 250 gr. bullet, 9 grs. Unique.

When the load matches the sights --- voila.
 
One load is not going to make you file on your sight blade or switch blades.

Get a box of factory ammo to see if you POA with that. Make some loads at 2 different built weights, 2-3 powders, start w starting load and go up in 0.3 gr increments. You will find the perfect load. Also, test your powders how well the meter on you powder drop and find one that meters within 0.05 gr or less. That brings in your group size.

I do that type of load development on an old rock chucker. 10 rounds, increase powder weight, 10 more and so on...

Once you have a perfect ragged hole group and you are a little high, go to a 6 o'clock hold and all good.
 
oysterer said:
One load is not going to make you file on your sight blade or switch blades.

Get a box of factory ammo to see if you POA with that. Make some loads at 2 different built weights, 2-3 powders, start w starting load and go up in 0.3 gr increments. You will find the perfect load. Also, test your powders how well the meter on you powder drop and find one that meters within 0.05 gr or less. That brings in your group size.

I do that type of load development on an old rock chucker. 10 rounds, increase powder weight, 10 more and so on...

Once you have a perfect ragged hole group and you are a little high, go to a 6 o'clock hold and all good.
Click to expand...

Kind of what I was trying to say;)
 
re: " install a higher rear sight blade." respectfully, I would expect this to raise the Point Of Impact even higher than it already is. Traditionally, if you want to move the POI down, you lower the rear sight, OR raise the front.
 
The idea that you should have to adjust point of impact on an adjustable sight gun by bullet and load selection is wrong. Why even have adjustable sights? Get a lower rear sight blade if nessecary. The normal 45 colt round is heavy and slow. Recoil starts on firing. Heavy bullet means heavy recoil. S ok ow bullet mean s ling barrel time. Heavy recoil and long barrel time means lot of muzzle rise. I use pretty stiff loads and a fitm grip. Big hands and wrists. Have a bunch of 45s. A couple were made from 8 3/8" 629s. So me times you need to adjust sught blades to get you in the ball park, then use adjustments
 
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