Pet loads in .45 ACP for revolvers? Let's hear 'em!

[bmcgilvray]

My Model 1917s have happily digested many loads stoked with 6.3 grains of Unique under most any 250-255 grain cast lead semi-wadcutter. Velocity clocked 831 fps the time a batch was tested.

 

[Coastie762]

My 625-8 likes a 200 grain cast SWC over 3.8-3.9 grains of Clays in either a .45 Auto Rim or ACP case. Very soft shooting and accurate. Chronos at approx 780 FPS.

 

[TAROMAN]

Have tried lots of loads in my 625-3.
SWCs shoot OK, but aren't as smooth to load with moon clips as are the round nose types.
Have settled on a rather pedestrian 230 LRN over 4.4 of WST.
This runs around 800 FPS in my gun.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Anything that a 1911 will run will run in your M25 and a few that won't!

I have a list of them but not for publishing. There is a few that came from the Speer #8.

 

[GCF]

A Penn 230TC-BB / .452" / Target Alloy, over TiteGroup 3.8 - 4.0 grains has provided fairly good results w/ the 625-3 shown, & a recently departed 4" 625-8.

Tried a number of 200 LSWC's in the -8, & none of them worked as well as the 230TC. Well, at least using TiteGroup - which is mostly what I load, as I've got a boatload of it...

Missouri Bullets appears to offer the 230TC as well, but in a harder alloy. Been curious about their alloy, & may give 'em a try at some point. No complaints about Penn though.

 

[gwalchmai]

Um, how far away were those, GCF?

 

[reuters]

My 625 pet load is 4,8 grains of VV N310 under a 185 gr cast Lee SWC (not the TL bullet) sized to .451", standard LP-primer. Very accurate, cut nice holes and clean burning and minimal leading. These loads also work fine in my auto.

 

[GCF]

Um, how far away were those, GCF?

Right about 18 yards - off bags.

 

[GCF]

My standard is a 230 gr. cast bullet and 4.2 grs. of Clays. This also serves as my match load and should do 165 Power Factor out of any revolver with a 4" barrel.

I also like 231 with the 255 gr. cast bullets. With this powder you should be able to easily work up a load that will do over 900 FPS. And while on the subject of 231, another excellent load is the 225 gr. FP cast bullet and 6.0 grs. of 231. This is one load that will do everything that you need a .45 ACP revolver to do.

Dave Sinko

For your cast bullet accuracy loads, do you prefer a harder - or somewhat softer alloy?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tommy F]

185-255 lead with 4.0 for lighter or 4.5 standard loads work very well in my 625.

 

[SWBigBang]

3.7gr Hodgdon Clays and 230gr plated bullets.
Talk about smooth and adequately accurate for a plinking load.
Plus, the brass doesn't travel to far which makes it easy to retrieve.

 

[gwpercle]

My pet load for revolver 45 acp is a 200 grain cast swc like Lyman #452460,on top of 5.2 grs Unique. This is a good plinking / target shooting load.

For a harder hitting load use Lyman # 452423 a 240 gr. cast SWC over the same 5.2 grs. Unique. This one is a good load for stopping and penetration .

gary

 

[Maximumbob54]

Anything that a 1911 will run will run in your M25 and a few that won't!

OK, you got my attention with that one...

What is it and why does it scream "AWESOME!!!"???

I assume it's a .45 Colt zombie FTX bullet loaded in a .45 ACP case. Please, please, pretty please share!!!

 

[Skip Sackett]

Nope, they are bullets from muzzle loading sabots! Our local Wally World had some on sale once after season for $7! So, I got a few and fooled around. 250gr over a Speer #8 load of SR4756! They were thumpers to say the least!

 

[Maximumbob54]

Crazy. I would have never thought about that. Are they .451"?

 

[chipking]

Man Skip talk about a rapid reload. With those bullets I would almost guess that you could throw the loaded moon clip at the open cylinder and it would go in. ;o)
Chip King

 

[Skip Sackett]

Yep! .451" exactly. The sabots are designed for that as well as another type of plastic that are sized to take .429" bullets. I tried some of them in a 500 S&W "accelerator" type of configuration. I used Trail Boss so I could NOT get into pressure problems and they worked well from my Handi Rifle I used to own. That thing was brutal though and I sold it not long after developing those loads.

Chip, yeah, they didn't need much help! hahaha