I've been shooting .25 ACP for about 25 years in a Colt 1908. About 20 years ago I picked up 2000 MagTech bullets (50 gr FMJ) for under $50 at a gun show. Got a set of Lee dies and started reloading all the empty cases I accumulated. After awhile, I stopped shooting the gun as much and just bought the occasional box of ammo. About 2 years ago, I got interested in the gun again and started shooting about 20 rounds every time I went to the range. I got a case of Federal ammo when they were running rebates in 2019, but that's almost gone. After checking availability and price of factory ammo now, I decided to try reloading these little guys again since I still have lots of brass and bullets.
I use a Lee Micro Disk (no longer available) for the tiny charges of powder, which can be a problem if the powder "bridges" in the measure, leading to a squib. I used to use 1.4 grains of HP-38 and this would sometimes occur. I decided to switch to AA #2 because it meters better. The Speer Manual 14th edition gives a load of 1.5 grains of AA #2 with a 50 grain FMJ bullet. My Micro Disk set at 0.15 cc delivers that charge reliably. I loaded up 100 rounds with a COL 0f 0.890 inches and a light roll crimp. I've fired 40 rounds of this load with no problems and am very pleased to use up these old bullets and not spend $40 per box for factory ammo. I do check the charged cases with a flashlight and have found no problems with powder metering. Planning to do another 200 this weekend.
Because of its size, this cartridge is slower to reload and requires a little more care in handling than .38 Special or .45 ACP. The biggest problem is finding the spent brass - it just seems to evaporate with about 30% loss.
In spite of its small size and primitive sights, the Colt 1908 does quite well out to 50 feet on a reduced silhouette target and its fun to shoot this 80+ year old pistol with my own reloads.
I use a Lee Micro Disk (no longer available) for the tiny charges of powder, which can be a problem if the powder "bridges" in the measure, leading to a squib. I used to use 1.4 grains of HP-38 and this would sometimes occur. I decided to switch to AA #2 because it meters better. The Speer Manual 14th edition gives a load of 1.5 grains of AA #2 with a 50 grain FMJ bullet. My Micro Disk set at 0.15 cc delivers that charge reliably. I loaded up 100 rounds with a COL 0f 0.890 inches and a light roll crimp. I've fired 40 rounds of this load with no problems and am very pleased to use up these old bullets and not spend $40 per box for factory ammo. I do check the charged cases with a flashlight and have found no problems with powder metering. Planning to do another 200 this weekend.
Because of its size, this cartridge is slower to reload and requires a little more care in handling than .38 Special or .45 ACP. The biggest problem is finding the spent brass - it just seems to evaporate with about 30% loss.
In spite of its small size and primitive sights, the Colt 1908 does quite well out to 50 feet on a reduced silhouette target and its fun to shoot this 80+ year old pistol with my own reloads.
I have some difficulty loading 32 S&W. I can't fathom loading the tiny 25 ACP. As you mention, power charging can be an issue. With the 32 S&W, there's not much difference between a max and min load, and they're small charges. Fortunately many 32 S&W guns can handle more pressure than the round is loaded to.
