Reloading for a 625 in 45 Colt

[BlackRifle]

Ok all you 45 Colt fans. "You know who you are." I want to start reloading for my 625 Classic 5 inch. A little concerned about the dual listings for Ruger/Thompson Center and then all others.When you read the narrative they seem to be talking about older single action type of handguns. An N frame stainless in 44 Magnum or other magnum calibers must be able to handle the pressure. So where can I find realistic loading data for my 625. Don't want to blow the thing apart.. but I do not want to fall asleep at the range while firing wimpy rounds.


Also might squeeze a "few" rounds off in a 625 Mountain Gun. I assume that it would be more prudent to back the load down a little bit for this one.

Any insight appreciated.

Mike

 

[Arisin Wind]

You could start here. Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5 By: John Linebaugh

Gunnotes...Smith]Handloads.Com Articles

 

[Mack]

+1 oh John Linebaugh. He knows of what he speaks, a moderate load pushing a heavy bullet at 900-950 fps is all that is needed. The .45 Colt is not a magnum and does not need to be loaded to magnum pressure to be effective.

 

[Shooting4life]

When they say ruger only they mean ruger only.

 

[JeffR]

In addition to reading Linebaugh, you might also get the April 2007 copy of Handloader. In it Brian Pearce breaks out some loads for the RCBS 454 270 SAA bullet at 14k psi, 20k psi and 32k CUP.

Brian specifically mentions the 20k psi loads as being safe in post WWII S&W N frames. The 32k CUP loads are considered Ruger only.

June 2002 Handloader has data for 250-260 grain bullets at 14k psi, 16-19k psi and then up into the Ruger/Freedom Arms pressure range.

I believe there are a couple of other Handloader issues that deal with 45 Colt loads, the dates/issue number escape me though...

ETA: I routinely run the 20k PSI 454-270 loads through my 625-9 mountain gun, in fact that's pretty much all I load for this gun. I've not experienced any issues.