All loads for 45 Colt.
11.0 Unique, 230gr Speer JHP
11.0 Unique, 225 gr Speer JHP
12.0 Unique, 200 gr Speer JHP
11.0 Unique, 230gr Speer JHP
11.0 Unique, 225 gr Speer JHP
12.0 Unique, 200 gr Speer JHP
Would you consider these hot loads for S&W's??
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pantannojack
US Veteran
TOO HOT for me
My Speer Manual 1973 specifys that 225g jacketed load in the pages: "45 Colt for Ruger or Contender Only" at 11g Unique, CCI 300 (std) primer, 1185 fps, 7.5" bbl. It also shows 9.2g Unique maximun for all other 45 Colts of the 1973 and older guns including S&W. 946fps 5.5"bbl
My Speer Manual 1973 specifys that 225g jacketed load in the pages: "45 Colt for Ruger or Contender Only" at 11g Unique, CCI 300 (std) primer, 1185 fps, 7.5" bbl. It also shows 9.2g Unique maximun for all other 45 Colts of the 1973 and older guns including S&W. 946fps 5.5"bbl
OP
I had a piece of tape on them that said hot, but just wanted to make sure, thanks. Guess my Marlin lever gun needs some exercise..
Any modern 45 Colt S&W revolver in good repair should easily be able to handle 23K psi loads, which is SAAMI 45ACP +P pressure & 625s are rated for.
No reason to think 45 Colt models aren't as strong.
230gr JHP @ 11.0gr/Unique is less than 23K psi according to Handloader #337 magazine so that should be no problem.
A lot of us shoot 45 Super in our S&W 45ACP revolvers without issue which is higher at ~25-28K psi.
But you do what you feel comfortable with.
.
No reason to think 45 Colt models aren't as strong.
230gr JHP @ 11.0gr/Unique is less than 23K psi according to Handloader #337 magazine so that should be no problem.
A lot of us shoot 45 Super in our S&W 45ACP revolvers without issue which is higher at ~25-28K psi.
But you do what you feel comfortable with.
.
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For a "modern" S&W Revolver I don't see an issue. I'd make sure you keep them away from any Colt SAA Revolvers you might have.
That's a little melodramatic. 
First off there is no SAAMI standard pressure range for Ruger Only loads. Everybody has their own idea as to what's the right range.
Ruger Only loads may exceed 44 Magnum power, but they can also have a much lower starting level, though it's commonly thought of as "between" load.
You also notice they list Ruger Only loads using W231 powder at 1127fps.
Since you wouldn't want to use this load in your vintage 45 Colt SAA, as it's over SAAMI pressure (14K psi), it properly goes in the Ruger Only category.
No component manufacturer lists load data as S&W 625 Only data. Sierra comes close.
Handloader magazine has, as a matter of course in the past, provided tested data for cartridges like the 45 Colt that can live happily in different brand revolvers & at different pressure levels above the standard SAAMI pressure.
I've found no reason not to trust their usually very comprehensive & detailed load data, in this cartridge or others.
A 230gr JHP @ 11.0gr/Unique is safe in a modern 625 45 Colt revolver in good repair.
No need to think the sky is falling. We're safe here, for now.
.
First off there is no SAAMI standard pressure range for Ruger Only loads. Everybody has their own idea as to what's the right range.
Ruger Only loads may exceed 44 Magnum power, but they can also have a much lower starting level, though it's commonly thought of as "between" load.
You also notice they list Ruger Only loads using W231 powder at 1127fps.
Since you wouldn't want to use this load in your vintage 45 Colt SAA, as it's over SAAMI pressure (14K psi), it properly goes in the Ruger Only category.
No component manufacturer lists load data as S&W 625 Only data. Sierra comes close.
Handloader magazine has, as a matter of course in the past, provided tested data for cartridges like the 45 Colt that can live happily in different brand revolvers & at different pressure levels above the standard SAAMI pressure.
I've found no reason not to trust their usually very comprehensive & detailed load data, in this cartridge or others.
A 230gr JHP @ 11.0gr/Unique is safe in a modern 625 45 Colt revolver in good repair.
No need to think the sky is falling. We're safe here, for now.
.
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I have to ask . . . if 5.5 grains of Unique yields 1000fps out of a revolver, using the Alliant reloading manual, how much faster do you need?
OP
I bought a 625 and all of the related stuff from a buddy of mine a while back and the ammo came with the gun. In the past he also had a Ruger in 45 Colt, so that is where the hotter stuff was loaded for. I went thru all of the ammo to determine what was most likely for which gun.
I'm having issues with another 45 with large throats and want to try shooting jacketed ammo thru it before I spend the money and buy some factory stuff.
If it's too hot for a S&W, then I can always run it thru my Marlin lever gun.
I'm having issues with another 45 with large throats and want to try shooting jacketed ammo thru it before I spend the money and buy some factory stuff.
If it's too hot for a S&W, then I can always run it thru my Marlin lever gun.
BigMuddy
Member
I have shot a lot of 45 Colt in a lot of different revolvers with a lot of Unique powder. Most common load has been 8.5 grains. It has never reached 1000 fps. I feel pretty safe in saying 5.5 grains would be lucky to shoot half that fast. I've never loaded less than 7.0 and they haven't exceeded 800 fps.
Dan
BigMuddy
Member
Maybe Alliant wants to be on the safe side, but this is their data nonetheless.
Gary
Maybe you're looking at barrel length when you saw "5.5"? None of the charge weights listed are that low. The data you attached is pretty "spot on" to what I have found.
Dan
Sorry for that. Objection withdrawn! 
Lol, you had me goin' there for a minute. 
A couple of weeks ago I was chrono'ing some specific 45 Colt loads & threw in some Xtreme 230gr P-HP @ 10.3grs/Unique I had loaded a few years ago for plinking.
Out of my 5" M25-13 I only got 957mv out of an anticipated 1089mv.
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This same bullet got 1000mv with 11.1gr/Pwr.Pistol.
12.0gr/Pwr.Pistol got 1067mv on an anticipated 1090mv
These are less than 23K psi loads per Handloader #337.
.
A couple of weeks ago I was chrono'ing some specific 45 Colt loads & threw in some Xtreme 230gr P-HP @ 10.3grs/Unique I had loaded a few years ago for plinking.
Out of my 5" M25-13 I only got 957mv out of an anticipated 1089mv.
.
This same bullet got 1000mv with 11.1gr/Pwr.Pistol.
12.0gr/Pwr.Pistol got 1067mv on an anticipated 1090mv
These are less than 23K psi loads per Handloader #337.
.
