.45 Auto Rim and S&W 625-1

[Deaf Smith]

Well I got a hold of LOTS of .45 Auto Rim ammo (yes ammo, not cases.)

I intend on shooting the ammo for the cases (tough job, right?)

I have some .454 inch 250 gr hard case Keith style slugs.

So, anyone have some loading data for the 625? I'd love to shoot some SWCs from it. I've heard 13 grains of 2400 for full velocity and 6 grs. of Unique for milder stuff but need to hear for those who have done!

So, that's my hogleg. I've shot .45 Supers already from it. So any ideas what to feed it? And yes, I know I am own my own as for responsibility. I've been a handloader since 16 years old (and that's quite a while ago!) and I am a cautious fellow.

Thanks,

Deaf

 

[rcmodel]

The #5 Speer manual from 1962 shows Max load of 8 Unique, and 17 2400 with a 255 Keith in .45 AR.

However, I stretched the frame and ruined a perfectly fine S&W 1917 in 1963 doing it!!

Your 6.0 Unique sounds perfectly sane.


Your 13 grains 2400 will be a dirty load that doesn't burn clean.

I'd stick with Unique, probably 6.0 for fun, and no more then 7.0 for business.

The .45 AR really isn't a big enough, or high pressure enough to get much more out of 2400 then you can get out of Unique.

rc

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well rummaging around the man cave and I came up with 240 gr hard cast .451s, 255 gr. hard case .454, 100 .451 XTP JHPs, and 100 .451 240 JHPs.

Good enough for a start. Used some .454 255 gr slugs to start.

Then my Lee Turret press .45 ACP carbide rig did the sizing, decapping, power charge (6.5 gr Unique), and started the seater. The .45 Auto Rim set of dies I got the seater and put it on one of the holes in my Lyman turret press. Seated it in the grove and crimped.

Just six rounds for now. Got to go to the range and shoot some of those 230 gr Auto-Rim RP rounds for more brass and test out these six shots.

I figure the 6.5 grs ought to get 900+ fps from that 3 inch barrel. I see .45 Super loads with 255s 6.5 grs of unique and .45 ACP 230 lrn with 6.5 grs to, so should be about the same.

Cool thing is, they load 300 grain slugs to!

Deaf

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Deaf Smith

Why don't you sell be that beautiful 3 inch before beating it up and purchase a 45 Colt.

 

[moxie]

Sweet piece!!
A few comments:
- Basic rule of thumb is load the AR the same as the ACP. Except with really heavy bullets and loads you might use a roll crimp with the AR. Watch for bullet jump with the heavy loads. Otherwise it's all the same except the shell plate. Speer and Lyman have lots of data for AR and ACP.

- 2400 is not a good powder for the ACP or the AR. Too slow. Newer editions of the Speer book (11 and newer) don't list it. Better choices include Bullseye and Unique.

- I think closer to 800fps is more realistic than 900+fps for 6.5 Unique.

- .454" is a bit fat for typical cast bullets. The standard is .452". Might be OK. Might not.

- - Enjoy. Shooting and reloading for the 625 is as good as it gets!

 

[BigBore45]

I would use bluedot for your business loads.

 

[medalguy]

I've been reloading the AR for several years for a 25-2. My favorite target load is 5.5 gr Unique behind a 230 gr LRN. I forget what I chrono'ed it at but it's very pleasant for killing cans.