Reloading .25 auto

[1TwistedGimp]

Hello all,
I could use some help here.
I am venturing to reload the diminutive .25 auto.
Out of all the manuals I possess the only powders suggested are Imr high skor 700x, unique and trailboss. I have all these powders but I'm also looking at burn rate charts that show that Imr PB and IMR 7625 are also quite close in burn rate.

I can't find any recipes for PB or 7625.
I only have 6 manuals at this time.

I purchased 500 lead 55gr fp-TC to load this cartridge, I have considered cleaning off the lube and powder coating them for use but haven't gotten that far as of yet.

I know I'll need to start low and work up, these will be fired from a cheap but perfect Phoenix arms .25 auto for plinking only and I really don't want to crack my frame pushing them. Anyone who has one of these knows how thin the frame is at Magwell.

I have 5 powders that could work for this but 2 might be a bit to fast. I have all 5 powders listed above and could really use some help working up a load for this.

I'll be using fiocchi brass, cci 500 primers and a number of powders hopefully.

All my manuals list 50gr fmj for their heaviest bullet but I'd like to practice with the 55gr fp-Tc if possible.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, does anyone have any loads for PB or 7625?

Thanks in advance!
Dave

 

[fxvr5]

data at Hodgdon's website: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

 

[berettaprofessor]

Both 700x and 7625 are listed in the Hodgdon link above. I’ve also used Win231 and CFEPistol. The CFEPistol at 1.2 grains is a soft and accurate load at 590 FPS.

 

[nambu1]

From the Hodgdon Manual



BULLET WEIGHT50 GR. SIE FMJ
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads
Manufacturer
Powder
Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.

Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure

Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
IMR
SR 7625
.251"
.900"
1.2
755
17,900 CUP
IMR
PB
.251"
.900"
1.1
740
17,700 CUP

 

[frankmako]

Back in the 80 I reloaded 25 acp. I don't remember the powder I used. My reloading data is packet away pending a move next month. But I remember it was also a case full of powder. I think I used bullseye.

 

[hdwhit]

1TwistedGimp wrote:
"I purchased 500 lead 55gr fp..."

Who from?

I'm in the process of moving, so all of my reloading data has been packed up. Thus, it is not available for me to share with you at this point. But, I did have a chart from one of the equipment makers showing load data for about a dozen pistol cartridges.

The bottom line of the chart was that Hi Skor-700X was able to deliver the highest velocity out of a 2 inch barrel, but the other powders were all all comparable; delivering velocities within about 50 fps at their respective maximums.

Personally, I worked up a load for my 25 ACP pistol that reached a sweet spot at 1.1 grains of 700X. Be careful with 25 ACP, the cartridge is small enough and many pistols are weak enough that the difference between a charge of 1.0 grains and one of 1.1 grains could be the difference between a good day at the range and a Kaboom.

Follow accepted reloading process by beginning with the Starting Load and working up from there.

 

[1TwistedGimp]

hdwhit,

I purchased the 55gr fp-tc from Rim Rock Bullets. Cowboy hard cast lead bullets according to the box.

I'm thinking I might need a slightly slower powder for the heavier weight bullet cause I need to set them near .860 coal to get them to feed reliably.

Of everything I've loaded to date these lil. 25 auto are up there with the biggest challenge I've come across...

Dave

 

[1TwistedGimp]

From the Hodgdon Manual



BULLET WEIGHT50 GR. SIE FMJ
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads
Manufacturer
Powder
Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.

Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure

Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
IMR
SR 7625
.251"
.900"
1.2
755
17,900 CUP
IMR
PB
.251"
.900"
1.1
740
17,700 CUP

Thank you nambu1!
That's very helpful! Guess I should have searched the interwebs further.

I don't want to damage this pistol, I actually use it for carry (ducking all the bricks being thrown) I would really like a decent practice load for it and not crack my frame by pushing it too hard. It shoots the fiocchi 50gn ball perfect! I can place all rounds inside of 1.5 inches at 12yrds so I'd like to duplicate it as best as I can using the 5 powders listed above if possible... it's just such a tiny case and doesn't leave much room for workup...

Dave

 

[Dudedog]

I don't own a .25 or load it but looking at Lyman 50 they list AA#2 as one of the powders.
AA#2 meters well in .380 size charges (much bigger than .25 size charges)
Unique and 700X are both sort of large flakes, AA#2 is more small balls

Powder pictures

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=14
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=122
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=177

Note: size of grains/flakes/sticks shown

Lyman lists 1.6-1.8gr AA#2 in ..25 with a 35gr JHP

I like AA#2 for lots of things.