Reloading 45acp for revolvers

[nettlle]

Although I like revolvers I have never owned a center fire revolver. I have been looking a a Smith 25-2 in 45 acp and was wondering if I can shoot my 200 gr coated H&B 68 45acp reloads in it without any chamber issues. Like leading for example.

 

[reddog81]

The throats on some of the older model 25’s can be on the larger end of the spectrum. Size the bullets to match the throats and maybe use a larger than standard expander die and you’ll be fine. The coated bullets shouldn’t lead but to get best accuracy with lead bullets it can be problematic if the throats are too big.

 

[Slamfire]

This is from my phone notes with Doug Brassard, S&W Customer service, Jul 1990

Discussion revolved about a M1917 Brazilian Revolver

The barrels and ball‑end chambers for these and all (45ACP) pre‑1989 guns are dimension ed for .454 . The barrels and cylinders were made on 45 Long Colt equipment.

Given the large chamber mouths of pre 1989 S&W pistols, (0.455"to 0.456") accuracy will never be outstanding with the typical 0.452 diameter bullet. It has been my experience, that shooting cast lead bullets of 0.452" diameter will not give the best accuracy. In fact, groups will be loosey goosey. You can tighten up 230 grain, or 200 grain, by shooting jacketed, or jacketed hollow point, I don't know how plated bullets will act. Its worth trying them to see. I was unable to find 0.454 230 lead or 200 grain bullets, but I was able to find commercial cast 0.454 250 grain bullets. And they shot as well, if not better, than the 230FMJ's.

This is data, and a load I think is mild enough to recommend, for shooting 250 grain lead bullets, 0.454 diameter, in my 1939 Brazilian Model 1917 revovler

250 LRN (.454) 4.5 grs Bullseye thrown, R-P AR cases, CCI300 primers
20-Jan-02 T = 44°F

Ave Vel = 754
Std Dev = 10
ES = 39.5
Low= 744
High= 783
N=14

Mild recoil, aimpt 5 OC, accurate

I believe the post 1989 45 ACP revolvers were dimensioned correctly, I have know guys who own them, and they claim they are tack drivers. I do recommend, 45 Auto Rim brass. I hate putting rounds on moon clips, and taking them off. Too time consuming, but Auto Rim is exactly like any other rimmed revolver cartridge.

 

[LaneP]

I've never encountered any problems shooting many cast lead bullets through my S&W 22-4 (M1917 repro). I like shooting moon clipped .45 ACP. All the cases stay together, reloading a cylinder is as fast as it gets for a revolver, and with the right tools, clipping and unclipping is no big deal.

 

[N555]

See speer#13.

 

[DC Plumber]

I have a 1984 25-2 and a 4" 625-3 model of 1989 and almost exclusively shoot 200g lswc lead and coated bullets. Zero issues and both guns are very accurate. Just came from the range in hour ago. At 50 yards I can hit 5 out of 6 consistently on a 14" x 14" steel plate, standing. In fact hit 5 out of 6 with my new Taylor's Drifter 45 colt too. I use moon clips and a slick loading tool. Thought I'd never use clips but now I don't see using auto rim anymore.

 

[AZAndy]

Oh, you're in for some big fun, especially if you use moonclips. As with all revolver cartridges, there's a wide range of different sorts of loads you can play around with. Though I've had a 625 and enjoyed it, my only .45 revolver at the moment is a lovingly worn 325PD:



Since the beast in its current configuration only weighs 27 ounces, I usually shoot light loads from it so as not to overwhelm my ageing and arthritic hands, like this:



That's a 185 grain lead semi-wadcutter with a mere 5.1 grains of Unique. A very easy-going, shoot-all-day load even from a featherweight gun. And then, once I've got a bunch of those ready to go like this



I can put a half-dozen or so of these handy doo-dads on my belt and I'm ready for some shootin'!



Of course, with regular heavy-duty Model 25 like you're talking about, you won't have to work up a sissified load like I did. My wrists seem to have been borrowed from an underfed 11-year-old girl, so allowances must be made. I look forward to hearing more about your .45 revolver journey! And thanks for the opportunity to drag out some story-time photos and talk about big revolvers.

Oh, and I've never had trouble with coated bullets in a .45, revolver or otherwise. Even these naked lead ones in the photo don't cause any trouble in that regard.

 

[mdi]

I've never encountered any problems shooting many cast lead bullets through my S&W 22-4 (M1917 repro). I like shooting moon clipped .45 ACP. All the cases stay together, reloading a cylinder is as fast as it gets for a revolver, and with the right tools, clipping and unclipping is no big deal.

View attachment 1087740

I want one! I have a Taurus 905 (9mm) and it is a hoot to shoot. When I'm bored I can sit at my bench and load up a bunch of moon clips and drop them in a bag for the next range trip and I use the same loads as my other 4, 9mm handguns. Taurus "stellar" are often complained about, but I tweeked 10-12 of them to hold rounds when dropped from waist height or tossed 6' onto a carpet...

If I had a 45 CP revolver I would use the same methods, same loads as my other 45 ACP guns and if I got bored with a load tweek some to get better "performance"...

 

[Rule3]

I just shoot the same loads , bullets with full moon clips that I have loaded for my 45 Auto pistols. 1911, XD and others. Mostly 230 gr LRN.

 

[jmorris]

If the coating is decent, you shouldn’t have any leading problems.

I pretty much only use 45 GAP brass anymore, in my 45 ACP revolvers. Small primers allow me to get away with a little less spring (lighter trigger pull) and don’t require any tools to moon/demoon the clips.



This is the best place to get moon clips I know of.

https://www.ranchproducts.com/shop.html

 

[Slamfire]

I have a 1984 25-2 and a 4" 625-3 model of 1989 and almost exclusively shoot 200g lswc lead and coated bullets. Zero issues and both guns are very accurate. Just came from the range in hour ago. At 50 yards I can hit 5 out of 6 consistently on a 14" x 14" steel plate, standing. In fact hit 5 out of 6 with my new Taylor's Drifter 45 colt too. I use moon clips and a slick loading tool. Thought I'd never use clips but now I don't see using auto rim anymore.

That's pretty good shooting offhand.

Now I can't place all my shots in the ten ring at that distance, I am struggling to keep them in the black. But the NRA 50 yard ten ring is 3.36 inches, and the black is 8 inches. I have seen 98's and 99's, but no 100's as of yet with the 45 at that distance. I have scored many targets with 8 or 9 shots all in the black. I have not shot them though! It seems the Bullseye Pistol standard for an accurate pistol is one that will hold 2 inches at 50 yards, and I don't know if those older, larger chamber mouth, M25's will do that. No one shoots the things.

But still, keeping them all within 14 inches is good shooting.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know if those older, larger chamber mouth, M25's will do that. No one shoots the things.

A guy here, since deceased, showed me his 1955 and said that at the time he could not afford an accurized Colt so he bought the Smith and shot his way to Master with it. But that was a long time ago.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I shoot the same .45 acp ammo in my "1873 Gun Fighter" Pietta as in my SA 1911-A1 mil-spec. Just as accurate as the 1911. A real pleasure to shoot. No leading.

 

[EricBu]

Although I like revolvers I have never owned a center fire revolver. I have been looking a a Smith 25-2 in 45 acp and was wondering if I can shoot my 200 gr coated H&B 68 45acp reloads in it without any chamber issues. Like leading for example.

I have had no issues shooting big cast in my 45 ACP revolvers, it seems more related to individual guns, and all mine are 45 Colts with ACP cylinders, so not sure how much that has to do with it. I would also add the Ruger Vaquero 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible to your list... that gun can handle some serious +P, and really shoots good!

 

[Walkalong]

Mine likes Zero 185 Gr JHPs, but it also shoots Precision coated 200 Gr SWCs well, it shoots better than I can. I have shot all my "normal" .45 ACP loads in it.

230 Gr RN, 225 Gr TrFP, 200 Gr "HP", 200 Gr Coated SWC, 185 Gr JHP, 185 Gr. SWC

 

[.45Coltguy]

I have had no issues shooting big cast in my 45 ACP revolvers, it seems more related to individual guns, and all mine are 45 Colts with ACP cylinders, so not sure how much that has to do with it. I would also add the Ruger Vaquero 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible to your list... that gun can handle some serious +P, and really shoots good!

Correct. I should have mentioned I do have a .45 acp cylinder for my Pietta.