What powder for .25 acp?

[ArchAngelCD]

I’ve been wondering about that. Is a chronograph a must have?

I bought a chrono about 6 or 7 years ago but not really for handgun tests, more for my handloaded hunting round testing. Knowing the real velocity out of the muzzle really helps with a bullet drop calculator. Of course since I have the chrono I did test handgun reloads too.

No, not a must but it's nice to know velocities.

 

[Swampman]

A chronograph is generally not required. Some specialty forms of shooting make it more valuable, but the average handloader can do just fine without one. It is just another tool.

For general reloading while following reputable, published data, I'll agree that a chronograph isn't a required item.

When working up loads for a powder with no published data in your chambering, it's needed.

If working up a load in a caliber where the maximum and minimum loads are probably less than half a grain apart, I consider it an absolute necessity.

You'll also need a very good scale, freshly zeroed with a one to two grain check weight if you want future repeatability of your loads.

 

[Scoutdog99]

See if you can find an Accurate loading guide Number Two. It has load data for 50gr FMJ using Accurate #2.

 

[Darth-Vang]

For general reloading while following reputable, published data, I'll agree that a chronograph isn't a required item.

When working up loads for a powder with no published data in your chambering, it's needed.

If working up a load in a caliber where the maximum and minimum loads are probably less than half a grain apart, I consider it an absolute necessity.

You'll also need a very good scale, freshly zeroed with a one to two grain check weight if you want future repeatability of your loads.

What scale would I need for measuring precise charges for the .25 acp?

 

[Darth-Vang]

See if you can find an Accurate loading guide Number Two. It has load data for 50gr FMJ using Accurate #2.

I’mma give it a try.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

What scale would I need for measuring precise charges for the .25 acp?

I'm not sure about the new scales out there but the older ones are great. A used RCBS 5-0-2 or even better the RCBS 5-0-5 will do a great job. The new RCBS scales look cheap but I have never used one so I can't say for sure.

I have several beam scales including a RCBS 5-0-5, a Lyman scale, a Lee scale and my favorite scale, an older Ohaus 10-10 scale I bought slightly used for a great price. I also have a Hornady G1500 electronic scale. Like I said above, look on the used market for an older scale that wasn't made in China. (all IMO of course)

 

[Cliff6]

If anyone stumbles across some fmj’s let me know.

I've looked all over, dozens of sites, and couldn't find any, so I'll be watching to see if anyone else finds any. What bullets do you have now to load?

 

[Charlie98]

the RCBS 5-0-5 will do a great job.

The Standard by which all others are judged.

The 5-0-5 used to be what was included in many reloading kits, so there are some used ones out there.

 

[Darth-Vang]

I'm not sure about the new scales out there but the older ones are great. A used RCBS 5-0-2 or even better the RCBS 5-0-5 will do a great job. The new RCBS scales look cheap but I have never used one so I can't say for sure.

I have several beam scales including a RCBS 5-0-5, a Lyman scale, a Lee scale and my favorite scale, an older Ohaus 10-10 scale I bought slightly used for a great price. I also have a Hornady G1500 electronic scale. Like I said above, look on the used market for an older scale that wasn't made in China. (all IMO of course)

Oh great, I happened to have acquired: couple of Lyman M5, RCBS 5-10 scale, Lee Scale, and a small digital Frankford Arsenal. Also got RCBS check weight, I tested the scale a while back and notice that the M5 and 5-10 scale were a bit off and my confidence in them for reliability and consistency is not too much. How do I go about to restoring them to their former glory?

 

[Atavar]

I've looked all over, dozens of sites, and couldn't find any, so I'll be watching to see if anyone else finds any. What bullets do you have now to load?

None.

 

[Cliff6]

Yes. Coated lead flat nose and their store is broken.

Hey, I just looked again. I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed with you, but those 25 ACP bullets from Bear Creek are NOT flat point. They are coated lead round nose.
I mainly shoot coated lead bullets in all my loads anyhow, so coated lead didn't matter to me. At any rate, those are the ONLY 25 ACP bullets I can find for sale right now.
I just received my die set today, I have my powder and 65 pieces of brass primed and ready. Now I'm just waiting for my bullets to be delivered.

 

[Darth-Vang]

Forgot to mention that I also scored some .25 acp once fired brass along with the powders bought. Also have 2 bags of .25 acp Magtech bullets as well. And a small amount of 35 grain speer gold dot bullets? But anyways I’m not too worry about my .25 acp bullets, as I have bullet swaging dies for them!

 

[Keyfer 55]

Bullseye

 

[Darth-Vang]

So I looked online discover 2 PDF file for the Western Powder load data, and surprise! Nothing…

 

[Scoutdog99]

Accurate 25 ACP

• Scoutdog99
• Dec 11, 2021
• 1

From Accurate Loading Guide Number Two

 

[Swampman]

What scale would I need for measuring precise charges for the .25 acp?

I used an RCBS/Ohaus 10-10 (but I haven't reloaded .25 ACP in over a decade).

Whatever you use, make sure that you've cleaned the knives and bearings as well as ensuring that you've removed all static charges from the scale.

Here's an excellent thread on understanding and properly prepping your beam scale.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/beam-scale-101-a-look-at-the-tried-and-true.875760/

I've been reloading and using beam scales for over 40 years and I learned a lot from that thread.

 

[Swampman]

Here's some old Alliant data from @ 2000.

I used data for Bullseye and Green Dot. I Usually favor Bullseye for easy, even metering, but it didn't matter much for .25 ACP.



I just used my trickler as a powder dump since my Uniflow was hopeless. I tried making a powder measure from a cut off aluminum .25 ACP case, but charges varied too much to be useful.

 

[Darth-Vang]

I used an RCBS/Ohaus 10-10 (but I haven't reloaded .25 ACP in over a decade).

Whatever you use, make sure that you've cleaned the knives and bearings as well as ensuring that you've removed all static charges from the scale.

Here's an excellent thread on understanding and properly prepping your beam scale.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/beam-scale-101-a-look-at-the-tried-and-true.875760/

I've been reloading and using beam scales for over 40 years and I learned a lot from that thread.

Appreciated will give that a read.

Here's some old Alliant data from @ 2000.

I used data for Bullseye and Green Dot. I Usually favor Bullseye for easy, even metering, but it didn't matter much for .25 ACP.

View attachment 1043069

I just used my trickler as a powder dump since my Uniflow was hopeless. I tried making a powder measure from a cut off aluminum .25 ACP case, but charges varied too much to be useful.

Thanks for the heads up. Will take your advice when I do reload the .25 acp.

 

[P Flados]

My low cost gun for reloading is a 8" TC Contender I put together in something I call 32 ACP rimmed.

I run a 55 gr bullet in front of 1.7 gr of Titegroup. I use a RCBS uniflow to throw charges and I do not worry about powder charge variations. It shoots pretty sweet.

With the factory load data for AA 2 that SD99 tracked down, you may find that you can throw charges. The pressure for the max listed load is well below the SAAMI max. Using a scale, do your load work ups. Again, since the factory data has so much margin to the SAAMI limit I would try just a couple at 1.7 gr (provided that 1.6 seems ok). Assuming 1.7 grs did ok, adjust you powder measure until 10 charges weigh real close to 15 grs. Set a beam scale for 1.7 and check a handful of individual loads to confirm they are all less than 1.7 gr.

 

[Akula69]

If everything else fails, LEE still makes a powder measure dipper kit which contains the 1.6cc dipper (conversion is straight across for grams), and also has a conversion card for most available powders (including AA #2 and Bullseye).

See it here: https://leeprecision.com/powder-measure-kit.html

Of course, you would still need to use the scale, but it could be faster than the manual trickler.

The .25 die kit from LEE actually has the .17cc dipper in it as well.

 

[Swampman]

My lost cost gun for reloading is a 8" TC Contender I put together in something I call 32 ACP rimmed.

I run a 55 gr bullet in front of 1.7 gr of Titegroup. I use a RCBS uniflow to throw charges and I do not worry about powder charge variations. It shoots pretty sweet.

What case do you use?
I'm assuming a bore of @ .312"?

 

[P Flados]

I have a mini-lathe.

The bore is 0.308". I used a chunk of old 30-30 barrel to do a stub tube barrel.

I started off using 32 ACP, but it is semi-rimmed and there are significant size variations on the rim between the different makers. I was unhappy with both use of the brass in the gun and with reloading. Most were very poor fit in my shell holders and the extractor would slip over the rim all too often.

I ended up with a rather involved process to convert RP 9 mm brass. I made a custom die to squeeze down the brass ahead of the web to get close to a 0.300" ID. I ran the brass over a mandrel get a consistent 0.310" ID. Then I pushed the brass on a snug fit mandrel chucked in the lathe and turned down the OD to get the same OD as 32 long. I did a little material removal to get the rim OD and thickness down to fit my 32 long shell holder. Last step was trimming the brass.

With my "pre-pandemic" primers and powder cost per round is under $0.05 per round. I have not bought any powder or primers since the shortage started. I recently noted I was down to about 1K SPP. Instead of spending over $200 on two bricks of SPP, I have invested in the material and equipment to make non-corrosive primer compound (ref. https://aardvarkreloading.com) and reload my own primers. If I can get this to work, cost per round will drop to less than $0.02. So there - my two cents worth

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Oh great, I happened to have acquired: couple of Lyman M5, RCBS 5-10 scale, Lee Scale, and a small digital Frankford Arsenal. Also got RCBS check weight, I tested the scale a while back and notice that the M5 and 5-10 scale were a bit off and my confidence in them for reliability and consistency is not too much. How do I go about to restoring them to their former glory?

I would suggest calling RCBS and explaining your 5-10 scale is no longer accurate. When my 5-0-5: wore out I called them and they not only replaced the knife seat which I knee was bad but also replaced the knife and the beam itself. They said the beam was no longer within their specs and said I must have used that scale A LOT over the past 20 years. They did all that and charged me nothing, not even the postage. All I paid for was sending it to them.

Call RCBS but I won't tell you to call Lyman because I had a bad and expensive experience with them with my #55 powder measure.

 

[Darth-Vang]

I would suggest calling RCBS and explaining your 5-10 scale is no longer accurate. When my 5-0-5: wore out I called them and they not only replaced the knife seat which I knee was bad but also replaced the knife and the beam itself. They said the beam was no longer within their specs and said I must have used that scale A LOT over the past 20 years. They did all that and charged me nothing, not even the postage. All I paid for was sending it to them.

Call RCBS but I won't tell you to call Lyman because I had a bad and expensive experience with them with my #55 powder measure.

Oh that’s right! I forgot that RCBS has that great customer service.

 

[Richard Jay King]

Buy a single pound of Bullseye and it will easily last you until you get tired of the pain of loading .25acp then you can just go back to .22LR and shoot more with less aggrivation...