300gr Cast Bullet Load for S&W 25-5.

[USSR]

Along with a recently purchased S&W 25-5 in .45 Colt, I received some handloads consisting of a 300 grain round nose flat point bullet of unknown origin (looks like a 454190 on steroids, with a huge meplat), that was loaded with 8.5gr of Unique. I broke down some of the cartridges, and would like to develop a 20,000 to 25,000 psi load using some of the slower burning powders I have such as: 2400, 4227, HS-6, or AA#5. Anybody?

Don

[Ohio Rusty]

I would fire off a note to Blammer and 44man .... I bet they have a bunch of loads for the 3i00 grainer. I also use 2400 and I'd be interested in load data for that boolt.
Ohio Rusty ><>

[DanWalker]

I've used 18.5 grains under the gould 45/70 hollowpoint boolit sized down to fit 45LC. Also use the LEE 300 grainer over the same powder charge with no ill effects to either a ruger blackhawk or Win 94 trapper. Round count for me with this load is probably over 500.
6.5 grains of Red Dot under the same boolits yields a very mild load with suprising power, penetration, and accuracy. I've hit prairie dogs with this load numerous times in front of witnesses at over 50 yards. It knocks them around like rag dolls, yet is soft shooting enough to shoot all day without developing a flinch. I have no idea how many hundreds of these loads I've fired.

[USSR]

I've used 18.5 grains under the gould 45/70 hollowpoint boolit sized down to fit 45LC. Also use the LEE 300 grainer over the same powder charge with no ill effects to either a ruger blackhawk or Win 94 trapper.

Thanks, Dan, but this is not that strong of a platform. Suggested loads for 255-270gr SWC's in the 25-5 are 18gr of 2400 or 20-21gr of 4227. So, I am thinking that perhaps 17.5gr of 2400 or 19.5gr of 4227 might put me in the pressure range I am looking to be in?

Don

[bhn22]

Did you check out John Linebaughs site? He discusses the S&W 45 Colts a bit.

[USSR]

Yeah, I checked out John's info. Once you get up into the 300+ grain bullets, load data quickly moves to the Ruger Only data using large amounts H110 or W296 at 1100+ fps. I'm looking for velocity in the 900-1000fps range.

Don

[nicholst55]

Yeah, I checked out John's info. Once you get up into the 300+ grain bullets, load data quickly moves to the Ruger Only data using large amounts H110 or W296 at 1100+ fps. I'm looking for velocity in the 900-1000fps range.

Don

Just a thought, but isn't 1,000 FPS with a 300 grain boolit pretty close to 'Ruger-only' level? I'd think that 800~maybe 900 FPS would be more conservative for an S&W.

[USSR]

A 270 grain SWC at 1000 to 1100fps is doable with the 25-5, so I fiqure with a 30 grain heavier bullet, dropping it back 100fps seems reasonable. In any case, I want to not exceed 25,000 psi, so that's why I'm asking.

Don

[bhn22]

Will your revolvers barrel twist stabilize 300 grains at such a low velocity out to 100 yards?

[DanWalker]

Try 6.5 grains of Red Dot.

[USSR]

Will your revolvers barrel twist stabilize 300 grains at such a low velocity out to 100 yards?

Dunno, but I will not be shooting that far. A lot of people don't realize that upstate NY is quite rural and heavily forested. 50 yards is a LONG shot in the deer woods here. Almost all of my deer have been taken at 20-35 yards. This one here was taken at 25 yards.

Don

http://ussr.clarityconnect.com/deer2010A.jpg

[dubber123]

Here are a few loads from my 4" S&W in .45 Colt: 320 gr. LEE cast RF 8.5 grs. Unique = 880 fps. ave, 28 fps. variation. 320 gr. LEE RF, 16.0 grs. 2400 = 893 fps. 30 fps. variation. 320 LEE cast RF, 13.0 HS7 = 963 fps. 320 LEE RF, 20.0 grs. H-110 = 1,062 fps. 26 fps. variation.

[USSR]

Thanks dubber123. I kept together a few of the rounds that were originally loaded with 8.5gr of Unique, and will try them. I will also try your 16gr load of 2400, and perhaps a 19gr load of 4227.

Don

[44man]

Hunting close does not need the accuracy so slower is OK. You will not match the twist and could have boolits go unstable at long ranges.
The S&W can take quite a bit of pressure, it is a strong gun but not up to a Ruger so it is a good idea to limit pressures.
However even a heavy boolit will not have more pressure then a light boolit if loaded properly. Heavy does not mean more pressure.
The problem with the S&W is RECOIL!
There are parts in a S&W that have too much inertia to take a lot of recoil. The center pin in the cylinder that unlocks the front cylinder lock is one and the pin is soft. It will peen and make it very hard to open the cylinder.
The cylinder latch can float forward and unlock the cylinder so the next shot just goes "click."
A heavy boolit will just have more recoil so from playing with a .44, we found about 265 gr was near top for the S&W. They can be shot pretty darn fast. I don't know where to stop with the .45. If you slow the recoil impulse with the heavy boolits, the gun will work OK.

[USSR]

Thanks 44man. I've only got about 2 dozen of these bullets and don't have access to the mould that made, so once they are gone (hate to waste perfectly good boolits), I will return the Smith to it's regular diet of 265gr bullets.

Don

[Lloyd Smale]

anymore i limit my smith n frames be it a 44 or 45 to 280 grain bullets at 900 or 250s at a 1000. I know they will take more then that but i just dont see a need as ive got rugers if i want to load hotter. That been said my 25 has taken many rounds of 300 grain bullets ahead of 17 grains of 2400 or 18.5 grains of 4227 and doesnt seem hurt by it. I just dont care for heavy recoil with the n frame. Its just not comfortable to shoot to me and i cant see beating them up for no reason. Something like a 280 lfn will do alot of killing in a 44 or 45 at 900 fps or a 250 at a 1000.

[44man]

anymore i limit my smith n frames be it a 44 or 45 to 280 grain bullets at 900 or 250s at a 1000. I know they will take more then that but i just dont see a need as ive got rugers if i want to load hotter. That been said my 25 has taken many rounds of 300 grain bullets ahead of 17 grains of 2400 or 18.5 grains of 4227 and doesnt seem hurt by it. I just dont care for heavy recoil with the n frame. Its just not comfortable to shoot to me and i cant see beating them up for no reason. Something like a 280 lfn will do alot of killing in a 44 or 45 at 900 fps or a 250 at a 1000.
I agree. Just limit the recoil in a S&W and it will run forever.
Strange that a hot load of 24 gr of 296 with a 240 gr bullet has a lot of recoil and will not hurt a S&W but a heavy boolit at lower velocity and pressure can beat it, but that is the way it is. Something about the recoil impulse. Tone down a heavy boolit and they work fine.
The question is always what load is the most accurate and heavy boolits need pushed too much. Then you need a Ruger.

[USSR]

Thanks guys, and I agree with the idea of not wanting to beat up the Smith. That's why I started the thread, to get some kind of idea as to what kind of performance is doable within reason. And, you guys have given me some idea as to what charge weights to use with 2400 and 4227.

Don