What are the SAFE limits of a S&W 25, 45ACP

[chboats]

I am loading an Ideal 454424 255 Gr SWC in a 45 ACP. It is loaded long with an over all length of 1.405". The bottom band and lube grove are in the case. I am using SR4756, because I have it. Could find no data that would approximate this load so I started at 5 Gr and worked up in half grain increments. It got more accurate the higher I got. Went up to 8 gr but was afraid to go any higher. It is an "N" frame which should be plenty strong and it is loaded very long giving larger effective case capacity but how much is too much?

Has anyone else done anything like this? I have no particular reason for loading this boolit in an ACP other than why not. To the best of my knowledge there are no pressure sign from and 45 ACP because by the time is shows signs of excessive pressure it is too late.

Carl

[tygar]

I load a 235 FN as one of the loads in mine & crank it up fairly hi but not with that heavy a bullet nor that powder & don't have any info on it. I have always just used the usual suspects in ACPs, just a little hotter in the N frames. Keep us posted on when you reach blow up.

[JSnover]

I don't know if I'd want to go higher than that. It may be possible but is it necessary?
Lyman 48 lists 7.5 gr of SR4756 as a max load for a 225 grain boolit, though they did not test in a model 25. They used a universal receiver and a 5" barrel for 18,000 cup.

[Blackwater]

I've heard of it being done, but most shooters go back to something in the 200-230 gr. wt. range. It's not a "wrong" thing to do, but most I've heard of just like a degree of velocity, and the stubby ACP case doesn't have nearly as much to offer in that regard compared to the rimmed .45 calibers. FWIW?

[chboats]

Thanks
I have no real need to go any higher or to even feed it a steady diet of a hot load. If I need more power I have a Ruger SBH.

Carl

[Mal Paso]

Speer says 6.3g - 6.7g 4756 under a 250g LSWC ... Auto Rim but that's closer.

A Grover! Spent some time there.

[dubber123]

While I don't own a 25, I have a pair of 625's. I consider them to be about a 25,000 Psi revolver. It's pretty easy to build pressure in the small case, but that also makes it very efficient.

[35remington]

You should be quite cautious exceeding much over 900 fps with a 255 SWC, and 950 should be the upper end. Plus P 45 ACP is 23,000 PSI, and this is a 230 at 950. A 255 is more deeply seated than a 230 and has higher pressures for similar velocities. With the lighter 452438 of approximately 240 grains 950-975 is as fast as I go.

Some claim they go 1200 fps in the ACP/ AR revolver with 255's but that is quite clearly and ridiculously excessive.

Brian Pearce has documented that longish barrelled 44 Specials need 25,000 psi to reach 1180 fps with 255's like the 429421 and that's a much larger case than the ACP/AR. No way should you be within about 175 fps of that.

950 is much more prudent, and in all truth I'm more comfortable with 900 if you want to surely stay within 23,000 psi.

[frkelly74]

If you want a magnum, get a magnum.

[chboats]

A 255 is more deeply seated than a 230 and has higher pressures for similar velocities.

I seat the boolit very long, 1.405 with only the bottom band and lube grove in the case, so I end up with a little less capacity than the 45Colt. At 8 gr of 4756 it is a very accurate load.

Carl

[35remington]

Load that warm and you might have problems with bullets staying in cases. A roll crimp prevents that but I don't see where you can roll crimp. I still would not exceed my suggestions as to velocity.

[Dale53]

Caution should be the byword. However, having said that, I use a Lyman 454424 home cast bullet (from an NOE mould) which is a 250 gr Keith. I consider my maximum as 7.0 grs. of Unique with that bullet crimped in the crimp groove. That is a very reliable load, not excessively hot, that chronographs at 900+ fps out of my 5" Model 625-6. That is equal to the original army specs for the .45 Colt which would shoot through a horse at 100 yards but with a MUCH better shaped bullet for MUCH better terminal effect.

When I need more than that I reach for my .44 Magnums or .454 Casulls...

Frankly, for deer or hogs at reaonable ranges my "heavy load" for the .45 Auto Rim, as listed above, should do all that is needed if the shooter does his part.

Dale53

[Joni Lynn]

Measure how thick the metal is in the cylinder locking notches. It's pretty thin. I don't push my 45's very hard.

[9.3X62AL]

Measure how thick the metal is in the cylinder locking notches. It's pretty thin. I don't push my 45's very hard.

Joni called it. 900 FPS was as hard as I ever ran my old S&W 25-2 with 250 grain SWCs, and 7.0 x Unique was the recipe used, in Auto Rim cases.

[Groo]

Groo here
I believe that Buffelo Bore uses an m-25 to test the 45 super loads.
I would consider the speeds listed by Double tap , BB, Corbon, and Underwood to be the flat out max.