S&w 25-5

[dek]

I recently acquired an S&W Mod 25-5 w/over sized chambers measuring .456. I slugged the barrel which measures .4515. Shooting standard .452 size boolits (200gr SWC, H&G) gives me basketball size groups at 25 yds. Will a .454 sized boolit work? And before I buy a mold, is there a way to get some .454 sized boolits to see if that solves the accuracy problem? I'm aware that you generally only go .001-.002 over. Thanks, Dennis

[knifemaker]

I would try the .454 bullets and the odds are your groups will shrink in size. I have a Ruger .44 spec. that had a .429 groove dia. and cylinder throats that were running .433. Using sized .431 gave me ok groups, but not what I wanted. I tried some .433 sized dia boolits and the groups shrunk to 2 inches and less at 25 yards for 6 shot groups. I believe there are several cast bullet makers that will offer 1-2 thousand over standard size in their cast bullets and hopefully someone will chime in and name the bullet makers that do that. That way you can purchase some to try before you order your mold and sizing die.
Most of the time I hear complaints about S&W & Ruger having undersize throats and not oversize as you incountered.

[GLL]

dek:

I can send you some relatively soft custom 454190 bullets that you can size down to 0.454" [or smaller] to experiment with.

45 2.1 Group Buy Design


Jerry

[WallyM3]

Fortunately, I have a #454309 that drops 0.456", about 1 thou. less that the cylinder. Sometimes it's luck.

Eeyoow! That's one lovely boolit!

[Outpost75]

FWIW, if your cylinder throats are .456", you need at least a .455 bullet to shoot well.
In my S&W .45 ACP revolver with similar oversized chamer throats I get best results with Saeco #954 230-grain FN, from wheelweights, loading bullets as- cast and unsized at .455", tumbling in Lee Liquid Alox, and 4.5 grains of Bullseye.

[dek]

Outpost 75, that's what I'm thinking too. Jerry has offered to send me some of his boolits as indicated above. If they're cast larger than 454, I'll try 455 also. Thanks to all for the fast response. Dennis

[Piedmont]

Fortunately, I have a #454309 that drops 0.456", about 1 thou. less that the cylinder. Sometimes it's luck.

Eeyoow! That's one lovely boolit!

Wally, how heavy is that bullet from your mold? I keep seeing it listed as 235 but the one example of that mold I know of drops around 250 from softer than wheel weights.

[captaint]

I have a 1955 Target. The throats are .455. I had to get a 454424 (I think) and size them @ .454. Now she shoots like she should. I don't cast them very hard, either. Mike

[WallyM3]

Wally, how heavy is that bullet from your mold? I keep seeing it listed as 235 but the one example of that mold I know of drops around 250 from softer than wheel weights.

Sorry to be so long in replying, Piedmont. I get 234gr. Lyman #2.

[shooter93]

Use the largest bullet you can chamber with no trouble. Sadly there are a great many Model 25's out there with the same problem. I got in the habit long ago to measure before I bought.

[nicholst55]

Mine has .456-.457" throats. I forget which one it is, but either the Winchester or Remington factory 255-ish grain lead factory bullet measures .456" in diameter. If you can find some as components, they might be something to try. Midway used to stock them; I dunno if they still do.

[Catshooter]

dek,

My 25 - 5 has .455 throats with a .452 bore. I bought an Ideal 454424 (not a 452) off of ebay. The older moulds tend to cast larger and this one is no exception dropping my wheel weight boolits right at .457. I size them to .456 and they give me great groups. The bore sizes them down nicely.



Cat

[dek]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I ordered an RCBS 45-230-CM from Midway. It is a 454 mould. I'll let you know the results. Thanks again. Dennis