I recently acquired a S&W Model 25 45 Colt 6" barrel. It's quite (very) accurate with factory 225 grain loads. However, I am not impressed with penetration. My 44 Special with cast bullet handloads will penetrate much better 2x better.

I'm buying some 230 grain Nosler bullets in hopes of maintaining accuracy while increasing penetration. I'm also acquiring a ~230 grain GC mold. I'll probably cast straight WW's to start. I have pure lead, tin and linotype if softer or harder will work better.

I'd like to get approximately 1,000 fps with either bullet, if possible. The Nosler bullet is rated for 850 fps up to infinity (ha ha).

Anyone have recommended loads for the Smith with approximately 225 to 230 grain bullets?

I believe that the 25-5 is superbly accurate and will shoot even better with the 250 grain bullet. You will also see that it will out penetrate the 225. I would relax your load and consider the factory velocity of around 850 FPS or even a tad less. Even at those velocities there isn’t a deer in North America that will stop that bullet at that velocity.

I use 6 grains of Red Dot powder. It works in all of my 45 Colt guns...

Shrapnel, is correct. Very few animals will get away from a 250 grain bullet at 850 FPS.
There is a lot of info on reloading the 45 Colt. Factory ammo must be keep at this level. There is a lot of pistols made before 1900 that were designed for Black powder. The Factories can’t chance a modern load used in these old firearms. Hasbeen

Thanks for the input. I'll buy a 250 grain mold also. I have the bullets and the other mold coming. I have a lb of Red, I think all my Red Dot is gone - but I could buy some.

Several cartridges are loaded low due for early guns, and then there's loads for "Contender" and "Ruger" only. Rarely for any in-between for any old cartridges (exception - 45-70).

I'd be happy with a potent load and do not wish to bulge chambers.

I think that 25 is one of the most accurate pistols I've owned (so far only with factory loads).

+1 on the 250 gr. bullets in the .45 Colt.

RS

Were it me, I would cast some 255 grain SWC's (the mold I use for .45 Colt is Lyman 454424) out of clip on wheelweights with a pinch of tin to aid mold fillout. Throat dimensions are critical- beg borrow or steal some pin gauges to determine such and size to that diameter. (Without pin gauges, if the bullet will pass through the throat with finger pressure you're good to go, if the bullet passes through with nary any resistance or simply falls through of its own accord it's too loose and leading and mediocre accuracy will result. Bore/groove diameter is of no consequence- as long as it's same diameter or smaller than throat diameter- if it's bigger than the throats then you gotta have the throats opened up.)

As others said, drive these bullets at 850fps give or take and life with a .45 Colt will be good. It's one of those cartridges whereby less is more it would seem.

I've been experimenting with that bullet in .45ACP too. Makes for a real close range thumper.

In my pinned barrel 4" with large throats, Lyman 454424 at .454" with 8.5 Power Pistol was the second best performer with regard to accuracy. Hands down winner was the RCBS 45-270-SAA and Unique but mine needed more front sight to regulate than there was on the gun.

HS-6 will get you to 1000 f/s with either of those bullets while staying within pressure limits for the 25.

The 45 Colt & 250ish gr bullets go together like ducks & water, no need to over drive them.. The caliber does the killing. Easy on the back end & nasty out the front, just like you want them.

Dick

I’ve been shooting 44 Mags since the early 70’s with up to 320 bullets loaded warm. Still have three 44 mag’s S&W, Ruger and a Marlin.

I have no need to make a 44 Mag out of this Model 25.

I noticed that my 44 Special (Model “P” clone) gets shot a lot more than the other 44 revolvers. So when the opportunity arose, I could not overcome temptation, the 25 wasn’t for sale long. I suspect it will get shot a lot.

The first six shots out of the barrel with no-name commercial 225 grain loads were spot on, no sight adjustment needed and was it accurate!

I was ventilating a new trash burn barrel. The only bullets that went through the opposite side were ones that went through a previously made hole on the entrance side. I then took my 44 Special out and WW cast bullets went through - with the out going bullets leaving a big hole.

I’m going to enjoy this 45 Colt.

Exactly.

RS

Best assestment I've read in a long time 👍

Excuse the 625. It’s a 45 acp. You might get the idea I like 45 cal. pistols. Hasbeen

I like the one on top best.

I have a model of 1989, nice gun.

I like .45’s, too.

DF

Here's one with a Crimson Trace grip.

And the 1989 with elk grips.

DF

My 4" M25-5 had .457" throats and didn't shoot cast worth a crap. Jacketed did better. I sent it to Smith for a cylinder swap and received a .453" throated piece. I shoot .452" RCBS 270 gr SAA's at 800 fps. I had Jim Stroh build a tight chambered 5" 45 Colt that was a mix of a M29-2 and an 8 3/8" 45 Colt barrel. Same load, stupid accurate.

years back, I had my gunsmith make me a conversion cylinder for my 25-5 so I could shoot .45 ACP as well as .45 Colt. Shot pin matches for years with that revolver using the ACP cylinder.

25-5 with 3 T’s. Newest old S&W I own. Hasbeen

Jim Stroh, one of the best.

He line bored an older, .44 mag three screw Ruger Superblackhawk to .45 Colt, fitted a 6” Shilen barrel, fitted a long ejector, milled a front sight.

That thing is a tack driver, shoots about as good as a Freedom Arms. I did a trigger job, fitted stag grips.

DF