[Lawyerman]

I just found another S&W 1917 and this one is purely a shooter, mismatched, no finish etc...It shoots quite low but will easily hold 2.5 inches at 25 yards with 230 ball and I have decided that I will use it as a plinker but plan to shoot it quite a bit. I want to load up either Lyman 252 or Lee 255 grain cast bullets.

I am looking for a moderate load, nothing too heavy, not too light. I have decided I will use 700x as I bought an 5 lb keg at the last gunshow cheap-$20.oo, still sealed from the factory! Anybody have a load? I looked in some older manuals and they show loads for a 260 jacketed bullet from 4.4-5.0 grains.

[Quantrill]

Counselor,
I have looked up in 4 different Lyman books for loads using 700X. The heaviest bullet listed for .45acp is a 238gr bullet (Lyman 452423). The loads for this bullet agree that 3.7gr, 700X is min and 4.5gr, 700X is max. Interpolating this information would lead me to believe that starting at 4.0gr would be safe. Try this and see if there are any signs of pressure. And go from there. Just as an aside, In Elmer Keith's book, "Sixguns", Elmer recommends 7.5gr of Unique with either the 238gr Lyman bullet (Lyman 452423), which he designed and the same powder charge for 250gr bullet (Lyman 454424) which he also designed. BUT, THESE LOADS ARE LISTED FOR THE .45AUTO-RIM CARTRIDGE, not the ACP. I have used 700X for many years in both shotgun and pistol for target loads and have never found a reason to change. Good Luck! Quantrill

[Lawyerman]

I have not used 700X before but have been shooting alot of .45's lately, mostly using up old, odd lots of powder, 231, unique, Alcan of different types, HS 7 etc... a little of everything. I was about out of the odd lots when I found the 5 lb keg and had heard that it was very clean burning so I bought it, the price was right anway.

I have some slugs, they are the 423 variants that a buddy cast for me. As you note they are the lighter of the two versions. I really like the look of the bullet and I think it will shoot well in the old gun. I hope too that it will shoot more to the point of aim as it shoots about 2 inches low with 230 ball. If my initial tests go well I will buy either the Lyman or Lee mould. The Lees look really good, an LBT style of bullet almost.

[Johnny Guest]

NOTICE: This post contains discussion of loads well above currently published maximums. Please, DO NOT TAKE THIS DISCUSSION AS A RECOMMENDATION for load data.

Quantrill wrote: In Elmer Keith's book, "Sixguns", Elmer recommends 7.5gr of Unique with either the 238gr Lyman bullet (Lyman 452423), which he designed and the same powder charge for 250gr bullet (Lyman 454424) which he also designed. BUT, THESE LOADS ARE LISTED FOR THE .45AUTO-RIM CARTRIDGE, not the ACP. Hey, I have no doubt that you quoted the information on above correctly, Q, but the 7.5 Unique with either bullet listed is VERY HEAVY, I don't care if it is in Auto Rim cases or what.

I'll mention, also that the 454424 bullet varied widely in actual dropped weight, especially in the older mounds. (They later renamed it the 452424 in recognition of later measurements of .45 Colt barrels.) My old 454424 drops bullets weighing 276 grs, cast from wheelweights.

Anyway, if memory serves, max load of Unique I've ever seen was about 7.2 gr. with the 230 lead bullet!

Additionally, the S&W 1917 revolvers were all produced in the era before modern heat treatment. I'd hate to see anyone ruin one of these fine old revolvers, or, worse still, hurt anyone. FWIW, I have a 1917 myself, and I keep my heavy bullet loads under 6.5 Unique. (WELL under.;) )

Not tellin' anybody what to do, understand - - - I just believe in informed and cautious handloading. :D Sorry I can't contribute anything concerning 700X powder in this application.

Best,
Johnny

[Lawyerman]

I weighed my bullets and they come out at 238 apiece without lube. This isn't much over 230 standard ball in terms of weight. I will shoot these up but will probably buy the Lee mould as it is shown at 255 grains. Ever shot any of these?

I try to be very careful and as I said am looking for a moderate load to plink with. Something that may shoot to the sights better and will pack some oomph at lower velocity/pressure levels.

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

As a commercial police reloader I tried a bunch of powders and for a while thought 700X was great for the small amount needed for economy. I tried different powders for different departments. Bullseye for one, WW230 for another then WW231 and 700X for another and I noticed that the department that I used the 700X for had a greater amount of 45 brass wear out so it was not economical at all because of the brass replacement cost.

What I figured out is that 700X has a high-fast pressure curve that overworked the brass lessening its life particularly in full power loads. After that I only used it for target loads and I agree that 230 grain bullets are enough for that old a weapon and bullseye and WW231 are tried and very safe with published loads. I shot 45AR and enjoyed them and still have brass, 230 gr bullets I liked and a Star loading die set if I could find another revolver and see the sights and target at the same time better.

Also I would slug the barrel to determine its current diameter and the older weapons were expected to shoot soft lead not our current common harder tire weights.

Also since you state it is a no finish, mismatched shooter and since it is a lot older than me I would have it checked by a pistolsmith before considering any full power loads no matter the bullet weight.

I miss my 12 pound steel kegs of 700X or maybe there is one buried around here somewhere as I keep finding things I forgot about.

John Paul Jones
Retired and Loving It

[mec]

I've used 700x in .38 Special. Equal charges actually produce a bit more velocity than Bullseye which is generally considered the fasted smokeless powder. Don't know if it would perform the same in the bigger case or not.

[soloban]

I'm using 700x in my .38 Special and .45 ACP. I'm using the Lee Perfect Powder measure and it meters fairly consistently (plus-minus 0.1 gr). Also the 700x shoots very clean for me.

I'm shot my first .45 ACP reloads today and used 230 Gr Round Nose with 4.8 Grains of 700X. I'll probably bump it up to 4.9 or 5.0

In my .38 I'm shooting 125 GR XTPs over 4.2 Gr of 700x.

[SlamFire1]

Zoombie thread.

[zxcvbob]

255 Gr. .45 ACP Load
You need to look for .45 AR load data instead of .45 ACP to get to that bullet weight -- but then go easy with it!

[Walkalong]

Reckon the OP is still tracking this thread? That said. 4.9 Grs of W-231 and Ranier 250 Gr plated bullets shot just dandy.

[zxcvbob]

Reckon the OP is still tracking this thread?
Oops, I didn't realize this was a zombie thread (in the literal sense.)