Gordon
Member
Clark!!! Good to see ya. Regarding your insane load(as usual)
How Hot Can You Push .45ACP/Autorim Out of a Revolver?
- Thread starter roo_ster
- Start date
- Status
"In Between" AR loads
My old Speer reloading manual shows smaller maximum charges to 45 AR than for 45 ACP where the same bullets are used. Based on some of the posts above, it sounds like I can safely use the 45 ACP charges for 45 AR in my 25-2. Does that sound reasonable?
Are the lesser charges for 45 AR intended to be safe for older revolvers, such as 1917's? Or, does the AR case have less internal volume?
Tom
My old Speer reloading manual shows smaller maximum charges to 45 AR than for 45 ACP where the same bullets are used. Based on some of the posts above, it sounds like I can safely use the 45 ACP charges for 45 AR in my 25-2. Does that sound reasonable?
Are the lesser charges for 45 AR intended to be safe for older revolvers, such as 1917's? Or, does the AR case have less internal volume?
Tom
ChristopherG, that was just mild sarcasm, hardly histrionics.
S&W, as with Colt, is famous for the quality and heat treatment of the steels they use, especially in the last 20 years. This enables many folk to push the limits.
The "hoop strength" of .45 caliber S&Ws is the lowest of any in their lineup...a function of overall cylinder diameter, charge hole diameter, and thickness of cylinder at locking notch cutout. A simple numerical analysis of these factors will reveal how much room you have to play with before failure with high-pressure loads.
What I am simply saying is, instead of relying on anecdotal evidence, MEASURE YOUR OWN GUN. EACH NOTCH. Go from there.
Given manufacturing variances, you may be surprised.
I personally know of three 25s that have had their cylinder notches bulged from high-pressure loads. Yes, they were careful reloaders.
S&W, as with Colt, is famous for the quality and heat treatment of the steels they use, especially in the last 20 years. This enables many folk to push the limits.
The "hoop strength" of .45 caliber S&Ws is the lowest of any in their lineup...a function of overall cylinder diameter, charge hole diameter, and thickness of cylinder at locking notch cutout. A simple numerical analysis of these factors will reveal how much room you have to play with before failure with high-pressure loads.
What I am simply saying is, instead of relying on anecdotal evidence, MEASURE YOUR OWN GUN. EACH NOTCH. Go from there.
Given manufacturing variances, you may be surprised.
I personally know of three 25s that have had their cylinder notches bulged from high-pressure loads. Yes, they were careful reloaders.
HankB
Member
The "first printing, 1970" version of the Speer Reloading Manual #8 tested the Auto Rim in an S&W M1955 Target revolver with a 6 1/2" barrel, and got some startling results. Cases were "WRA solid head" and CCI 300/CCI 350 primers were used.
In my opinion, these loads are too hot, and under no circumstances would I load them up and try them in my own S&W M25.
A 240 grain cast lead SWC got 1192 ft/sec ahead of 13 grains of Norma 1020 powder, and 1185 ft/sec over 10 grains of SR4756.
A 200 grain Speer soft point got 1345 ahead of 14.0 grains of SR4756, and 1330 in front of 11.5 grains of Unique.
A buddy got a later printing of the #8 manual, and it seems that all the SR4756 loads had been deleted. Hmmm . . . even that Unique load looks like it's around 3 grains heavier than anything I've seen elsewhere.
I've used SR4756 in .45 and other cartridges, but at charges MUCH LESS than those in Speer's #8 manual, which probably even exceed proof load pressures.
If anyone reading this decides to try these loads, please post a picture of whatever's left of your revolver afterwards.
In my opinion, these loads are too hot, and under no circumstances would I load them up and try them in my own S&W M25.
A 240 grain cast lead SWC got 1192 ft/sec ahead of 13 grains of Norma 1020 powder, and 1185 ft/sec over 10 grains of SR4756.
A 200 grain Speer soft point got 1345
ahead of 14.0 grains of SR4756, and 1330 in front of 11.5 grains of Unique.A buddy got a later printing of the #8 manual, and it seems that all the SR4756 loads had been deleted. Hmmm . . . even that Unique load looks like it's around 3 grains heavier than anything I've seen elsewhere.
I've used SR4756 in .45 and other cartridges, but at charges MUCH LESS than those in Speer's #8 manual, which probably even exceed proof load pressures.
If anyone reading this decides to try these loads, please post a picture of whatever's left of your revolver afterwards.
- Status
