[leadpot]

I recently bought a S&W model 625-8. In looking up loads for 45AR I notice they are all lower pressure and valocity than 45ACP. Is there a good reason for this? It seems to me that if the gun can handle the ACP loads it should be ok with equivelent loads in 45AR. Water capacity in the AR cases is 2 grains more than ACP cases.

 

[Win71]

I think it is because the .45 Auto Rim was first designed by Peters Cartridge Co. for the U.S. Army Models of 1917 made by both Colt and Smith & Wesson. There are still a lot of these old revolers in use and were both made before a heat treating process had been perfected. A later Smith & Wesson Model 25 or 625 can tolerate much higher pressures. Any .45 ACP +P load can be used in .45 Auto Rim Brass in your Model 625. Here is a link to some favored loads for both rounds , http://www.handloads.com/ , I have used some of these hotter loads in my Model 25 Smith and Wesson and the weaker ones in my Smith & Wesson Model 1917.

 

[arkypete]

When I shot bullseye I found it a aggrevation to have to pick up the brass from the Colt Gold Cup. I should mention that the vast majority of my shooting was with a brace {Is a 'brace' two} of S&W model 25 45 Colt. So I bought a S&W model 25 in 45 acp/45 auto rim to shoot bullseye with.
I did not like the half moon or full moon clips so I started shooting 45 auto rim in bullseye. The young guys thought I was a dinosaur.
I found that the same loads that worked in my 45 Gold Cup, a NEI 220 grain H&G copy, 4.5 grains of Bullseye or 231, Winchester LP primers. I sized the bullets .454, lubed with LBT Blue. Yes, I know 45 acp should be .452 but my cyclinder mouths were .453 and a bit.
I didn't win any matchs but my scores went up and all of my double action shooting improved.

 

[leadpot]

Thanks, I also bought the revolver because I was tired of chasing my brass all over the place. I think I will have fun with this gun. I will load the rimmed brass with the same loads as the acp.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

The best .45 autos are revolvers.