One I've never done.

WB
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 08:41 (2163 days ago)

I've always wanted to load .25 ACP, just to day I did. I've loaded .32 ACP and it was really easy and I got wonderful results with cast bullets. I did find I need a special powder dispenser if I wanted to do very small amounts of powder. It's on my list.

.25 ACP is a very fun gun and round. Old men love to collect the varied examples and seldom actually shoot them, much less reload for them. Virtually all examples I know of are "blow back" operated where the slide weight and spring tension are the only thing protecting you from a blow out case. Thankfully I've never heard of any issues. It does limit the loading antics, as does available case capacity. Truly I figure a home made powder dipper from a modded case and some fine fast burning powder would be the hot ticket.

I do happen to have a bullet mould close to the factory 50 gr. FMJ driven at a nominal 750 fps. I've seen lighter bullets of expanding types but never a heavier loading. I think this a mistake. I believe any expanding bullet a waste, the focus on reliability and penetration are the only things going for the teeny round anyway. Why limit that trying to get blood from a 35 gr. pill?!

My mould is a 60 gr. HP or 65 gr. FPGC solid. It is 0.257" diameter, not the needed 0.251". They do like to make things complicated. But I can fix that. Maybe I will finally pursue this silly bucket list item. It sounds like fun to me.

Some of my favorite .25's are the Astra, Colt (although I've never owned one), Bauer copy of the Baby Browning, the Beretta's too. Someone made a copy of the CZ DA that held 10 rounds and is a pocket sleeper if you can find one. The .25 is maligned but more effective than some may really know.

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I did a lot of experimenting with the 25 ACP

Jim Taylor
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 08:52 (2163 days ago) @ WB

For plinking loads a #3 buckshot ball (.250") works great. Use a .223 case to lightly bell-mouth the ACP case. It will hold the ball better.

My Dad made me a mold for the .25 ... a 45 gr. truncated cone bullet. I tried powders .. 2400 .. Unique ... 231 .. Bullseye. Shooting over a chronograph I got that bullet up over 1000 fps. Top end loads blew the primer pocket out of the case. Just a big hole through. Did not seem to hurt the gun any and they always ejected.

The gun was a Raven by the way. Used to be able to buy them for $40 or so. I shot a lot of crazy loads in it and it ran just fine. Used it for a long time afterwards. It never seemed to hiccup. Not bad for a little cheap pot metal gun.

Two tools you need:
1 -Tweezers
2 -A magnifying glass

:)

Don't forget the Budinski in 25 acp

Bob Denning
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 10:07 (2163 days ago) @ Jim Taylor

I know Gary has one. I found one at the gun show yesterday for $600.

Never saw one in person, look nice.

WB
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 10:27 (2163 days ago) @ Bob Denning

They look better to me than the Walther TPH (?). They run about $1000 a copy. The butt ugly “Raven” is said to be one of the most reliable centerfire handguns ever produced! They are surprisingly accurate too if you ever tried seriously.

Budischowsky. And I don't remember ever

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 11:50 (2163 days ago) @ Bob Denning

seeing one for under $500.
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Some other little pea shooters I keep around, just in case.
Hi Standard in 22 Mag.
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F.I.E. junker but it never fails to work.25 ACP.
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Colt 25 ACP
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Remington 41 rimfire (I have ammo for it) consecutive serial number to the one Big Nose Kate gave Doc Holliday. Perfect for shooting someone in the crotch under a card table.
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A Fitz Special in 38 S&W.
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And a plethora of oldies to choose from if the balloon goes up.Probably never find ammo for most...looks like I need to hire me a maid to go in and dust them off.
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Several of those pieces you need to check prices!

WB
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 12:19 (2163 days ago) @ Gary Reeder

The first multi shot I see that Savage, Colt #3, and Astra 400 that could collectively fetch close to $2000 in an open market. The second one, namely the British Bulldog and Steyr are quite respectable too. Lastly the 4-barrel Sharps and those two old rimfire brass frame SA from two centuries ago are always in demand.

Very nice collection!

Had no clue the Astra 400 was fetching $ now

Greg M.
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 14:21 (2163 days ago) @ WB

They were dirt cheap 20 years ago but that was 20 years ago. I miss the early '90s. $30-$40 Mosin-Nagants, Turk Mausers, SMLES. $100 SKSs. The milsurp market has tightened up. Guys even older than me probably miss the early '60s before the GCA.

I'm both frightened and excited that many

WB
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 12:25 (2163 days ago) @ Jim Taylor

of my zany ideas that pop into my noggin, you have already explored! LOL I like it.

My Bro has a Beretta and it is an accurate little thing.

Sid R
[subject]
Monday, September 14, 2020, 13:36 (2163 days ago) @ WB

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