25-45 Sharps- Load data

AKarshooter

New member
Hi all I have a 25-45 sharps and the load data I have is for powders that are not readily stocked here ( I am in Alaska). I have Reloader 7, H335, Benchmark, H4198.

Do any of you have any loads worked up with any of these powders. I have been told to use the .25-223 and 6 x 45 loads but id like to hear from someone that has loaded these powders.

Thanks
 
The biggest compendium of shooters and data of the 25X45 Sharps is over on ARFCOM. Black Hole Weaponry Pro Boards also has a fellow that has been shooting the snot out of it.

Greg

A quick look over there:

GI_Brat


Here is some information about our .25-45 Sharps.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate in giving me a call.


The .25-45 Sharps is a ballistic twin to the original .250-3000 Savage loading which derived its name from the fact it could drive a 25 caliber 87 grain bullet at a blistering speed of 3000 fps.
Bringing 5.56 or 223 brass up to .25-45 dimensions is accomplished by simply necking the case up to .257 and then loading it as normal.
As for barrel length we have found that we get very close to complete combustion in a 20" barrel with velocity losses in comparison of the 24" test barrels of around 30 fps depending on the individual barrel. Average velocities for the various barrel lengths using our 87 grain soft point factory load are as follows: 24" barrel = 3000 fps, 20" barrel = 2970 fps, 18" barrel = 2890 fps and 16" barrel = 2790 fps.
Our proprietary bolt and carrier is not necessary to build a .25-45 Sharps, in fact part of the appeal of this cartridge is that the rifle uses everything standard to the 5.56/.223 with the exception of the barrel. Which means you can use your standard magazines, bolts, carriers, buffer springs, etc. You get significantly increased power over the 5.56/.223 with a minimum of fuss! The only "non-standard" thing with our .25-45 barrels over a high quality 5.56/.223 barrel is that our muzzle thread is 5/8 x 24 tpi instead of the standard 1/2 x 28 tpi found on the 5.56/.223. This was done to preclude someone from trying to fire a .257 caliber projectile through a .224 caliber device. The good news is that the 5/8 x 24 tpi is the standard thread for the AR-10 and those devices work just fine with the .25-45 cartridge.


And here is the reloading data we recommend for the cartridge. These are the only powders we have tested and recommend.

PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED THESE LOADS!
Load #1 - CCI 400 small rifle primer and Sierra 70 grain Blitzking .257 bullet, Powder H335 - Maximum load 30.0 grains - expected velocity of 3100 fps (needs a powder drop tube)
Load #2 - CCI small rifle primer and Sierra 70 grain Blitzking .257 bullet, Powder A2200 - Maximum load 27 grains - expected velocity 3100 fps
Load #3 - CCI 400 small rifle primer and Sierra 75 grain Hollow Pnt .257 bullet, Ramshot X-terminator - Maximum load 30.0 grains - expected velocity of 3100 fps (needs a powder drop tube)
Load #4 - CCI 400 small rifle primer and Speer HotCor 87 grain .257 bullet, Powder H322 - Maximum load 26.0 grains - expected velocity of 2850 fps
Load #5 - CCI 400 small rifle primer and Speer HotCor 87 grain .257 bullet, Powder H335 - Maximum load 28.0 grains - expected velocity of 2900 fps
Load #6 - CCI 400 small rifle primer and Speer HotCor 87 grain .257 bullet, Powder Ramshot X-terminator - Maximum load 28.5 grains - expected velocity of 2950 fps
Load #7 - CCI 400 small rifle primer and Speer softpoint 87 grain .257 bullet, Powder A2200 - Maximum load 25 grains - expected velocity 3000 fps
The Ramshot X-Terminator powder comes the closest of all of the commercial powders we've tested to the velocities achieved with our factory loadings in which we use factory OEM powders.
Ramshot X-Terminator and A2230 are the same powder.

With a 24" barrel, velocity is 3000 fps, with 1738 ft. lbs. of energy.
20" barrel, 2970 fps, 1704 ft. lbs.
18" barrel, 2890 fps, 1613 ft. lbs.
16" barrel, 2790 fps, 1504 ft. lbs.

The OAL cartridge length should be 2.245”. The case length should be 1.760”. Trim to length 1.750”.
 
Thanks for the info, unfortunately unless I luck into finding those powders they aren't available in my local stores and shipping powder to Alaska isn't impossible just $$$$$$. I will check out the sight you suggested, thanks again
 
The H335 should be a start. That's why I suggested you use the 6X45 data as a starting point. If you have to make do you have to start with stuff that you know wold be safe. Anything you can dig up on the 25X223 will be safe as the capacity is identical for all practical purposes. The case neck length is the only alteration and that makes no never mind.

Gref
 
I JUST REALIZED YOU DO NOT HAVE A BLACK HOLE BARREL.

THE ABOVE DATA MAY NOT SAFE IN YOUR ENFIELD RIFLED BARREL. YOUR SPEEDS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE SLOWER IN YOUR RIFLE AND YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT SAFELY REACH THESE PUBLISHED VELOCITIES.

Greg
 
Thanks for the info, I do have a Black Hole Barrel but its for a .260 Rem. I realize that the differences in rifling will affect pressures and bullets but thank you for insuring I was aware.

Randy
 
Originally Posted By: AKarshooterThanks for the info, I do have a Black Hole Barrel but its for a .260 Rem. I realize that the differences in rifling will affect pressures and bullets but thank you for insuring I was aware.

Randy

That is one caveat that many miss. Just because my uppers that Ritch does for me all have BHW barrels many assume what I shoot should work the same in their regular rifled set ups. Often times that assumption is far from correct. Kind of like shooting a Weatherby cartridge in a non-Weatherby chamber. Bad things can happen.

Greg
 
Originally Posted By: AKarshooterGreg

Weatherby's are factory free bored as you know

Yes they are but non-free bored Weatherby chambers do exist and when they do the pressures go through the roof.

Greg
 
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I've had mine built for about a year. It's taken that long to get some load testing (lack of chronograph until recently).

I've gotten the following through my 18" barrel:

70gr Sierra BK ~2935fps with 27gr R10X
75gr Hornady VMax (Bulk packs through Midway) ~2993fps with 27gr R10X and ~2907fps with 24gr IMR4198
85gr Nosler BT ~2728fps with 22gr R7 and the same with 23.2gr IMR4198
87gr Speer Hot-Cor ~2864fps with 27gr R10X and ~2814fps with 24gr IMR4198

These were chrono'd with my new Oehler 35p. Average of 5 shot groups.

I've bumped up the charge on the 70, 75 and 87 gr bullets with 4198 and R10x. Hoping to chrono next week. I've also ordered some Barnes 80gr bullets to try out. I have some 90gr SBK to try as well.

I'll try and keep this and the other thread updated. I'm determined to hit 3000fps consistently with the 70 and 75 gr bullets.
 
Updated:

70gr Sierra BK ~3015fps with 27.2gr R10X
75gr Hornady VMax (Bulk packs through Midway) ~3007fps with 27.sgr R10X and ~2990fps with 24.4gr IMR4198
85gr Nosler BT ~2728fps with 23.2gr IMR4198
87gr Speer Hot-Cor ~2880fps with 27.2gr R10X and ~2855fps with 24.4gr IMR4198
90gr Sierra BK ~2521fps with 21.7gr R7 and ~2575fps with 22.1gr IMR4198

All loads with IMR4198 have some room to grow as well.
 
I see Midway has the 110g FTX on clearance...

98979956-1FE3-4539-BBE6-D4B98A9084B5_zpsie2ors08.jpg


Anyone using it?

CW
 
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