Reloading the 25 Auto
Posted: 11 Feb 2020 09:24
How about I open a topic addressing the cartridge and reloading it based on a new member's interest? I thought I had a topic on the subject, but it doesn't seem so. Granted, not many will have an interest in the topic.
Lee never produced a 25 Auto Loader Kit. They have had special runs for case trimmers, Carbide Factory Crimp Dies, and shell plates for the Load-Master. None are currently available.
Powder delivery is not possible with the standard measure kit; the smallest dipper is not tiny enough. Lee's Carbide Three Die set contains a .17cc dipper that will help with some of the loads. That part is available, #PM1829, from Lee, but you will not find it anywhere else. How it works is if you add the part to your cart, it lists for a $1, you will not end up paying for the part; however, you will be charged shipping. To ship the dipper to my address is a few pennies over $6.
Powder delivery, with the Lee product line, always depended on the Micro Charge Bar. The MCB was a special disk with some very small holes. It did okay but had problems with all but very fine powders. For example, the little pistol loves Unique, but there was never a way to meter it into the case. There has been a couple of aftermarket charging disks, but that whole system has aged and never worked well with the small case. The same with the Perfect Powder Measure, it could not be set low enough to deliver the charge. The demise of the Micro Charge bar was when someone dropped the mold, shattering it. When Lee received quotes on replacing the mold, all the sales of the bar over the years did not cover the cost of a new one. The product was discontinued.
Powder delivery changed with Lee's drum series, the Auto Drum and Deluxe Powder Measure. Both are capable of delivering any charge with any powder that the 25 Auto might need.
I started reloading the 25 Auto on a three-hole turret press, which became a four-hole, and finally a Classic Turret. When Lee offered the #15 shell plate for the Load-Master, I was on it like a rat on a Cheeto! You see, it might be a small case, but the larger presses cause that case to be manipulated less. The more you touch the case, the more work it becomes.
It might seem overkill to some, but I shoot the heck out of my 25 Auto. Over the years, I don't know how many cases I've loaded, but it has more than paid for itself.
Factory ammo runs from 25 to 30¢, self defense ammo 74 to 88¢ per round. My reloads with a cast bullet of my design run 6¢ and I'm willing to put them up against the 88¢ ammo. You bet I will use it for self defense. My reloads are about 2¢ more than what a rimfire pistol will cost, but I will take a primer in a pocket any day over the rimfire.
Lee never produced a 25 Auto Loader Kit. They have had special runs for case trimmers, Carbide Factory Crimp Dies, and shell plates for the Load-Master. None are currently available.
Powder delivery is not possible with the standard measure kit; the smallest dipper is not tiny enough. Lee's Carbide Three Die set contains a .17cc dipper that will help with some of the loads. That part is available, #PM1829, from Lee, but you will not find it anywhere else. How it works is if you add the part to your cart, it lists for a $1, you will not end up paying for the part; however, you will be charged shipping. To ship the dipper to my address is a few pennies over $6.
Powder delivery, with the Lee product line, always depended on the Micro Charge Bar. The MCB was a special disk with some very small holes. It did okay but had problems with all but very fine powders. For example, the little pistol loves Unique, but there was never a way to meter it into the case. There has been a couple of aftermarket charging disks, but that whole system has aged and never worked well with the small case. The same with the Perfect Powder Measure, it could not be set low enough to deliver the charge. The demise of the Micro Charge bar was when someone dropped the mold, shattering it. When Lee received quotes on replacing the mold, all the sales of the bar over the years did not cover the cost of a new one. The product was discontinued.
Powder delivery changed with Lee's drum series, the Auto Drum and Deluxe Powder Measure. Both are capable of delivering any charge with any powder that the 25 Auto might need.
I started reloading the 25 Auto on a three-hole turret press, which became a four-hole, and finally a Classic Turret. When Lee offered the #15 shell plate for the Load-Master, I was on it like a rat on a Cheeto! You see, it might be a small case, but the larger presses cause that case to be manipulated less. The more you touch the case, the more work it becomes.
It might seem overkill to some, but I shoot the heck out of my 25 Auto. Over the years, I don't know how many cases I've loaded, but it has more than paid for itself.
Factory ammo runs from 25 to 30¢, self defense ammo 74 to 88¢ per round. My reloads with a cast bullet of my design run 6¢ and I'm willing to put them up against the 88¢ ammo. You bet I will use it for self defense. My reloads are about 2¢ more than what a rimfire pistol will cost, but I will take a primer in a pocket any day over the rimfire.