Author Topic: S&W 1917 45ACP  (Read 937 times)

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Offline greg916

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S&W 1917 45ACP
« on: June 09, 2013, 01:31:48 AM »
Hope this is the right forum for this post. Does anybody have know if the Lee 200 gr (452-200-RF) would be a good choice for mild loads in a S&W 1917 Army? Thanks!
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Offline Larry L

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Re: S&W 1917 45ACP
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2013, 02:12:37 PM »
Shouldn't be a problem. Normal twist rate for a 45 ACP is 1:16". The earlier SW 1917s were 1:15" with the later ones 1:16". The one inch difference shouldn't effect the 200gr bullets- the 185s, maybe. I'd load it light and with a fairly medium burning pistol powder like around the burn rate of Unique. I'd avoid the quick powders like Bullseye to keep pressure spikes from hammering on the old steel. I'd also suggest staying away from any jacketed bullets.


FWIW, I used to load for a friend that had one of these old wheel guns. I loaded 5.0 grs Unique under a 225 gr lead bullet he cast. Easy on the gun and was more accurate than I thought the gun was capable of shooting. His particular pistol had the step in the chamber for headspacing and didn't need the half moon clips.

Offline reliquary

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Re: S&W 1917 45ACP
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2013, 02:42:28 PM »
I use a common 200-gr lead SWC, not sure which mold it's from...cast too long ago...that shoots fine from my 3" M1917 with  5.5 grains of Unique.  I've loaded some up to 6 grains and their accuracy isn't quite as good as the milder load.
 
The Lee truncated cone/SWC 452-230 with 6 grains of Unique also shoots well and is about as strong as I will go with the older gun. 

Offline SharonAnne

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Re: S&W 1917 45ACP
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2013, 08:10:48 AM »
yes.
SharonAnne
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Offline m-g Willy

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Re: S&W 1917 45ACP
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2013, 12:43:43 PM »
Cast them hard!
Pretty shallow rifling in the 1917s
I had trouble with my 255 swc keyholeing at 25 yards until I used a harder cast bullet.

Offline greg916

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Re: S&W 1917 45ACP
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2013, 03:36:17 PM »
I cast some of the 200 gr and some 250 gr sec this weekend. Cast from wheel weights and quenched in water. I posted some pics in the cast bullet forum. Hope they work.
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Offline greg916

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Re: S&W 1917 45ACP
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2013, 01:13:31 PM »
Bought some unique yesterday, at the suggestion above. Hope to get some loaded this week and see how they work.
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