.45 ACP rimmed VS moon clips
- Thread starter ATTICUS
- Start date
Atticus, you might add "cannot get the stuff" to your "other than" list. I really see no place for .45 AR, though it is nice to have if you can get it.
The .45 AR takes the same loading data as the .45 ACP, though being used in a revolver, you can go both down and up. I would stick with .45 ACP loads for the old 1917's, but in a modern revolver you should be able to go up a bit. (Not too much; the limiting factor in a 625 is the very thin cylinder wall at the stop notches.)
Jim
The .45 AR takes the same loading data as the .45 ACP, though being used in a revolver, you can go both down and up. I would stick with .45 ACP loads for the old 1917's, but in a modern revolver you should be able to go up a bit. (Not too much; the limiting factor in a 625 is the very thin cylinder wall at the stop notches.)
Jim
Since the 625 can be converted to shoot the .460 Rowland safely, I don't think we need to worry about the strength of the cylinder when reloading 45acp for that revolver. Unless I'm shooting .460 Rowland, I shoot 45 auto-rim exclusively in my S&W revolvers. Although loaded ammo may be in short supply, I think Remington still makes auto-rim cases. The moon clips might be dandy in a gunfight but I find them a pain at the range.
Mike Irwin
Staff
I've had absolutely no problem getting all the .45 Auto Rim brass that I want.
Most of the time I use moon clipped .45 ACP, but I do have a couple hundred pieces of .45 AR.
Most of the time I use moon clipped .45 ACP, but I do have a couple hundred pieces of .45 AR.
lonegunman
New member
Georgia Arms makes 45 Auto Rim 230g LRN for $12 for 50 rounds; 200 g JHP for $14 for 50 rounds.
It beats fartin around with moonclips anyday.
It beats fartin around with moonclips anyday.
Mike Irwin
Staff
"Moon clips seem to be a pain..."
You'll say that until the first time you shoot either a falling plate or bowling pin match where reloads are either required or needed.
Then you'll be converted and out on the street corner testifying!
Moon clips aren't a problem at all if you take time to understand their use, including loading and unloading them.
You'll say that until the first time you shoot either a falling plate or bowling pin match where reloads are either required or needed.
Then you'll be converted and out on the street corner testifying!
Moon clips aren't a problem at all if you take time to understand their use, including loading and unloading them.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Well, they're called de-mooning tools. 
I use a very simple one that cost me all of $3 bucks at a gun show, and that price may have included a bunch of moon clips, as well.
You can get a lot more elaborate -- Midway and Brownell's sells a variety of de-mooners.
I'm not certain, but I THINK that HKS made speedloaders for .45 Auto Rim at one time. They may still.
I use a very simple one that cost me all of $3 bucks at a gun show, and that price may have included a bunch of moon clips, as well.
You can get a lot more elaborate -- Midway and Brownell's sells a variety of de-mooners.
I'm not certain, but I THINK that HKS made speedloaders for .45 Auto Rim at one time. They may still.
GunsnRovers
New member
45ACP
I used to have a 625, which I am still angry that I sold, and still have and shoot a 1917 regularly.
Full moon clips (and half moon clips of decent quality) are easy to use. The demooner speeds things up and saves wear on the half moon clips.
As I also regulary shoot 1911's, I have never bothered with Auto Rim.
I have never had a problem quickly reloading with half or full moon clips.
Jeff
I used to have a 625, which I am still angry that I sold, and still have and shoot a 1917 regularly.
Full moon clips (and half moon clips of decent quality) are easy to use. The demooner speeds things up and saves wear on the half moon clips.
As I also regulary shoot 1911's, I have never bothered with Auto Rim.
I have never had a problem quickly reloading with half or full moon clips.
Jeff
Mannlicher
New member
Atticus asks: Other than increased cost and loss of speed in re-loading is there any reason NOT to use the rimmed cartridge instead of rimless cartridges and clips?
no, the above two you mentioned are reason enough to choose the .45ACP.
Generally speaking though, the Auto Rim will give higher velocities. For example, a 185 grain JSP from the ACP version will max out with a littleover 5 grains of Bullseye. The AutoRim will handle over 6 grains, and yield about 100 more fps.
I find both work well in my Smith 25-5, with the extra cylinder in .45ACP.
no, the above two you mentioned are reason enough to choose the .45ACP.
Generally speaking though, the Auto Rim will give higher velocities. For example, a 185 grain JSP from the ACP version will max out with a littleover 5 grains of Bullseye. The AutoRim will handle over 6 grains, and yield about 100 more fps.
I find both work well in my Smith 25-5, with the extra cylinder in .45ACP.
lonegunman
New member
The demooner speeds things up, I agree, but I would still rather not mess with moon clips at the range.
This is a matter of personal preference though.
This is a matter of personal preference though.
You can always shoot the .45 ACP without moon clips. Just pop 'em out with a Bic pen or something. Both Remington and Starline make Auto Rim brass. I shoot both ACP and AR, finding the AR less hassle at the target range.
IN THEORY the Auto Rim cartridges will show greater accuracy because of the more positive headspace. This might be true in a Thompson Contender, but in a revolver it remains a theory.
Elliot
IN THEORY the Auto Rim cartridges will show greater accuracy because of the more positive headspace. This might be true in a Thompson Contender, but in a revolver it remains a theory.
Elliot
Mike Irwin
Staff
Atticus, HKS 25-M speedloaders are for use with the .45 Auto Rim cartridge and S&W revolvers.