Nice to see this thread pop up!

I had a 625 5” 1989 that in the early 90’s, because I wanted to help fund some other gun project that was so important, that I can’t remember what it was.  What I do remember is that in a fairly short period of time I really missed that 625. 
Fast forward to 2018 and I finally managed to have money at the same time a 625-2 1989 4” became available.  Made the deal on the phone and drove 250 miles while the seller agreed to meet me in a small town for the sale.  He wanted to take a short, 120 mile motorcycle ride because we were having great late fall weather.

Long story short is I paid about double of what I’d sold my 5” gun for 25 years earlier.  Very happy to make the purchase.  It is a fine shooter just like I remember.  This one along with a 22-4 will be in the will to my son.

But, I haven’t had much time to play with either one yet, the 22-4 did get a fair amount of 45 ACP ball ammo run through it, but the 625 has only had cast run through it.  Fortunately both pistols have .452 cylinders.

In gathering molds and correct dies, sizers, a fellow on another Forum offered a bunch of Remington 45 auto rim brass brand new in the sealed bags for the price of postage.  400 pieces, well I paid the postage as requested and threw in market value for the brass.  He had told me more then once he only want postage, but, I certainly can’t let that stand.

Well I like heavy for caliber bullets, one I have specifically for the 625 is a NOE 452 304 bullet that has been fun so far in very limited testing.  Yeah I know, most or all of you are thinking, I’m nuts.  But hold on.

This big bullet I load long at 1.325 if my memory serves, I know it’s 1.3 plus, don’t have my notes in the house. But it is engaging the cylinder throat, this length is .10 longer then listed for any heavy bullet data I’ve found.  Been using Bullseye and 30-1 alloy.  

I also have, wait, I can hear noses begin to turn up at the mere mention of LEE molds, but they make some good 6 cavity 45 caliber molds, and I can afford them.  In LEE 6 cavity I have the 160, 200, 255, the 255 I’ve used so far is a great bullet.  I also have a couple of Lyman and RCBS molds that will be tested as well time allowing.

The fascination with heavy bullets started 45 plus years ago when I first moved to Alaska.  Before living in the lower 48 it was velocity, velocity, velocity.  Everyone around me was in that camp.  Most hunting was generally longer shots.  But coming up north I was able to clear my head a little.  30-06 became the small caliber.

But back to the subject of the 45 ACP 625.  My interests are in mainly 44 mag which I load 310’s from back in the late 70’s and more recently the 480 Ruger and 410 grains there.  I had a great deal of interest in having a 5 shot 50 Special built but the cost put that one back in the “I wish” department.  
I was looking for a heavy 250 to 400 grains at 800 to 1100 fps.  The S&W 4” model 29 with 310’s at 1100 fps makes a great carry gun. The Ruger 480 with 410’s at 1100 penetration is all that is needed for anything on this planet.

But, the 22-4 4” with 255’s at 900 to a 1000 fps is very respectable.  When I purchased the 625 I had the best of both worlds, midrange velocities with soft (8-9 BHN) light to heavies bullets, fun, easy to shoot and best of all very accurate.

Next spring and summer I will be fleshing out these two pistols and will be posting here.