Author Topic: Hunting with the 25ACP (Read 3466 times)

Questor · « **on:** March 07, 2005, 11:28:06 AM »

I've long toyed with the idea of having a 25ACP barrel made for my Contender. I'm trying to find someone who has experience in hunting with this cartridge. Do you know of any good hunting loads and bullets for it? Obviously I'm talking small game hunting. I'm particularly interested in whether there is a mould for a Keith-style bullet available.

Gregory · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2005, 11:41:50 AM »

Quote from: Questor

I've long toyed with the idea of having a 25ACP barrel made for my Contender. I'm trying to find someone who has experience in hunting with this cartridge. Do you know of any good hunting loads and bullets for it? Obviously I'm talking small game hunting. I'm particularly interested in whether there is a mould for a Keith-style bullet available.

And I thought I was the only crazy one......I've thought about a 32 ACP Contender since I already reload for it and have a bullet mould and cast bullets made up. Thought it would be a neat squirrel rig and just for plinking.

Can't help you on your 25 ACP quest though.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:41:11 PM »

Funny you should say that. I've had this idea for years and it won't go away. I've also wanted one of those little Beretta autos with the barrel that flips up to load the first chamber. I've wanted one for years, but I have no idea why. If I ever make up my mind as to whether it should be a 25 or a 380, maybe I'll get one. (And then wonder why I got it.)

Will · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:49:20 PM »

There's something funny about that little .25. It's basically useless, but once you get the idea in your head that you want one, it won't go away. I've got a little Bauer .25 that I stick in my pocket on occasion. I killed a big fox squirrel with it one time and I also finished a wounded coyote with it one time. Both were one shot, instant stops with a 35-grain Gold Dot hollowpoint. I hit the yote in the head and the squirrel right behind the shoulder. Neither exited.

Gregory · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:51:07 PM »

I've got a Tomcat 32 ACP it has the tip up barrel. It's a very good gun.
Well designed. Wish I could carry it here in Illinois. I bought it to replace a wheel gun that got left home as a carry gun when I lived in a more gun friendly state.

Catfish · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2005, 01:40:18 PM »

Yes, those rounds would make great hunting rounds for mice, as long the ranges was over 100 ft. or so. But if your looking for more knock down power, through a base ball at them, it will hit alot harder.

drdougrx · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2005, 02:35:39 PM »

:shock: OOOOOhhhhhh NNNNNNoooooo.......

Now I've gotta get a 25acp in a mini-mauser action, magnaported, kickeez pad, timney trigger, glass bed, kevlar stock and 4x12 scope with mildots......

Doug

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2005, 02:47:50 PM »

Will:

You is my hero now! Only an experienced hand would be able to report that he shot a squirrel and got no exit wound. Now I'm hooked: I've gotta git me one of those mouse guns.

I kinda like the mini mauser ideas too. When I finally realized that I have something useless, I'd at least be able to re-barrel the thing, or Frankenstein some parts off of it to build something that is useful.

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2005, 11:01:27 AM »

Questor, My Old Friend. Yes, there is a heaven and it is full of pocket pistols that can be handloaded for fun for all.

25 ACPs - got onna dem der Berettas - the 950 with a tip up barrel and it is a hoot. I will carry that as often as I carry my 21A. I even liked it so much I got one of those aftermarket threaded barrells for it because it was about 2" longer.

But, I do not reload for it because I want to keep my thumbs in the same condition and shape they are now. But there is a load.

There is a 51 gn cast raound nose bullet, the Lyman #252435. Looks just like the fmj bullet but you could probably hollow-point it or flatnose it for better effect. Unique and PB give the best velocities, but they only reach about 680'/sec. Unique ranges from 1.2 - 1.6 grains for 470-680'/sec. Truly a subsonic load. PB ranges from 1.0 - 1.4 grains for 495-680'/sec.

ps - the 25acp is a 'soft target' round. It has a tendency to bounce off hard objects like 55 gallon drums and the like, so if you're gonna play, be aware of where the 'ricochet impact area' is and don't be there (lol). HTH. Mikey.

Oh yeah, double ps - if you are seriously thinking of a Beretta in 380, they do have a tip-up barrel model but I feel it is a bit bulky. It is not as light or easy to handle as my Model 70S. I think that if I were to really want another 380 I would find an older Beretta Model 34, maybe even one with the Plum finish, very classy - and functional.

drdougrx · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2005, 03:12:11 PM »

Seriously though....and I kinda hate to admit it....but.....I gotta soft spot for pocket pistols. Used to work for a gun shop and the owner had about 30, all in 25acp. He had berettas, colts, walthers (a model 8 in pristine condition that I still covet to this day), ortgies, stars, brownings, jennings, and a real small production gun, the budochowski (or something like that).

Me....I have a beretta 950BS Jetfire, and unfired baby browning and a llama.

regards,

Doug

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2005, 09:07:20 PM »

Its just a matter of time before somebody posts a question about hunting wild pigs with a pellet gun.

Curtis · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2005, 12:50:03 AM »

What caliber pellet is preferrable? How close do you have to be (I'm assuming eye shots here).

Curtis

Alaninga · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2005, 02:17:32 AM »

odd ideas> I've always wanted to build a .45ACP barrel for my Ruger 77 switch barrel rifle. In a long rifle barrel,,it should be close to a "45 CB cap" gun! A .308 Win bolt face will work perfect,,and the front edge will still headspace the round.

John R. · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2005, 03:14:37 AM »

Boy you can sure tell hunting season is over. 25's are nice to carry if you can't carry a real gun. I have a Baby Browning, but its more of a conversation piece than a carry gun. :grin:

targetguy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2005, 06:54:53 PM »

I have a Colt vest pocket in 25 and it's cool because my grandma gave it to me. A friend of mine was shot in the stomach with a 25 and it didnt even go into the muscle, and he poped the bullet out like a zit. He did say that it hurt really bad, and it nocke him down. speaking of hunting with an air rifle, check out the quackenbush air rifles. they come in up to 50 cal and can kill big game animals!

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2005, 08:04:52 PM »

There is a .25 ACP Mauser model 1910 in my local gun store case. They want $175 for it. It is much larger than the Baretta next to it. I am thinking that if it is still there in a month it will be mine. I will go see tomorrow if the clerk is willing to let me give it the once over. Maybe it might be a good accurate piece for shooting rabbits and squirrles. Who knows.

Lawdog · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2005, 09:35:33 AM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

Its just a matter of time before somebody posts a question about hunting wild pigs with a pellet gun.

Go to http://www.quackenbushairguns.com/hunting.html for pictures of just that. Personally I wouldn't use a .25 ACP for hunting anything larger than field mice. :-D Lawdog

Locoweed · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2005, 04:15:56 PM »

Don't underestimate the .25 acp. I am aware of a fatal shooting accident involving a .25 acp Raven where a shooter aimed what he thought was an empty gun at his brother-in-law and pulled the trigger. The other guy took a heart shot and he was dead within a few minutes. I don't know what the range was bit I think fairly close. :cry:

:-) On a brighter note, I think the .25 acp is a fun cartridge and would be a real thrill to have one in a Contender/G2. Count me in when someone starts taking orders.

Lawdog · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2005, 09:44:02 AM »

Quote from: Locoweed

Don't underestimate the .25 acp. I am aware of a fatal shooting accident involving a .25 acp Raven where a shooter aimed what he thought was an empty gun at his brother-in-law and pulled the trigger. The other guy took a heart shot and he was dead within a few minutes. I don't know what the range was bit I think fairly close. :cry:

:-) On a brighter note, I think the .25 acp is a fun cartridge and would be a real thrill to have one in a Contender/G2. Count me in when someone starts taking orders.

I have two friends/fellow officers that were shot in the head at ranges of less than 5 feet(unburnt powder was removed from the wounds) that are still alive. Both are disabled to some extent, loss of certain motor skills, and are no longer on the force. The .25 ACP has got to be about the most useless cartridge ever designed/made. Lawdog

Greeenriver · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2005, 06:37:44 PM »

My idea is to take a Henry Golden Boy 22 rifle have someone rebarrel and rechamber it to 25acp for me. This would give me about the same as a 22 rifle in a reloadable ctg.

Also, it would be the ultimate "Gammer" rifle for Cowboy Action Shooting.

I realy like the idea of having a Ruger Single Six in 25acp., just 'cause I ain't got one now!!!

Greeenriver(Wonder if I could get enough Black Powder under the bullet to get it out the end of the barrel??)

Locoweed · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2005, 07:13:26 AM »

Lawdog calls it the most useless cartridge ever made and makes the point of two LEOs being shot in the head. This is misplaced criticism because if it WERE a useful cartridge then those two cops would be dead. I would say, thank God it was only a .25 acp. Reloaders on these forums seem preoccupied with big bore rounds and max loads and seem to worry a lot about grizzly bears. Does anyone reload and shoot just for the pure fun of it? The .25 acp can be a fun cartridge to fool around with. I just don't get it. Years ago I investigated a case where a punk was shot low in the hip with a .25 -- it went down through the right buttock, the length of the thigh, and came out down by the knee. That's pretty good penetration. The doctor took a gizzy like a cleaning rod, put a cotton mop on the end, soaked it in betadine, and proceeded to clean out the wound like a gun barrel. The guy yelled and yelled. I've heard that in many big cities THE cartridge of choice among muggers and such is the .25 acp. Tell THEM that it's a useless cartridge and encourage them to go to something bigger that the other guys, including Lawdog, won't laugh at! They might have to mug a grizzly bear.

Lawdog · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2005, 10:01:06 AM »

Quote

Lawdog calls it the most useless cartridge ever made and makes the point of two LEOs being shot in the head. This is misplaced criticism because if it WERE a useful cartridge then those two cops would be dead. I would say, thank God it was only a .25 acp.

I made about the same statement to both of these men and both stated that they believe they would be better off dead than living the way they do now. The .25 ACP is about the worst choice for a defense caliber ever made. I know of cases where the user of a .25 ACP, in defense of their life, failed to stop the attacker thus resulting in great bodily harm or death. Considering how frail the human is compared to an animal I wouldnt use it for hunting anything larger than a field mouse. The .25 ACP gets failing grades for defense and hunting categories. I stand by my statement, The .25 ACP has got to be about the most useless cartridge ever designed/made. Lawdog

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2005, 10:37:48 AM »

I have to change what I said earlier. It isn't a model 1910 but a model 1914 in .32ACP labled as a 1910. The .32 could be another good small game pistol round if it is accurate enough. I have heard these mausers are the most accurate in that cartridge family. Probably would have as much smack as a .22 at least. It would definately be a good plinking pistol if nothing else. I often shoot just for the joy of shooting. Magtech has cheap .25 and .32 ammo for about $8 per 50, that's 8 times more than .22 ammo, but still cheaper than other centerfire calibers they offer. Reloading these calibers would bring the cost down very much. It would be perfect for hunting the elusive and dangerous beer can.

Greeenriver · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2005, 02:18:40 PM »

I believe the 32acp ctg is a semi rimed case and I have heard of people shooting them in their 32H&R mags. That I havn't tried, so this is second hand information.

However, reloading the 25acp should make it cheep enough to shoot to make it a viable ctg for the ocasional "Beer can" hunt, or for the larger and much more dangerous "Paper Plate" that endangers most picinics in the summer. I am also sure that it would provide defense against the deadly "Two Liter" water filled Pop jug.

Any gun can provide a day of fun when used sensibly and with your friends or peferably with your kids and grandkids. The lite recoal of a 25acp would fill the bill easily to introduce kids to shooting, and be reloadable also.

A 22lr will do the same things and probibly just as cheep or cheeper, but why waste the opertunity to buy another gun, 'specialy when you can tell the wife, "But Honny, it's for the KIDS!!!!!!!"

Greeenriver(Sure I've got a warped mind, but that's not all bad!!)

cvixx · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2005, 12:02:29 PM »

On one of the auction sites (can't remember which one...getting old) there was a threaded Beretta 25auto barrel on the block. Didn;t say which model it was for.

Also should mention tht CCentury has 32 ACP ammo (Dynamit is what I got) for 1000 rounds/$100. I bought 2K rounds a month ago when it was on sale for less! Good stuff. FMJ.

LarryL · « **Reply #25 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:26:15 PM »

I have a Beretta Tomcat in .32. I carry it when I don't have a place to easily carry my SIG 228. I have silvertips in it right now.

What is your opinion of the .32?

What would you (or others) suggest for the best ammo to carry in it?

Mikey · « **Reply #26 on:** March 29, 2005, 04:07:14 PM »

LarryL: for years the 32 acp was the choice of many european police forces and that only changed when they needed to upgrade to the same level as the criminals used. Otherwise, the 32 acp is still widely used in europe and will or should be able to get you out of trouble. None of the small pocket pistol calibers pack a lot of wallop or knockdown but they can defend you.

Your Tomcat is a quality pistol. Beretta does not make poor quality firearms. I gather the 32 is about as powerful a round as you can find in a pistol that compact. I would personally opt for standard ball ammo in the 73-77 grain range over the Winchester Silvertips for penetration.

BTW, you can purchase 32 acp adapters for 308 and 30-06 rifles.

How would the 32 acp fare against Questor's 25 auto in the field - well, I guess that remains to be seen. Mikey.

Gregory · « **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2005, 04:21:10 PM »

Quote from: Greeenriver

I believe the 32acp ctg is a semi rimed case and I have heard of people shooting them in their 32H&R mags. That I havn't tried, so this is second hand information.

I had a Ruger SSM 32 H&R Mag and fired 32ACP out of it with no ill effects and decent accuracy.
But I am not recommending anyone else do this.

BillinOregon · « **Reply #28 on:** April 12, 2005, 08:44:05 PM »

Was it Jeff Cooper who said anyone shot with the .25 is apt to become emotional and resort to violence? That said, ANY cartridge can be fun to load and fool with, as long as you don't pin your life on it.

glock29 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 19, 2005, 06:10:47 AM »

The 25 ACP is one of several cartridges that I (and MOST others also) see as a totally useless cartridge. It offers NOTHING over a 22LR other than it has an inside lubricated bullet.
Factory ballistics (as well as handloads) are a JOKE !
Pricing of factory produced ammo is ridiculous.
It is a real pain in the butt to reload due to the short, small, stubby components, not to mention the virtual lack of any bullet choices.

The only cartridge in common production that is more worthless is the 32ACP; some people actually think that is a REAL defensive option; it is not; it is a joke !

The 25ACP is a turd cartridge that NEVER should have existed, PERIOD !