I just got a 625-9 mountain gun, 4 inch barrel, stainless steel. It's going to ligve int he drawer of the end table next to my chair in the living room. I'm looking for recommendations on what to feed it for 'serious social purposes'. It will be used indoors, at pretty close range. What are some of the suggestions for good ammo or good handloads to feed this thing?

Cyrano,

I'd look for some of the Federal 225 Grain Lead Hollow Point loads, part no. C45LCA.

See Data: Federal Premium - Handgun Details

I've used this ammo before and while it may be tough to locate, I beleive it will do what you want it to do....

Drew

I keep Silvertips for mine.

A couple of local police departments used to use the Winchester 225 grain Silvertip jhp in .45 Colt when they carried revolvers. I am not aware of anyone having shot anybody with them but they seem accurate in the guns I have shot them in and should be a reliable expander and decent stopper. It would be my choice if I was buying ammo specifically for a house gun.

I have had a .45 Colt sixgun out when I made quicky runs to the store at night and just stuck them in my belt. They usually had the traditional W-W 255 grain lead load (conical bullet with a small flat tip) in them, and I felt justifiably comfortable.

Actually, all of the factory .45 Colt loadings from the mainstream ammo makers have a history of working pretty well if placed properly. Big diameter, heavy weight and decent velocity together makes a good combination regardless of bullet expansion.

I am with Buff. All the top line ammo makers have great ammo. The problem lies with people jumping on the bandwagon of the +Ps for defense. At $30 a box of 20, the ammo makers are dancing with joy....

Any quality factory lead bullet ammo will work just fine and if you consider you get 50 for what 20 of the +Ps cost, then your way ahead.

__________________
Slim, U.S. Army, Ret.

The original .45 Colt in BP had to be able to kill a horse as one of its purposes. That being the case, I think any factory loaded .45 Colt will do what you want, even the cowboy loads.

I think that if I used a 45 Colt for self defense I would look at the Hornady 225 grain flextip. It chronographs almost 900 fps out of a S & W M25-5 with 6 inch barrel. it would probably be a little slower out of a 4 inch barrel. at 25 yards 6 shots went into 3.5 inches.

If I decided to handload for a defensive round, I would load a cast, 250-260 grain SWC, such as Lyman's 454424, sized to .454". I would seat it atop 8.5 grains of Unique. This about duplicates the ballistics of the traditional factory .45 Colt loading but with a better bullet.

This handload SHOULD shoot very close to the point-of-impact off the W-W and R-P lead factory loads.

This is a very well balanced cartridge for self defense, not too much muzzle blast and flash, no ear-piercing high pitch "CRACK!!!" report, must a good, big man thoroughly beating someone up.

I like this round!