Anyone reload for one of these? I'm thinking of picking up a low mileage used one & am curious about what level of performance to load up too.

The high performance ammo manufacturers (Buffalo Bore & Double Tap) ok there ammo in Ruger firearms, but not this one.


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This ain't no coon hunt

I have a Model 25 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. I have reloaded standard loads in mostly 250 grain and a few in up to 300 grain. These rounds will handle anything in my neck of the woods that could be considered a threat. Most of my target shooting is just with the 250 grain lead bullets.
I have a Henry carbine in .45 Colt I primarily loaded the 300 gr. jacketed bullet loads for and they are backed by 6.6 grs. of Unique powder. (Hornady 45 Cal. .452 300 gr XTP)

I see no need in developing or loading maximum loads when there is not a need or a desire to shoot them in regular target loads. I believe my reloading manual refers to them as Ruger performance type loads for those guns only. Why put the extra stress on your firearm? Keep it pleasant and fun shooting.

What is your requirement that would create a need for a more powerful round?

I've had my .45 Colt 625-6 Mountain Gun since it was new back in 1996. It's a terrific revolver, one of my favorites. If you have a chance to get one grab it, you won't be sorry. I stick with relatively mild loads with 250gr lead bullets for my reloads. All I'm doing with it is killing bowling pins and putting holes in paper, no need to beat me or the gun up more than is needed.

If you want to experience the extremes of .45 Colt performance I'd get a new 4" Redhawk. It will tolerate the Buffalo Bore type loads way better than the 625, and you'll appreciate the extra weight. I used to have an Alaskan in .45/.454 that I shot some of the very heavy .45 Colt loads thru. The gun didn't seem to mind the battering, but my hand did.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

Good info here from Mr. Linebaugh.

All my Smiths(625-6 included) in 45LC ......And all my Rugers in 45LC.....Live on one load.....My cast 255 gr SWC pushed by 8.5 grs of Unique.........For now and ever more...........

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S&W Accumulator

The 45 Colt is a low pressure load at 14K psi. The 625's can easily handle 45 Colts loaded to the same pressure as 45ACP (+P) loads at 23K psi. This would be about a starting "Ruger only" load, depending on your source.

The cylinder metal at the thinest point, the cylinder stop notch, is the same thicknes on all my 25/325/625's, 45 Colt or 45ACP. I, & others, shoot 45 Super in the 45ACP models, which is even higher.

I know it's sacrilege to many 45 Colt owners to upload the cartridge but the S&W can handle more. No need to baby it, I don't.

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M25-13, Rocky Mtn Ram, 45 Colt

(-08b)

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Waiting for the break of day

John Linebaugh wrote several great articles on the 45Colt . I believe they were titled something like , " 45Colt , dissolving the myth " and " 45 Colt , Heavy Bullets " .
I have a 25-5 / 4" and a ruger OM Vaquero (built on the 44 magnum frame ) . I reserve it for those really heavy loads . A 255 gr cast slug traveling @ 950 fps (matching black powder ballistics) has done great service for over 140 yrs , so I really don't see much need for more power .

I had the same gun, my standard load was a 255 gr LSWC and 8.5 gr of Unique. When it comes to revolvers I see no reason to push them to the max. You might laugh at my .44 mag load, but for what I do it works.

When I was loading 45 Colt I used Unique and BE-86 under 200gr,230gr and 250gr bullets.

Deals on 230gr jacketed 45cal .452" bullets can be found and they and 200gr SWC should not be overlooked for use in 45 Colt loading.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I reload 45 Colt , a lot . My BIL's favorite load is Ramshot Zip , 8.0grs and a 255gr cast bullet . Its a nice accurate , low recoil , clean shooting load that is in the 900fps range . Zip is in the same category as HP-38 . My favorite load is 10grs of WSF , same 255 gr swc (Keith , HG501) . My shooting is out of a Smith 25-5 , 4" barrel . It is a tack driver with this load at any distance . You don't need to " baby " the smith , it will take more than most think , it's not a " weak sister " firearm . I don't shoot ruger only loads . The 45 Colt is not a " 45 magnum " so I treat it as such . Alliant load data is great place to start . Their Blue Dot load is a real good one , very powerful but not over SAAMI max . I cast all my own bullets and size .454 . It works well for me .

Is this 625-6 chambered for .45 ACP or .45 Colt?