625-7 45 colt Dilemma and Question

[Colt Commander]

I recently acquired above said mountain gun from an older gentleman. Stainless version.

After many combinations of hand loads I found the best
Groupings at 15 yards are 6-10".

I'm not a bad shot.

Checking the cylinder mouths I found .452" jacketed
Bullets sail right through.

Question.
If I send it to S&W and ask to have a standard 4" stainless
barrel and cylinder installed. Will they do it?
Anyone know the appropriate cost if they will?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Mine is accurate with cast .452's.........I have an old 25-5 that requires .454" dia bullets to be accurate...So's I shoot .454's through all of them with no accuracy problems......Rifles and revolvers.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

I'm not sure if Smith will have those parts available any more. I've been looking around for a 625 to install my .45 Colt Anaconda 4" barrel on. If they can't fix yours and you want to sell yours off, let me know.

 

[colt_saa]

Have you slugged the barrel ?

Before you run off and spend several hundreds of dollars to have a different barrel and cylinder installed (BTW I doubt that the Factory has a standard 4" barrel to install), pick up some of the hollow base bullets and load them for this cartridge. Their skirts will expand to fill the rifling.

This will either confirm or rule out the cylinder/barrel being at fault.

 

[Colt Commander]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm not looking to make due with
Having to adjust with oversized bullets.

I'd rather have it fixed properly even to the point of
A new cylinder and barrel.

I would prefer it in 44 mag.

I have several 45 Colts already.

I called S&W. Closed until 1/02.

I'll post what they tell me.

 

[SAFireman]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm not looking to make due with
Having to adjust with oversized bullets.

I'd rather have it fixed properly even to the point of
A new cylinder and barrel.

I would prefer it in 44 mag.

I have several 45 Colts already.

I called S&W. Closed until 1/02.

I'll post what they tell me.

You can always post a WTT (Want To Trade) here, in the classifieds......maybe someone has a 629 and wants to trade

 

[KurtC]

Today's Performance Center is not the same as it was a couple of decades ago. They used to eagerly comply with any request I could dream up.

I seriously doubt that the current shop will change your barrel or cylinder, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Grayfox]

I seriously doubt S&W would have the parts. The issue is usually oversized throats in the cylinder. The barrel is probably fine. Even so, there's no guarantee a replacement cylinder would be any better.
I don't think converting it to .44 Mag would be practical or cost efficient. You could probably buy/ trade for a 629 cheaper than the cost of the work.
The simple and common fix is to simply go to .454 lead bullets.
If you can't live with that, sell the gun.

 

[DTH]

May I ask what powder and bullets you are using ? I have had friends using light powder charges with under crimping and over crimping and getting the accuracy you are talking about. Have you tested any factory loads and have you had anyone else shoot it. Usually these later mountain guns are pretty accurate shooters . I have a 625-7 6-1/2" power port that shoots great with just about any lead or jacketed bullet in the 250 grain range with 7.5 grains of Universal or Unique. .452 bullets also drop through my chambers

 

[StrawHat]

If you handload, the 454 bullets often produce superior groups.

If you want a 44 Remington Magnum barrel and cylinder, post a WTB in the appropriate subsection. Also, Watch eBay for those parts. Often found there.

Kevin

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have aa 25-5 , 4" barrel . I cast and size my bullets .454 . The accuracy is great . I had to " firelap " the barrel to remove the " choke " where the barrel threaded onto the frame . CC's accuracy problem could be the usual tight spot at the junction . It's a problem that is very common and most common over looked . Regards Paul

 

[austintexas]

If my old memory serves me correctly, 45 Colt is 454 not 452 which would fall thru a cylinder bored 454 for the Colt round.
SWCA 892

 

[Colt Commander]

I just noticed the new posts.
Thank you.

I've decided before changing the mountain
Gun.. I'm starting to like it as it is… I'm going to
Order .454" GC 250 grain bullets from Montana
Bullet works.

Makes excellent cast bullets from my experience.

I have been using WW brass, WW LPP, 250 gr.
RNFP cast and 250 gr. XTP's.
Powder, unique and H110.

Over a LabRadar I had loaded both bullets to hit
1080 FPS with both having SD's of less than 5 for
5 shots each.

250 XTP
H110
25.2 Grs

250 cast
Unique
10.3 Grs.

 

[StrawHat]

Best of luck to you! The Mountain Guns are slick revolvers. I even like the fixed sighted versions.

Kevin

 

[BigMuddy]

I have aa 25-5 , 4" barrel . I cast and size my bullets .454 . The accuracy is great . I had to " firelap " the barrel to remove the " choke " where the barrel threaded onto the frame . CC's accuracy problem could be the usual tight spot at the junction . It's a problem that is very common and most common over looked . Regards Paul

Possibly this. I had a 25-5 with large throats that shot terrible. Decided to slug barrel and had a very tight thread choke. Fire lapped barrel and it now shoots terrific. Shoots 250 SWC's sized .452 spot on. A friend now owns it and calls it his "can't miss" gun.

Dan

 

[Uraldriver]

I had one of these revolvers back when first produced. The only bullet I could be to shoot accurately was the Old Remington 255 grain Pointed 45 colt bullet. They were listed as .455 diameter. I did get better groups with most other ammo than you seem to be getting. Hornady makes a .454 Cowboy bullet.Access Denied

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

I just noticed the new posts.
Thank you.

I've decided before changing the mountain
Gun.. I'm starting to like it as it is… I'm going to
Order .454" GC 250 grain bullets from Montana
Bullet works.

Makes excellent cast bullets from my experience.

I have been using WW brass, WW LPP, 250 gr.
RNFP cast and 250 gr. XTP's.
Powder, unique and H110.

Over a LabRadar I had loaded both bullets to hit
1080 FPS with both having SD's of less than 5 for
5 shots each.

250 XTP
H110
25.2 Grs

250 cast
Unique
10.3 Grs.

That's the spirit!
1,000fps 250gr loads in the mountain gun platform might feel a little stout but not terrible.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Another thing too is that 45 colt does 1,000fps at lower/easier pressures than does 44 cal using same weight bullet.

 

[Uraldriver]

Not sure how involved it might be but you could buy a 629 cylinder and ream the chambers to 45 colt.

 

[rkrcpa]

I doubt the barrel is the problem, I would measure the cylinder throats first.