625 Mountain Gun - How hot can you go?

[Marine24]

Just purchased a S&W 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt that according to the seller is about a year old but is NIB. It has the internal lock so expect this is 2008+ date of manufacture but I'm having a tough time dating until I get the box and serial number.

I was a little disappointed to see that I could not shoot my heavy 45 Colt loads. I'm a big fan of Buffalo Bore and Doubletap for production ammo. I prefer a 325 WFNGC over 24gr of H110 for my field load, but pressures are above 27K.

According to Buffalo Bore, their only heavy 45 Colt load suitable for the 625 Mountain Gun is a 300gr JFN running at 1200 fps.

Are there published pressure limits for the 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt?

Built on a N frame, I would expect it to handle 44 magnum pressures unless the metal compisition is different between a 625 and 629.

 

[A10]

Not to be flippant, but you may have noticed the holes in your cylinder are larger than those in a 629. Less metal, lower pressures. BTW, I have fired quite a few 300 grain bullets at 1100-1200 fps through my 25 with the only ill effect being a sore hand afterward. These are running in the 25K pressure range and seem to be plenty hot. If you want to go faster, I would suggest a redhawk or blackhawk. They seem to be good up to well above 35K and you won't be beating the dickens out of a fine handgun....

 

[batmann]

A 300 Gr @ 1200FPS is a pretty good load for about anything I care to shoot at. If you want to shoot something hotter than that, I would get a Ruger Redhawk/Blackhawk in .45Colt or a Super Redhawk in.454 Casull.
The problem, as I understand it, is not so much the pressure, but the thickness of the cylinder walls and the OAL. Some of BB's .44M will not fit in a Smith or Super Blackhawk, but will in a Super Redhawk.

 

[one eye joe]

According to Buffalo Bore, their only heavy 45 Colt load suitable for the 625 Mountain Gun is a 300gr JFN running at 1200 fps

That load will take care of MOST animals walkin' North America with good shot placement. If you're worried about stopping a Grizzly charge, then you're carryin' the wrong weapon. Alaskan guides are not totin' 625 Mountain Guns for backup. The 625 MG is a fine weapon for it's intended purpose. If that purpose does not coincide with YOUR purpose, you need to get a different weapon.........

 

[Marine24]

A10/Batman:

Good point on the wall thickness. I have a SRH in 454 Casull and a 45 Colt Redhawk. It will be an interesting comparison on the cylinder wall thickness.

Also agree that 300 grainers going at 1200 fps is not a puff round, just looking for simplicity and what the box is for the Mountain gun.

Rather ask than learn the hard way.

 

[Marine24]

Not my intent to start an intramural firefight on the strength and merits of the Mountain gun compared to others. Just trying to leverage the collective knowledge of the forum to see where it fits.

Intended purpose of the MG is to be a self defense trail gun in the mountains of Colorado that can also serve as an occasional hunting handgun. Deep penetration and ability to break bone is why I prefer heavy hard cast bullets.

Like the packability and lines of the Mountain Gun, and while it may not be appropriate for my heavier loads, not going to kick it out of bed for eating crackers either.

 

[seeemmiss]

There is an article on the net somewhere from John Linbaugh that talks about the 45 Colt and how hot one can run it. Just google it. He says that even though there is less metal in the 45 Colt guns, the pressure stays lower. He is mostly speaking of the Ruger Blackhawk and how much it will handle but I would think the reasoning applies with most any gun. He specifically points to the different pressures created between the 44 magnum and the 45 Colt. Good read if you are interested.

 

[38-44HD45]

I have a couple of 629 Mountain Guns, and I love them. Several years ago, when I was going to be spending a few days in bear country, I loaded up some 300gr. bullets at just under 1200 fps. They generated all the recoil I wanted in the light MG. Additionally, bullets that heavy hit very high; even with the rear sight cranked down all the way, they hit almost 6" high at 25 yards. The same will likely apply to the 625 MG. Something else to consider...

 

[Marine24]

Thanks. I know what article you are referring to. It was what got me started on heavy 45 Colt loads. He typically advocates the use of the Ruger Single Action on the Bisley grip frame but he does have some very good things to say about the S&W 25-5.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

Good news is that the S&W 25 can handle the higher pressures he pushes through a Ruger Blackhawk but as others have mentioned, it will shorten the life of the revolver.

 

[Marine24]

...bullets that heavy hit very high; even with the rear sight cranked down all the way, they hit almost 6" high at 25 yards. The same will likely apply to the 625 MG. Something else to consider...

Appreciate the insight. This isn't a behavior I've run in previously on my 45 Colt and 454 Casull loads, but the WFN bullets I use aren't the most aerodynamic either. Definitely something I'll watch for.

Worse case, I'll use 265gr keith style bullets at around 1100 fps. Same bullet I use for my 454 Casull practice loads and doubt I'll feel undergunned.

 

[seeemmiss]

Yep that is the article. It is very interesting that some people still think the 45 Colt will not due what the 44 will in the same gun. Now there was a young man named Keith that pushed the limits in a few ol Colts but that was another time. I agree with shorting the life of the revolver but who goes around shooting of a few full house loads. I like the hot stuff as much as most but limit my exposure. I also believe that if you send a gun back to Smith that is "worn out" chances are they fix it.

 

[Marine24]

I agree with shorting the life of the revolver but who goes around shooting of a few full house loads. I like the hot stuff as much as most but limit my exposure.

So true. As you and A10 mentioned, being able to shoot the full power loads is one thing but doing it consistently at the range gets real expensive and painful. They are impressive though when you are punching something other than paper.

 

[batmann]

I might mention one more thing in passing. I have a 629 MG and one of the first things I did was to change out the Hogue's that came with it to the X frame Hogue's that come on the X frame Smith's.
You can order them from Smith and they take a lot of the felt recoil out. They wrap the frame and are cushioned on the back strap. Well worth the extra bulk IMHO.

 

[Marine24]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm a big fan of Hogue grips. My SRH wears them and makes all the difference in the world with full power 454 Casull loads. Similar grips on the 625 will help. One reason I'm not a huge fan of the Ruger Redhawk is because of its metal backstrap.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
The original 45colt loading 250 gr softer lead [1/10 I think] BP load
ran in the 900's from a 7 1/2 inch barrel..
At the time everyone had cav and they were the shock troups of the day. [like tanks they ran over you!!]
You shot at the horse not the rider--- ever fall of a horse??????
So these loads [ light weight by todays standards]
intended to stop horses.
I would think that by adj the powder charge[new powder] and using a hard cast [not even a heavy weight] would serve you well....
Get a hard cast 250 to 300gr bullet/ not to big a flat on the nose/
and drive it at about 1000fps from your gun will make you
very happy......

 

[Snapping Twig]

To embellish Groo's comments, consider that when the War Dept (or whatever it was called back then) called out for a new cartridge, they wanted a round that could penetrate a horse at 100 yards and kill the bad guy hiding behind it.

The .45 LONG Colt (that's what it used to be called to distinguish it from the shorter version) did just that with a 255g bullet moving at 900fps.

9g of Unique will do that with the 255g bullet w/o any drama or wear on your revolver.

I tend to think that's enough medicine.