Model 625 Mountain Gun Question

[cwl1862]

Hello all I'm glad to be part of the forum! I just recently purchased a Model 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt. My question to all the S&W guru's out there is this... Is it ok/safe to shoot the Corbon & Buffalo Bore 45 Colt +P ammo in the Model 625 mountain gun? I've always wanted a S&W in 45 Colt for my collection and was pleased when I found this one at a local shop used but in excellent condition! I intend on shooting the cowboy fodder for range practice but intend on carrying either the Corbon +P 225 JHP or the BB 200 JHP or Speers excellent Gold Dot 250 JHP. I just want to be sure I'm not going to reck my gun shooting the +P stuff through it.

 

[yaktamer]

I would not. If you look at info for the +P loads on the BB website, you will find velocities similar to those in the various reloading manuals that warn that those loads are only to be used in heavy frame Rugers, T/C, etc. You should be okay using BB's standard pressure heavy .45 Colt, I would think.

 

[cwl1862]

I would not. If you look at info for the +P loads on the BB website, you will find velocities similar to those in the various reloading manuals that warn that those loads are only to be used in heavy frame Rugers, T/C, etc. You should be okay using BB's standard pressure heavy .45 Colt, I would think.

Would you think the Corbon +P self-defense stuff ok though? I'm not looking for hyper velocity bear/elephant killer stuff, just a good SD load. & as you can imagine the pickings out there are't that great, so I can't be all that choosey when shopping for ammo.

 

[knuckles]

Just buy something off the shelf that's under 1000fps... that should keep you out of trouble.
I have some Winchester 'Silver-Tips' that travel around 950fps... that is a good speed for a 225gr... it's an off the shelf ammo... nutt'n fancy.

 

[Pisgah]

Do not underestimate any load that drives a 225-255 gr. bullet to 900 fps or so. It will handle with aplomb absolutely any job you can reasonably expect a 4" revolver to do without straining your Mountain Gun in the least -- and without straining your hand/wrist/elbow, either.

 

[cwl1862]

Just buy something off the shelf that's under 1000fps... that should keep you out of trouble.
I have some Winchester 'Silver-Tips' that travel around 950fps... that is a good speed for a 225gr... it's an off the shelf ammo... nutt'n fancy.

The problem is finding something other than cowboy ammo though! been to a few shops & no HP ammo to be found, that is IF they have any 45 colt at all!! so far only found WW cowboy stuff.

 

[duckloads]

I also have a 625-9 MG in 45 Colt. I don't remember the conversations, but I once called both CorBon and Buf Bore. the gave me their reccomendations. You should call them. They are both OK people. I started loading my own, so I just don't remember their reccommendations. Something about staying within 45acp pressures.

 

[Pisgah]

The problem is finding something other than cowboy ammo though! been to a few shops & no HP ammo to be found, that is IF they have any 45 colt at all!! so far only found WW cowboy stuff.

Hence my belief that owning a .45 Colt firearm is the surest thing to convince a fella to get in to reloading...

 

[hastings]

It you want great expansion in a moderate velocity 45colt cartridge, take a look at the following link:

45 cal .452 MAN STOPPERs 260 Grain--for revolvers only

Personally, I don't think extreme expansion is required with a 45 caliber projectile. That is part of the beauty of the 45colt cartridge. I feel comfortable with a cast lead swc with a broad meplat because it is already as large as an expanded 9mm, 357, or 40s&w round. Plus, since the bullet is essentially pre-expanded,you don't need high velocity (and the accompanying blast and recoil) in order to get the projectile to perform. With the lack of jarring recoil and blast, it is easier to develop good shooting habits that allow fast, accurate double action shots from first round to last.

You don't need to turn the 45colt into a 45magnum in order for it to do it's job, and you don't need a 454 casull to adequately protect yourself against two legged threats unless those legs are attached to a tyrannasaurus rex. If you want to shoot 45colt megaloads, try the Ruger Redhawk. I'd never swap my 45colt Mountain Gun for a Redhawk, but I'm happy with standard velocity ammo and rely on shot placement and diameter.

Good luck, and congratulations on getting the Mountain Gun. I'm sure it will not be your only S&W 45colt. Next, try a 25-5. And don't neglect the 45acp 25's, either.

 

[stevieboy]

I've wanted a 625 in .45 Colt to go with my .45ACP 625JM for a while. What's stopped me is that I'm not a reloader. The choices out there in .45 Colt ammo are really limited, it seems, and limited further by lack of supply. Also, I can't really envision paying the prices that are demanded and, evidently given, for .45 Colt ammunition.

My bottom line is that a .45 Colt handgun is pretty much a gun for a reloader.

 

[Dale53]

stevieboy;
>>>My bottom line is that a .45 Colt handgun is pretty much a gun for a reloader.
Reply With Quote<<<

My take is that ANY handgun is pretty much a gun for a reloader. Anyone that shoots more than a token amount of ammo per year NEEDS to be a reloader. I started casting bullets and reloading when I was a teenager, just about sixty years ago. I still cast bullets and reload. I'll run through 5000-7500 rounds of center fire pistol and revolver ammunition this year. Thank goodness I don't have to pay factory ammunition prices!

Dale53

 

[dddddmorgan]

Having toted my 45 Colt Mountain Gun around for a few years now I can agree with others here that the "+P" loads are a bad idea. They won't blow up the gun first time you use them but they will wear it out shortly.

At one time I posted a scanned in copy of some correspondence I received from Mr. Linebaugh who has high praise for these fine guns.

I would also agree with others, get a 250 grain pill going 900fps and nothing on two legs can stand it.

I would also recommend for self defense ammo to try and find some of the aluminum cased ammo (sorry I can't remember the name) as it was loaded to standard pressures with a 200 grain "flying ashtray" and it was a fantastic load.

Hope this helps.

If you would like to look at a copy of the letter email me at [email protected]

 

[ElToro]

buffalo bore standard pressue stuff is plenty hot. 200 Grn JHP at 1015 from a 4 inch mtn gun and 255 gr gas check at 949 from a 4 inch mtn gun. you dont need the +P unless your hunting grizzly with it and BB doesnt reccomend it for S&W.

 

[cwl1862]

Thanks everyone who replyed. I never intended on using the super hot BB stuff, never considered it. I was asking about the Corbon 200 JHP stuff, it's rated as +P. But has the same velocity as the BB 200 JHP which isn't +P. I'm just wondering if the corbon ammo would be safe in the Mountain Gun. Like I said in my earlier post I'm not looking for something to slay dragons with, just a good JHP load for defensive carry that won't reck my gun. As your all well aware the ammo supply hasn't been that great since BHO took office. Whereas some types have started to come back, others have not like 380 ACP & 45 Colt at least not in my area, & needless to say pickings are pretty slim if you can find any at all. So if I do happen to find some JHP's & it's corbon I want to make sure it will be safe in my gun. I can see I'm going to have to start reloading too, I enjoy shooting way too much and factory stuff is getting way too expensive. But still I don't think I'd carry handloads as defensive ammo, hunting and range sure, but with all the legal issues handloads present should you need to use your gun to protect yourself, I think I'll stick with the factory stuff. that I will eventually find?

 

[redlevel]

I know for a fact that a standard pressure 250 grain cowboy load from one of the commercial manufacturers will hole a 160 lb Georgia whitetail buck through and through, and that the deer will drop right in his tracks. Probably 850 fps from a short "Trapper" rifle barrel. This was an old style round nose bullet.

I shoot 250 grain swc or rnfp bullets, over 9 grains of Unique in all my .45s. Rugers, S&W Mountain Gun, and Winchester 94 "Trapper." Very pleasant to shoot, and very, very effective on Whitetail deer and feral hogs.

When I carry a .45 Colt for defense (usually a 4.5" Vaquero), I carry my handloads. A good shoot is a good shoot, regardless of the ammo used. I have yet to see a documented case of handloaded ammo being a factor in a shoot.

 

[hawxtar]

I agree with Pisgah.The .45 Colt made its reputation with a 255 or 250gr. lead bullet at 900fps.It will do the job on any 2 or 4 legged critter that might bother you.If you want more power get a .44mag mountain gun,afterall thats why Elmer Keith created it.

 

[Nite Ryder]

When all else fails, you may be able to get some 45 Colt ammo from Cabela's. There is nothing wrong with practicing with cowboy loads, Cabela's cowboy loads are a bit hotter than most cowboys use when they reload their own. Practice is more important in shooting a handgun than anything else, IMO. If you can't hit a target and hit it where you want everytime, it is not going to matter what load you are using. Now might be a good time to buy a Dillon and start reloading, if you don't already. I visit the range every Wednesday, I couldn't afford to do that if I didn't reload several different calibers.

 

[Snapping Twig]

When the US Army set the requirements for the .45 Colt, they asked for a .45 cal bullet weighing 255g traveling 900fps that could pass cleanly through a horse at 100 yards and retain enough energy to kill the person hiding behind that horse.

It does.

This from a non magnum cartridge.

I had magnumitis in my youth and hotrodded everything I reloaded for, but I've seen the light. No need for +P in .45 Colt or .45acp. They work as advertized in standard form.

By way of clarification, bullet shape and composition is important. Hard cast and a large metplat makes the difference. Round nose and swaged reduces effectiveness.