Mountain Gun Ammo Tollerance

[colbad]

I just took advantage of Cabela's Hometown Hero promotion and picked up a very gently used 629 Mountain Gun for $585 w/a really nice trigger job, and some other custom work.

When it came to ammo the clerk told me S&W did not recommend anything over 240g. I was hoping to get the scoop from some of you .44 mag mountain gun owner. I do not want a steady diet, but to occasionally upload if I am in a dangerous game area. However, I do not want to destroy the FA if I shoot it. I am not familiar enough at this time to know what its limits are.

I ended up buying a box of Hornaday 240g XTP and a box of 225g FTX ammo. I am a little concerned about the FTX w/ it being designed for a rifle. Any guidance?

 

[Neumann]

The 629 Mountain Gun has the same N frame as any other 629. The barrel is tapered but is not the governing factor. It has the same forcing cone and diameter at the frame.

I load up 300 gr hard cast bullets for bear country. Then only part that gets punished is the hand holding this 40 oz revolver.

 

[colbad]

Neumann--
Sounds like the clerk I spoke with did not have his facts straight. I have found some other threads and it appears that several have used 300ish g loads occasionally in the MG w/ damage. Thanks.

 

[Jitterbug]

In my standard 4" 629-6 I limit my heavy loads to a hand loaded 280 grain BTB doing 1130 fps.

I believe the Federal 300 gr. Cast Core should be fine and Garret offers a 310 gr. @ 1020 fps, there might be others, Buffalo Bore comes to mind.

I'm happy with my load, I may crank it up to 1150 fps but that will be it, it's a bit of handful and not something I want to put more then a dozen rounds through on an outing. That's my "thumper" load while in Grizz and Moose country.

 

[Abbynormal]

A number of the custom ammo loaders don't recomend a bullet heavier than a 240 or so grain bullet for S&W N frames. They say a S&W will live a long time with 240 gr loads, but use the 280-320 grainers for Ruger Redhawks or Blackhawks.

They do have special 240 gr hotloads for Mountain Guns. I've used them and I feel they work better than 300 grain rounds in a MG.

A hot 240 grainer in a MG will rock your world, a 300 grainer will kick your arse after more than 6 rounds

 

[bronco45]

I shoot a 250gr Beartooth WFN/GC over a moderate load of 2400 which whistles through the air at 1100fps. This load gives me a quick follow up shot and it doesn't punish the Mtn Gun or the shooter. Bullet construction is the key.

 

[NE450No2]

I think you will find that the Speer 270 SP and the Federal 300gr Cast Core will have less recoil than the full power 240gr loads.

 

[CWH44300]

I'm with bronco except I use a 250 Keith, hard cast and 2400 spell 44 magnum

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Some times we get hung up on power when we should look at bullet.
You do not need high pressure loads if the bullet is correct ans you
put it in the correct place...