First rds. from S&W Mt. gun

[gon2shoot]

Well, I finally had a chance to shoot the 625 Mountain Gun 45colt.

Needing somthing lighter than my usual Ruger loads, I loaded 2 RFN 250 styles (Lyman/RCBS) both sized at 453.

First load was 13.5gr. of 2400.
The RCBS load just kinda "popped", and every round keyholed (shooting about 50 ft.) and scattered in about a 7" pattern.

The Lyman load felt and sounded like twice the load (everything identical except the boolit) and closed the pattern to about 4".


OK, 2400 aint looking good. So I loaded both boolits over 7.5 and 9 gr of Unique.

Using a 2' square piece of duct tape as a bullseye, the next 18 rds, simply ate up the tape shooting offhand. Had one flyer.

Ok, maybe I'll keep the Smiff and feed it Unique. Both loads shot the same.

[44man]

Well, I finally had a chance to shoot the 625 Mountain Gun 45colt.

Needing somthing lighter than my usual Ruger loads, I loaded 2 RFN 250 styles (Lyman/RCBS) both sized at 453.

First load was 13.5gr. of 2400.
The RCBS load just kinda "popped", and every round keyholed (shooting about 50 ft.) and scattered in about a 7" pattern.

The Lyman load felt and sounded like twice the load (everything identical except the boolit) and closed the pattern to about 4".


OK, 2400 aint looking good. So I loaded both boolits over 7.5 and 9 gr of Unique.

Using a 2' square piece of duct tape as a bullseye, the next 18 rds, simply ate up the tape shooting offhand. Had one flyer.

Ok, maybe I'll keep the Smiff and feed it Unique. Both loads shot the same.
Nothing wrong with 2400. Your problem is that you do not have enough powder in the shells. You are at the squib load phase and are close to sticking a boolit in the bore. The "pop" should have been a warning. If one would have stuck in the bore, the next would have destroyed your gun.
Never download a slow powder to less then a minimum listed load.

[dubber123]

I'm betting Jim is right. I have a 45 Colt MG, and I use 2400 in it. I didn't fool with the load much, but I had a 310gr. Keith Swc in just over 2" at 50 yards using 2400. Quite a bit more 2400 than your load with the lighter boolits. If you are really looking for lighter loads, sticking with Unique is a good idea. If you want to step on the gas a bit, 2400 works fine. It's terrible at low pressure though. Let us know how it works out.

[Potsy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think life for 2400 in a .45 Colt starts around 16.5-17 grains.
Elmer Keith recommended 18 grains out of a Colt Single Action (with his 454424, keep bullet seating depth vs. case capacity in mind).
I run 2400 in my bisley with a 454424 and have zero problems.

[gon2shoot]

The 13.5 gr. of 2400 was a "start load" from an old Alliant paper.

The Lyman boolit shot with no problem, penetrating a 2X4 easily. The RCBS boolit design was the only difference.

I have 5 other 45s that I feed with 2400, only considerably hotter than what I want to run through the Smith.

[44man]

The 13.5 gr. of 2400 was a "start load" from an old Alliant paper.

The Lyman boolit shot with no problem, penetrating a 2X4 easily. The RCBS boolit design was the only difference.

I have 5 other 45s that I feed with 2400, only considerably hotter than what I want to run through the Smith.
Stay with Unique, do NOT download 2400.

[dubber123]

The 13.5 gr. of 2400 was a "start load" from an old Alliant paper.

The Lyman boolit shot with no problem, penetrating a 2X4 easily. The RCBS boolit design was the only difference.

I have 5 other 45s that I feed with 2400, only considerably hotter than what I want to run through the Smith.

Is it just your preference for lighter loads in the DA S&W, or are you concerned about the strength of the gun? I've got quite a few through my MG, and they are much tougher than given credit for. I am not one of those guys who will beat a gun to death for a few fps., but theres nothing wrong with running them at their potential either. The MG's no Ruger for strength, but it's no Peacemaker either.

Full snort loads aren't super comfy with the DA frame, so if comfort is the goal, I certainly see the reason to down load. I'm not trying to sound preachy to you, I just know boolits in my MG that shoot "OK" seem to do much better with a good boot in the backside. Particularly heavier boolits.

[gon2shoot]

Downloading the Smith was to find a lighter load the wife might like. I usually start at about 17 gr of 2400 for my 45 loads.

I had no expectation of finding a decent load at those ranges, just thought I'd start plum at the bottom and work up.

I had two surprises,
1- the big difference between the boolits
2- how well the gun shot with Unique

I will most likely just change the grip (this one came with the rubber grip which are narrow enough to concentrate recoil)

But hey, It's a new gun I wanted to play with it. ;)

[Lloyd Smale]

try a mag primer with that lighter load it might make the differnce.

[Nazgul]

Really heavy crimp will help.

I shoot WW231 out of my 45 Colt MG. I stay with about 900 fps.

Don

[Heavy lead]

I've a Mountain Gun in 45 Colt as well as a 3" full lug 625, the mountain gun has a much stouter felt recoil, I shoot 10 grains of Unique behind the 270 SAA for a hunting load, but it is not enjoyable to shoot. I use 8 grains for an enjoyable load with either the same boolit, the 454190, or the NOE group buy 454424. It's a nice load. The advise on the 2400 you have received from others is right on, start higher if you want to use it, but IME Unique is the way to go with the lighter loads.
Also I agree with the grips, in fact I'm one of the holdouts for wood grips and much prefer the Hogue hand filling fingergroove SMOOTH WOOD grips for all my handguns, I like less of a grip.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas.

[dubber123]

Downloading the Smith was to find a lighter load the wife might like. I usually start at about 17 gr of 2400 for my 45 loads.

I had no expectation of finding a decent load at those ranges, just thought I'd start plum at the bottom and work up.

I had two surprises,
1- the big difference between the boolits
2- how well the gun shot with Unique

I will most likely just change the grip (this one came with the rubber grip which are narrow enough to concentrate recoil)

But hey, It's a new gun I wanted to play with it. ;)

Good enough.. ;) My 629 MG still has the factory rubber Hogues, and they aren't really comfy. I made a smaller set of "Magna" style grips for the 45 Colt MG, and I think they are more comfortable. When I get cured of cheapness, they both will get wooden Hogues most likely. Enjoy the 625, I really like mine.

[Dframe]

I'm using a 200 grain RNFP over a charge of Trail Boss in my Mountain Gun. Great shooting for those who don't want or need flame throwing ammo.

[runfiverun]

the 13 gr charge is more like a 357 load, take the 2400 up to 15 to start [i like 19]
theres a reason there are different powder burn rates.
i like clays for the light and 2400 for the other end,then bypass 110 and go to aa-1680.