Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Pressure range for reloading a S & W Mountain gun in 45 Colt

I just got a Mountain Gun in 45 Colt and I'm shooting Mag tech cowboy loads in it for fun and to build up a case supply. I want to start reloading it soon and would like to push pressures beyond the 14,ooo level for SAAs listed in the manuals. The problem is that the next level up is for Rugers and TCs. Is there an in between level safe for Mtn Guns? Thanks guys.

Here is a good article on the subject with loads in the range you're seeking.

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12

Maybe someone can find it, but Brian Pearce did an article on the New Vaquero .45 Colt in Handloader with loads that topped out around 20,000 - 23,000 psi. The S&W N-frame can handle those same loads. Sorry, I don't have access to that issue right now but it was a couple of years ago at least.

Loads listed in the Speer Manuals EXCEPT the 300gr. loads.

I use 13grs. BlueDot and a 260 cast bullet.

Dan

I have the same pistol and feel that with the lighter 255 grain bullets, I'm going to stay in the 1000 to 1100 fps range. I've shot it extensively and while the lockup has remained consistently tight, I know I've reached the accuracy/performance range I'm looking for in a packing gun that doubles as a part time hunting arm in the right circumstances. If I'm looking to up my chances, my .45 Bisley will get the nod.

The Mountain gun is a light package. Recoil to the hand isn't an issue that troubles me greatly, but I can tell when I reach that 1100fps threshold, that I've reached the point where I know I'm not going to strain anything mechanical over the long haul.

This load will kill deer and bear and pigs.

Dan

Thanks again for the great advice! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Now I have a great starting point for reloads for the 45.

John has some words on the M25, way at the bottom.

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/heavyweight_bullets.htm

WW296 will really get heavy bullets moving out of the big .45 Colt case, and it will do it at 25,000 CUP.

Two things:

1. 25,000 CUP isn't enough to blow an N frame, but it's enough to loosen one up if you shoot it a lot.

2. You're not going to want to shoot it a lot with 25,000 CUP loads.

Great revolver, but you'll likely run out of barrel length - a 4" just isn't going to give you much to work with for heavy bullets. Anything approaching TC performance ain't gonna happen, and the pressure limitation and barrel length won't get you far into Ruger territory either.

Sorry to be a fun-sucker.

JOG

Really, you're not sucking fun. Anything heavier than 255 running at 1000fps does everything a handgunner needs done. With a Mountain Gun, Dan should be perfectly happy with that.

It's a cool gun.

Dan