Author Topic: just bought a smith and wesson mountain gun (Read 2430 times)

huntinhick · « **on:** March 03, 2007, 05:37:47 PM »

Hello all,

Well a S&W mountain gun in 45LC gave me puppy eyes today until I bought it. I have never shot a 45LC before however I have always heard good things about it. I plan on using this a my deer/bear/elk sidearm. what doyou all recommend for just shooting ammo and what for hunting rounds? And yes I reload butI have to wait a bit before I can get is all set up again so some factory stuff would be nice along with you favorite reloads. Also this one does not have a "painted" front sight what is the best color/product to paint it with.

thanks
Carl

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2007, 05:58:28 PM »

Did you buy a Model 29 or a .45 Colt? Can't be both unless someone has done some major surgery.

huntinhick · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2007, 06:13:33 PM »

oops it is a 45LC mountain gun I thought all of the mountain guns were m29 Just looked again and I was wrong So I am going to change that post!! Thanks Gray beard.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2007, 02:45:11 AM »

nice gun i love mine and its taken a couple deer. As to factory ammo i cant help you as i dont think ive every shot a round of factory ammo in a 45colt. When you get reloading find some quality 250 swcs and load them to about 900-1000 fps and you will have a fine deer hunting weapon

Bullseye · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2007, 04:08:58 AM »

Very nice little gun, I have one of them myself. I only reload for mine, I load 250 gr XTP's in the 900 fps range in mine which are a joy to shoot. I have never hunted with mine since I leave that task to other guns, this is generally my carry around and plinking gun.

fowler · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2007, 05:20:46 PM »

I have to echo Lloyd on the load suggestion. I carry mine stoked with 265gr WFNGC from Cast Performance Bullet company or a 255gr Keith bullet from lyman running 950fps. The load is a simple one Win primers, 8.5gr W231 and ether bullet shoots well enough to kill any deer out to 50 yards and has been on my hip when chasing elk but it is very light for elk unless the shot is CLOSE and text book perfect. If you are up to it, you could run a 300gr bullet at 950-1000fps with better elk results but the little bugger gets a little rough in recoil. I personnally like Ruger single actions for serious elk loads with a 335ge LFNGC bullet at 1250fps but we were packing other people's elk and ran into a bull but I never drew the hammer back on the Smith, but I was seriously close!

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2007, 01:00:32 PM »

Sorry Greybeard, I shoot those loads in my 460 Encore barrel..........

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2007, 05:59:00 PM »

Quote from: poncaguy on March 05, 2007, 01:00:32 PM

Sorry Greybeard, I shoot those loads in my 460 Encore barrel..........

I don't doubt it and in it they should be perfectly safe. But NOT in a S&W chambered to .45 Colt, it's only rated to the same pressue levels as the old Colt guns are.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2007, 12:50:37 AM »

Here is what is on the Corbon site, S&W site directs you to ammo makers site and Corbon is on there list.
Also call S&W and they will tell you what you can safely shoot in your gun.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&content=13017&sectionId=10504
http://www.dakotaammo.net/faq.htm

Q. What guns can I use the 45 COLT +P loads in?
A. We use this criteria: Any model gun that is also offered in 44 Magnum will handle the Cor-Bon 45 COLT +P loads. The 45 COLT +P loads are loaded to 75-80% of 44 Magnum pressures. It must be used in modern hunting revolvers such as the Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk, Freedom Arms revolvers, Colt Anaconda, T/C Contender and the lever guns that can handle this cartridge's longer length.
*NOTE* Never use the Colt +P loads in old guns or COLT single actions nor any COLT clone.

Q. Can I use the 45 COLT +P loads in my S&W model 25 Mountain Gun?
A. Yes, the 45 COLT +P loads can be used in the S&W model 25 and the other modern S&W guns. You need to be sure that your gun is in good condition and hasn't had too many years of hard use. The 335 gr. Hard Cast load is probably a good choice. It operates at a little less pressure, but still packs a real whoop. New guns come out every year and the 45 COLT is a popular cartridge. If the model gun is not offered in 44 Magnum, it doesn't have the metal to handle the 45 COLT +P. The new titanium and scandium guns are nice to pack, but these are intended for self defense -- not hunting. The 45 COLT +P loads are not suitable for these guns.

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2007, 05:40:47 AM »

Definitely a MAJOR change from past recommendations BUT that is ONLY COR-BON and NOT Buffalo Bore or the other very hot loads. I personally would not do it but it's up to each individual to decide what they want to shoot.

I'm one of those few who've had a handgun explode in my hand and came away with no missing body parts as a result. Maybe I'm more cautious than most as a result.

fowler · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2007, 01:17:11 PM »

I know how much fun a clone load of that 335gr bullet from CorBon is to shoot in a full sized Bisley. I don't want to know how much fun it would be in a Mountain Gun! I already remove chunks of my thumb with the cylinder release at normal 255gr loads at 1000fps if I am not paying close attention to my grip. No thank you!

StrawHat · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2007, 04:45:53 AM »

I have a couple of S&Ws and italian colts.

My reloads that work best for target and hunting involve 255 SWCs and the RCBS 45-270, both at about 900 - 1000 fps. Complete penetration on white tail and good groups out to as far as I care to shoot.

Lately the bullet that has been giving me yoeman service is the 270. It is accurate and hits to point of aim.

I used to try to see vapor trails but as I matured in my reloading I realized that for me +/- 950fps is enough. Does everthting I need and in a revolver that is a joy to carry.

Just get a good reloading manual, select a good lead bullet, find a recipe and start reloading.

Have fun, the 45 LC is all you need.

StrawHat

huntinhick · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:17:43 AM »

hello everyone

hopefully I will be able to pick it up tonight or thursday! sounds like I need to speed up and finsih getting my reloading stuff out of the storage and into the new house! so no one shoots factory rounds for plinking or anything?

thanks
carl

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2007, 08:09:17 AM »

Reloads is all I shoot.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:50:04 AM »

I would never shoot heavy duty reload hunting rounds through my Mountain gun. I would however, shoot the +P loads -- factory or reloads.

I used to use my mountain gun as my back up/woods gun when hunting. Because of the load restrictions on the mountain gun, I switched to the Bisley Blackhawk. This works better for me and there is less headaches on trying to sort out the different reloads.

Old Griz · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2007, 07:02:01 AM »

I talked to Cor-Bon, who talked to S&W, and then Cor-Bon got back to me and said NOT to use the Cor-Bon .45 LC+P ammo in my N-frame S&W.

Soooooo . . . we seem to have a conflict in information here.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:27:28 AM »

I just posted what was on Corbon's site. So why not call S&W and find out for sure?

Graybeard · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2007, 11:22:50 AM »

There are basically three levels to which the .45 Colt is loaded or for which loading data is available. The lowest and safe in all guns of modern manufacture is the 14,000 psi level which is roughly the pressure level of original BP loads and is what pretty much all big ammo makers load to. If you buy Winchester, Remington, Hornady, Speer or Federal factory loads this is the level you'll get.

The next step up which some call +P is 20,000 psi and is a rather large and significant step up from the other. This one is generally considered safe in the N-frame S&W guns. THIS IS NOT the level folks like COR-BON and Buffalo Bore load to.

The last is the "Ruger" level or 32,000 psi. This IS what COR-BON and Buffalo Bore and no doubt some others load to. This one is safe in the Ruger guns but not the new Vaquaro and in FA guns but is not safe in the S&W N-frame guns. This has been the common knowledge passed around for a long time. Anyone telling you otherwise is likely trying to get you hurt.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:25:41 PM »

I wouldnt do it in mine its to nice of a gun and works so well at levels it was designed for that i see no need. If i want to shoot heavies ill take a ruger out of the safe.

MePlat · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:49:41 PM »

"Mine is in .44 mag. works great on Mo. deer with Lyman 429421 over 21 grains of 2400. Let the harrasmemt begin, Meplat?"

What is with this harrasment thing? Let me know what you are talking about and i will answer.

fowler · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2007, 03:22:42 PM »

I just remembered something in Hamilton Bowen's book "The Custom Revolver" that said he watched a Smith Mountain Gun in 45 Colt totally destroyed by 12 rounds of very heavy Ruger only safe loads! Now I can not recall what the heavy load is but I think feeding it Buffalo Bore heavy ammo might be a real bad idea outside of Grizzly country where it would only be fired in desperate times! Like Lloyd said I have Rugers for heavy work.

S.B. · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2007, 03:46:33 PM »

That stands to reason if Ruger only losds were used but, if regular pressure loads are used there soulld be no problems. I can't remember anyone, here, saying they were as strong as a Ruger, nor as heavy, either? Yet, my 629-4 Mountain Gun will hold it own with any load I'm going to put through it. Smiths aren't the whimps that some poster imply they are, since the endurance package has been initiated. One has to remember that the model 29 has been around since 1956, and the basic design started around 1900?, and has undergone several engineering changes since then. Ruger Super Blackhawks no longer have nyloc screws either as advertised long ago.