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First, I did a search and didn’t find anything on reloading for the 25-20 Winchester.
So I’m reaching out to you all for any suggestions/help. I realize my options are hard cast bullets as the sources for jacketed are all dried up. What propellant do you all recommend? What is a safe starting load?
I’m just wanting a plinking load. Any thoughts sent my way are greatly appreciated!
Quirt
Here is the load data from Lymans 4th edition for the 25-20 (not much) Some loose data I jotted down in the book also.
The 25-20 is my favorite plinking caliber. Have several Model 1892 carbines and rifles plus an 1885 Low Wall in this caliber.
All my own loads are with an 85 grain bullet from RCBS mold 25-85-CM. My favorite loads that I have developed to date are:
8.5 grains AA 1680 @ 1313 fps
6.5 grains AA #9 @ 1490 fps
5.1 grains Unique
8.9 grains IMR 4198
If you are using the 65 grain lead bullet the following might be of help:
You also might want to read this article:
http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCB25-20Win.htm
Good luck and let me know if you come up with an especially good (accurate) load.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
There is still a lot of information available on loading for the .25-20WCF. Some with jacketed bullets and many others with lead. I still use the load I found over 50 years ago and they work very well. Lyman Reloading Handbook 43rd Edition. 85 grain hard cast (no gas check) Unique 5 grains or IMR 4227 8.6 grains. I like both powders, but I usually stick with the 4227 load. Hard cast, pre lubed bullets are available from a number of sources. Hope this will help.
Wincacher–
“51. grains of Unique” That must be a flat shooter! Also, is that a new technique you’ve developed?– loading a primed case into the chamber, pouring the powder down the barrel, and ramming the bullet down the shaft to seat it on the powder? Kind of a new/old approach.
I know it is a typo. Just playing with it. 5.1 grains?
————————————-
We use AA1680 for .25-20.
You are not limited to hard-cast bullets. Gas-checked bullets are available from many suppliers and would perform well.
When you decide on a bullet, please ask again for load information. Specifics from you will help us to help you.
————————————–
From AmmoSeek site: Jacketed.
Widner’s has Hornady .257 60 gr. FSP available on their site.
Brownells shows these in stock: 100-010-448WB 25 Cal. 75 gr SPFN/CANN 100/box
Thanks for the overwhelming support! I’m considering an 85 grain hard cast RNFP sized .258. If it leads the bore too badly then I may switch over to the jacketed which by the way, thanks for the link on those. I may order a couple boxes to have on hand.
As a general best practice I tend to stick with loads that take up more space in the case. I’m not sure if this is founded on fact or more just a personal preference. I’d like to use a propellant that I’m already using but of all that have been listed I don’t think I have any other than may IMR 4195. But I’m open to trust worthy plinking pet loads for the Win 92.
If you are looking for a load with powders you already have, perhaps this site will help: “castpics.net.” When on the site, move your cursor over the “Reloaders’ Reference” tab. You then can choose where to find load information: Powder Company Manuals, Reloading Manuals, Data Lookup, Load Lookup By Powder, . . . In “The Bench,” they have a .25-20 article under “Cartridge Specific Articles.”
Also, people on the Cast Boolits forum will be able to help. Just ask in the “Guns & Shooting” section under “CB Loads, Your Favorite Cartridge” or under the “Leverguns” area. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?45-CB-Loads-Your-Favorite-Cartridge
Or, tell us here what powders you have on hand. Maybe someone here loads with one of them.
Gentlemen,
Does anyone have a powder recommendation using the Hornady LeverEvolution, 110 gr projectile in the 25-20?
That bullet is designed for the 25-35. I really doubt you can get it to stabilize out of a 25-20.
Erin
What would be a good starting load using an 89 grain 257312 bullet with a gas check, preferably using IMR 4227 powder? How does the gas check affect what one uses as far as number of grains when handloading, if at all?
Those interested in loading for the 25-20 Winchester will be well served to visit the 25-20 reloaders section on the marlinowners.com forum. Over 100 pages reloading info.
Mrcvs
There is a limited amount of reloading info for the 4227 powder
The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition 2010 lists the RCBS #25- 85CM using 4227
IMR 4227 7.4 grs (1283 fps).
During the past two years the Remington 86 gr. JSP has become available to handloaders.
Jim
Life Member WACA & NRA
November 7, 2015
Offline
You’ll do well to read up to the posts Erin and Wayne made above, mrcvs. Bert is also an aficionado of the 25-20. Based on my dabblings with the 32-20 I’d avoid GC bullets in favor of solid based but as the 25-20 is somewhat speedier than the 25-20 I’ll yield to the aforementioned experts. I’m trying my best to avoid exploring the 25-20. It’s an amazing cartridge but a rifle with a decent barrel is tough to find.
Mike
I inquired as to cast bullet loads with a gas check as I have a box of them I wish to use up. If I were to purchase them or cast them there wouldn’t be a gas check.
TXGunNut said
You’ll do well to read up to the posts Erin and Wayne made above, mrcvs. Bert is also an aficionado of the 25-20. Based on my dabblings with the 32-20 I’d avoid GC bullets in favor of solid based but as the 25-20 is somewhat speedier than the 25-20 I’ll yield to the aforementioned experts. I’m trying my best to avoid exploring the 25-20. It’s an amazing cartridge but a rifle with a decent barrel is tough to find.
Mike
Mike,
I do not know anything about loading for the 25-20 WCF (repeater) cartridge, but if you want to discuss the 25-20 Single Shot cartridge, that is a different story.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
Offline
Bert H. said
Mike,
I do not know anything about loading for the 25-20 WCF (repeater) cartridge, but if you want to discuss the 25-20 Single Shot cartridge, that is a different story.
Bert
I’m sorry, for some reason I thought you loaded both. Thought you had a 53 or 65 but obviously I’m mistaken.
Mike
Wincacher said
The 25-20 is my favorite plinking caliber. Have several Model 1892 carbines and rifles plus an 1885 Low Wall in this caliber.All my own loads are with an 85 grain bullet from RCBS mold 25-85-CM. My favorite loads that I have developed to date are:
8.5 grains AA 1680 @ 1313 fps
6.5 grains AA #9 @ 1490 fps
5.1 grains Unique
8.9 grains IMR 4198
If you are using the 65 grain lead bullet the following might be of help:
You also might want to read this article:
http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCB25-20Win.htm
Good luck and let me know if you come up with an especially good (accurate) load.
hello im wanting to use accurite 1680 powder and a 100 grain bullet in .257 diameter but I dont know how much powder would be right do you have any recommendations. I know you haven’t chatted in years so if anyone has recommendations please post it would be greatly appreciated
Since you are using a bullet that is 18% heavier I’d back off the powder charge initially about 20% to 6.8 grains of AA 1680. Use that as a starting point and gradually increase the charge until you reach a level that works for you.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
Since you are using a bullet that is 18% heavier I’d back off the powder charge initially about 20% to 6.8 grains of AA 1680. Use that as a starting point and gradually increase the charge until you reach a level that works for you.
ok now I found a 60 grain flat bullet but will still be using AA 1680 powder, how much powder would you recommend now?
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