Neat story Roger.  I think that was another use for many .25-20’s around the farm – dispatching cattle and pigs for slaughter.  Very very few would chose a .30-06 that job.  And as your great grandfather discovered, a .22 sometimes worked out to be on the light side.

If .22 LR doesn’t work on a bull, .44 Magnum surely will,

Don’t ask me how I know.  I wasn’t the one pulling the trigger, BTW.

However, in all seriousness, if .22 LR was ineffective, how much more powerful would a .25-20 be?  Not to mention, .25-20 would be a mighty uncommon firearm to find in a slaughterhouse, and finding live .25-20 rounds could be even more of a challenge.

mrcvs said
If .22 LR doesn’t work on a bull, .44 Magnum surely will,

Don’t ask me how I know.  I wasn’t the one pulling the trigger, BTW.

However, in all seriousness, if .22 LR was ineffective, how much more powerful would a .25-20 be?  Not to mention, .25-20 would be a mighty uncommon firearm to find in a slaughterhouse, and finding live .25-20 rounds could be even more of a challenge.  

I agree that a .25-20 was likely very uncommon around a slaughterhouse.  I was referring to farms, mainly small farms.  At the height of the popularity of the .25-20, small farms and ranches dotted much of our country.  In fact, a large percentage of our country’s population lived on small farms.  Really, the reverse of how it is now.  Small game, foxes trying to get in the chicken house, porcupines chewing on the outhouse, groundhogs digging up gardens, slaughtering the occasional cow or pig, that’s what I am thinking of.  

I also agree with Rick – I think the .25-20 is notably more powerful than the .22 LR.  

steve004 said

I agree that a .25-20 was likely very uncommon around a slaughterhouse.    

I think shooting was uncommon.  Despite that fact that humane stun guns were available by the late-19th C., many slaughterhouses simply employed a strong man with a sledgehammer to do the job.  I can refer you to a video is you want to see exactly how it was done.

clarence said

steve004 said
I agree that a .25-20 was likely very uncommon around a slaughterhouse.    

I think shooting was uncommon.  Despite that fact that humane stun guns were available by the late-19th C., many slaughterhouses simply employed a strong man with a sledgehammer to do the job.  I can refer you to a video is you want to see exactly how it was done.  

Clarence – thanks for the offer, but I trust you on this point.  I don’t feel the need to see the video.

Chuck said
22’s are very common on the farm or slaughter houses to kill the cattle.  One shot to the forehead and their dead.  These are not long range shots especially in the slaughter houses.  Just look up 22 cattle killers. There are some videos on YouTube.  My friend had a W W Greener Cattle Killer.  It took several years to find a round with the proper head stamp.  

You’re quite right, Chuck.  I’ve “put down” many cattle with a 22 and witnessed many more.  It’s all about shot placement.  The 22 has no problem penetrating a cattle skull and the result is instantaneous.  I’ve also seen dunderheads with higher powered calibers try to put down cattle who didn’t understand how to place the shot and bungle the job terribly.  It’s surprisingly easy to shoot under the brain if aiming “between the eyes”. 

Higher powered calibers tend to fragment and end up in the neck meat and then in the hamburger.  I’d never considered it, but the 25-20 with light loads and lead bullets might be a good option as well. 

By the way, an 1892 carbine in 25-20 would have been a light, handy rifle to carry on a farm/ranch for dispatching varmints like coyotes, badgers, rock chucks, and the like.  It would also add some firepower beyond a 22 if something unexpected and a little larger showed up.  Mark

Bert H. said

It does… with a bullet weight more than double that of a 22 LR, and with a muzzle higher velocity than a standard 22 LR, the 25-20 is a lot more potent than a 22 LR.

1. The standard velocity 22 Long Rifle 40 grain RN lead bullet generates a muzzle velocity of 1,138 ft/s in a standard 22″ rifle test barrel.  The muzzle energy is 116 ft. lbs. 

2. The standard 25-20 WCF cartridge develops around 1,460 ft/s with 86-grain bullets. The factory WHV load @ 1700 ft/s generated 540 fpe (nearly 4X that of a 22 LR).  There are listed loads for the 25-20 WCF using a 60-gr bullet that exceed 2100 ft/s

Comparing the killing power of a 22 LR to the 25-20 WCF is inane in my opinion.

I would shoot deer with this load out to 150-yds with no trepidation what-so-ever…

Ventura Heritage 25-20 WCF 75gr SP Ammo for Sale | Ventura Munitions  

Agreed, but if a .22LR is ineffective, although a .25-20 is more effective, there are better choices than this that are more readily available.

Ive put a several cows down with a 22 LR shot at the base of the skull behind the poll of the head.  One shot and lights out.  Couldnt think of a more humane way.  A shot in the ear works pretty good too, either way you dont have to worry about the bullet passing through the thick frontal bone of the skull.   

As for a 25-20 on deer, why not.  Its got plenty of power for a head, neck, or heart shot.   Ive shot a number of hogs with a 32-20 at fair distances and they are pretty effective on them and their hide is a bit tougher than deer. 

mrcvs said

Agreed, but if a .22LR is ineffective, although a .25-20 is more effective, there are better choices than this that are more readily available.  

There are more choices readily available – now.  But they weren’t back then, which helps explain why the .25-20 was at one time much more popular and saw a lot of everyday use.  However, some of the modern choices have disadvantages when compared to the old .25-20.  A loud high-velocity, “crack” comes to mind.