20-20 winchester rifle

[bangaway]

I have a friend whose dad had a .20-20 single shot bolt action winchester rifle. The dad got into drugs and sold the rifle. My friend was five years old then. He wants a 20-20 now. His mom says it was a centerfire. At a gun show here it took four guys six hours to find this gun in books. It was made in the 1910's in single shot and later a repeater. Most expensive value for the single shot was listed as $2500 . My friend did not notice the model number nor what book the info was in. My Cartridges of the World Book, Flayderman's, or Catalog of Firearms show nothing. I would appreciate any help on the 20-20 rifle. I only have a 5mm rimfire in a .20 cal rifle. Maybe I need a .20-20 rifle. I know I do not have one.

 

[ants]

You might try "Firearms Research" subforum, in the Venues section of the main THR index. The guys who hang out there do a lot more research than most of us in this Rifle Country subforum.


I know you're sure, but are you sure you don't mean .25-20 Winchester? They made those in single shot.



NOTE TO YOUR FRIEND: Those who buy rifles in really obscure obsolete cartridges (like maybe .20-20 Winchester) never shoot them because there is no ammunition. You buy one just to own it, put it in the safe, and show a few people. Or sell it for a profit if you ever find someone who will pay more than you overpaid.

 

[CraigC]

Probably a .25-20. No such critter as a .20-20.

Those who buy rifles in really obscure obsolete cartridges...

You can't buy ammo at Walmart but a .25-20 would be very easy to feed.

 

[ants]

... a .25-20 would be very easy to feed.

I would love to own and shoot a vintage .25-20. I've seen new brass for sale, and I could make it last forever. And a good bore would last forever if I cast and shoot my own lead bullets. Oh, that would be fun!

.20-20 would be impossible to shoot, because ammo hasn't been available forever.

 

[ants]

Or maybe friend's dad had a .30-30 carbine with short barrel,
maybe 16" barrel which is 2/3 length of a 24" rifle,
so he did the math and called it .20-20.

 

[bangaway]

ants

Thanks for writing. My fist response to him was are you sure you don't mean .25-20 or even .32-20? .20-20 was again the caliber. I wonder if the shell is like a .22-15-60 Stevens a straight case or maybe a .25-20 necked down?

 

[bangaway]

ants

ants I shoot a 25-20 savage 23b. It was scope ready when I got it. Shoots gophers with a 60 grain hornady or lyman 257420. You are right as it is a hoot to shoot.