Tips on the 25-20 anyone?

[Fatelvis]

I just acquired a Win model92 in 25-20 in about 98% condition. I'm not much of a collector, so I bought the components to reload this little cartridge. I bought Hornady dies, Hornady 60grn sp bullets and shellplate. Now for powder, primer, and any other tips from you guys!! Any help to steer me to a good load would be appreciated! Thanks-

 

[JLDickmon]

most of your medium to medium-slow pistol powders work great in the 218 Bee, 25-20 and 32-20...

800x, Blue Dot, N350 are powders I have all used in the .32... Unique, Trail Boss and Tin Star would all work very well, also.

 

[rcmodel]

9.5 grains 2400 with that bullet was a good load in my Win 92 25-20.
That bullet was never very accurate for me though.

I got best accuracy with either Rem or Win 86 grain bullets and 8.0 grains 2400.

Use anyones Small Rifle primers.
Doesn't matter which brand.

rc

 

[kelbro]

10gr of H4227 with that bullet works great in both of my 25-20s.

Same 9.8-10gr H4227 load for the Speer 75gr is also very good.

 

[Redneckly33]

I started reloading for this Caliber a short while back. I made the mistake of trying to reload on a progressive press. I found that the cases are about as thick as Prince Albert cigarette paper. I ruined about 9 or 10 before I got going with it. After that I started using the Single Stage Lee. Things went some what better. Other words, what I'm saying is, this ain't a magnum belted case, go slow and be gentle with them. They crush real easy. Fun little rifle to shoot. After I got everything worked out, I actually enjoy reloading for it. By the way, someone on this forum told me, they didn't think you could reload them on a Proggressive Press, they were right. I learned from that session of reloading, the hard way.

 

[JLDickmon]

I just got a pound of N340 to use in my 32-20 loads... thanks to Walkalong

 

[Blind Dog Jake]

The 25-20 is a fun gun to shoot.
All good info from above. The little 25-20 is great cartridge to reload but as stated the brass is a bit thin. I have had many a split casings after very few reloadings and head separation more than once. Keep an eye on your brass.
Have had one or more Malins in 25-20 for something like 45 years, started reloading for it in 69.
Most 25-20's will shoot a cast bullet very well.

 

[TonyT]

Alliant 2400 and IMR-4227 were the powders I used in 25-20.

 

[DM~]

I've loaded a lot of 25/20's and have had very good brass life. I find the brass MUCH better than 22 hornet brass, especially the necks.

BUT, i keep my loads away from max, and much of my ammo is shot in a revolver, not a rifle.

DM

 

[kelbro]

I've loaded a lot of 25/20's and have had very good brass life. I find the brass MUCH better than 22 hornet brass, especially the necks.

BUT, i keep my loads away from max, and much of my ammo is shot in a revolver, not a rifle.

DM

Ahhhh. Seen pictures of the 25-20 revolver but never one in person. If I do see one, my wallet will be a little lighter.

 

[hang fire]

Once had a 25-20 92 Win, the bore looked like a gravel road. Jacketed bullets were not accurate, tried IIRC 80 grain GC HC boolit, no good, was told to try 60 grain GC HC. Bingo, they shot like a dream. Wish now had never traded it off for was a fun little gun.

 

[DM~]

It makes a GREAT small game round in a revolver, like this S&W "K" frame,



DM

 

[Fatelvis]

Will loading close to max significantly shorten the brass life? I never loaded for such a thin cased cartridge.

 

[rcmodel]

It depends on what you are shooting it in.

A single-shot, not so much.

A lever-action, most definitely.

A lever-gun has enough spring in the rear locking bolt to shorten case life considerably when loaded hot.

rc

 

[Fatelvis]

I'll start out with jacketed bullets, but eventually it'll be time to get a mould for this caliber. Any suggestions on that? Im thinking about a 70-80 grn gas check design?