Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Savage Sporter in 25-20 on its way

Hi folks:
I don't buy much on GunBroker, but Ive recently gained interest in the Sporter models. Just bought one in 25-20 on GB, looks nice and I am excited to work up some loads for this little gem. I know this caliber isn't terribly popular, and factory ammo is pricey, but being a reloader myself, Im anxious to do some plinking with this old girl. Just curious if this rifle was sold by one of the folks here on "The Fire," I have gained a plethora of knowledge about Savages by hanging out here.

Rich

Not mine but you would know if it was, bobbed it to a 20" bbl. Not in good shape when received so...

Nice walking around setup for groundhogs and what have you.

Post what you end up with for loads. I've got one I need some ammo for.

You'll enjoy your Savage Sporter. I picked one up off of a Gander Mountain used rack for $99.

It is very far from being a cherry piece and was tapped for a Weaver Side Mount. Those holes were huge, probably from a mount from the late 40's or early 50's. I made it work.

Killed a couple of deer with it.



Dan

Couple of weeks ago I shot one in 32-20. Was an absolute joy to shoot. Even with ancient Remington factory ammo shot just under an inch at 30 yds. Peep site on it was fantastic. Out shot all of the Winchester 43s that i have shot!

I just got one too. Haven't finished load development but so far: 4198 clear winner in powder. Use 218 Bee brass, lube and send through 25-20 die = brass. I'm playing with 75 gr Hornady and 70 gr Sierra bullets, tips have to be removed to reduce OAL.

always looking for one

Thanks gents, I am thinking Accurate 2015 and 75 grain pills will be tried first.

Rich

This is my 23B



And this is what I shoot. Never considered shooting a deer with it but I'm not saying it wouldn't work.

I am shooting these over 10 grains of IMR 4227'

Hey Longbeard:
Those Hornady 60 grain flat points are hard to come by. I love them with IMR 4227 out of my Marlin model 62 in 256 Win Mag. Im headed to the big gun show in Barre, VT tomorrow where I hope to score a box or two.

99in 22_250

I picked up a pretty nice 23C last fall and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Its not too easy finding 32-20 and 25-20 ammo these days. I picked up a box a month ago before I realized that they were cowboy action loads that, I think, don't have gas checks. For those of you who do reload these rounds what are your thoughts on gas checks for rifles?

Rich, They are nice little rifles,i got a couple 23B,and 23C's dont loose your magazine theyre gold to replace. I do also have a spare 23B barrel if that one wont shoot. My brother the "DICK" will be at Barre tomorrow,you better get there early so there will be some savage stuff left ! Don

We were also going to Barre but we're opting out because of the GREAT time we had in Albany. I shoot those Hornady's out of both my 23B and my Marlin model 62.

I have a late 23B that I got in Vermont many years ago in nearly new condition. It was tapped and drilled for Weaver top mounts and has a Weaver K-4 w/fine crosshairs mounted on it. Just about perfect and I didn't even have to feel guilty about the scope mounts, because the former owner had installed them! It looks just like Longbeardking's, The biggest bonus was that it came with three (3!) of the flush-mounting late magazines; those can really be a bugger to find and the aftermarket ones I've tried on other 23s just don't work very well. I've seen these factory "clips" go for $100 at gun shows. (And they did GO!).

I've had all the 23s, starting with a 23AA that my brother now has. I like both the "Sporter" early version and the later ones--they both have their points.

When I sold my last Sporter, a .32-20 to Muledeer, I invested some of the money in .25-20 ammo and managed to find about 150 rounds of factory and a 100 rd. bag of Winchester unprimed brass. Along with the stuff I had for my '92 and the .25-20 barrel on one of my Savage 219s, I figure that is a lifetime supply (I'm 75....). .25-20 WILL kill deer, but it takes a canny hunter and a canny shot unless you like tracking a buck over hill and dale. Precise neck shots at close range will do the job. Killed my second blacktail and several more with this caliber (my first was with a .410 slug!).

One of those shots wasn't very canny and led to three hours of crawling thru the manzanita looking for a non-existent blood trail. Fortunately some talkative ravens showed me where the body lay. They got a gutpile for their cooperation.

RICH YOUR GETTING A NICE RIFLE

Thank you 1899sav,