Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .25-20 WCF Reload Info

I tried a couple searches for this but came up empty handed. I know this is not a big game caliber but it's not a really popular varmint caliber either. With that behind us, here's my situation.

I've got a sturdy, old, 1892 Winchester that is a good shooter. When I started loading for it, about ten years ago, the handload data for it was almost non-existent. I did find one undocumented load that listed 10 gr. I-4227 with an 86 gr. bullet.

Since then, that's been my load.

However I recently noticed that 60 and 75 grain bullets are now available. When I checked the latest loading data for the .25-20 and these new bullets I saw where they now are listing something like 8.6 gr. max. of 4227 with the 86 gr. bullets. They don't specify if that is for jacketed or lead bullets so I'm guessing it's both.

Naturally, I've got a hundred or so rounds loaded up with the 10 gr. loads.

Do any of you gents have any new or updated load data for the .25-20 you'd be willing to share with me?

Thanks

Yep,

I'll photograph the page and send it by e-mail. Need an e-mail address to send it to.

Wayne

I just did a search at Loaddata.com and came up with the following:

From Hodgdon, max load H-4227 8.6gr with 86gr Rem SP @1545fps

From Handloader #183 for a Win. Single Shot, 10.0 gr IMR-4227 behind an 86gr Win bullet @ 1508fps.

You can still purchase copies of Dave Scovill's The Legacy of Lever Guns from Wolfe Publishing. It contains data for the 25-20 in a Win 92.

Good Luck
405wcf

That fine old lever would be great with cast bullets. If you've got the time you really should get into casting. My '94 Marlin 25-20 was built in 1906 and has fired a couple thousand cast Lyman 257420GC bullets since I got it 25 years ago. I use 13-4198 with this bullet(lyman manual goes to 14 gr.) with very good accuracy and it is a little destructive for small game. Recently I've started using a custom 6 cavity mold for an 80 gr. bullet designed for the 25-20. Not as fast, but more accurate. I've got to take it coyote calling one of these days, should work well on the short quick shooting you sometimes get when calling.

Thanks guys,

I'm copying this data for my files and "Peepsight" just emailed me some more.

In my case, the "should get" into casting has to read "should have gotten" into it. I've been fighting cancer since 2003 and every year it's a contest between another birthday and an obituary.

But I've never quit reloading. I just have to do a whole lot more checking on my work than I used to. But I do wish I could get my hands on a bunch of the cast bullets. I've never shot any.

My '92 was built in 1911. Got four 6"s in the S/N. FWIW

I've been loading the 75-grain Speer in my M1894 since the bullet was introduced. It is a great shooter in my rifle and the big flat point kills small game well at low velocities without much meat damage.

Around the time the .25-20 Repeater was introduced, small-case .25 shooters were split between the bullet weights they liked. One group liked the 86-grain bullets while the other group liked the 75s. I have had best accuracy results with the Speer 75FN in my lever rifle and the 75TNT in my BR handgun.


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All I've ever shot are the Remington 86 gr. jacketed FP'S. That was all I could find when I started loading for it. I think it's time to try some different loads.

I'm guessing these newer loads were aimed at the CAS shooter's, good deal for all.