Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Cowboy Action Shooting 25-20 brass/reloading

I'm curious if anyone knows where a guy could find either some 218 bee or 25-20 brass?

My uncle has my Great Grandfathers Marlin 1894 chambered in 25-20. Has a lot of sentimental value to the family. Not only that, but it was the first rifle I shot at the ripe old age of 8 years old in the backyard with my Grandmother.

My uncle has a couple of handful of ammo/brass but I'd like to surprise him with some more. Family hardly never shoots the gun anymore because we've not been able to replace the brass/ammo if they were to split or become lost in the weeds.

I have some 32-20 brass that I was able to get to work for a few of them, but admittedly, I crushed and crinkled more than I was able to load trying to neck them down. That's why I was curious about 218 bee brass because I've heard it's the same except would need necked up, which is easier than necking down.

So, I'm hoping that maybe someone here would have a lead on where I may could find some.

Many thanks.

Try Matt's shooting supply, bought some brass off him about a month ago

I necked up Hornady 218 brass, it is shorter than the 25-20 trim to length though. it resized easy. I tried to used 32-20 brass and failed miserably. I hate how both brass and jacketed bullets are almost impossible to get these days. I comb every gun show for 25-20 supplies, I've actually found boxes of 60 grain hollow point ammo cheaper than "new" boxes of the 86 grain cast ammo.

Matts shooting in Dallas, PA? I'm seeing several listings in a quick search. Not sure which one I should call and ask.

@tops911, sounds like we're both on the same track. I didn't do good at necking down the 32-20 either. I went through 8 casings and got 3 usable pieces out of it.

I don't mind using 218bee brass. If I could find some in stock somewhere. But I'm not finding any for either caliber. Seen lots of places listing starline brass, but I've yet to see any legitimate looking website have any actually in stock.

Redding make dies to form 25-20 and 218 brass from 32-20. You will need one of their extended shell holders.

Some guys get by using the regular loading dies by using the bullet seating die (with seating stem removed) as an intermediate die. I’ve never done this and from what I gather success is patchy.

For bullets there should be a few commercial cast bullet options.

Yes matts in Dallas pa

I saw a guy post on ifish.net this evening that he had most of a box of .25-20 ammo and no rifle. He was offering to give it away to a good home. Maybe you would want to get ahold of him.