Just thought I would throw this out here. Looking for reloading dies for the 25-20 Stevens.

thanks

https://www.buffaloarms.com/25-20-single-shot-three-die-set-4d-4d2520ss

They also have .25/21 Stevens. Think they're out of stock, though.

Might check with CH-4D and ask if they have them in stock.

My first thought too. Those folks have helped me a lot in recent years with vintage wildcat dies, plus they're excellent quality.

May I ask what flavor rifle is this .25-20 Single Shot?

The link to Buffalo Arms is CH-4D

There are dozens of RCBS and Lee on ebay. It looks like a buyers market. All kinds of prices.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...p;_nkw=25-20+reloading+dies&_sacat=0

I've got two Stevens M44s. One of them has a tang sight and beech front. Both bores very good. Not sure of barrel length. 1/2 oct, 1/2 rd. I've had them a few years and am retiring this time next year. Wanna go play with them. I've looked pretty well but no good. Ill give CH-4D a call. They just look to be fun.

Thanks

Looked on ebay but mostly 25 WCF stuff

When you get around to playing with them, include some black powder loads in rotation. A pinch of fast pistol powder in the bottom and then a case full of FFFg on top actually shot as well as pure smokeless loads for me and weren't all that dirty due to the smokeless booster. Fun little cartridge. Nowadays I snag .25-20SS brass for converting to R2 Lovell and .22 Maximum Lovell brass.

I am seeing 25-20 WCF on ebay. What is the other 25-20 called? I see now, 25-20 Stevens. You are right, none of those.

My intent is to stay with black. Never tried duplex loads, but something to ponder

I'll second gnoahh, duplex loads and their accuracy. In those smaller cases a 5% charge of smokeless under black is nearly always enough and I have had good results with as little as 3%.

The 25-20 WCF and 25-20SS are not the same cartridge. Everything I saw on evil bay was WCF.

Thanks for the info on the use of smokeless. I will definitely try it.

What about the .25/21 Stevens?

Hi gnoahhh. What weight bullet did you use. About all I see are flat points for the WCF. 65 to 85 grains. Been looking for prepped bullets with SPG lube.

Captech Jamison does make the brass, though they are out of stock at the moment...

http://www.captechintl.com/proddetail.php?prod=2520SS100pcs

85 grain plain base out of an old Lyman Ideal mold. It went with the rifle when I sold it, in case you're wondering.

Flat points are par for the course in old plain base .25 moulds.

That's kinda what I thought I would find for bullets. Already load for the WCF round. I'll pan lube some of the ones I have. On the waiting list for CH-4D dies. Ordered a couple boxes loaded ammo from Buffalo Arms fairly reasonable. Ha! Any general smokeless types to use for a kicker? I've got Unique and 2400

Unique would work, faster burning the better. In that small case I used Bullseye, Clays, and Unique. As I recall a grain of Bullseye worked best, then as per black powder protocol, 3f for a slightly compressed load. With Unique I would try 1.5 grains or so. You don't need much in this instance.

A guy gave me 188 pieces of Griffin and Howe R2 Lovell brass recently. Clean and looks like once fired. Score! A true friend he is!

I use 7.2 grs IMR 4227 with a breech seated 108 gr Hoch tapered bullet for good results in my 25-20SS. Regularly shoots 1/2" or better, not just once in a while. My barrel is a 12 twist.
Phil

gnoahhh,

Are the 115gr-`120gr bullets too heavy for the 25-20SS?

Ed

Interesting timing of this topic. I just acquired a Winchester 1885 in 25-20 SS. Thanks for the information and education!
Jim

I have an Ideal reloading tool that is in great shape, with bullet mold built in. If you are interested, I can post some photos a little later.

John

Depends entirely on the rate of twist the barrel has. Generally speaking, yes too heavy.

Bullet weight/length permissible is dependent on the twist. For my 12 twist, 110 grs is on the edge.
Phil

Been shooting the SS for some time in a nice Stevens 44. Has a tang sight and does well enough. BP only so far, compressed about 30 thou, card was under an Ideal 257483 of 30:1 alloy. 100 yards be fun. ~14" twist and that's all the bullet it will handle.

Original 44s for the .25-20SS were twisted 14" or so. Mine is 14.5". Ideal257283 is as long as it will stabilize. Weighs about 90 gr with 30:1 alloy.

Hi DigitalDan. What would that bullet weigh? Spg lube? FFFG powder?

Runs around 90 grains. Yes on the lube and powder. Neighborhood of 17 gr of powder. 100 yards offhand is good for groups of 10 in the 8" ballpark.

Outstanding. Thanks for the info.. light compression?

Yes, about .030" as I recall.