25/20

[Bullshop]

The 257463 is also an excellent shooter if you can use a RN in your rifle.

[joejr]

i've been thinking about that ranch dog 6 banger too but the single 257283 is gonna have to work for now.

[9.3X62AL]

Just to add color......I was cruising through the local toy emporium yesterday, and they had a Marlin Model 25 in about 80% shape with a $700 price on it. I didn't check the bore, not wanting to torture myself if its condition was good. For the same price a like-new Marlin 94CL like my own was on display, also in 25-20. $600 would have bought a Marlin 94 variant of some kind (recent) with heavy-contour octagon barrel and 44-40 chambering, or the same Rem 700 Classic in 8 x 57 that has sat there unloved for almost a year. It might be worth going back to work just to be able to buy stuff like this again. Just one too many irons in the fire at present.

[home in oz]

9.3x62AL mentioned that all the old cranks would have to comment----that got me thinking: When will I make the jump from old fart to old cranks?

Anything I need to do to train up for this exalted status?

Classes to take?

(Hee-hee)

[jlchucker]

I have been looking at the pics of the 25-20 GC mold offered by Ranch Dog and it looks like it would be a good place to start for a fellow with a 25-20 itch to scratch.

I haven't had a 25-20 for a few years now, but if one landed in my hands, that Ranch Dog mold would most likely be my first choice. I'd probably hunt deer with it too (just threw that in for sake of discussion).

[Good Cheer]

Was going to use this one but don't know if cast is going to work out in my rifle.
Guess I will just have to try and see. After 20 years suppose it's about time.

[Old Goat Keeper]

The mentioned dthread i snow a "sticky" at the top of the reloading page IIRC.

Tom

joejr,

If you can find it, there used to be a huge thread on Marlinowners.com by 35 Remington that was full of data for a .25-20.

Robert

[Marvin S]

Here is the new Ranch Dog beside the 85gr RCBS to feed my 25-20's.

[NoDakJak]

It just about broke my heart but I sold my 25.20 collection last sunday, holding back only the Sportco Martini. Three days later a friend traded me his Savage Model 23 that shoots groups anout one third the size of my old one. I guess I'm back in the 25.20 business! Neil

[Greg]

Can some body measure the diameter of the lower lube grove of the RCBS 85 grain Cowboy boolit ? And maybe note which alloy ?

I finally read the most excellent thread over at Marlinowners.

I’ve gotten the bright idea that if the RCBS can be shortened of the bottom band and a gas-check will fit, it just might make a decent alternative to the Lyman 257312 – which I always thought was to long for both the Marlin’s odd chamber and the 14" twist that Marlin went with. The Marlin '94 that I grew up with dates from about 1920.

Thanks in advance,

[9.3X62AL]

The Tale Of The Tape---er, caliper and micrometer.....

Lube groove depth of RCBS-25-85CM is .2120"-.2125" 5 samples measured.

Gas check shanks--#257312 @ .2460"-.2465" (good fit with Hornady checks); #257420 @ .2470"-.2480" (better to spread check edges with ball bearing).

If you are concerned about boolit length in the 1-14" twist, Lyman still shows #257420 in production at this time. This casting has been just a bit more accurate in my rifles than has #257312 or RCBS-25-85. My cavities produce 72 grain boolits in 92/6/2 alloy. #257312 likes being driven at high velocities to do its best work in my Marlin 94CL or the Savage 99 in 250 Savage (also 1-14" twist). FWIW, 100 grain NEI castings in the Savage shoot VERY well at 1600-1700 FPS, and are significantly longer than the #257312.

[BCall]

I’ve gotten the bright idea that if the RCBS can be shortened of the bottom band and a gas-check will fit, it just might make a decent alternative to the Lyman 257312 – which I always thought was to long for both the Marlin’s odd chamber and the 14" twist that Marlin went with. The Marlin '94 that I grew up with dates from about 1920.

Thanks in advance,

Check over on castpics, beagle did an article titled "For 257312 lovers" about substituting the RCBS for the Lyman.

[NHlever]

My experience mirrors Al's, and the Lyman 257420 FN has shot better for me over the years than the Lyman 257312 FN though I like the looks of the longer boolit better. Don't overlook AA-1680 when you are loading for the 25-20. I'm finding that it is a pretty consistant powder in the smaller cases.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have an original Winchester 92, made in 1908. I would dearly love a Marlin with a low powered scope. Every Savage rifle I have seen in 25/20 has a shot barrel ( I have a 32/20 with a mint bore, it is gettign an old 4x post and crosshair Burris fitted to it out). I picked up moulds from guys on this site, a 257420 (65Gn GC) and I also picked up a PB Tumble Lube Lee 6 Cav which was a group buy. I can't remember what the weight is on that one.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

In the past I've posted here and at MO on shooting the 257420 with AA1680, AA2200, and AA2215 with very good results. I've had great results with the Remington jacketed 86 and WW748 too. The Speer 75 does very well with the powders from AA above and it is a HOT core bullet.

I have one of the early Classics and it has 6 groove conventional rifling and the 12" twist although most of them after have a 14" twist. I use moderately hard alloy about Lyman #2, tumble lubed with thinned Lee alox, and a gas check, all sized to .2585" and lightly tumble lubed again. I try to form cases from 32-20 to just let the bolt close on the shoulder and engrave the lead and modified the cartridge lifter to work at a 1.648 loaded length. I anneal frequently, neck size only, m die, and slightly roll crimp.

I had a Redfield 70 target receiver sight (with the arm drilled to match Marlin receiver holes) fitted and a new FS fitted. The loads I use run about 1850-1900fps and the rifle will keep 5 shots in 1 1/2" @ 100 yards off sandbags.

The loads work well with 1 1/2 R and CCI BR primers.

I'm in the process now of having a 4 X Lyman long tube 438 hunting sight refurbished as it will fit easily. I'm sure it will be at least be a 150 or more yard coyote terror by mid summer.

For info, Leatherwood makes a similar short Malcolm scope in 3 or 4 power and offset mounts for the Winchester 92 can be had.

BvT