did this caliber start life as a blackpowder load? Thanks. JerryW

Jerry

Yes and no. The 25-20 WCF was introduced around 1893 to 1895 (some disagreement there) for the new Winchester M 1892. This was just about the time smokless powders were being introduced. So you will find some of the early cartridges loaded with black and some with smokeless. It was the repeating rifle version of the older 25-20 Single Shot which did start as a black powder cartridge. The 2 are not the same, BTW.

Ray

Ray

Watrous suggests blackpowder loads started in 1895 , as did smokeless powder , and Lesmok powder in 1911.
Dunno if that is of any use to you , but there it is anyway.

Thank you for the reply's. JerryW