The Accurate Reloading Forums
Reloading the old 25-20 win?
19 October 2005, 23:02
dennis dukeReloading the old 25-20 win?
I have a Winchester mod 92 , 25-20, love to shot it but it is getting expensive. Not a hole lot in my manuals, so I thouth I'd ask for you guys help, does anyone reload for it and what do like best or worst? Thanks

20 October 2005, 01:09
hivelositylike you say not much, These loads are from
Ken Waters Pet loads.
60gr Win. hp. 8.5gr H110
60gr win. hp 13gr imr4198
60gr rem hp 10gr 2400
60gr rem hp 13gr N200
86gr rem fnsp 12gr imr4198
86gr " " 12 gr N200
86 " " 8.8gr 2400
86 " " 8gr H110
I have Winchester Model 53 (1892 action) in 25-20. My favorite load is a 60 grain Hornady jacketed FP (#2510) over 11.7 grains of IMR 4198.
Pete
"Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live."
20 October 2005, 03:27
Scota4570I have an old Ideal nut cracker tool with a built in bullet mould. It makes 86 grain plain base bullets. I used to pan lube the bullets without sizing in the old Darr formula lube. Loaded them in unsized cases on top of 5 grains of Unique. Can't begin to count all the ground squirrels I killed with that load.
I tried hotter loads with 2400 powder and 4189. None of the fast jacketed or cast loads were as good as the little Unique load. By "good" I mean squirrels killed for rounds expended. My rifle did not like to be hotrodded. I did not seem to matter since it has iron sights and I could not take advantage of a flatter trajectory anyway. There is somethng special about loading ammo on the kitchen table of the hunting camp by lantern light. It is about as primative as reloading gets.
Oh, I have a Winchester '92 carbine that was made out of a rifle with a replacement carbine barrel slapped on it, as best I can tell. Paid $150 for it in 1982. I had a blast with that rifle.
I tried hotter loads with 2400 powder and 4189. None of the fast jacketed or cast loads were as good as the little Unique load. By "good" I mean squirrels killed for rounds expended. My rifle did not like to be hotrodded. I did not seem to matter since it has iron sights and I could not take advantage of a flatter trajectory anyway. There is somethng special about loading ammo on the kitchen table of the hunting camp by lantern light. It is about as primative as reloading gets.
20 October 2005, 05:32
ole_270Mine is an old Marlin M94 with 24" tapered octogon barrel that I had sleeved because the original barrel was a mess. I haven't used any jacketed loads in it since the barrel was sleeved, but it's had at least a couple thousand Lyman 257420 GC bullets through it. With 13gr.4198 it's pretty rough on rabbits and squirrels unless you head shoot them. Lately I've been using a custom Lee mould some of the guys on the cast bullet forum came up with. It throughs an 80 gr. bullet that really makes this old rifle shine. I'm using 12 gr. 4198 and getting great accuracy. Best part is, bullets are cheap, and it gives me something to do on those long winter evenings.
20 October 2005, 05:37
vapodogI use the Hornady 60 grain bullet as it's made just for the .25-20. They have loading data in their manual and it's good stuff.
What bullet is your gun sighted for?.....If it's sighted for the 86 grain lead bullet the 60 grain at about 2,200'/sec will require a new front sight.
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Winston Churchill
20 October 2005, 06:32
MHC_TXI also have a Winchester '92 Lever Action in 25-20. I'm not sure what model it is - it has a 1/2 magazine with a 22-24" barrel. It was my Grandfather's and one of my prized possessions - lot's of good memories of shooting it with him.
20 October 2005, 06:47
tnekkccThe flat point bullet is so the the tremendous recoil of the 25-20 does not set off the primers with bullet tips in the tube magazine

20 October 2005, 07:06
vapodogquote:
Originally posted by tnekkcc:
The flat point bullet is so the the tremendous recoil of the 25-20 does not set off the primers with bullet tips in the tube magazine
Hey.....don't laugh...some of us even use this "powerful" cartridge in Africa. It makes great Duiker medicine.
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"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
Winston Churchill
20 October 2005, 07:26
ricciardelli http://stevespages.com/257_3.html20 October 2005, 21:33
dennis dukeThanks guys I sure apreciate it. I've been using factory 86 gr. loads, this rifle has a flip up rear elevation sight. Looks like a new set of dies are coming.
