Recently recieved this from Mike: This is a Bellm made barrel [not a rechamber] 10 1/4th†in length, full bull, and with Super 14†dovetail lock spacing for the forend screws, which I requested Mike use in order to enable the mounting of heavier target style forends.

I also mounted the old Side Saddle Williams Silhouette rear sights with a tall front blade, for precision open sighted shooting. I will later be mounting a 1st Generation Bushnell Holosight with 2x doubler attachment for Deer and Turkey seasons.

With 86Gr. jacketed soft points the 50 yard open sighted accuracy was quite good, turning in an inch and under three shot groups bench rested and with open Silhouette sights.

Now to work up some loads with the Hornady & Sierra 75Gr. HPs. Not sure I'd have enough velocity for the Nosler 85Gr. Spitzers & Barnes 90Gr. XBT to be usefull at all.

Has anyone here used this in a Contender [TC did a run of these in the TCA barrels and I have also seen the chambering in some of their Custom Shop barrels as well] and if so, what powders did yours like best?





357mag and .25-20WCF side by side.

I've got one of the Ed's run of 50 10" bull barrels. Sweet shooter isn't it? I've played with a couple of powders so far and LilGun has done the best. I've been using Remington 87 grain bullet for testing and small rifle primers. I used Hodgdons data as a starting point.

quote:

Originally posted by C. A. Plater:
I've got one of the Ed's run of 50 10" bull barrels. Sweet shooter isn't it? I've played with a couple of powders so far and LilGun has done the best. I've been using Remington 87 grain bullet for testing and small rifle primers. I used Hodgdons data as a starting point.

Greetings! Yes, it is a sweet shooter! Hardly any real recoil, which makes accurate open sighted shooting very easy. I'll have to give LilGun a try.

What sights/scope are you using on your barrel?

Right now it has a 4x Burris mounted on. I have used a B&L 2x and a 2-6x before going to the Burris. I felt I wanted a little more magnification than the 2x and I moved the 2-6x to a .17hmr barrel so the 4x seemed a good compromise.

Below is a picture in it's current trim.

Nice looking setup! What sort of game and varmint hunting might you be planning to do with your 25-20?

I have several thoughts for mine, Turkey being at the top of the list of fit to be eaten game.

I have a 25-20 in a T/C rifle, and I had good luck with the 75 grain Vmax and 4198. I believe I was around 13.5 to 14 grains when I had the best accuracy. Don't have a chrono, so don't know how fast it was going. I am going to try some 85 grain Nosler BT next, since I have some extra from my 257 laying around.

I haven't tried Lil'gun in it. I may give it a try since it works pretty good in the 22 Hornet.

I basically just punch paper with mine since it is very pleasant to shoot. I bet the VMax would do some major groundhog damage. I may give it a try.

Does anybody know what twist rate that T/C uses for their 25/20 barrels?

quote:

Originally posted by R. Campbell:
Does anybody know what twist rate that T/C uses for their 25/20 barrels?

Thompson Center used the 1-10" twist rate for all their .25 Cal Contender chamberings.