25-20 (25 WCF) Experiences?

[Jim B.]

I am interested in hearing from folks with experience with the 25-20 in the Encore/Contender (or other rifles).  Specifically, the versatility of the cartridge in a good quality rifle of modern construction like the Encore.  I would be using both cast bullets and .257 spitzers.  

I am looking for an interesting cartridge that can be loaded down with cast bullets for squirrels and loaded hot with jacketed bullets for coyotes at 150 yds.  Any advice is appreciated!  Jim B.

[Somerled]

I have been having great fun with a .25-20 barrel I got for a G2. It is a 24" tapered barrel I ordered from Fox Ridge. I have gotten the best groups with Hornady and Sierra 75-grain HPs and H4198. I have also been working with Meister 85 grain cast FP bullets I ordered from MidwayUSA. The best groups have been obtained with H4227. The cast bullets shoot about a foot lower than the faster HPs. I am using a Williams WGRS receiver sight and a 1/16" gold bead front.

If you want to focus more on varmint shooting, the .256 Winchester looks attractive. It will do better with the jacketed bullets, which don't expand well at .25-20 velocities.

[Jim B.]

Somerled - What kind of group sizes were you getting and at what ranges with the 75 gr HPs and the cast bullets?  Any idea of your velocities? JimB.

[Somerled]

Jim B.:

I am looking at the data for the last three attempts with the 75 grain Sierras. The highest average velocity is 1,940 fps with 10 grains even of H4227. But the standard deviation was high at 115. As you might expect the group wasn't much. About 5" at 100 yards with the receiver sights.

I thought I had tried H-4198. It was IMR-4198. Twelve grains averaged 1,803 fps. I got 3".

So far, I am getting the best results with Alliant Reloader 7. The last loading yielded me some 2" groups: smaller than 1" at 50 yds. I used 12.0 grains for an average velocity of 1,889 fps. I am going to work up a bit more and see what happens.

The Speer data shows the highest velocities with AA 1680. I have yet to find it anywhere around here. Reloader 7 burns just a bit slower than AA 1680. My dealer always stocks it.

Best load I have come up with so far is 7.0 grains of H4227 behind a Meister 85 grain cast FN. It groups less than an inch at 50 yds. The average velocity is 1,348 fps with a standard deviation of 12. It will be a great small game load. It isn't legal to hunt turkey here with a rifle. If it was, this is what I would pick.

I could shoot it in the barnyard without spooking the horses or upsetting the neighbors. One can of powder will give me 1,000 charges. The 500 cast bullets costs between $18 to $19.

For the jacketed bullets, I think the .25-20 is a bit undersized. A .223 necked to .257 or the .256 Winchester would be better.