Cast Bullet for .25-20???

[Sakogun]

I have recently received a nice Sako bolt gun in .25-20.  I have several loads worked up for this rifle with jacketed bullets.  Accuracy is about MOA and that is all I want from this gun.  

I did pick up a few cast bullets at a gun show in Missoula, MT.  They are 85 gr FPGC.  I have patiently put the gas checks on a few of them and tested them at the range.  The GC bullets shot OK, but the non-GC bullets shot better.  I would like to have a cast load for this gun just to plink around and use on vermin at close ranges.    

Can anyone on the board tell me what they are using in their .25-20?  Since I haven’t jumped into the world of casting yet I would also be willing to buy a handful from anyone interested in selling.  I want to keep the weight in that 80 gr range.  

Thanks for any help in advance!

Sakogun

[Larry Gibson]

Sakogun

"Can anyone on the board tell me what they are using in their .25-20?  Since I haven’t jumped into the world of casting yet I would also be willing to buy a handful from anyone interested in selling.  I want to keep the weight in that 80 gr range.  

I have a Savage 25-20 bolt action with a Weaver 2.5X scope and use 257420 cast of lino or WWs hardened, sized .259 and lubed with Javelina.  I use Hornady GCs.  I also use small pistol primers, WSPs, same reasons as with the Hornet.  

With the 71 gr 257420's I use 10 gr of H4227 or 11 gr of AA5744for about 1830 fps and 1-1.5 MOA. For a midrange load, 4.5 gr of Unique with the same bullet runs 1550 fps but is not quite as accurate.

I also picked up a PB HP mould, 257283HP, which I cast using soft .22 range lead, around 80 gr if I remember right.  I shoot as cast lubing them with Lee's liquid alox.  Over 2.5 gr of Bullseye they run 1125 fps and go into 1" at 50 yards all day long.  A great little quirrel load.

Anyways, that's what I use.

Larry Gibson

[Blackhawk44]

Before you start casting, contact both Meister Bullets and Custom Cast as both offer 65-85gr 25's very reasonably priced.  Try 4.5 Unique or 6-6.5gr Blue Dot with these and have fun.

[Leftoverdj]

Larry got it about right. You aren't likely to do much better than Lyman 257420 and 5744 powder in the .25-20. I'm using SR primers and a 10.5 grain charge, but otherwise we got to the same place.

I've been laying off to try 680 powder, but we have had an especially nasty winter in Virginia and I have not yet tried it with cast. Works great with my tiny hoard of the long gone Speer 60 grain spire points.

[Sky C.]

Sakogun-

I recently worked up a couple CB loads for a Marlin 25-20.

Best recipes were:

75gr NEI FPGC / 7.7 grs. 2400 / WSP primer / 1750fps-SD 11

84gr Old West FPGC / 12.8grs. AA-2015BR / WSP primer / 1711fps-SD 14
(good accuracy but leaves a bit of unburnt powder)

WW alloy + 2%Sn, sized .258, Gray's #24 lube.  Hard bullets shot more consistantly than air cooled.

Both shot on the order of 1.75MOA from this levergun.

Best regards-

Sky C.