Author Topic: .25 rimfire ammuntion??? (Read 1257 times)

shott · « **on:** December 02, 2004, 04:46:41 PM »

Hey gang, my Father-In-Law has an old Rem. rifle in .25 rimfire. Do any of you know where he can purchase any ammo for this? Any and all leads on ammo for this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Shane

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2004, 05:32:06 PM »

Maybe but even if you find it you'll sure not want to shoot it. The ammo is likely worth more than the gun. It's long since discontinued and available only in collector quantities at collector prices. Old Western Scronger is the best place to start in looking for shooting ammo for any old out of date gun like that.

I sure wish someone would bring back a .25 rimfire and make ammo available for it. That would be one fine small game round.

WD45 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2004, 01:42:29 AM »

I'm curious as to the ballistic difference between the 25 rimfire and the 25-20 or even the little 25 auto which we still have with us. Unfortunately the trend seems to be making things smaller and faster ( 17 cal ) or bigger and supposedly better. In todays throw away world a good 25 cal small game round in rimfire would likely sell given the ammo cost was kept low.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2004, 01:56:17 AM »

Dunno what the ballistics were back in the day when it was available. I'd love to see a round like the .22 magnum made as a .25 instead of .22. Give me a blunt nose or flat nose bullet of about 60 grains in it. That should be one super fine small game round. Not enough to tear them up too much to eat but would sure enough drop them rat now.

The old .25-20 is an excellent choice for such but in many places including here in Bama is illegal for small game hunting. Only rimfires are allowed.

2520 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2004, 04:00:41 AM »

What you are talking about is the .25 Stevens Long. There was also a .25 Stevens Short that was discontinued earlier on. The .25 Stevens used a 67 gr lead bullet and 10-11 gr of black powder which would be pretty slow compared with .22 rimfire. Had a high trajectory which made shots over 60-70 yds iffy. Also made in smokeless towards the end. The end came in 1942. The ammo was costly compared to the price of .22 rim fire at the time which probably helped it along to the trash pile. I suspect that many of the rifles made for it which included several Stevens models were not up to the task and shot loose after sustained use. I do not know that it is made anywhere today. The 25-20 WCF can be loaded down to the rim fire ballistics and would be legal in Michigan but I have never done so because my 25-20 rifle is very heavy compared to my .22 small game rifle. I doubt that there is enough demand to see it made again.

2520 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2004, 01:53:35 AM »

Muzzle velocity for the .25 Stevens rimfire was reported at 1130 fps. Seems there was some thinking back in the late 30's and after WW2 to create a .25 Extra Long to provide some additional pep for this cartridge and chamber it in bolt action rifles. This did not come to pass likely because of improvements in .22 rimfire ammunition.

S.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2005, 05:58:14 AM »

I have some in my collection, and I can assure you that it will probably
be hard to find in shooting quantity. I seem to remember
hearing about someone converting them to fire a wildcat cartridge
based on the centerfire.32 S&W long, but I cannot remember the details.