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Thread: success with my 25-20

  1. #1
    Boolit Master



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    success with my 25-20

    I had almost given up on getting decent groups with my Savage 25-20 using the RCBS 85 gr. cast bullet. But I gave it another try.
    The boolit is similar to the old 257312 mold, a plain based mold with no gas check. The cast boolits dropped at 0.259, I did not size them but hand lubricated the lower grease band. The were cast hard, #2 or harder. I loaded them to the maximum published of 10.7 grains of 4227. No evidence of any leading after 15 rounds
    The accuracy was pretty good at 50 yds (3/4, x 1"approx.), and next time I will wear my glasses!. There was no key-holing. At 100 yds I was consistently breaking clays.
    atr
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  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy Ajohns's Avatar
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    Atta boy!
    It's fun to have them workout

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Good for you!!! It's a fine little cartridge!!
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  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    success with my 25-20

    I am still working on a load that my Savage likes at 50 yards so I will try yours. Pistol or rifle primers?

  5. #5
    Boolit Master



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    CCI small rifle primers. I also put a decent crimp on the case using a Lee collet crimp die.

    although the 85 gr plain base was reasonably accurate I find the best accuracy is with the 65gr FN gas checked boolit.
    Last edited by atr; 06-15-2022 at 09:55 AM.
    Death to every foe and traitor and hurrah, my boys, for freedom !

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Hi-Speed's Avatar
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    Certainly not advocating this, but one of the largest whitetails ever taken was with a 25-20 WCF somewhere in a cornfield in the Midwest. A friend of mine as a kid used a Model 92 in 25-20 WCF to harvest a few deer, close up hearts shots he told me…I would never use the 25-20 WCF for any deer/big game. Could be a good close range varmit proposition.

    …just a cool looking cartridge as is its larger 32-20 WCF brother.

    Have fun!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master



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    a terrible outing at the range today with the 25-20 and 85 gr RCBS boolit.
    I loaded a small batch as before with the exception that I upped the powder charge by 0.2 grains.
    The shots were all over the target; nothing grouped unless you call a 5" spread a group.
    Yikes !!!
    Death to every foe and traitor and hurrah, my boys, for freedom !

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    BTW, I checked your 4227 load in the several manuals that I have and none listed a load as high as 10.7 grains for the 85 grain bullet.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master



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    tejano.....
    I have several old, and I mean old, Lyman manuals that list 10.7 grains.
    I was more interested to see if the 0.2 increase in charge would result in any leading...it did not.
    The lousy group was, I suspect, on account of unequal crimp pressure. Next reloading I will not add the crimp.
    thanks for your thoughs
    atr
    Death to every foe and traitor and hurrah, my boys, for freedom !

  10. #10
    Boolit Master


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    Nice!!!!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    My original '92 likes the 257312. Congratulations on finding a load.
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  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy blackpowder man's Avatar
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    I’ve been working on a load for my old Savage 23 with an 85 grain plain base out of a mold by Arsenal molds. I haven’t tried loads that warm with 4227. I guess I should keep working up. I made brass, but I need to turn the necks thinner so I can take more rounds at a time when I shoot. Thanks for sharing your results and keep them coming.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master


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    Quote Originally Posted by atr View Post
    CCI small rifle primers. I also put a decent crimp on the case using a Lee collet crimp die.

    although the 85 gr plain base was reasonably accurate I find the best accuracy is with the 65gr FN gas checked boolit.
    Same here. However, I use the PB 257283 HP cast of 40-1 and loaded to 1050 fps on ground squirrels. Thumps them a lot better than any 22LR HP. I use it out to 100 yards in my Savage 23 but it loses stability and accuracy after that.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Larry Gibson

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  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    Are you gents sizing at .258 or .259”?

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master


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    My 257283s drop at .259 and I leave them "as cast". I just give them a very light coat of LLA, let dry thoroughly and load them. My COWW + 2% tin alloyed 257420's also drop .259 so, since I don't have a .259 H&I sizer, I just crimp the Hornady GCs on in the .257 sizer in the 450 with the GC tool stopping any sizing of the bullet. I give them a coat of LLA also, let dry thoroughly and load over 4.5 gr Unique for a very accurate 1550 fps.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks Larry!

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    success with my 25-20

    Finally, a little bit of success with my Savage 23B today. I am not a caster so I buy my cast bullets. I previously tried 60 gr. and 85 gr. bullets. Both were sized .258.” Both did okay at 25 yards but not at 50. 2-4” groups were the norm. Recently I discovered that Hunter’s Supply sells an 85 gr. sized at .259” so I bought some and tried them today along side some .258” bullets. Eventually I managed 5 shots into 1.5” with the larger bullet. That is progress I can see. The other bullets will be shot in my Bullberry contender barrel. It was a tad over 100 degrees at the range, but that is what July is in Texas.
    Last edited by tejano; 07-08-2022 at 04:20 PM.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check