Is a GC a good idea for a 25-20 bullet?

[fatelvis]

I just got in on the .260" group buy bullet, and am just starting loading for 25-20. I currently am ordering a mold with 2GC /2 plain, but was wondering if the GCs are really needed at all? Thanks for any help!-

[runfiverun]

my lttle winchester carbine does fine without them [gas checked boolits].
i don't size them either, and shoot them from the mold in the .2595 area.
using aa-2230 they got better and better the harder i pushed them ended up at 11.5 grs with a sr mag primer. [yeah an unusual load]
i haven't had a chance to try them in the rifle yet.
my mold is a 72 gr rapine.
ww's water dropped with a sploch of tin.

[Larry Gibson]

I've been shooting cast in my Savage m23 25-20 for some years. I've used several moulds over the years and have settled on 2 for cast. T257420 is eGC'd and is excellent for all velcitiee, especially above 1500 - 1600 fps. I've a 257283HP that I cast very soft and push at 1050 fps with very good accuracy for small varmints and squirrels out to 100 yards. The other PB'd cast I used did well up through the mentioned 1500 fps.

I've also an original Ideal tong tool forloading the 25-20 with a mould on the end. It is in very good condition. Looks to be a 75 - 80 gr PB'd FN bullet but I've not cast any yet or even used the tool...........

Larry Gibson

[Bret4207]

When you get pushing things in the 25-20, up over 14-1500 fps, the GC makes life a lot easier. I haven't done enough with mine to say what my favorite design is, but you can make that little bugger act like a lot bigger cartridge if you want. Same with it's big brother the 32-20. A good FN cast boolit can be pushed way faster than the factories do and they kill great.

[Uncle Jimbo]

I have a Marlin 1894 in 25-20 and have been shooting Meister Hard Cast Bullets 85 grains over 8 grains of IMR 4227. About 1200 fps. Never had any problems with leading.

[bbqncigars]

Like UJ, my old Marlin like the Meisters with either 7 grains of 4227 or 5.5 grains of 2400. No leading and great accuracy (minute of rabbit at 100yds).

[LtFrankDrebbin]

Over on marlin owner's there is a dedicated thread on the 25-20 in the reloading section.
A total wealth of information from some very kind and knowlegable people.
A warning if you drop in there, you will be reading then re-reading for a while.
It's been my class room for me and my Winny 92.

[beagle]

I'm using both checked and PB bullets in my rebarrelled M1894 Marlin.

At normal velocities, the PB RCBS 25-85-FN for plinking does well with no leading. At higher velocities near the top end, I'm using GC'd 257312HP and the 257420HP.

For just normal plinking loads you can get by with a PB bullet./beagle

[Char-Gar]

I have been shooting 25-20s for 50 years and have two now, a Win 92 and Rem 25. I use gas check bullets and would not change. To each their own.