25-21 Stevens

[john hayslip]

does anyone have experience with the 25-21 stevens ? I have just got one repaired and in condition to shoot, I have three molds, all spire point, one with gas checks and I got some gas checks with it, and I don't think that they will be the best option. I have some old UMC shells and brass and some new Bertram cases. Dies and shell holder came from C&H.

Got to cast some bullets. Currently thinking I'll shoot it with Trail Boss and/or black.

Haven't checked the twist rate yet but it is pristine bore in a Stevens 44. Came with target bases already on it.

[Bent Ramrod]

I have a 44-1/2 with several barrels, one of which is a .25-21. Most any cast boolit load for the .25-20 Repeater will work. I seemed to have my best luck with gas check designs, such as the Ideal 257464 and 257420 and 12 gr. of IMR-4198. The plain based 25720 shot fairly well with the same charge, though with an occasional keyhole. I never tried Trail Boss in this caliber.

You will need to start low with your 44, as it is not a strong design.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, John hayslip. I have the papa to your .25-21...A .25-25 Stevens. This is on a Ballard No. 3 cast action..locks up nice & tight..but since it is cast, I have decided to stick with Swiss
3FG. The twist is 1-12". I am using original Ideal 257016, & 257020. both weigh near 100grs. with 20-1 alloy.
drop tubing 22.5 gr. 3FG Swiss, 1/32" dental B.W. wad over powder, 1/16" SPG "cookie" & another D.W.W. over that..still a bit of space in there, so used Puff-Lon to base of bullet..this is fixed ammo..bullet seating by Ideal No.3 special, .25-25 Stevens tong tool.
At 50yds., with vernier tang & globe front, I am grouping in 3/8".
Have played a bit with du-plexing with SR PB smokeless. 1.0 to 2.0gr. leaves bore clean & bright.
Have also worked a short while with a Stevens 49 in .25-20 S.S. 98gr. pointed & tapered Barnett mould came with rifle..breech-seat, with 7.0gr. H4227..around 1" at 100.
Both these rifles deserve more range-time time invested in them..last year was not a good shooting year for me..perhaps this year? Best of luck!

[uscra112]

Mine is a 44 1/2. Best load so far is 86 grain GC cast 20:1 with Rem 1 1/2 primer (small pistol) and 6.6 to 6.9 grains of AA #9. Quickload reports 10,000 to 12,000 psi for those loads.

Using 2400 the same charge weight does well, but S.D. over the Chrony was not as good. Want to try 4100 and 300MP whenever I can find some without paying HazMat shipping. Have tried 4227 with not-so-good results.

The ASSRA guys breech seat, using 30:1 alloy and plain base, (rules require plain base). They aim for 1450 fps, as this apparently is optimum for that boolit and the twist of original barrels. My loads are about 1475 fps.

[john hayslip]

Thanks for the info guys. It gives me a bit to think about. The 25-35 must be pencil length long as my 25-21 is a good stub in length. I'm breech seating of all things, a 8.15x46r in a ballard, and yes, it is a lined barrel. A friend of mine made the liner out of a barrel of an Argentine mauser target rifle. I think it shots better than I am shooting it.

[MT Chambers]

When i loaded and fired an orig. Stevens 44 1/2 in .25/21 it liked the 85gr pb fp but pure lead, with both BP and light smokeless loads, any harder alloy and the groups spread. esp. with BP.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, john hayslip..yes that case is 2.37" long. One thing about working with these old timers is myth busting..I have always heard the .25-25 was replaced by the 21', because of excessive length causing extraction problems..I have never had a case stick whatsoever..and I am using straight black. The real reason the .25-21 came about, was the popularity of the .25-20 S.S. This was a bottlenecked case & "rifle cranks" of the day wanted a straight case of same capacity for shooting reduced small-game loads...the straight case allowed putting wads down as filler with reduced charges.
All of these little .25's were our first true varmint cartridges..the eastern woodchuck hunters pioneered them.
Just a thought..there are photo's of Dr. Mann & Neidner on a woodchuck hunt around 1910 or so, the rifles..Stevens & Ballards have telescopic sights.... I for one would not feel the least handicapped if I were to use the same rifles for hunting today....It's funny though..to look at that early 1900's automobile, they are standing in front of...how some things evolve to become almost unrecognizable from the original....and others stay pretty much the same.

[uscra112]

Well, the .25s even with j-warts won't compete with a .22-250, but I've done my share with a .25-20 Stevens 44 1/2, Fecker scope, and a rough barrel at that. I had no need to reach beyond about 75 yards, but never missed one and it mostly killed 'em DRT. I only quit using it because of the possibility of ricochets. I saw a couple while shooting paper with it.

[john hayslip]

Again thanks. Today I was going through a pile of stuff I'd accumulated anad found an article out of a 2000 ASSRA newsletter on the cartridge. It too has some interesting information.

[Reg]

With the 44 action, you are limited as far as pressure goes. Harvey Donaldson said that with a 44 action, about the most one could put through it safely with smokeless loads was about any bullet but do not exceed 5 grains Unique. In my 44 25-21 I use the 257 421 with the base reamed to remove the gas check band and 5 grains Unique and am getting very satisfactory groups at 50 and 100 yards. Have used another 44 in 25/20 SS same bullet with 2.5 and 3 grains Unique at the local indoor rifle club at the 50 foot competition and have held my own.
These 44's, as long as you realize they are a weak , black powder action, are a hoot. They are NOT a 44 1/2 and should not be considered as such. Keep them within their capability's and you will have about as much fun as you can while keeping your nickers on !!

:drinks::drinks::drinks:

[john hayslip]

found an article on the 25-21 Stevens in an old ASSRA newsletter I was going through yesterday and will make a copy for my files and send a copy to anyone interested.