.25-20 SS versus .25-20 WCF, pros and cons needed

[texassako]

Other brass and dies being cheaper with the .25-20 WCF, is there any other benefits of one over the other in a single shot rifle? I am considering one or the other in a project probably using one of TJ's 1:10 liners so I can use the heavier 90-100+gr boolits.

[6.5 mike]

Might try looking at the ASSRA site, a lot of info on the .25-20 ss.

[gnoahhh]

I would say close your eyes and pick one. I like the .25-20SS case (mainly because I'm a contrarian and like the old stuff), but brass is a lot more rare than the WCF. It is available from Jamison (or whoever took over their business), which is good brass if a little expensive. Bertram brass is available too, but I had spotty results with it.

Bottom line: if you like being different (and can afford to be so) go with the SS. If pure efficiency is the goal, go with the WCF.

[Bent Ramrod]

Almost all of my small .25's are rebuilds, rechambers and relines, with the original 14" twist. It always seemed to me that the .25-20 SS was easier to get a good load for with canister smokeless powders than the .25-20 WCF, but I don't use them for formal target shooting. Theoretically, at least, there should either be no difference or, based on the "short, squatty cartridge principle" that fostered the PPCs and the WSSMs, the WCF should be more accurate.

I remember that it was hard for me to beat the accuracy of the .25-20 WCF factory 86 gr lead ammo in my rechambered Stevens 44 with my reloads. But my SS relines could shoot as close or closer with several powder types.

[texassako]

Might try looking at the ASSRA site, a lot of info on the .25-20 ss.

I asked over there as well, and it was pretty much a toss up like gnoahh said. Probably going to go for the .25-20 SS because it was an original chambering while the WCF was not. I like different chamberings and it is probably my best chance at adding a .25-20 SS to my .25 caliber collection.

[Kansas Ed]

I'm a big fan of both, and I own both in original Winchesters...but with that said...my favorite is the 25-20SS. The reason is, that I can seat gas check boolits deep without danger of the check blowing off in the unsupported area of the body as is possible with the 25-20WCF.

I know some here pay no attention to where the gc ends up, and to each his own..I make no judgement call one way or another. I base my prudence on Snooky Williamsons experiences with GC's seated this way and which he warns against numerous times in his book "The Winchester Lever Legacy".

My current load in my 25-20SS Lo-Wall runs a 97gr Loverin GC bullet at a chronographed avg. of 1990 fps at modest pressures (according to QL). And it shoots very nice groups. I'd be hard pressed to get that out of a '92 in 25-20 IMO. But then we run 1848fps chronied out of the WCF with the 86gr Remington copper condom....so it may be possible. But for fun factor...I'm really into the SS.

Ed

[gnoahhh]

Looking at my stash of .25-20SS brass last night I was reminded of another project that is simmering on a back burner. I have a handful of Jamison .25-20SS Basic Brass that is 1.8" long. It occurred to me that if a guy were to simply neck it down to .25 with the neck just long enough to hold a bullet, and left the brass full length, one would have a neat wildcat that would hold more powder than a 'normal' .25-20, without much work. Blowing out the body slightly and leaving it full length would make it even more interesting. Conversely, the same case would make for a neat .28 caliber wildcat too- something in between a .25-20SS and a .28-30.

I wonder why Jamison makes their .25-20SS Basic Brass so overly long?

[texassako]

Looking at my stash of .25-20SS brass last night I was reminded of another project that is simmering on a back burner. I have a handful of Jamison .25-20SS Basic Brass that is 1.8" long. It occurred to me that if a guy were to simply neck it down to .25 with the neck just long enough to hold a bullet, and left the brass full length, one would have a neat wildcat that would hold more powder than a 'normal' .25-20, without much work. Blowing out the body slightly and leaving it full length would make it even more interesting. Conversely, the same case would make for a neat .28 caliber wildcat too- something in between a .25-20SS and a .28-30.

I wonder why Jamison makes their .25-20SS Basic Brass so overly long?

Isn't it the basis for the .22/3000 Lovell or something along those lines?

[uscra112]

Lovell is the same length as the .25-20 Stevens. I suppose the basic is long so any incongruities at the mouth left over from the draw operations can be trimmed off after forming to .25-20 or .22 Lovell.

[gnoahhh]

Makes sense. Still in all, it is 1.8" long and offers a lot of possibilities for the tinkerer.

[KCSO]

If you get a 25-20 ss stay away from the aussie ammo and brass. Most of the rims are undersized. According to the fellows who shot them in the day the S/S was suppose to be more accurate.

[257]

i have a 1892 in 25 wcf and a stevens 44 in 25/20ss i hand load for both and can break clay pieogns on on a bank at 100 yards iron sights , my buddy has a 44 1/2 25/20 ss with a 20 x lyman super target scope he get groups under a inch at 100 yds i buy jammision brass the bertran brass has anealing problems (necks split) jammission does not brass is pricey i think the last bag of 100 cost me 138.00 + shipping about a year ago bufalo arms.com has brass

[HARRYMPOPE]

the 25-20 SS is an accurate breech seating case.So if you are planning on fixed ammo and plainbase bullets i doubt you will get the accuracy of the Schuetzen guys are getting.I would go with the more available 25-20 Repeater case.I bet if you breech seated bullet in a 25-20 repeater in a quality single shot it would shoot well.I have a 25 Hornet reamer i just lent out to my buddy.He just built up his 2nd 25 Hornet on a #1(his 1st is on a FBW J action).I have shot it and it is a very good small capacity 25 case often overlooked.