Best moulds for 25-35

[andym79]

Hi guys, now I have decided to go with the 25-35 in an M94, it will be barrelled in a 1:10 twist (choice was 1:18 or 1:10 unless I wanted to wait a long time. I figured 1:10" was a bit better for cast, and still fast enough to stabilise) what moulds are best for:

1. Using the rifle as a single shot for best accuracy, using pointe bullet.
2. For general use so that the reapeater can be used as intended.

I was thing

for 1. one of these

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=1573
Think I would need it to ask the guy to open it up .002"
http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au/bullet-moulds/rifle/25-calibre/257-100gc-double-cavity

for 2, one of these

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=1240
http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au/bullet-moulds/rifle/25-calibre/258-87fngc-double-cavity

Any further suggestion?

[georgerkahn]

I have an old Winchester 1894 in .25-35 (made in 1918), and (also) was faced with the mould/bullet dilemma shortly after I acquired the rifle. In my case, I wanted something to complement this old gal, and still afford me the capability to cast, load for, and shoot it. I came across an Ideal .25-35 Reloading Tool -- can't recall where, or how much I paid -- but it has a single cavity mould right at its forward end, and IS factory marked ".25-35 WCF". The bullets come out remarkably well, and albeit I only have shot this firearm ~45-50 times (all targeting) -- I have no bad memories re function or accuracy. I also have a later '94 -- 6,560,xxx s/n in .25-35 which also functions well with this Ideal bullet.
Just as a thought, the tools are fairly inexpensive, and at least the one I bought looked as if it had been used for reloading, but never casting.
BEST!
geo

[Wind]

Hey there Andy -- The original Winchester Model 94 barrel had a 1 in 8 twist. Is there some particular reason you want to change it to a 1 in 10? Marlin 25-36 Marlin barrels were a 1 in 9 twist. With this neighborhood in twist rates, I would highly recommend the NOE 260116 Flat nose with a gas check. This bullet should cover all your bases. In my 25-36 Marlin it is sub minute of angle in a 120 year old levergun.

152888 152889 152890

It'll do 650 yards easy enough...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAhug8Hs_O8

You might consider slugging your bore to see what diameter bullet would be best. The Lee Custom Shop would be able to make a push through sizer the correct diameter. Hopefully NOE and Lee can get you what you need down under.

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

[andym79]

I figure a 1:10 would be better to drive cast harder if I want to and should still be fast enough to stabilise up to the 120 grain mark okay. I know the 1:8" is tricky to get high velocity out of. The unfriendly 1:7.8" Swede taught me that, 1800fps was the best I could ever get and keep good groups, if I went 2000fps or over I got shotgun patterns on the 10inch target!

If you mange to get good groups in the 2k range with an 1:8" I am all ears.

[Wind]

Well now Andy -- My 25-36 Marlin shoots a 1 to 1 1/2" group at 200 yards, equipped with Montana Vintage Arms sights. Never had much use for a lot of speed as it usually compromises accuracy. Rolling along at 1500 to 1600 feet seems to play well with most cast bullets in my experience. Especially out of vintage rifles. Works good on critters - these at 220 to 230 yards were bang/flops - no twitch...

152905

And milk jugs...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KIkSW97UIc

I'm not one to tell a man how to load his ammunition, but you might consider slowing things down a tad and seeing how it plays.

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

[andym79]

Look like even at sub 1600 fps the 25-35 penetrates well!

I am not saying that I want to do most of my shooting at high velocity In fact I do most of my cast shooting 1050-1600fps, I just want the option there. I figured a 1:10 twist was more versatile than a 1:8"

Does anyone know why the 25-35 was given a fast twist of 1:8"?

The 250 savage a 1-14", the 257 Roberts a 1:10", the 25-06 a 1:10", the 25 WSSM a 1:10", the 257 Weatherby a 1:12"

[6pt-sika]

Hey there Andy -- The original Winchester Model 94 barrel had a 1 in 8 twist. Is there some particular reason you want to change it to a 1 in 10? Marlin 25-36 Marlin barrels were a 1 in 9 twist. With this neighborhood in twist rates, I would highly recommend the NOE 260116 Flat nose with a gas check. This bullet should cover all your bases. In my 25-36 Marlin it is sub minute of angle in a 120 year old levergun.

152888 152889 152890

It'll do 650 yards easy enough...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAhug8Hs_O8

You might consider slugging your bore to see what diameter bullet would be best. The Lee Custom Shop would be able to make a push through sizer the correct diameter. Hopefully NOE and Lee can get you what you need down under.

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

I also had a Marlin 1893 in 25-36 Marlin for awhile . My favourite cast bullet for that rifle was the Lyman 257325 . Was a 112 grain round nose design that was originally made for the 25 REM in a Remington 14/141 or 8/81 rifle .