25-20 Reloader 7?

[andym79]

Hi guys,

just wondering how slow a powder have you tried in your 25-20s.

The slowest I have tried so far is H4198, accuracy is acceptable, but I would like to improve it. I can see loads listed for H322 which is a similar speed to RL7. Has anyone used RL7 in the 25-20?

I ask because A) recent success with the powder the 218 bee and because b) it pretty much fills the case up to before it gets to pressure and good burn (less air is good).

If anyone has had success with RL7 and the NOE 260-80RF or similar I would really like to hear.

Thanks

[Dan Cash]

I have a similar curiosity regarding R7 and the .32-20. Have plenty of R7 but have not taken the time to experiment with it. Would like to hear your results.

[Greg S]

Check the Marlin Forum, in the reloading section there is a 25-20 section.

[Outpost75]

FWIW I have found RL7 to be the powder of choice for smokeless loads in the .44-40, fill the case to provide 1/8" compression and good base support for bullet as if loading BP. Safe in 1873 Winchester and velocity equal to full charge BP load.

[earlmck]

If you just wanted maximum velocity you'd be using Lil' Gun, so I'm assuming you want something that gives reasonable velocity with a somewhat compressed load. So if you've used 4198 you are already the expert on this type loading -- RL 7 is about the same speed but you'll get another grain of it in the case and still have a moderate pressure load. Go for it and report back!

[35remington]

RL 7 as mentioned is just a hair slower than 4198 and takes a little more powder to do the same thing. If used in a stronger actioned rifle you run out of case space before you get into any trouble.

If the bullet is a plainbase do not exceed about 10 grains or so. If gascheck try that amount or up to 13.5 to 14 grains. The Marlinowners thread in the reloading section has more than you would ever want to read about it.

RL 7 is faster than H322 in the 25-20 and a case full of H322 under a gascheck bullet will not get you in any trouble either.

[Scharfschuetze]

Reloader 7 in my 25/20 was pretty accurate with good ballistic uniformity. In my Savage 23b the best load was:

75 grain Speer Jacketed FP
Rem 7 1/2 BR primer
Remington cases
12.8 grain RE 7
Av: 1,770 fps, Es: 14, Sd: 7

Accuracy was usually just under to just over 1 MOA for 5 shot groups in the Savage 23b, but my Marlin 1894CL never liked the load. While very useful at 100 yards, it really fell off fast past that range, although 10" steel gongs at 200 yards were certainly in trouble with the right sight setting.

I've currently got a bunch of bullets cast, but other projects have moved the 25/20 down on the priorities list. Maybe this coming winter after match and hunting seasons are over I can get back to it.