25-20 Varmint Loads Coyotes and Turkeys

[Billy Jack]

I have a Marlin 1894CL 25-20. I bought some Lyman #257420 70 gr gas checked bullets from The Bull Shop.
I have read a little and found IMR 4198, Accurate 5744, RE7, and 2400 all work with this bullet.
But the loading information is sketchy. It appears that 2000 to almost 2200fps with this bullet pretty well duplicates the "hot" varmint load "back in the day".

Based on my limited supply of powder I want to choose IMR 4198 or RE7. From what I've read the RE7 may be better for the 25-20 with a 70gr bullet than the 4198, but I have more 4198 and don't have any other loads I am saving it for.

So I am looking for anyone that has actually used this bullet with any of these powders, preferably the IMR4198 and RE7.

[ole_270]

That was my main mold for my 110+ year old M94 for a lot of years. This on has a liner with a faster than normal twist rate, 1-10. I used 13 gr 4198 for just over 2000 fps in the 24" barrel. My old Lyman manual went another gr higher, but I never went there. This load was very accurate, but surprisingly destructive. It would cut a squirrel in half with a body shot. I've since lowered the pressure on the old rifle and just load a NOE 260283 plain based bullet over 9.2 gr 4198 for just under 1300 fps. Decided to take it easier on the old rifle.

[semtav]

4198 and that bullet was my combo when I was playing with my 1894CL 25-20 a lot more. but I was only putting 10 gr in and shooting silhouette. so your results may vary. Didn't try RL7 at the time so can't compare. (all my CL's liked it) 218 Bee, 25-20 and 32-20, and the Winchesters , 219 zipper, 25-35 and 30-30 liked the 3031

[cwtebay]

I use the same boolit and use the same data as ole_270 (but I do go a bit larger in powder charge) trying duplicate the HV loads. No problem with the turkeys we've shot with them!

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[cwlongshot]

1680& a 60g FM from Hormady has been my go to 25/20 load for my Savage 23. CRAZY accurate!!

I have shot cast thru its barrel!

CW

[Char-Gar]

Back in the early 60's, John Wooters wrote and article entitled "Eulogy for a Cartridge", extoling the virtues of the 25-20 for small game less than deer and varmints. His main load was Lyman 257312 (87 grain GC) over 9.5/4227. I bought the mold, cast the bullets hard, sized them .258 and used Wooter's powder charge. The load grouped so well and killed so well, I have never uses any other. The velocity is about 1,800 fps.

I still use this load in my Winchester 92 and Remington 25.

[panhed65]

I have been using 1680 in my 25-20,s with that bullet, a marlin cl and a mgm barrel on the TC. also works well in the 218 bee and the hornet. supposed to be very close to the 4198.
Barry

[John Boy]

4198 For 60gr bullet but not for 70gr ... https://www.shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/25-20-winchester/.

Buy a lb of 4227 ... https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00034imr8060259/imr-4227-smokeless-powder-1-lb

4227 powder is what I use for 70gr bullet

You went bass akwards, bought a mold and came to the forum trying to determine for a bullet weight only the powder you have in inventory

[garandsrus]

Here you go. More reloading data than anywhere else I have found: https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/25-20-reloaders.26002/

[Three44s]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Lil Gun yet!

Credit goes to member 35 Remington: The 75 gr Vmax in a Contender! A pointed J word in a single shot, 10 twist MGM carbine barrel. ....... and Lil Gun!

The above link to the Marlin Gun Owners Forum is a DANDY!

The .25-20 Win is a dandy as well!

Three44s

[bigwagon]

I've been using 9 grains of IMR4227 behind an 85gr bullet for 25-20 in my Win. 1892. Great fun to load and shoot.

[cwtebay]

Here's what a GC cast pushed by 4198 did yesterday at 165 yards. I try to mimic the original HV loads, from a 111 year old 1892. Hasn't let me down yet!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210419/510ae2521333f91e6d520279a5c3e005.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210419/a5de83a96e7f0e40dd3e8b1ba8082267.jpg

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[rbuck351]

I've only used 1 load with 4198 and that boolit. It's been several years ago but my load was 12.9 grs at 1865 fps.my limited data says it shot good. My go to load is that boolit with a std srp and 9.5 grs of 2400 at 1950 fps. My data sheet also shows 11.1 grs of H116 to be a good load. I believe H116 to be a version of 1680. This is all from a win 92 with a rough barrel. The 2400 shoots to about 1 3/4 in at 75 yds.

[Billy Jack]

No I don't cast so didn"t buy a mold just ordered what my favorite bullet maker had. I had already tried the 86 gr bullet with lack luster results and read that several folks liked the 70 gr. So I got them and if possible will use what powder I have. If not the right powder then I can search for another, but that ain't so easy these days. I have read a lot about 4227 and if I could lay my hands on some I'd try it.I'll try Midsouth. Thanks



4198 For 60gr bullet but not for 70gr ... https://www.shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/25-20-winchester/.

Buy a lb of 4227 ... https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00034imr8060259/imr-4227-smokeless-powder-1-lb

4227 powder is what I use for 70gr bullet

You went bass akwards, bought a mold and came to the forum trying to determine for a bullet weight only the powder you have in inventory

[Billy Jack]

Midsouth is out of stock no back order.

[uscra112]

He's trying to choose between 4198 and RL7, guys. I'd go with 4198 myself. It's a shade faster than RL7. Really a bit slower than optimum for the 70 grain bullet, but 13.5 grains should do OK if the bullet is hard enough. Don't go any higher.

[Ajohns]

13.5 grs of IMR 4198 is about a case full. Paired with the Speer 75 jacketed, that load gave me above 2000 fps in a 24" barreled M92 Winchester. Shot great, I'm sure cast would be quite well also if it's cast hard or gaschecked.

[35remington]

If using 4198 or RL7 I would certainly explore the possible velocities of from 1400 to 2000 fps to see where best accuracy is found as some varied use is obtained all along that range. Never know when best accuracy is not useful. Small game loads are 1400 odd fps loads as noisy and damaging are bad, and I always though of the round as a dual use varmint and small game rig. That has worked out well.

Sometimes levergun throats and chambers are not cast bullet friendly. Experiment with bullet seating depth within the limits the rifle affords, keeping in mind single loading may also be an option under some circumstances. Try some loads with some rifling engagement if possible and see how that does.

Generally found my rifles only liked the bullet with gascheck so trials with it off were abandoned. Also experiment with bullet hardness if possible, and maybe sizing diameter if you can.

Small pistol primers as long as they are not Remington 1 1/2s work fine. Operating pressures are below a 9mm.