Hensley & Gibbs #54 GC 25-20 Two Cavity

[Texasflyboy]

A recently acquired two cavity San Diego #54 mould. Other than the ledger entry I know nothing about 25-20 moulds. This mould came in a batch of other two cavity moulds and I had to buy them all to get the one I wanted. The projectile in the photo next to the #50 weighs right at 82.0 grains. The base driving band measures .260".

I would love to know more about what firearms used this round and if its considered obsolete or a "curio" caliber.

I have no need of the mould so once I am done admiring it it will appear in the For Sale section (in about a week).

Anyone here a fan of 25-20?



http://hgmould.gunloads.com/molds/54_3.jpg

http://hgmould.gunloads.com/molds/54_4.jpg

[casterofboolits]

:hijack:

No idea about the #54, but a buddy picked up a six cavity #50 for me at a gun show.:lol:

$50.00!!!

[shooter93]

I have the same mold Tom. It was fairly common in lever guns and Winchester Low walls and I would imagine the smaller Rolling Blocks too.. I believe Marlin did a run of them a few years back in their new Model 94. There was th 86 grain load and later a high speed load with a bullet around 65 grains. The mold could also be used for a light bullet in the 25-35. The 25-20 is a good plinking or small game/Turkey round. And I just charged th camera battery and set the 108 mold out Tom so I'll send you pics soon. It's lost some favor as American shooters want bigger, faster but it has a great nostalgia factor and people who have them love them.

[Wayne R. Scott]

I get first dibbs when you put it up for sale.

I have an early Marlin 1894 in 25/20 and I had T/C Custom shop build a .25/20 carbine barrel for my T/C contender.

Wayne

[Glen]

That's a fine bullet and one that is very accurate in my .25 Hornet Blackhawk:

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell25Hornet.htm

[Texasflyboy]

That's a fine bullet and one that is very accurate in my .25 Hornet Blackhawk:

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell25Hornet.htm


Thanks Glen. Great article. Exactly the info I was looking for.

Tom

[Mk42gunner]

Tom,

Husqvarna also chambered their Model 26 for the .25-20. It is a single shot bolt action, like a small 1871 Mauser.

I have one that I am starting to work with. From the information I have found most were imported without extractors.

35 Remington has a multiple page thread on another website that goes in depth on the 25-20. IIRC it is the marlinowners website, there is a link to it on one of the threads regarding the 25-20 here.

Robert

[Paladin 56]

Dang, I missed first dibs.

I have a Smith & Wesson pistol and Savage 23B in 25-20. Fun little round to shoot.

[Dale53]

I have a Marlin (modern) in 25/20 and it is arguably the best edible small game rifle EVER!

I use the Lyman 258420 (about 70 grs with GC) and I can safely drive it just under 2200 fps with a compressed load of RL-7 (14.5 grs), a nice practice load is same bullet with 11.5 grs of RL-7, and my favorite squirrel load is 4.0 grs of Unique. It is FAR superior to the .22 rimfire as a squirrel rifle. I try to take all head shots but sometimes Mr. Squirrel won't cooperate and show his head. The Classic "behind the shoulder" shot will bring them out of the tallest tree DRN. With all three of the loads mentioned, my rifle (with low powered scope) will shoot inside the ten ring (ten shot groups) of a small bore target at 50 yards all day long.

Truly an excellent small game round, in fact, none better.

Dale53