22 Lovell variations

[38Special]

Great old thread. Haven't got to fire mine yet... 22R Lovell built by R.E. Rodrick...

[38Special]

Some people criticize replying to an old thread. I see no problem with it. The info is as good and valid today as it was when the thread was created, even if it was 10+ years ago. Thanks for posting this helpful info!

There is a vast base of great knowledge here... people need to see it.

[uscra112]

Great old thread. Haven't got to fire mine yet... 22R Lovell built by R.E. Rodrick...

Do have/need brass?

[38Special]

Yes.. I do.

Question, can I use 25-20 dies with this cartridge?

Thanks,

James

[38Special]

Asking because a guy has a set of 25-20 wcf in swapping and selling.

[uscra112]

You could use the wcf dies to neck-size in a pinch. Ditto the seater die. In both cases you'de need a spacer ring, because the WCF cartridge is considerably shorter, (and fatter). To full-length size you'll need the correct Lovell dies for your rifle.

[Bent Ramrod]

The Lovell neck is already down to .22 caliber, so a .25-20 WCF sizer wouldn’t touch it.

You might get away with a .222 or .223 FLS die for neck sizing only. If your shells are from another rifle, you likely will need a dedicated Lovell FL sizer die.

[38Special]

Was gonna work on getting in the ball park, then fire form.

[uscra112]

The Lovell neck is already down to .22 caliber, so a .25-20 WCF sizer wouldn’t touch it.

You might get away with a .222 or .223 FLS die for neck sizing only. If your shells are from another rifle, you likely will need a dedicated Lovell FL sizer die.

D'UH! What was I thinking of? .218 Bee was what........

.25-20 wcf dies won't do anything for him.

Shoulda had that second cuppa coffee at breakfast!

[38Special]

Ah jeez... you think I'd take a look at my gear. I have a set of 22-3000 R2 dies that I forgot I bought. I need a shell holder and some brass. Haven't been to the range with my rifles since I moved, so kinda forgot what I already own. Probably have some brass somewhere too... but hasn't shown up yet.

James

[Green Frog]

38Special, you need a #19 Lyman shell holder.

[Reverend Al]

Most of my .25-20SS brass is Lovel or 22-300 G&H brass that I fire-formed back into the parent .25-20SS ...

[38Special]

38Special, you need a #19 Lyman shell holder.

I do need one..!

[38Special]

Most of my .25-20SS brass is Lovel or 22-300 G&H brass that I fire-formed back into the parent .25-20SS ...

Nice.

James

[ndnchf]

The ever versatile .25-20SS I just bought a bunch of R2 Lovell made from it. I'll be transforming it into .32 Ballard Extra Long.

[MT Chambers]

The 25/20 ss is a great cartridge as it is, very accurate with the right cast boolit and breech seated.

[38Special]

Great EXSPENSIVE cartridge... lol. I'm gonna transform some from .223 Rem.

[gnoahhh]

Old thread resurrection time.

Yet another R2 Lovell added to the stable: Winchester High Wall built/barreled by an unknown. The receiver was a bit shabby so I had it color case hardened by CPA, turned out pretty decently. Stock was shabby also so I shortened the fore arm and varnished both pieces. Shoots very pleasingly with 45 grain Noslers and 12.5 grains Lil Gun, sub-MOA.

[Reg]

Glad to see this thread back. It’s really a neat cartridge. Brass still is hard to come by but I see the trend now is to accept lower velocities and get the longer case life and the generally superb accuracy. With this in mind it might be time to bring back the concept of making 25-20 SS cases from 223 brass. I tried this years back and then compared the results with what other cases I could round up. What few G&H and later Winchester cases I could find gave reasonable life and you could get the velocities , same with the old Rocky Mountain cases. But the formed 223 cases and especially the Bertram 25-20 SS cases gave incipient head fractures and the Bertram's blew the primer pockets oversized by the second reloading. I found by keeping velocities down around 2600/2750 or so I got good case life with all brass and the accuracy was excellent.

[brian1]

I've been busy making 25-20 SS and 22 R2 Lovell brass from .223 brass. Yes, it can be done. You need at least a 5-ton hydraulic press and a metal lathe, and it's a pretty laborious task, but the brass should be very strong and last a very long time.