Lee PrecisionInline FabricationRotoMetals2Reloading Everything
Titan ReloadingLoad DataRepackboxWideners
MidSouth Shooters Supply
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: 25/20 single shot

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy 35isit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central Ky
    Posts
    299

    25/20 single shot

    Anyone know where a guy could find a set of dies for a 25/20 single shot? Maybe some new brass too? I am going to put a WTB ad in only asking about retailers. Not 25/20WCF!
    Ky State Director IHMSA
    Hunter Ed Instructor
    NRA Life Member

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Southern Arizona
    Posts
    4,284
    Dies—CH-4D is the only one I know of for sure, off-hand. Redding might make them, too. You may have to wait a while for them, though.

    Brass—Bertram is about all there is, although I read somewhere of some ammo company that loaded up the last of the Jamison/Captech cases and sold the ammo so made. Some of that might still be around.

    There are a couple outfits (Rocky Mtn Cartridge Co and one other that I can’t remember) who sell turned cases.

    Other than that, lucking out at a gun show is about it.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Central VA
    Posts
    5,513
    Just as a FYI, since this is the Hand Tools Forum on this site, I'll mention that the Lyman 310 tool dies in 25-20 SS and WCF can be used just about interchangeably since they neck size only. This is an old trick I learned from the elderly gentleman from whom I got a lot of my older stuff. I will admit that I haven't done it personally since I only have a 25-20 SS and the "proper" set of 310 dies for that caliber, but I consider his information solid. Of course you will need to find the #19 shell holder if you "convert" a WCF set, but they show up from time to time. They were used in the 30 carbine set, which isn't too hard to find.

    If you get a set of these dies and need to full length resize some brass from time to time, the old Lyman push through sizer will work, and it sizes all the way down to the rim, something conventional FL sizers don't do. I think I may even have a spare one of those I could be persuaded to part with. This is one of the few instances where it might be cheaper to find and buy the antique stuff than that which is currently produced.

    Brass is another matter. Nothing commonly out there these days serves as a good starting point unless you find some 22 R Lovell (good luck with that!) or 32 Ideal (also a tough find!) Best to watch the auction sites and gun shows and hope for the best. Twenty or so years ago I bought a grocery bag with about 200 factory 25-20 SS rounds from the old gentleman mentioned above, but I believe any excess I had of those is pretty much gone. I might be able to spare a couple of odd rounds just to get you started, but then you will be on your own.

    Good hunting!
    Green Frog
    "It aint easy being green!"

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    South Jersey
    Posts
    6,314
    35isit, put an ad on the ASSRA For sale link ... https://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl.
    Regards
    John

  5. #5
    Boolit Master smkummer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    So. Indiana
    Posts
    1,861
    There is a old time gunshop in Bismarck, ND off of century drive I believe. Lawman gun shop? He has either 25-20 SS cases or loaded ammo. Less than a box. Word of caution, don’t be surprised when he tells you what he wants for it.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,251
    Quote Originally Posted by smkummer View Post
    There is a old time gunshop in Bismarck, ND off of century drive I believe. Lawman gun shop? He has either 25-20 SS cases or loaded ammo. Less than a box. Word of caution, don’t be surprised when he tells you what he wants for it.
    An arm , a leg and a first born male child ... perhaps ?
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Jim22's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Location
    Eastern Washington
    Posts
    590
    Quote Originally Posted by Green Frog View Post
    Just as a FYI, since this is the Hand Tools Forum on this site, I'll mention that the Lyman 310 tool dies in 25-20 SS and WCF can be used just about interchangeably since they neck size only.
    Green Frog
    This works. The first set of dies I had for a .30-05 Ackley Improved was a neck size only sizer made by shortening a .300 Win. Mag die.

    Jim

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Switzerland of Ohio
    Posts
    6,313
    Back in the '90s I worked out a method for making .25-20 Stevens, and ultimately .22-3000 Lovell, by brutally swaging down .223 brass. P/M me with your email addy and I'll send you the writeup. You'll need an hydraulic press and a lathe.

    RCC can sell you lathe-turned .25-20. It's spendy, but it's OK if you don't work the necks too much sizing and expanding.

    If you're handy with a lathe, you can make tools for everything but FL sizing that fit into the Lee "Universal Expander" (which it isn't) die body. Lots cheper than the C4HD dies. Here's a set I made for a friend who has a .28-30-120. (Try finding brass for that!) Key is the neck sizer button in the middle, sizes the necks just enough and no more.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Lee 2830 toolkit.jpg  
    Cognitive Dissident

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Switzerland of Ohio
    Posts
    6,313
    Griffin & Howe brass for the .22-3000 R2 Lovell shows up on Gunbroker from time to time. Set up a search and keep watching. It's good quality (made by Winchester) but it'll have to be FL sized before opening the necks.
    Cognitive Dissident

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check