25-20 Caliber Reloading Question

jrbsr · 03-09-2007, 08:54 AM

I have run across a broken Marlin 1894 25-20 caliber lever action.
And I am thinking of buying it and fixing it.
So my question is.

How is this caliber as far as reloading ?

And is it worth the bother ?

And does any one know the value of such a gun ?

Thank You

the Razorhead · 03-09-2007, 05:49 PM

I reload 32-20, which is very similar... and probably the only way you're going to get shootable quantities of ammo is to handload.

you have to put up with thin brass, and a decided lack of bullet selection, but it will be a fun rifle for small furry rodents...

DM · 03-09-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

How is this caliber as far as reloading ? And is it worth the bother ?

Worth it how???

To save money? YES, you can reload it very cheaply... Just to have a gun do "band"? No, you can buy a 22 lr for that...

I really like the 25/20 WCF, because loaded down, it kills small game very good without blowing it to pieces like a 22 hornet and other 22CF'sdo...

DM

kelbro · 03-10-2007, 06:52 AM

25-20 is usually very expensive in stores (low mfg. volumes) but very cheap to reload. Brass is cheap and still available. It only uses about 10g powder. You can use the factory 86gr bullets but the 75gr and 60gr offerings are faster and flatter shooting. I have been shooting mine for over 30 years and it has killed a lot of game. It's also a great plinking caliber as it has very little recoil.

eldeguello · 03-10-2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: jrbsr

I have run across a broken Marlin 1894 25-20 caliber lever action.
And I am thinking of buying it and fixing it.
So my question is.

How is this caliber as far as reloading ?

And is it worth the bother ?

And does any one know the value of such a gun ?

Thank You

Reloading the .25/20 is pretty much the same as reloading any small, thin-brass case, such as the .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .38 Special, etc. If I were to come across a "broken" marlin in .25/20, and the price were reasonable, I would certainly buy it! it should be a challenge to make up some good ammo for it, and shooting it would be a blast! You know, the .25/20 and .32/20 were considered pretty effective varmint cartridges back before the high-speed .22's came out.