Marlin 1894 in 25-20

dfletcher

I have a Marlin 1894 in 25-20 and although brass isn't too much of a pain to find bullets are. I have a small stash or Hornady 60 grain FP and Sierra 75 grain FP, but there's nothing out there online to resupply with. I'm wondering if shooting lead is an option, although I'd like to keep my FPS at about 2,000 or so. Is plated an option at that velocity?

Also, any opinions on shooting the 75 grain Hornady HP instead? I don't know if it can be seated deep enough to feed, and of course primer detonation is a concern. Does the little 25 and the "sort of" flat point of the HP sidestep that issue? Does the poly tip of a VMax, although pointed, make it safe?

Any options other than groveling at gun shows and being on every back order list on line?

charliemeyer007

I think cast bullets would be fine.

My old Lyman cast bullet book lists 257420 69 gr. tops out at 1805 fps the 257312 90 gr. maxes at 1555. Both loads were Unique and bullets gas checked. 24" 92 Win

tsr1965

Doug,

I will keep my eyes out for quantities of these bullets. If you can find the proper plated bullets they will work better than hardcast, to keep your velocities up.

Even if you can find gas checked, cast bullets. When you get above 1100 FPS, the plain cast start depositing lead in the bore...which is no fun to remove.

Best.

hillbille

tjconevera.com I think it is has some in stock, 90 grains anyway didn't check through all the makes just search the 25 cal when you get to the homepage. I buy my 38's there, I am pretty sure they also do business on the auction side here, so I hope the reference won't get deleted.

chiefr

I would go with gas checked cast bullets. Been able to keep several antiques alive by doing exactly that. You may have to cast yourself.

PA Shootist

I (and perhaps to a greater extent my son and grandboys) have shot a ton (well, at least a lot!) of cast bullets in a Winchester 92 .25-20. They were the Lyman gas check design, nominal 60 grains, wheel weight alloy. They were quite accurate and certainly effective for anything you might hunt with a .25-20. I don't remember the mold number, but a common Lyman design. The boys helped with the work of casting, sizing, and reloading, and it went a ways to having them pay attention to each shot, and not just blasting away ammo, as they had invested time and effort in the process. And they learned something along the way. The rifle barrel might last forever with these loads! I assume you are wondering about cast bullets in micro-groove barrels? I have done a fair amount of that with .35 Remington and .44 magnum, and they worked just fine, as long as bullet diameter was sized to .001" larger than bore diameter.

jds56

I have 300 of the Horn. 60gr .257 flat points #2510 in sealed boxes I would list on the auction side under the "buy it now" option for $60 + shipping by priority mail. These do not have the crimp groove of the current style. Advise on this forum if interested.

I primarily use the cast Lyman #257420GC and 257283 in my Rem. Mod 25 at around 1600-1800 fps so don't use the Hornadys much any more.

M1A762

quote:Originally posted by PA Shootist
I (and perhaps to a greater extent my son and grandboys) have shot a ton (well, at least a lot!) of cast bullets in a Winchester 92 .25-20. They were the Lyman gas check design, nominal 60 grains, wheel weight alloy. They were quite accurate and certainly effective for anything you might hunt with a .25-20. I don't remember the mold number, but a common Lyman design. The boys helped with the work of casting, sizing, and reloading, and it went a ways to having them pay attention to each shot, and not just blasting away ammo, as they had invested time and effort in the process. And they learned something along the way. The rifle barrel might last forever with these loads! I assume you are wondering about cast bullets in micro-groove barrels? I have done a fair amount of that with .35 Remington and .44 magnum, and they worked just fine, as long as bullet diameter was sized to .001" larger than bore diameter.



+1 Casting and reloading your own is a pleasure. Nothing better than finding an accurate cast bullet load; either for target shooting or hunting.

dfletcher

quote:Originally posted by jds56
I have 300 of the Horn. 60gr .257 flat points #2510 in sealed boxes I would list on the auction side under the "buy it now" option for $60 + shipping by priority mail. These do not have the crimp groove of the current style. Advise on this forum if interested.




Done - many thanks.