Please correct me if I wrong. I recall in reading A.C. Gould's Modern American Rifle that the .25-20 Singleshot cartridge was introduced with a 60 or 65 grain bullet and was primarily intended for small game hunting. It has been a long while since I read Gould's book, but I remember him writing that he was unhappy when the cartridge was later loaded with an 85 grain bullet. Gould's opinion was that Stevens (or the ammunition manufacturer) took an excellent small game cartridge (that in the 1880s had no equal) and made into a so so target shooting cartridge.
I've not read that book, so cannot speak to his comments. But I know the early .25-20SS rifles had slower twists which would be suited to lighter bullets. I've not experimented enough with bullets heavier than 87gr, but there are many who find it extremely accurate with heavier bullets. Especially when breech seating.
We'll never know for sure. But the .25-20SS was introduced in the last 11 years of the rifle's 41 year production run. The .22 and .32 were still their biggest sellers.
Please correct me if I wrong. I recall in reading A.C. Gould's Modern American Rifle that the .25-20 Singleshot cartridge was introduced with a 60 or 65 grain bullet and was primarily intended for small game hunting. It has been a long while since I read Gould's book, but I remember him writing that he was unhappy when the cartridge was later loaded with an 85 grain bullet. Gould's opinion was that Stevens (or the ammunition manufacturer) took an excellent small game cartridge (that in the 1880s had no equal) and made into a so so target shooting cartridge.
I've not read that book, so cannot speak to his comments. But I know the early .25-20SS rifles had slower twists which would be suited to lighter bullets. I've not experimented enough with bullets heavier than 87gr, but there are many who find it extremely accurate with heavier bullets. Especially when breech seating.
Nice to see that caliber in action. I have a winchester 25-20 I am ready to shoot.
Thanks. I'm also playing with a 25-25. A very rare chambering.
I believe I have one
Hi Steve, What a nice combination, that model rifle and in that chambering. Wonder why more weren't made that way. ???
We'll never know for sure. But the .25-20SS was introduced in the last 11 years of the rifle's 41 year production run. The .22 and .32 were still their biggest sellers.
I believe I have one #2 sporting 25-20
I believe I have one #2 sporting 25-20
I believe I have one #2 sporting 25-20
Its a great cartridge - have fun it.