.25-20 Single Shot Load

B-Maxx · December 6, 2008, 08:25 PM

I have an old J. Stevens .25-20 single shot Rifle that I'm looking to reload for. Most information that I come across is for the .25-20WCF. How do I find out if black powder or smokeless powder would be ok? I see that Buffalo Arms sells both, but doesn't make a real distinction between the two. Would they be interchangeable if you vary the load? Also what would be a decent powder and charge to use for smokeless powder if possible? The new Lyman manual doesn't have a listing for this round. Thanks for the info.

Jim Watson · December 6, 2008, 10:52 PM

You can shoot smokeless in the .25-20 SS but a lot of the old data is really too hot. Maybe if you called Buffalo Arms and talked to Dave Gullo he could reassure you. I doubt he is putting out anything that will hurt the old guns, but that is a nice rig and it pays to be careful.

Black powder won't hurt it for sure but you will have to have a good attitude about cleaning. It isn't hard, I can get the soot out of my .38-55 faster than I can get the copper out of my .308 but you have to get right on it. I clean at the range and reclean at home. I use diluted All Surface Windex With Vinegar, as a number of people do, but plain or soapy water works. Just clean, dry, and oil.

.45 COLT · December 6, 2008, 11:06 PM

The only data I have for the .25-20 SS is pretty scanty.

60 Grain Lead Bullet, 9.0 Grains of 2400, MV 1,790 FPS.

86 Grain Lead Bullet, 8.0 Grains of 2400, MV 1,470 FPS

No pressure data for those loads.

DC

B-Maxx · December 6, 2008, 11:16 PM

Thanks Jim. I know you've replied to a couple of other posts I've made about this particular rifle. I am definitely going to give that guy a call about the ammo. I plan on purchasing a box of 20 rounds just to see how it shoots and then consider buying the dies and extra brass. Sounds like you know your stuff and if you recommend to call him than that sounds like the way to go. Thanks again.

kraigwy · December 6, 2008, 11:41 PM

According to Cpt Philip Sharps 'Complete Guide to Reloading" the 25-20 Single Rifles are loaded a tad bit lighter then the 25-20 WCF. SOMETIMES. An example is he list 9 grns of 2400 as the max for the 86 grn bullet in the SS and 9.5 for the WCF using the same bullet. Using Uniqure he list 5.5 grns as max for the 86 grn bullet in the SS, and 4.9 for the WCF.

Go Figure.

Every reloading manuel I've see is quite confusing in loadings for these cart.

My 25-20 iWCF s a remington pump, gun, I load moderate loads of 2400, which would fit either rifle. Great little rabbit guns and not necessary to load hot for little cotton tails. I think the load for my right at 8 grns of 2400. It shoots good in my rifle using 60 grn bullets, which is all I can find around here.

Cpt Sharp list 9 grns of 2400 as max for the WCF and 14 grns as max for the Single Shot. Both using the 60 grain pill. You can see why it gets confusing.

Problems is somebody loaded all my 60 grainers in my 257 Roberts to make light gallery loads for my Grandaughter.

T. O'Heir · December 7, 2008, 01:15 AM

"...Would they be interchangeable..." Absolutely not. BP works at much lower pressures. Load data in manuals is not safe in a BP firearm. Says so in my 45th Edition Lyman book. It does have smokeless .25-20 data for 60 and 86 grain jacketed and 69 and 90 grain, gas checked, cast bullets that I'll send you(E-mail me). However, it's all for non-BP using rifles. Tested in a Winchester Model 92 rifle.
[email protected]

Jim Watson · December 7, 2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Using Uniqure he list 5.5 grns as max for the 86 grn bullet in the SS

This load was discussed on the ASSRA board. It is too hot for some to most old rifles.

Ken Waters says 4.5 gr Unique or 7.5 gr 2400 and a 95 gr cast bullet.

T. O'Heir · December 7, 2008, 01:58 AM

Hi, Jim. 5.5 grains of Unique is given as the max load for an 86 grain jacketed bullet and a 90 grain gas checked cast bullet out of a Win 92 in my Lyman book. It all depends on whether or not B-Maxx's rifle is old enough to be a BP rifle.

December 6, 2008, 08:25 PM	#1
B-Maxx Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Posts: 131	.25-20 Single Shot Load I have an old J. Stevens .25-20 single shot Rifle that I'm looking to reload for. Most information that I come across is for the .25-20WCF. How do I find out if black powder or smokeless powder would be ok? I see that Buffalo Arms sells both, but doesn't make a real distinction between the two. Would they be interchangeable if you vary the load? Also what would be a decent powder and charge to use for smokeless powder if possible? The new Lyman manual doesn't have a listing for this round. Thanks for the info.

December 6, 2008, 11:41 PM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	According to Cpt Philip Sharps 'Complete Guide to Reloading" the 25-20 Single Rifles are loaded a tad bit lighter then the 25-20 WCF. SOMETIMES. An example is he list 9 grns of 2400 as the max for the 86 grn bullet in the SS and 9.5 for the WCF using the same bullet. Using Uniqure he list 5.5 grns as max for the 86 grn bullet in the SS, and 4.9 for the WCF. Go Figure. Every reloading manuel I've see is quite confusing in loadings for these cart. My 25-20 iWCF s a remington pump, gun, I load moderate loads of 2400, which would fit either rifle. Great little rabbit guns and not necessary to load hot for little cotton tails. I think the load for my right at 8 grns of 2400. It shoots good in my rifle using 60 grn bullets, which is all I can find around here. Cpt Sharp list 9 grns of 2400 as max for the WCF and 14 grns as max for the Single Shot. Both using the 60 grain pill. You can see why it gets confusing. Problems is somebody loaded all my 60 grainers in my 257 Roberts to make light gallery loads for my Grandaughter. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071 Last edited by kraigwy; December 6, 2008 at 11:48 PM.

December 7, 2008, 01:15 AM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...Would they be interchangeable..." Absolutely not. BP works at much lower pressures. Load data in manuals is not safe in a BP firearm. Says so in my 45th Edition Lyman book. It does have smokeless .25-20 data for 60 and 86 grain jacketed and 69 and 90 grain, gas checked, cast bullets that I'll send you(E-mail me). However, it's all for non-BP using rifles. Tested in a Winchester Model 92 rifle. [email protected] __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 7, 2008, 01:58 AM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Hi, Jim. 5.5 grains of Unique is given as the max load for an 86 grain jacketed bullet and a 90 grain gas checked cast bullet out of a Win 92 in my Lyman book. It all depends on whether or not B-Maxx's rifle is old enough to be a BP rifle. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 6, 2008, 10:52 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	You can shoot smokeless in the .25-20 SS but a lot of the old data is really too hot. Maybe if you called Buffalo Arms and talked to Dave Gullo he could reassure you. I doubt he is putting out anything that will hurt the old guns, but that is a nice rig and it pays to be careful. Black powder won't hurt it for sure but you will have to have a good attitude about cleaning. It isn't hard, I can get the soot out of my .38-55 faster than I can get the copper out of my .308 but you have to get right on it. I clean at the range and reclean at home. I use diluted All Surface Windex With Vinegar, as a number of people do, but plain or soapy water works. Just clean, dry, and oil.

December 6, 2008, 11:06 PM	#3
.45 COLT Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 308	The only data I have for the .25-20 SS is pretty scanty. 60 Grain Lead Bullet, 9.0 Grains of 2400, MV 1,790 FPS. 86 Grain Lead Bullet, 8.0 Grains of 2400, MV 1,470 FPS No pressure data for those loads. DC

December 6, 2008, 11:16 PM	#4
B-Maxx Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Posts: 131	Thanks Jim. I know you've replied to a couple of other posts I've made about this particular rifle. I am definitely going to give that guy a call about the ammo. I plan on purchasing a box of 20 rounds just to see how it shoots and then consider buying the dies and extra brass. Sounds like you know your stuff and if you recommend to call him than that sounds like the way to go. Thanks again.