25-20 question

[cherokeetracker]

Today at the range a fellow ask me about some 25-20 cartridges that are for "Single shot only" He did not look at the box when he bought them and they do not work in his old Winchester. Would these be for a contender? or maybe a high wall or something?  I am not that familiar with the cartridge.

  He says that he bought the 3 boxes new, and cannot return them.  Any help on this would be appreciated.

  Charles  

[wgg]

There is a 25-20 Single Shot cartridge that is different from the 25-20 Winchester.

[Encore64]

The original 25-20 was for a single shot Stevens rifle. Its longer and slimmer than the 25-20 repeater.

When the 25-20 got ppopular, Winchester wanted in on the game. But, the cartridge was too long for the M92 action.

So, they necked down the 32-20 and went with it. It was originally the 25 WCF, but later call the 25-20 WCF.

Little known fact is the 25-20 WCF only holds 17 grns of powder.

[cmh]

Well..... I just learned something thanks 😉

[Encore64]

There's a lot of history in these old cartridges. The original 25-20 S.S. was the basis for one of our early varmint cartridges.

The 2R Lovell or 22-3000 G&H was the 25-20 S.S. necked to 22 caliber and was more popular than the parent cartridge.

3000 fps isn't a milestone now, but in those days it was quite an accomplishment.

[cherokeetracker]

Thanks Huey I figured you would know if anyone would. I am not sure if he is stuck with those or not. But I sure haven't seen any single shot 25-20s. Yep, I learned something today.

Thanks for the info to all.
Charles

[cmh]

Is that the same rifle Snyd is looking at selling?

[Encore64]

Jan 4, 2017 11:44:41 GMT -5 cmh said:

Is that the same rifle Snyd is looking at selling?

Probably. I'm not sure that Stevens ever built a 25-20 WCF. But, would check to be sure. Some were rechambered when 25-25-20 S.S. was impossible to get.

[2 Dogs]

I have found Huey to be an excellent resource myself. Very knowledgeable and always super helpful to the point I feel privileged to be able to return any courtesy. Can wait to see how his 25-20 project stacks up to the .257 Jackrabbit.

For those of you who are small bore smitten, my advice is this: if you are going to do a custom cylinder go 25-20 WCF. If you plan to build on a Single Six cylinder the .257 Jackrabbit is your cartridge.

[AxeHandle]

Saw my first brass on the range a few weeks back. Fired from an old lever gun... Definitely looks like a 32-20 necked to 25. My 300 GNR has a comparable neck and you'd better keep the chambers clean and dry if you don't want the cylinder to lock up.
25-20


300GNR