25-20 and Li'L Gun????

Eagleye

Eagleye

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So, I have become the owner of a very nice older 25-20, a Marlin M1894.
Would like to load for it soon.

I was looking at several sources for loading data, and while it is not scarce,
there is not a huge amount available out there.

I am wondering if anyone has tried Li'L Gun in this chambering? It looks
like it should be a shoe-in for this little case, and would probably deliver
decent ballistics without taxing the Marlin, pressure wise.

I have had very satisfactory results with Li'L Gun in the 357 magnum, and
in the 22 Hornet & K Hornet.

If anyone has tried this powder in their 25-20 successfully, please PM me
Thanks, Dave.
 
I just picked up a 50th Lyman reloading book and it does not show any lil gun. Surprised to see imr 4198, h322, and 1680 listed if required load data I can send a pic if interested
 
The 218 BEE and the 25-20 share a parent case.

Seeing as the 25-20 has a larger bore, you should be able to start with the 218 Bee suggested max charge of 10 grains Lil Gun and work up from there with similar and even heavier bullets.

I tried working up a load for the 257 Maximum, which is a 357 Maximum case necked down to 257. Lil Gun is just to fast for that much case capacity.


It just dawned on me, so a bit of an update.

You may have the LONGER 25-20 case??? Intended originally for single shot rifles and is appx .035 in longer, with a slimmer body??

I have seen a couple of lever action rifles chambered for this cartridge as well. Still, capacities are similar.
 
Last edited:
bearhunter said:
The 218 BEE and the 25-20 share a parent case.

Seeing as the 25-20 has a larger bore, you should be able to start with the 218 Bee suggested max charge of 10 grains Lil Gun and work up from there with similar and even heavier bullets.

It just dawned on me, so a bit of an update.

You may have the LONGER 25-20 case??? Intended originally for single shot rifles and is appx .035 in longer, with a slimmer body??

I have seen a couple of lever action rifles chambered for this cartridge as well. Still, capacities are similar.
Click to expand...

BH, No, this is the bottlenecked 25-20 Winchester case not the SS case. I think I will go with your suggestion regarding
the 218 Bee. Should be safe to start at 9-10 grains, and see what follows. Regards, Dave.
 
Dave:

my 25-20s are a 1916 Remington pump, an old early 1900s Marlin lever and a W.W. Greener single. I'm using the same lead and jacketed loads in both the pump and lever. I'm only shooting the lead load in the Greener - it loves lead, hates jacketed. I tried lots of variations and grains buddy, the following is the best and most accurate for me, and they all cloverleaf at 50yds, and an inch or a tad at 75yds, I dont even bother out to a hundred :0)

I'm using 7.5grs and 10.5grs LilGun with the 75gr Speer HC. Awesome accurate! and 12.5grs Reloader 7 for the hot one.

85gr LFP (from Jethunter), 8.6grs IMR 4227, and 11.0grs of LilGun.

I like the LilGun loads, I have an 8lb jug so it will last along long time.... I also have alot of Reloader 7 as well: and have about 200 rounds each of the 85gr LFPs and 75gr Speer HC on hand loaded up with LilGun loads.

None of these are really that hot or max. avg fps in 85gr is about 1650 or so, I choose accuracy over all and I mostly shoot them within 50yds.

Super fun round, easy and fairly cheap to load for, my granddads Remington pump has shot bears, deer and moose thruout the 1920s to 30s.... I just plink and they will go to the grandkids.

Have fun, Ken
 
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