Marlin 1894 in 25-20

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zoli 16ga.

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Hey all, was gifted a Marlin 1894 (made in 1906) lever action in 25-20.
Not sure if I should keep it, or if ammo is readily available.

Any opinions?
 
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I am mainly a shotgun guy and not interested in reloading cartridges. More just wondering whether the riffle is worth keeping...re being a better option than my .22 LR?
In all honesty I've never heard of a 25-20 round.
 
Loaded ammo is rare and with the current shortages I'm sure production will focus on the stuff that's guaranteed to move the fastest.
A box of 50 is often $80+ and empty brass is also rare but can be formed from 32-20. Castboolits forum has some discussion on it and the Marlin forums have an epic thread with a vast amount of information. A great cartridge for reloading.

I've got an old Marlin with a rough bore and a bunch of modern parts modified to fit. Would be happy to have one that's all original and matching someday.
 
It's hard to find bullets never mind loaded shells. 60 grain Hornady bullets are the only ones I was ever able to find. I also use jet cast bullets but only one of my 3 25 20s will shoot them without leading. I make my brass out of 32 20. Forget about it if you don't reload.
 
I handload for our 25-20 so my response is somewhat biased as I would be hanging onto that rifle. Loaded ammo is scarce no doubt about that and expensive when it does surface. And as has been pointed out 32-20 is fairly easy to form into 25-20.
But I also understand that for someone who doesn't wish to gear up to load rounds for this rifle it would perhaps make sense to move it along.
 
Keep it. If you don't I guarantee in a few years you will regret it. Clean it, put it in safe storage. Keep an eye out for ammo/brass/bullets and down the road you will be bragging about having the uncommon rifle.

Elwood Epps list two boxes of 25-20 ammo when I checked on line, 150rds total.Looks like Winchester and Remington are still making it from time to time.
 
Personally, theres no way I would ever let a gifted rifle like that out of my possession, except to hand it on to my kids or grandkids. Lovely rifle, find a a way to get some ammo, factory or reloaded, and just go have some fun.
 
zoli 16ga. said:
I am mainly a shotgun guy and not interested in reloading cartridges. More just wondering whether the riffle is worth keeping...re being a better option than my .22 LR?
In all honesty I've never heard of a 25-20 round.
Click to expand...

To quote my wife, “pick me, pick me!”

Absolutely worth keeping.
 
Thanks for the great info guys. Again, I'm a shotgun guy and reload for 16ga. and 28ga. already. I'm pushing sixty and have no want to start reloading brass lol. I also don't believe in closet queens either. My two kids already have picked out a couple of shotties each from my herd lol. I just don't have any need for a 25-20. My .22LR will suffice.
So she'll be up on the block shortly. Really wish it was a more useful gun for me :(
 
Just to be transparent, I was gifted a total of three guns. The other two being an old Savage 3C, and a WW2 Enfield 303 jungle all original.
 
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If only I was a younger man! But just being realistic, it'll get shot a couple times a year. I'm not worthy lol. The savage 3C I'm keeping. Bought a Savage axis in .270 a couple of years ago, might hang onto the Enfield...
 
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geeze....it is an Enfield no.5 MK1 jungle with a lee Enfield
no.4 butt stock. Time to go to bed...
2mTvwz4
 
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Keep that rifle! I looked for years to find a Marlin 25-20!!!! I will never sell mine! Never! Such a cool old cartridge! Ammo is expensive, but available.
 
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