mhblaw
Blackhawk
Am acquiring a 25WCF revolver. Any one have any cast bullet loads they willing to share? Montana Bullet Works and Badman Bullets both show an 85 grain RNFP that would probably be a good plinker.
25 WCF loads
- Thread starter mhblaw
- Start date
So, I found some info elsewhere. Tried 5.2 grs. Unique and 8.3 grs. 2400 (Odd amounts, but that is what my Lil'Dandy throws). No surprises, but neither particularly accurate at this point. John Taffin has used 1680 in a revolver of same caliber so may try that as well. Friend uses H-322 in a rifle of same caliber, but am thinking that may be to slow for a 5.5" barrel? Always fun to work something up for new caliber/gun.
VAdoublegunner
Single-Sixer
I must have missed this.
I load 25WCF for a Win '92 that was made in 1927. The bore is perfect since it was probably never shot with BP shells.
One of the first loads I tried was an 85gr cast bullet and 4.0 gr Green Dot. This was an excellent load in the rifle, low pressure, clean and gave about 1300 fps.
I've got a couple other pet loads for it with both cast and jacketed bullets but will have to check my load book for the specifics. Will get back to you.
It's a fun little cartridge. You should be able to get some impressive performance with the jacketed bullets!
I load 25WCF for a Win '92 that was made in 1927. The bore is perfect since it was probably never shot with BP shells.
One of the first loads I tried was an 85gr cast bullet and 4.0 gr Green Dot. This was an excellent load in the rifle, low pressure, clean and gave about 1300 fps.
I've got a couple other pet loads for it with both cast and jacketed bullets but will have to check my load book for the specifics. Will get back to you.
It's a fun little cartridge. You should be able to get some impressive performance with the jacketed bullets!
VAdoublegunner
Single-Sixer
More info:
Other loads that have worked for me with an 85gr cast bullet are 7.0gr of H4227, which also gives around 1300fps and pretty decent accuracy.
Any other powders, e.g. Re7, Varget, 4198, and AA1680 are probably too slow to use in a revolver, and those worked better for obtaining maximum velocity with jacketed bullets anyway. AA1680 is particularly good for high velocity loads with the Rem or Speer jacketed bullets.
Two other options may work for you. Trail Boss is worth a consideration. I haven't tried it yet, but works pretty well with most cast bullet loads. It is also forgiving about pressures unless you compress it. The general rule of thumb with it is load to 70% case capacity and work from there. A range of 3.0-3.5 grains is right. However, since it is so low pressure, it may not obturate the base of the bullet well enough in a revolver to prevent leading unless your throat / forcing cone and bullet diameter dimensions are critically matched, which I assume they certainly would be in a fine custom chambering like 25-20!!
One other option is WSF. I have developed a lot of cast bullet handloads with WSF. I do not particularly like Unique for cast bullets, it burns hot and is difficult to get good obturation with some bullets without a lot of leading, and there is that difficulty in measuring thrown charges thing. But I started using WSF for several cowboy action loads, and having a lot of it around for shotshells found that there was a good fit for it in handgun loads for which there was no published data. [Of course, developing loads off the books is strictly an endeavor that only the very advanced handloader should ever consider!] Since Green Dot worked so well for my initial attempt at 25-20, I gave it a shot there. It was actually very good in the rifle, but didn't improve on long range accuracy with cast bullets that much compared to Green Dot, 4198 or 4227. However, it may do quite well in your revolver since it is fast and should give a good bump to the base. If you are interested, I can provide a start load for you, but bear in mind that it is a self developed load for advanced handloaders. Since you are working with a 25-20 revolver, I would make the assumption without knowing otherwise that you are pretty advanced in that area.
Other loads that have worked for me with an 85gr cast bullet are 7.0gr of H4227, which also gives around 1300fps and pretty decent accuracy.
Any other powders, e.g. Re7, Varget, 4198, and AA1680 are probably too slow to use in a revolver, and those worked better for obtaining maximum velocity with jacketed bullets anyway. AA1680 is particularly good for high velocity loads with the Rem or Speer jacketed bullets.
Two other options may work for you. Trail Boss is worth a consideration. I haven't tried it yet, but works pretty well with most cast bullet loads. It is also forgiving about pressures unless you compress it. The general rule of thumb with it is load to 70% case capacity and work from there. A range of 3.0-3.5 grains is right. However, since it is so low pressure, it may not obturate the base of the bullet well enough in a revolver to prevent leading unless your throat / forcing cone and bullet diameter dimensions are critically matched, which I assume they certainly would be in a fine custom chambering like 25-20!!
One other option is WSF. I have developed a lot of cast bullet handloads with WSF. I do not particularly like Unique for cast bullets, it burns hot and is difficult to get good obturation with some bullets without a lot of leading, and there is that difficulty in measuring thrown charges thing. But I started using WSF for several cowboy action loads, and having a lot of it around for shotshells found that there was a good fit for it in handgun loads for which there was no published data. [Of course, developing loads off the books is strictly an endeavor that only the very advanced handloader should ever consider!] Since Green Dot worked so well for my initial attempt at 25-20, I gave it a shot there. It was actually very good in the rifle, but didn't improve on long range accuracy with cast bullets that much compared to Green Dot, 4198 or 4227. However, it may do quite well in your revolver since it is fast and should give a good bump to the base. If you are interested, I can provide a start load for you, but bear in mind that it is a self developed load for advanced handloaders. Since you are working with a 25-20 revolver, I would make the assumption without knowing otherwise that you are pretty advanced in that area.
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Thanks VA for the helpful info. I have been using Green Dot in several other calibers per Lee Martins suggestions and find it clean burning and to work well. I will try it in the 25-20. John Taffin had used 10 grs. of AA 1680 in a Bowen conversion of a Smith to this caliber and that is why I thougt I might try it in mine. Have used Trail Boss in 41 and 44 Special for a good plinker load as well. I have been handloading for 30+ years, but am still learning! Have the fun of shooting is the reloading.
Went to the range yesterday with several loads, as follows;
5.2 grs. Unique
8.5 2400
9.5 AA-1680 (tenths are what my L'Dandy rotors throw)
All with an 85 gr. cast bullet.
Accuracy with all (50 feet) was not that good, but standing two hands is not that easy. Cylinder rotation to extract was somewhat difficult, but doable, thus all backed out a little. Ejection was easy.
So, what next? Probably try Green Dot as suggested. Of the above, the AA-1680 load was the least difficult to rotate cylinder.
5.2 grs. Unique
8.5 2400
9.5 AA-1680 (tenths are what my L'Dandy rotors throw)
All with an 85 gr. cast bullet.
Accuracy with all (50 feet) was not that good, but standing two hands is not that easy. Cylinder rotation to extract was somewhat difficult, but doable, thus all backed out a little. Ejection was easy.
So, what next? Probably try Green Dot as suggested. Of the above, the AA-1680 load was the least difficult to rotate cylinder.
VAdoublegunner
Single-Sixer
Montana Bullet Works makes a 65gr gas checked one:
http://www.montanabulletworks.com/25_20.html
Are you committed to cast?
Speer makes a 75gr JFN, and Hornady makes a 60gr JFN.
I don't recall what the Win '92 twist rate is at the moment but it prefers the heavier ones. 1:14 sounds fine to stabilize a 85gr bullet but like the 6.5 Swede the 25 is long for weight in that caliber so may need a faster twist. It would be interesting to throw some of the Hornady 60s through it to see what happens.
http://www.montanabulletworks.com/25_20.html
Are you committed to cast?
Speer makes a 75gr JFN, and Hornady makes a 60gr JFN.
I don't recall what the Win '92 twist rate is at the moment but it prefers the heavier ones. 1:14 sounds fine to stabilize a 85gr bullet but like the 6.5 Swede the 25 is long for weight in that caliber so may need a faster twist. It would be interesting to throw some of the Hornady 60s through it to see what happens.
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