Elric
Well-Known Member
Note to readers- Always use common sense when choosing components and tools for reloading. This short reply was in a magazine edited by G. O. SHIELDS (COQUINA) , Editor and Manager. I dimly remember that this editor had a thing to belittle Savage rifles [I think] and some articles could have had artistic license used in their creation... YMMV...
To Load The 25-25
Recreation, Volume 15 No. 6 page 455, June 1901.
https://books.google.com/books?id=S4cXAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA382&dq="25-25"+stevens&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiF9buBnpzjAhXGXc0KHeMfABoQ6AEIOTAD#v=onepage&q="25-25"%20stevens&f=false
Perhaps I can give 40-82, Dickinson's Landing, Ont., the information he desires regarding the loading of 25-25 shells. I own a 25-25 Stevens Ideal rifle and have experimented with many different charges for it. I have the Ideal reloading tool, No. 3, with 2 adjustable chambers: one for flat and the other for sharp pointed bullets. I have, also, a muzzle resizer, an Ideal adjustable bullet mould, and an Ideal mould to cast 73-grain sharp pointed bullets.
For target shooting the full charge is not satisfactory, being too powerful.
Use 22 grains of ffg. rifle powder, put a pasteboard wad over it and press it down firmly; then seat an 86-grain bullet in the shell up to the last groove. It is not necessary to crimp the shell for a single shot rifle; but resize the muzzle of each shell after firing.
My mould will cast bullets up to 96 grains in weight, but the maximum weight bullet does not give good results in a rifle with 14 inch twist; they keyhole often. The standard 86 grain bullet is all right in a 25-25.
For squirrel hunting I use 15 grains of ffg. powder and put a pasteboard wad on top. Then seat a 73 grain sharp pointed bullet in the end of the shell just as if a full charge was used. The sharp pointed bullet does not mutilate game, and the charge is powerful enough for a heron or a fox. Ten grains of powder and a 54 grain bullet makes a fine load up to 150 yards. This bullet can be cast in the Ideal Perfection mould.
If you have Ideal tools you can experiment to your heart's content. Send for an Ideal Handbook and follow the instructions to the letter; you will make ammunition that will beat factory loads all hollow. If you use U. M. C. cartridges always use No. 1 ½ U. M. C. primers. The Winchester No. 1 ½ primer will fit, but, being soft, will blow out and fill your face with powder.
The 25-25 Stevens is all right for target shooting up to 300 yards.
M. H. Lente, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
To Load The 25-25
Recreation, Volume 15 No. 6 page 455, June 1901.
https://books.google.com/books?id=S4cXAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA382&dq="25-25"+stevens&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiF9buBnpzjAhXGXc0KHeMfABoQ6AEIOTAD#v=onepage&q="25-25"%20stevens&f=false
Perhaps I can give 40-82, Dickinson's Landing, Ont., the information he desires regarding the loading of 25-25 shells. I own a 25-25 Stevens Ideal rifle and have experimented with many different charges for it. I have the Ideal reloading tool, No. 3, with 2 adjustable chambers: one for flat and the other for sharp pointed bullets. I have, also, a muzzle resizer, an Ideal adjustable bullet mould, and an Ideal mould to cast 73-grain sharp pointed bullets.
For target shooting the full charge is not satisfactory, being too powerful.
Use 22 grains of ffg. rifle powder, put a pasteboard wad over it and press it down firmly; then seat an 86-grain bullet in the shell up to the last groove. It is not necessary to crimp the shell for a single shot rifle; but resize the muzzle of each shell after firing.
My mould will cast bullets up to 96 grains in weight, but the maximum weight bullet does not give good results in a rifle with 14 inch twist; they keyhole often. The standard 86 grain bullet is all right in a 25-25.
For squirrel hunting I use 15 grains of ffg. powder and put a pasteboard wad on top. Then seat a 73 grain sharp pointed bullet in the end of the shell just as if a full charge was used. The sharp pointed bullet does not mutilate game, and the charge is powerful enough for a heron or a fox. Ten grains of powder and a 54 grain bullet makes a fine load up to 150 yards. This bullet can be cast in the Ideal Perfection mould.
If you have Ideal tools you can experiment to your heart's content. Send for an Ideal Handbook and follow the instructions to the letter; you will make ammunition that will beat factory loads all hollow. If you use U. M. C. cartridges always use No. 1 ½ U. M. C. primers. The Winchester No. 1 ½ primer will fit, but, being soft, will blow out and fill your face with powder.
The 25-25 Stevens is all right for target shooting up to 300 yards.
M. H. Lente, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.