When Marlin released the Modern Lever action again in 25/20 I bought one. I have always been seriously interested in a small game gun and cartridge. I was not particularly impressed with the .22 rimfire on live game. The solid was not a reliable "stopper" and the hollow point ruined too much meat.
I found a perfect small game gun in the 25/20. When I got the rifle, I immediately ordered out a Lyman 257420 mould for their 70 grain GC bullet. Since the bullets were small, I used Linotype (I had a large stash of this). The bullets were sized at .258". I developed three loads. The first was a squirrel load (hunting squirrels with a rifle was one of my passions). 4.0 grs of Unique worked quite well (perfect in fact). It was relatively quiet, provided one shot stops when body shots were necessary and had the accuracy required for head shots at any reasonable ranges.
My mid range load was 11.5 grs. of RL-7. My "high speed" load was 14.5 grs. of RL-7. This was a compressed load and should only be used in strong actioned rifles (Marlin lever action as well as the Winchester Model 92). The velocity was near 2200 fps and shot relatively flat. Accuracy was ten ring on the fifty yard small bore target (ten shot groups). The "X" count was not high but this was satisfactory accuracy. We held lever action matches at my local gun club for several years. We shot eight matches a year and I can tell you that my Marlin was never beaten (and, using cast bullets against jacketed). These matches were "practical" matches and included speed matches at relatively close range to score and game targets at 100 yards. The Marlin was a reliable performer (as was it's caliber).
In fact, I don't believe a feller or gal could do better as a small game outfit than the Marlin in 25/20. Squirrels, sitting rabbits, and sitting grouse were reliably taken without any serious meat damage. It has my full endorsement when properly loaded with a good cast bullet.
Dale53
