First, let me say that I've had this rifle for over a year and have on and off been working with load development. This rifle never showed signs of being consistent, a lucky group now and then which could never be duplicated on my next trip to the range. I tried many combinations of powder, cast & jacketed bullets, and primers trying to get that consistent accuracy. Very frustrating.

In the last two weeks, something good happened. My 25-20, after over 750 rounds fired, started to group consistently. And with the 86 gr. Remington bullet which I initially wanted to use. Powder is H-322 and although it leaves some residue in the bore I am overlooking that because this rifle has finally settled down. I removed the 4X Leupold that was mounted for load development but before that I fired its last scope group of 5 shots in 5/8" at 50 meters, centered. Yesterday morning I finally replaced the scope with a Williams FP rear to fire a few groups for the postal match.

Got it sighted to center at 50m and fired some groups which won't win any awards but most times there are four shots close and the inevitable flier which I attribute to shooter error. The front sight is too large and will be replaced with a much smaller bead, probably in a globe front sight.

I learned something too. Years ago I would have traded that rifle after a few months of frustration but now in my retirement years I seem to have gotten a bit more patience and it has rewarded me. My Marlin 25-20 now officially has a home.

I am very eager to hear whether your new-found consistancy started with the H322 powder.

My experience with the 32-20 sounds very similar. The H322 put it on track in a big way.

KenK,

I tried H-322 briefly when starting with the 25-20 but when I finally got around to retrying it the results were differrent the second time around. Whatever happened is a mystery but CCI 400 primers seem to be another key to the accuracy here.

Getting ready for a silhouette match next weekend, I had targets at 50 & 150 meters. After I determined that my 38-55 was good to go at 150 I shot the 25-20 at long range. I held the bead at the top of the target frame and put 4 shots into my target, about 22" below point of aim! Grouped about 4" out there.

The 25-20 was the first of the 1894CL's that I acquired .

I've shot mine with jacketed and cast loads . And they both did alright for me . That 65 grain Lyman GC FP mould is a good one in my rifle .
Recently got an older Lyman single cavity mould for the Lyman 86 grain GC FP bullet that I plan on trying in this little rifle .
Also hope in the next year to acquire an original Marlin 1894 in 25-20 . 24" octagon barrel , full mag etc with a good bore .

Steelbanger,
I didn't know you had a 25-20. You might try some AA2015. I'm shooting 12.0 gr of AA2015 with the Rem 86 gr FP bullet and it is a tack driver. I tried a lot of powders and that one really came together.

Hello Big Med,

I just checked my powder supply. Athough there are 28 different types, there is no 2015. Looks like I'll have to make it 29 different powders and give it a try. Thanks.

For several years I have been trying to simplify the amount of components I keep here. And every year there seem to be more & more. I'll have to check with my wife . . maybe I just don't shoot enough!

Hello Big Med,

I just checked my powder supply. Athough there are 28 different types, there is no 2015. Looks like I'll have to make it 29 different powders and give it a try. Thanks.

For several years I have been trying to simplify the amount of components I keep here. And every year there seem to be more & more. I'll have to check with my wife . . maybe I just don't shoot enough!

I tried that several years ago to keep it to just one or two powders, but ya know...it just isn't as fun ;) I suppose that if I only had one or two rifles I could do that.....but that ain't gonna happen :eek: :D

I have had the Marlin CL in 25-20 since 1990, and started reloading for it, because the factory lead loads were far less than accurate. At the same gun store that I bought the rifle I found an old U.M.C. factory hollow point load of 60gr. Since the 25-20 was the original varmit rifle long before the 22 Hornet I wanted to duplicate that old U.M.C. for groundhogs, and such.

Doing as much research as I could I found that no factory loaded the 60gr, and little data was available to push the 25-20 over 1900fps untill two things happened. Hornady came out with the 60gr flatnose, and Accurate Arms came out with the 1680 powder, which was one of the better powders for the Hornet at the time. Now I could duplicate that old U.M.C.

After working up loads based on the AA powder handout I came up with 14.5gr of 1680, small CCI primers, and the Hornady flatnose. The key was to use the U.M.C. round as my model, which was its AOL and its slight rolled crimp. Accuracy was great and I got well over 2200fps. Haven't used anything since.

Off the subject, but I have wanted one of those 1894 CL in 25-20 for years. I think that it would be a perfect javelina gun. I know a guy that has one that is basically new and in the factory box, but I don't think he will ever part with it, and I don't think he has ever shot it. I have even looked into the possibility of having a Handi-Rifle re-barreled to that caliber.

I agree. I plan to use mine on javelina real soon. Just need a good spot to hunt them. Went to Victoria, TX last year but didn't see any. Hopefully this year I'll have better luck.

You could re-barrel a handi rifle in a rimfire 22 or maybe a hornet for the 25-20. If I didn't own one already I'd do the same. Very hard to find the CL and very expensive to buy an older 25-20 rifle.

Go farther west. They are more of a dry climate animal.