25-20 WCF twist rates

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  • Last Post 24 October 2015
Notlwonk posted this 22 October 2015

What twist rates and bullet weights are folks using for the 25-20 WCF?

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Ed Harris posted this 22 October 2015

Blackpowder barrels were traditionally one turn in 16 inches. But later smokeless barrels were often one turn in 14", and the faster twist would be my choice. If I came across a high quality .25 cal. barrel in a 12” or 10” I wouldn't be afraid to use one, because the faster twist will stabilize heavier bullets subsonic, which I find attractive.

In repeating rifles you are fairly limited to the lighter 87-grain bullets, to avoid the bullet base protruding below the neck, and still feed.   In a single shot or bolt action you could load heavier bullets out a bit longer if you wanted to.

I've shot quite a few .25-20 bullets both cast and jacketed in the 87-grain weight in a .25-35 Winchester 1894, with 8” twist, and at reduced velocities approximating .25-20 ammunition they were very accurate, so I would not be at all afraid of a faster twist barrel as long as both barrel and bullets were of good quality.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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bandmiller2 posted this 22 October 2015

My Ruger #1 in 25-20 has 14” twist its very accurate but I haven't tried heavier than 87gr. The cartridge has a small boiler room and little space for slower powders and longer bullets. The barrel blank I had was 14", as Ed said, a faster twist wouldn't hurt. Its a nice mild mannered little cartridge but will smuck a woodchuck a vicious blow and with cast a good squirrel rifle. Frank C.

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Bud Hyett posted this 23 October 2015

If you are thinking single shots and breech-seating, then there is a dilemma With the interest in “quarter-bore” shooting in ISSA and ASSRA there is a split that influences twist. The CBA has a small dedicated group working to instill interest and perhaps have a quarter-bore class for this special interest group.

The ASSRA gang wants “traditional” rifles which means:<>Lighter bullets, 75 to 90 grain<>Slim barrels<>Schnabel fore ends<>Slower twists, 1 in 14"The ISSA gang allows anything:<>Heavier bullets; 120 grain<>heavier barrels<>Flat fore ends<>Faster twists, 1 in 10"My thought is to go the ISSA and CBA route with the heavier barrel, 120 grain bullet, and faster twist if you are thinking of a single-shot and breech-seating. If you are thinking of a repeater, then C. E. Harris is right as to the slower twist for repeaters with bullet bases protruding into the powder area of the case.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Notlwonk posted this 23 October 2015

OK, 10” twist liner with .50” OD and 14” by 7/16” are available. So either the 10  or 14” would work. I'm not sure where to go with this project. I ended up with a 22 RF Ballard barrel and the plan was to line it to 25-20. The problem is the Ballard had the 2 piece extractor. That leaves 1/4” hole parallel to the bore and a 1/4” by 1/2” 'window' on the side. The 1/4” hole is an easy fix but the window may not support the liner.  A reply to my problem on the Practical Machinist forum was to fit and silver solder pieces to fill the window. That would end up with a bit of hand fitting. Not sure I'm up to getting a close enough fit for silver solder.  

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 23 October 2015

for the extractor window build up.... consider a tig weld ...that could fill in a loose fit ...in fact a slight gap would be better . tig is getting more common lately; most good body shops have them .if you furnish the filler piece it should take about 5 minutes to weld it . a six pack should do it ...

ken

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bandmiller2 posted this 24 October 2015

Notwonk,if you have to bore out the barrel for the liner weld up the gap before and bore for a tight fit. are you planning to solder or epoxy the liner in.?? Frank C.

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Notlwonk posted this 24 October 2015

bandmiller2 wrote: Notwonk,if you have to bore out the barrel for the liner weld up the gap before and bore for a tight fit. are you planning to solder or epoxy the liner in.?? Frank C. Oh yeh, I wouldn't want the drill to walk.   Epoxy

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