25/35 load data for new old 1894.

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Tanqueray
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25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by Tanqueray »

Howdy all.

Picked up a beautiful old 1894 rifle the other day, 1908 manufacture, chambered in 25-35WCF. It’s in superb condition, locks up as tight as a new one, and the bore looks great too. I have some hornady flexi tip ammo on the way (only ammo I could find) and also some dies.

It came with this leather bag which the previous owner thought to be original, anyone seen one of these before?

Here she is next to my 1892 44WCF rifle, which is 1912 manufacture.

Image
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The only .257 cal FN or RN projectiles I can find here in NZ are the Hornady 117gr RN. I have black powder and also H4895 on hand, anyone have any load data? I’ll try and find a mold to start casting for it too, quarterbore molds are pretty thin on the ground - most of the big companies don’t make them, or they’re more suited to the 25/20 - anyone here casting for their 25/35?

Thanks
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gamekeeper
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by gamekeeper »

I think the Hornady flex tip 110 grain is the only factory ammo made in 25/35. Winchester Repeating Arms are making new 94s in that caliber so maybe there will be more ammo in the future.
Sorry I can't help with the reloading.
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AmBraCol
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by AmBraCol »

That's a sweet looking rifle! My brother cornered the local market on 25-35 brass and Hornaday 117 RN bullets. Out of the old family model 64 that round is ACCURATE. Way back when I was getting half inch groups at around 50 yards with the old buckhorn type sights.

As for loads, I'd stay away from black powder, this was one of the early smokeless rounds and was not intended for black. If you go to http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle , they have 19.5 grains of H4895 as a starting load for the 117 grain round nose in 25-35. Lyman's reloading manual is another good source of info on this cartridge.
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marlinman93
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by marlinman93 »

That is indeed a period case for the era. Not what Winchester offered, but it would have been what anyone might buy when they picked out their new 1894 Win. back then. And it's a very cool addition to the gun!
Don't have a .25-35, but I have a .25-36 Marlin and my favorite load is 10.0 grs. of 2400 with a 117 gr. NOE bullet I cast. It's a gas checked bullet, and has proven to be extremely accurate out to extremely long ranges for the .25-36 M.
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ollogger
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by ollogger »

Them are two very nice Winchesters!!

Sorry I don't cast for the 25-35, most of my guns I do cast for but what cast bullets I did shoot in the 25-35 gave
dismal results, if you run across the speer 75 grain FN bullet try them out, the 117 hornady is a great bullet also




Brad
Tanqueray
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by Tanqueray »

Thanks folks.

The bluing on the mag tube and barrel are exceptional, as are the edges of the octagonal barrel. I wondered if it had been rebarrlled but it doesn’t appear so, I think the receiver may have had thinner bluing?

I’ve heard that the 25/35 was initially a BP cartridge but was very early on in the piece remarketed as a smokeless cartridge.

Anyone loaded BP and able to give some velocities?

I’ll probably end up sticking with H4895 and the Hornady 117gr unless it gives issues. It would appear that the Speer FP is no longer produced, I can’t see it on their website anyway.
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by JerryB »

Reckon you done real good snatching that rifle. There is some real beauty in an old long barreled Winchester rifle. I have a 1917 1892 32wcf round barrel rifle. I like to get it out of the safe and just handle it and look at it sitting by all of those carbines.
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Re: 25/35 load data for new old 1894.

Post by 32-20 »

I just picked up a model 55 in 25-35 a few months ago and have been working on loads for it. So far the Hornaday 117 gr. RN and 26 gr. 4320 has been very accurate in my rifle. Tried the Lyman 257325 with 10 gr of 2400 and got very good results with it too. Bullets are cast from WW's
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