kentuckyfchicken

Anybody here have a gun in this caliber? I just inherited a marlin model 1894 i think, full octagon barrel and in pretty good shape. What do you guys think, new coyote gun or a new addition to the mantlepiece?

jaybe

My guess is that the ballistics probably wouldn't be very satisfactory for coyotes - at least by present standards. I'm not real familiar with that caliber, but it sounds like it was originally designed for 20 grains of black powder, which would not do very well at 200 yards - and even 100 might be stretching it.
If I were going to shoot it at all, I'd first have it checked out by a competent gunsmith.

Good Luck,
IM jaybe

DM

I havetwo 25/20's. One is a custom "K" frame Smith & Wesson revolver i had a guy make up for me, and the other is a one of a kind, single shot T-bolt rifle that was made in my shop.

I really like the 25/20 and it's an excelent coyote size game round.

Drilling Man

gunnut2000

Loaded with the new smoleless powders its not that bad of a round. I wouldn't exspect much over 150yrds unless you shoot that range alot. I have a 1903 made 1892 Winchester rifle. I like the gun its fun to shoot and is just a cool old gun. At this last weekends gunshow I found a remington Model 12 in 22S,L,or LR and its going to be a blast. Not wortha bunch but they dont make them like the used to so they'll last forever. Some of the newer guns feel like my kids toys so picking up one of these older heavy guns feels good. Jovan

PS If you would like to sell that 25-20 Marlin let me know I would be interested. Thanks

HighDesertWolf

a few years back a group of hunters i hunted with there was this old timer the man had to have been 90 years old he hunted deer with a 25-20 he used remington express 86 grain soft points. Ive seen him take white tail out to 100 yards with that old gun. Seems a little under powered for deer in my opinion but he seemed to take deer just fine with it. I think it would be a fine coyote gun, id imagine the trajectory would be similar to a 22 lr so it wouldnt be a real long range gun but would probably do just fine to 150 yards with a little kentucky windage.

LIAF

FYI- The 25-20 win.was the cartridge that killed the James Jordan buck (#2 typical whitetail) back in 1914. I guess those old timers had to use whatever was available to them in order to hunt.

kentuckyfchicken

Thanks for the responses guys. This gun has been in my family for aLONG time and seen ALOT of action so i think its time for her to retire.

Its hard for me to put it away, it fits better than any other gun i own, not to mention i dont have to worry about losing my hearing like i do with my 25-06

Vapodog

My 25-20 is a M-92 made in 1917 and is still in first class shape. It was my Father's gun and he bought it used...somewhere about 1925. He used it to hunt jackrabbits and fox in Southern Minnesota and used it to hunt deer as well near the town of Tofte Minnesota.

The cartridge was outlawed for deer in Minnesota about 1934 or so and he bought a 303 Savage M-99 and used that until 1962 when he bought a new Savage 99 in 308.

I used the 25-20 to shoot Duikers, Steenbok and Springbok in South Africa anbd reload it with the Hornady 60 grain flat point loaded to 2,200'/sec per Hornady's manual.

The 25-20's practical range is 100 yards and will kill coyotes successfully at that range if well hit.but it's not a 222 or 223 and will never be. It's greatest fun in life is shooting jackrabbits on the run in open areas where the lever action will toss 14 rounds as fast as one can run the lever.

Used within it's limitations of range it's avery fine little round but don't try to stretch it as a deer rifle.....it's done it but isn't quite enough.

Doe Dumper

I have one in a Savage Sporter ...dunno when it was built but that thing is OLD. Still shoots and functions perfectly. Shoots a NICE group with the 60 grainers but not very impressive with the 86's.

kelbro

I have an old Savage Sporter in 25-20 and it shoots fine out to 100 yds. 1 - 2 inch groups consistently. I get better groups out of the Win 86 gr than the Rems. I'm planning to try some different loads in it 'just because'.

There are better deer and coyote calibers but I have killed many of each with mine.