.22-5-40
2 posts
Aug 23, 2011
8:06 PM
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Hello, everyone. I am working on loads for a little cartridge you don't here too much about today..The .25-25 Stevens. I purchased a Ballard No. 3 rifle that was originally a .22 R.F. This has the so-called cast-iron action..though I believe it probably is closer to a type of cast-steel..but cast as opposed to forged all the same. This has quite a few special-order features..the original No. 3 was a bit of a plain jane. This has engraving on both sides of frame, as well as on rebated sides & top of frame. Crotch burl American walnut stocks, checkered forend & buttstock. Lever is spur & ball, rifle buttplate. 30" full oct. brl. Has vernier tang & globe front, with inter. appa. Sometime in distant past it was re-bored/chambered to the .25-25..mint bore has very narrow lands..R.H. with a 1-12" twist.
Now if I had purchased this about 20 years ago, I would no doubt have started low with smokeless..probably 4227 or 4759. I had given up on black..became disenchanted with the then available Goex..though I used to shoot an awful lot of black back then. But that cast-frame gave me pause..even though the case-head size is small & reward thrust would be lower I just wasn't about to gamble the safety of a valuable antique...And I am not just refering to the rifle either!
So I purchased some 3FG Swiss.
I have been experimenting with Ideal 25730, a 100gr. multi grooved, pan lubed with SPG & sized to .258"
I have only been able to get out to range once with this one..but starting loads look good..at 50yds., 1" to 3/4" groups are coming together. Fouling wasn't as bad as I thought it would be in this tiny bore..I was using (new to me) Butch's Black Powder Bore Shine. Two or three patches wet with this come out clean. I did notice a patch of baked on fouling right in front of chamber..didn't have any brushes with me, I used J-B on a tight patch & it came right out..Have since made up a blow tube. I have also, since, made up some du-plex loads using 1 to 3 grs. 4759 against primer, & rest filled with Swiss.
Still not sure if I should ever try straight smokeless? If the du-plex burn cleaner, I might just stick with those..One less thing to worry about when you press that trigger!
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