Handloads: .25-35 Winchester

posted on September 1, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
handwins.jpg

Most every used-gun rack contains at least several Winchester Model 94s. Most are chambered in .30-30 Win., but a surprising number are chambered in .25-35 Win. Actually, quite a few rifles have been made to fire .25-35. Every so often a Savage 1899 or Winchester Model 1885 pops up. European drillings and single-shots also appear now and again, although usually under the 6.5x52 mm R designation. Winchester Repeating Arms made a limited-run Model 94 in .25-35 in 2005. All those rifles deserve to be shot, if for nothing else than to keep history alive.

Bullets are limited for handloading .25-35 rifles with tubular magazines. That’s okay, because Hornady 117-gr. Round Nose bullets shoot accurately and carry enough energy to accomplish everything expected of this little cartridge now celebrating its 125th anniversary. As far as I know, that bullet weight is the only one that has ever been offered in .25-35 factory loads.

Seating the bullet so that its crimping cannelure is even with the case mouth provides a perfect overall cartridge length. The .25-35’s recoil is light, so only a slight crimp of the case mouth is required. Light 60- and 75-gr. bullets can be used, but, because of their much higher velocities, rear iron sights often cannot be lowered enough to compensate for their elevated impacts.

Through the years, I’ve handloaded the Hornady bullets with seven propellants—from IMR 3031 on the fast-burning side to IMR 4320 on the slow end. Hodgdon’s H4895 has provided the highest velocity and best accuracy. A Winchester Model 94 carbine made in 2005 shot Hornady bullets an average of 2295 f.p.s. using the recipe listed here. The figures for the recipe were gathered from shooting a Winchester Model 1894 carbine made in 1909 that my grandmother kept close at hand on her homestead—shooting it allows me to honor the old days.

 

Latest

Japanese Type 94 Ihtog 1
Japanese Type 94 Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Japanese Type 94 Pistol

Among the pantheon of World War II military sidearms, the Japanese Type 94 stands out for a number of undesirable reasons. Aside from its ungainly look, many regard it as one of the most dangerous firearms ever made.

New For 2025: GForce Arms 12Hammer

The latest option in the diverse lineup of GForce Arms shotguns is the 12Hammer, an AR-style platform chambered for 12-ga. shotshells that feeds from detachable box magazines.

Tips & Techniques: DIY Fire Bluing

Is there anything prettier than fire bluing? This bright, “peacock” blue color is one of the world’s oldest firearm finishes and can be found on guns dating back as early as the 16th century and is still used on some of today’s high-end custom arms.

Rifleman Q&A: Eddystone Bayonets

"I recently started collecting World War I U.S. military firearms. I want to obtain a Model 1917 rifle made by each contractor—Winchester, Remington and Eddystone—along with bayonets for each. However, I can only locate bayonets made by Winchester and Remington. Why are bayonets made by Eddystone so hard to find?"

NRA Youth Education Summit 2025 Provides Scholarships, Leadership Lessons

The 2025 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) brought together 32 exceptional high school students from across the United States.

Unfair Advantage: The Walther PDP Pro-X PMM

The latest “Pro” model in this famous German maker’s line of U.S.-assembled pistols leverages more than 100 years of experience in building service-size semi-automatics. And the results are better than even most experienced shooters should expect.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.