I'm trying to get my wife interested in Lever action silhoutte. I've found a pretty decent looking 25-20 for sale. Has anyone tried using this cartridge for the 200 yard match?

I know a light bullet would ring a few animals, but the low recoil would be a great tradeoff for her.

Would it be better than any a 357? Hard to get lighter recoiling than the light 38/357 loads and you can load them up to be able to take the rams down pretty well when she's ready for the recoil for 10 shots.

howdy,
i have shot the 25-20 in field pistol, and it is a super round, might not get the job done at 200 meters. i used to shoot the 32 mag in a 10.75 barrel shooting 165 gn .309 dia bullets, slow bullets, and they will take the rams down. i know guys in n.c. used this set up for their long range pistol silhouette. marlin made a 32 mag, and you might even do better with the marlin 32-20, any of the above lever guns are going to cost $$$$,
32 mag, 32-20, 357 mag marlins 650-750, 25-20 bigger bucks.
good luck, dan

Thanks Dan. I have a .357, but the 160 to 180 grain bullet out of the carbine still packs a kick. I hope that the 25-20 with an 85 grain bullet will have far less recoil and still be legal for CLA and PC.

glen ring, I have tried the 25-20 in CLA and it does not have enough punch to knock down the targets reliably. I was using the 86 gr Remington with something like 13gr of IMR 4198. There are places in CA where I shoot that even the 30-30 rings targets unless 170 gr bullets are used. In my opinion the .357 Mag with heavy bullets is the smallest caliber you can use in CLA unless you can find a 25-35 and use 117gr bullets. Ron Troyer does quite well with his.

Thanks Lone Ringer.

Howdy:

I have a bit of experience with the 25 20. Pressurewise, it can handle heavy bullets, but the twist won't stabilize them.

So, i agree, it is not a 200 yard round on steel

Chris