Rifle · SAAMI
.25-20 Winchester
The .25-20 WCF, introduced in 1895 as a necked-down .32-20 Winchester for the Model 1892 lever-action.
- Caliber
- 0.2579″ · 6.55 mm
- Introduced
- 1895
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .32-20 Winchester
- Primary use
- hunting_small_game, varmint_hunting, target_shooting
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1895
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 17.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 28,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 125 yd
- Recoil
- 5–9 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .25-20 Winchester. Parent case: .32-20 Winchester.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.55 | 0.258 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.95 | 0.274 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 8.46 | 0.333 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 16.6° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 8.87 | 0.349 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 10.36 | 0.408 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.65 | 0.065 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 9.59 | 0.378 | ≈ |
| Case length | 33.78 | 1.330 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 40.44 | 1.592 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .25-20 Winchester is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .25-20 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .25-20 Winchester
12 models in the database chamber .25-20 Winchester. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
The .25-20 WCF was the varmint cartridge of the early 20th century, widely used for rabbits, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and foxes. Its mild report, low recoil, and good accuracy made it popular for farm use and small game shooting. Double rifle sets (rifle + revolver in the same caliber) were marketed by Winchester. The cartridge gradually lost ground as high-velocity .22 centerfires arrived in the 1920s–1940s. A small quantity of factory ammunition remains available from Winchester and Remington.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .25-20 Winchester use?
- .25-20 Winchester typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .25-20 Winchester?
- .25-20 Winchester uses a 0.2579″ (6.55 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .25-20 Winchester still in production?
- .25-20 Winchester is limited; typical availability is rare.
- What is .25-20 Winchester used for?
- .25-20 Winchester is primarily used for hunting_small_game, varmint_hunting, target_shooting.
- What is .25-20 Winchester based on?
- .25-20 Winchester is derived from the .32-20 Winchester case.
- What are the best powders for .25-20 Winchester?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .25-20 Winchester include Bull's-Eye.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .25-20 Winchester archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 1 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →