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.

Rifle · SAAMI

.25-20 Winchester

.25-20 WCF25-206.5x33R

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

Velocity1,460–2,100 fps

Energy284–841 ft·lb

Typical grains86 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1895
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Winchester
Manufacturer: Winchester
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Limited
Availability: Rare

Build

Case capacity: 17.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:12
Primer: Small Rifle
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 28,000 psi
Eff. range: 125 yd
Recoil: 5–9 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

Parent case: .32-20 Winchester

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingWinchester Super-X SP86 gr · SP · 1,460 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .25-20 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

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

In production — 1 active load across 1 brand. Top 8 shown.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Winchester	Super-X SP	86	SP	1,460	407	—
Winchester	Silvertip SP	86	Silvertip SP	1,460	407	—
Remington-UMC	Kleanbore SP	86	SP	1,460	407	—
Western Cartridge Co.	Super-X SP	86	SP	1,460	407	—
Buffalo Arms	Custom	86	Lead Flat Nose	1,460	407	—
Remington	Core-Lokt SP	86	Core-Lokt SP	1,460	407	—
Peters	SP Rustless	86	SP	1,460	407	—
UMC	SP	86	SP	1,460	407	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .25-20 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Bull's-Eye

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .25-20 Winchester

11 models in the database chamber .25-20 Winchester. Browse all →

Marlin Model 1894 CL Classic .25-20 Win 22-inchRemington Remington Model 25 Pump RifleRemington Arms Remington Model 25 Pump 25-20 WCFJ. Stevens Arms Stevens Model 200 25-20 WCFWinchester Model 1892 Sporting Rifle 44-40 WCF 26-inchWinchester Repeating Arms Winchester Model 1892 .44-40 Win 24-inchWinchester Model 1892 .44-40 WCF 24-inchWinchester Model 1892 Rifle .25-20Winchester Model 1892 Sporting Rifle 32-20 WCF 26-inchStevens Stevens No. 44 Ideal Single Shot .32-40 26-inchRemington Remington Rolling Block .32-20 Win 26-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

.32-20 Winchester

Direct descendants (1)

.218 Bee

Family TreeOpen .25-20 Winchester in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads8 factory loads for .25-20 Winchester↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .25-20 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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

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 →