.25-35 Ammo?

[Arizona Griz]

My resources tell me 1908 but what's a year it two.

 

Great rifle and caliber.

[Heinz57]

That's incredible! I knew it had been in the family for a long time, but didn't think it was that old. Is there any reason I should avoid shooting it?

[.270]

only if you can't find ammo. look it over good good. it's just as strong as it was when it was new. the fact that they made millions of em and that folks still use em says they are well made. it's a browing design. it and the 1911 colt both are and they are probably 2 of the longest lived rifles and handguns around that are still used on a regular basis. just make sure there ain't a mud dobber nest in the barrel. give it a good cleanin' and oil it up. it looks like it's in really good shape. those old saddle ring carbines with the crescent butt are real hard to find and real desirable to collectors. the fact it ain't a .30/30 makes it worth about a grand more. they made a jillion .30/30's and one like yours would still be worth a lot, but in a rare caliber like a .25/35, it jacks the price up considerable. .32 specials were probably the next most popular. the .25/35, .38/55 and .32/40 are rare as rooster lips. it looks like the saddle ring is gone? i'd get another one for it if it was me. they make em. you have a real prize there. make sure it stays in the family. my father in law gave my oldest son his dads old 1886 .45/90 because he knows it won't end up in a pawn shop if he has it. Lark.

[roninflag]

That's incredible! I knew it had been in the family for a long time, but didn't think it was that old. Is there any reason I should avoid shooting it?

if you have not shot a lion with it you should. that is what it is. beautiful. envious.

[Jim-n-NM]

If you can PM me, I’ve got a number of leads for you on ammo and / or brass, but I don’t want to violate the forum rules by naming or promoting retailers.

 

6.5X52R (Rimmed) ammo and brass works, if you can find it, unfortunately anyone that shoots .25-35 very much knows that, so it’s also hard to come by. Don’t confuse it with 6.5x52 Mannlicher-Carcano (rimless) ammo

All that I have found is pricey, but if you find some, bite your lip and snap it up. It’s all getting harder to find, from what I have seen.

I load .25-35 with a 117gr Hornady RN (#2550) bullet, pushed by 21.5 gr of H4895 & CCI large rifle primer.

My old ’94 loves this combo, so I do too. The '94 was given to me by my father-in-law before he passed.... he was an avid Winchester collector.

Lee full length dies and Classic turret press. By pure chance, I found an over-run on a Lee factory crimp die. I made a Lee Case length gauge using a 30-30 length gauge that I chucked up in a drill press and carefully filed down to .252” dia. I used the drill press because it was too small to chuck up in my lathe. It’s .004” short, according to specs, but better a little too short than too long. I've never found a commercially made length gauge for this caliber.

 

BTW, as Arizona Griz stated, your 94 was manufactured in 1908. (ser # 430985 to 474241)

Check this website for serial numbers: http://oldguns.net/sn_php/windateslookup.php

[cactusjack]

I thought I had 8 boxes of fired 25-35, turns out it is 32 winchester Special. I think they both are based off of the 30/30 case.

[Jim-n-NM]

Thanks for the thought. If you every do run across any, let me know. They are both based off of the .30-30 Win. In looking around, finding '94s chambered in .32 Special is considerably easier than in .25-35. Ammo is easier to come by also. One retailer has at least 4 different brands, all available at "reasonable" prices ($22-$30) a box.(but no .25-35, period)

[PRDATR]

Here you go.

 

http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=58_21&products_id=67

[Jim-n-NM]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'm able to reform .30-30 brass, and have in the past, but I'm always looking for the "real thing". The ammo from "Old West Scrounger" is reformed .30-30. My son shoots a .30-30, and doesn't reload himself, so I've always got plenty of that brass. I even go for 6.5x52R when I can find it. Currently have some 6.5 on order from a company in Oklahoma, but even that is tough to come by.

Thanks for the link though, I was not aware of that website.

[.270]

I've always been able to find loaded ammo at gunshows. Lark

[Jim-n-NM]

Yes, I do find it at gun shows also, but that is where the "pricey" usually comes in.

Most of the guys in my area are aware of it's scarcity, and are (IMHO) price gouging at $45 to $50 /box for it..

I've been known to pay it, but it does hurt.

These are the same guys that were buying up the .22 LR and doubling or tripling the price a while back.

(I'm just waiting for the day I can remind them of it.....!) (grin)

[PRDATR]

Those are the guys I like to give a little nudge in the back to as they are walking down the stairs with their arms full.

[.270]

It's kinda pricey but trust me, resizing .30/30 brass down to .25/35 is a chore and a half. Some guys are into that. I don't mind neckin' '06's to .270 and stuff like that, but I don't like that much hassle. Lark