25-20 Good for Deer?

Greetings! I own a 1894CL chambered in 25-20 Win plus live on a ranch in DeWitt County. Honestly, I consider 150-yard coyote rifle and that is about it. It would do well on javelina but I personally would not use it on whitetail or feral hogs... too lightweight. Bullet selection is very limited and none are appropriate for big game no matter how small that game animal is. I designed a cast bullet for the rifle but still would not use it on a whitetail. I think the 25-20 would end up letting him down. All the work to get a shot at a deer and then not find it. If you want to start you son on deer with a levergun, I would suggest a 30-30 in a youth model. At the least an 1894C in 357 Mag?

A 1894C in 357 would be a much better choice.

I agree with the above posts. Its a very fun caliber & capable small game round but I wouldn't shoot a deer with it. A 357 out of a carbine has almost no recoil & would be MUCH better IMO.

No!

So here's my problem. I just put a 357 on lay-a-way yesterday morning, then a get an email yesterday afternoon about the 25-20. My wife will kill me if I try and buy the 25-20 & keep the 357 on lay-a-way, thats why I asked about the deer hunting. So the problem I have is which do I keep? I know the 25-20 is hard to find, but I want my son & wife to go hunting with me & shoot more so the 357 fills that need. Marlinitis is killing me. Now give me some advice & help.

A second job?

You mentioned that the 25-20 could be had at a great price, if it is "great enough" then let the layaway go, or

Try and negotiate layaway terms that will let you put it out a little longer. Depends on the terms of the layaway.

Mikeflies said:

So here's my problem. I just put a 357 on lay-a-way yesterday morning, then a get an email yesterday afternoon about the 25-20. My wife will kill me if I try and buy the 25-20 & keep the 357 on lay-a-way, thats why I asked about the deer hunting. So the problem I have is which do I keep? I know the 25-20 is hard to find, but I want my son & wife to go hunting with me & shoot more so the 357 fills that need. Marlinitis is killing me. Now give me some advice & help.

Click to expand...

You will have a better chance of locating another 357 down the road than another 25-20, which would be a good round for Turkey if you can use a rifle to hunt them where you are. Reason I say that- It's been my experience that most folks when faced with such a choice actually know what they want to do. They just need encouragement to do it. If my take on your comments is wrong, then get the 357. I have one and love it, you probably will too.

Of course you can always just not tell her that you bought two guns....

Get them both and tell her that one of them apparently was pregnant when you bought it and had the other one. Then tell her she can name the young one and make a pet out of it... ;D

Seems your problem is you dont have enough guns. Once you have enough she wont notice a couple new ones or a couple getting sold.

I am glad I ain't in yer shoes . I would have a hard time passin a bargain on the 25-20 . But a deer rifle it sure ain't . It will sure kill one if you clean its ear with a round out of it .

D Harry said:

http://www.burnettcounty.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=85

Click to expand...

That is the infamous 25-20 Win kill. If that deer would not have been so large, it would have been left to go early.

Mikeflies...

In that you mention hunting in South Texas and as a fellow Marlinut living and hunting the same, I really find little to no use for the 25-20 Win other than as a scratch for the itch of Marlinitus. That said, an 1894CL doesn't come along every day and everyone needs a good javelina rifle. One poster mentioned it but you get to the point that you have enough, a new one isn't noticed!

30+ years ago I hunted with a young fellow who used an old Marlin lever gun in 25-20 for deer...I believe he used a jacketed soft point bullet but I don't remember the bullet weight. I saw him take a few deer with it and he almost always put 4 or more rounds into the deer; One as it stood then multiple hits on the run. Not very effective hunting and not a deer caliber I would recommend. The 1894c in 357 mag has VERY little recoil, very accurate and is a good deer caliber within it's intended range (under 100 yards). Can't comment on collectibility issues, but for your wife and son, I would defintely go with the 357 mag.

the 25-20 is plenty good enough for deer as long as you limit your range and place your bullet properly.

Like someone posted bove the James Jordan buck was shot with the 25-20. I didn't read the story but didn't he have to shoot it several times?

More deer are killed every year with a 22lr than any other cartridge, and the 25-20 is better than a 22lr. In my opinion the 25-20 is better than a bow because within its usefull range you are more likely to make a precise shot. If you limit your range accordingly there is nothing wrong with taking up the challenge of having to get in close just like archers do.

I do agree the 357 or 44 mag would be a much better choice, especially for an undisiplined new hunter.

I agree completely. Use common sense with ranges and the 25-20 is a great round for that.

I don't have a 25-20, but have lusted for one. By limiting shots to a reasonable range, it would work.
No matter what you choose, I would recommend PRACTICE! A bad shot with a mega-mag is just that,
a bad shot. So with whatever you choose, you will have a good excuse to practice and enjoy the time
with the family, shooting and getting used to the new Marlin!
FM

Leverdude said:

Seems your problem is you dont have enough guns. Once you have enough she wont notice a couple new ones or a couple getting sold.

Click to expand...

Heh heh heh! I've been doing that for so many years my wife doesn't even pay attention to whatever I bring in the door ;D

44

Bottom line, it depends on your boy and his expectations and maturity level.

I agree that it certainly can be used to kill a deer but I would clarify that to add by an experienced hunter who knows and accepts the limitations.