I am considering rebarreling a 336 to 25/35. A lot more case capacity that the 25/20. Wondering if anyone is shooting Ranch Dogs 80 grain cast bullets at higher velocity? Seems like a good caliber for coyote and larger sized animals. Not much info here on this caliber. Interested in what anyone has to say.

Yes,I shoot it.In my 1893 Marlin 25-36.I reload using new 25-35 brass and Hornady 117gr RN bullet.It works well on smallish deer and other game as coyote.

 

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=20108&highlight=.25-35

This is a thread I started years ago concerning this caliber and somewhat the improved version. It works well with most bulets, but I prefer cast for 30cal and up. The 86gr. Remington at that time was cheap and available. I bought 4,000, so I am probably set. I've used 117gr. on deer and found it adequate. More of an experts caliber, its easy to hit with, but doesn't give much extra power for marginal shots. Certain powders hold much more potential. I'd suggest looking at the Greg Mushial links for the most accurate and high velocity loads. Not sure how all this will be affected by the new Leverevolution powder from Hodgdon. I guess they talk about the 75gr. bullet the most. This might apply to your 80gr. Ranchdog question. I will say that even the 117gr. Deer bullet does not sink as fast as most round noses. its exceedingly accurate in my 1894 Winchester. This is the only Winchester I will hold onto!

My gun liked 23.5gr. of Rel 10 for the 117gr., and then a slightly higher dose for the 86gr. I've killed several coyotes with the 86gr., and it really kills well. I believe I used a max dose of Rel 10 with it (Winchester brass and primers). 27gr.

Here is Mushial data for the 86gr.:
http://www.gmdr.com/levern/2535-86sp.htm There is also quite a bit of data for pointed bullets, of which I wasn't interested at the time. KNowing what I know now, I'd be more open to it. Especially the 100gr.

 

Dr. A,

I can't blame you for holding on to one token Winchester, even though I remember yours is one of the newest persuasion. I recently sold a newer Win. 94 in 38-55 because of its rebounding hammer, heavy trigger and tang safety. Worked out for me since I actually made a few dollars on the sale.

As for the 25-35, I aspire to have one someday, probably a rebarreled Marlin. Years back when I shot handgun silhouette I had a 10" Contender barrel chambered for the 25-35 and it was very accurate with both 100 and 117 gr. bullets. I remember how easy it was to extract the case, just open the action, tip the barrel up and because of the sharp taper the case fell to the ground. That barrel I miss.

 

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I have 4 or 5 rifles and carbines in my Winchester collection that I shoot. But the collection is stored in a friends vault and unhandy to grab one and go shoot. I do take one occasionally for an outing and enjoy shooting it. The 25-35 is a fine light to medium game caliber. Try it, you'll like it.

 

Haven't shot mine in years now. I reloaded 25-35 for my 25-36 and it was an accurate round.

 

I am considering rebarreling a 336 to 25/35. A lot more case capacity that the 25/20. Wondering if anyone is shooting Ranch Dogs 80 grain cast bullets at higher velocity? Seems like a good caliber for coyote and larger sized animals. Not much info here on this caliber. Interested in what anyone has to say.

I too was considering rebarrelling something to .25-35. I just wanted one bad. Then I found a VERY clean Win 94 in .25-35 and my handload of 760 powder and the Hornady 117 RN makes it the most accurate 100 yard shooter I own for the open sighted lever guns. The load is right out of the little WW loading manual. This load and rifle will keep right up with the scoped guns, but my older eyes have to work so much harder to make that happen.

RCBS makes a great 100 grain FN/GS 2 cavity mold that is not listed as standard. I got it from Buffalo Arms. I also use that cast projectile in my .25-06 Encore. The Win 94 loves it.

Since I enjoy shooting the .25-35 so much, I got a 24 inch TC/Contender barrel. That will shoot any projectile you care to load, pointed, RN or FN. It mainly eats that 100 grain FN.

As the others say, it is a 100 yard deer round and good for anything smaller.

Brass is usually available. Last time it was offered I bought a lot. I have made some by resizing .30-30, but I feel the factory made lasts longer. Like I said, I bought a lot.

 

Sigh, another hyponate I needs to get!

T-o-m

 

T-o-m at this point, what is one more rifle? ;D

 

I also have an 1893 that I had relined. It is a joy to shoot. I found 300 rem corlokt round nose bullets in 117 grain that I plan to reload for it. I carried it some this year and passed on several deer. Never fired a shot with it, but was fun to carry, and nice to look at. It is accurate, and very mild in recoil.

 

Tell that to my banker Fred! Between the price of the rifle and soon having ot build a bigger gun room..... ;D Guess it IS good I'm not marrried!

T-o-m

T-o-m at this point, what is one more rifle? ;D

 

T-o-m If'n it'll help you until the spring thaw and the contractor can start on your expanded gun room, I'll be glad to store a couple of your smokepoles in my safe. Especially that "lady sharps" and that 218 Bee. Just wantin' to help. Shenandoah
PS If'n you do sent them south for the winter send some 218 Bee ammo (just in case), I have a lot of 38-55 for the sharps. Again, T-o-m, only thinking of helping out a friend.

 

Thanks for askinn ta help out Shenandoah! I think I could go broke shipping my Marlins south for a snow free winter. And that woudl impinge on some "projects" i have in my mind! ;D I do know that I will have a truck full of Marlins when I head west for the Hyponated-Happening this coming summer. And even tho it not a marlin that Baby Sharps is coming along for the ride just for you to fondle, errr, shoot!

T-o-m If'n it'll help you until the spring thaw and the contractor can start on your expanded gun room, I'll be glad to store a couple of your smokepoles in my safe. Especially that "lady sharps" and that 218 Bee. Just wantin' to help. Shenandoah
PS If'n you do sent them south for the winter send some 218 Bee ammo (just in case), I have a lot of 38-55 for the sharps. Again, T-o-m, only thinking of helping out a friend.