I've been working with the Stevens 44-1/2 off and on, trying to arrive at a "standard" load for the .25-20 barrel.

I thought the load I had for the Sierra 90 gr. BTHP bullet was going to be a winner, but I had a problem develop. The bullets I had were left over from about 30 years ago when I used to do a lot of varmint hunting. They had a hollow point closed with a distinctive four-way fold. Current production Sierra 90 gr. BTHP have changed this design. New bullets have a very open hollow point, and this seems to make a big difference. My rifle won't even stabilize these bullets adequately. Groups are merely patterns. A slingshot would do better.

So I decided to try the Hornady 75 gr. V-Max. I also decided to make a good try with IMR4227 instead of H4198 I had been trying. My first loads with this combination were 10.7 grains, and just too light. My primers were backing out from lack of rearward thrust. Groups were strung vertically. I upped the ante to 11.0 grains, and it seems to be the trick.

Here is a 5 shot 100 yard target I shot yesterday. The group measures 0.65" center to center. (For reference, an American penny is 0.750" diameter.)

I had 10 rounds loaded. The second target was just as good, except I pulled the first shot slightly to the left.

After this range session I went home and loaded a batch of 50 rounds with this same load.

I'm liking this rifle a lot! Here's a glamour shot from yesterday.

Curl