Howdy gents,
I have a Stevens 44 in .25 Stevens Long rf that I am resurrecting that was left to me by my father. I have read the posts regarding how to go about shooting one of these again, and greatly appreciate all the info that has been provided here towards that end. I am going to try the .27 caliber power load cartridges first with H&N .25 Air Rifle slugs that are supplied in the 28 gr. to 46 gr. range. I thought that I would back the slug up with a felt .25 cal. bore cleaning pellet that has been soaked in a Balistol/water of some as of yet undetermined ratio and left for the water to dry, leaving the oil. I plan to use Ramset level 3 Green medium power loads to propel the slugs.
My question is that I have measured my Stevens barrel's twist rate and found it to be between 1:17.5" and 1:18". Applying the Green Hill Formula used by Steve Garbe, it would appear that bullet weights around 35 gr., or less, would be the most appropriate. Just curious why the factory loads featured 65 gr. bullets, which would seem to be under stabilized by an 18" twist, at least according to the formula? Any thoughts on any of this by you fellas?

Along another line, I saw a post in another section of this forum that indicated the availability in Italy of Fiocchi .25 Rim fire loads made in Italy for the humane slaughter of cattle. The metric designation for them is 6.3/12, and they are listed as being power level 'strong', and no bullet weight is given. I wrote to the company in Italy asking for them to consider exporting some of this product to the USA, and I wrote to the USA division of Fiocchi and asked them to consider importing some of this product for those of us that have .25 RFs we'd like to shoot again conveniently. I'd like for all those interested to email them both as well! It's not hard and won't take you too long, their email contact addresses are easy to find! Who knows, maybe it will do some good!! Thanks!

P.S.: Already got a reply from FiocchiUSA, they have no plans to import these rounds at this time!

I have a 18 twist barrel on a Ballard, in 25/20SS and shoot two bullets in it. A ,510 long, shortened 257420 and a custom, short spitzer, that's .535 long. Both with good accuraty but, not match accuracy. The bullet impacts aren't tipped, they're nice and round.

BTW, the Greenhill Formula, doesn't accurately gauge the twist needed for 200 yrd or less shooting.

Air gun bullets are .250 diameter.  Your groove diameter is nominally .257, although some do run a bit small.

Recently found that The Bull Shop will custom pour the NOE 26063 for you.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)  Order by email, and prepay.   Superb quality, reasonable pricing.

A barely relevant factoid is that there used to be a British cartridge known as ".310 cattle killer",  specifically made so as not to fit any other sort of gun, to prevent misuse. 

Clint wrote on May 5^th, 2024 at 8:45am:


If that Fiochi cartridge actually is 6.3x12 mm, it’s much closer in size to a 25 RF Bacon & Bliss which had a .470” (12mm)case and a .250” bullet (6.2). The Bacon & Bliss was an early revolver cartridge.

The 25 Stevens long case is 1.125” (28.6) with a .257” (6.5mm ) bullet. The short case is .6” (15.2mm)

Clint wrote on May 5^th, 2024 at 9:23am:


The 25 Stevens is a 1/17 twist and uses a 65 grain bullet. There has been an incorrect .251” bullet lie going around for years.

Rifle twists or measurements using a cleaning rod vary some so coming up with any thing between 16-18 is possible. Manufacturers other than Stevens might have used other twists. I think the Remington 25-10 is one for sure.

The original 65 grain bullet is .535” and has a cupped base. I shoot a 69 grain bullet that is .578” flat base using converted 17WSM brass.   

I have disassembled a few original cartridges and chronograghed others. The numbers on the box, match very closely considering some of the ammo I saw over 100 years old.

I keep meaning to post this. 
Someone selling “new 25 rimfire” on gun broker. Converted 17 WSM.
Definitely not mine, and I have no idea who he is. Maybe someone here does?

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)