The long and possibly confusing history of the 25-20 WCF begins with the, circa 1873, 32-20 WCF. In 1893, Marlin standardized a necked-down, 25-caliber, version as the 25-20 Marlin, offering it in its Model of 1889 and later its 1894. Then, in 1895, Winchester chambered it in its 1892 lever-action and christened it the 25-20 WCF (Winchester Center Fire). Because Winchester also made ammunition, its version of the name won out. Originally loaded with blackpowder, pressure generated was about 20,000 psi to launch 86-grain bullets at about 1450 fps; which was more than was needed for taking small game without unnecessary damage and waste of meat. Subsequent smokeless 25-20 WCF loads with bullets of 60- and 86-grains used higher pressure and generated significantly more energy. However, the 25-20 remains a small-game, varmint-hunting, and predator-control round with no legitimate application for big-game hunting. Despite this, during the Great Depression when folks were very hungry, my Dad’s oldest brother did manage to kill two spike elk with three shots using his 25-20 using the factory 86-grain load but that required head shots and a considerable amount of marksmanship! My friend, Ed Wosika, figured out a combination for the 25-20 using the Bear Creek Supply 90-grain bullet with Lil-Gun, the CCI-400 primer, and the Lee Factory Crimp Die to lock the bullet in place solidly. His load gives phenomenal velocity and accuracy from an 1894 Marlin modified to handle cartridges a bit longer than SAAMI specification maximum length so the bullet is driven against the rifling when the round is chambered. As with all cartridges used in guns with a tubular magazine, a properly applied crimp can smooth and ease chambering and a crimp is critical to lock the case mouth into the cannelure and thereby prevent recoil and chambering forces from driving the bullet into the case. In some instances, a roll crimp might be the best option but the Lee Factory Crimp Die usually does a better job and the crimp it applies will not damage a cast bullet as chamber pressure drives that from the case. Heritage of this case dates to 1873 with the introduction of the 32-20 WCF.