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Because they do not have the collector value that 97s and 12s have, making them more affordable for shooters. It hurts less to cut the barrel on a 25 than a 12 of comparable condition.

Hodgdon publishes data for shotshells that they believe meet their own reliability of performance standards. The soft end of those are are heavier loads than what many cowboy shooters use. Hodgdon is not "your huckleberry" with making cowboy loads either for shotshells or pistol cartridges. They just don't want to get into the testing that we (maybe 2%) of the shooting pubic might need for what used to be called "gallery loads". So, other cowboys' experience is about the best you can count on. What we "need" falls below the velocity (and recoil) of almost any commercial usage - even target loads. When no factory loads that way, why would Hodgdon stick out their neck and recommend them? good luck, GJ

Just for reference, I have been loading and shooting Titewad 12gr, with 7/8 oz for the past year has been excellent. Since I ran out and can't find Titewad, switched to Perfect Pattern. Also now using 12gr under 7/8 oz and it is very close recoil wise. My wife hasn't even noticed a difference since I changed powders. I did have to raise the wad seating a little to keep the crimp level as PP is less bulky and uses a smaller bushing to get the 12 gr load. Hope this helps.

There is no correlation between trigger pull and the hammer impact force. IF the sear and the full-cock notch have a nice tuned fit. The force on hammer fall comes from the MAINSPRING strength and the weight of the hammer. Now, you probably don't want to change out to a different weight hammer. So you will be concerned with the force applied by MAINSPRING. A stronger mainspring, and you get more hammer strike force. Not linear and exact relationship, but that's the way it works. Why does the trigger pull force have nothing to do? Because the sear notch on the hammer is in the same place REGARDLESS of how much force you set the trigger up with. Since the hammer fall starts in the same place (when sear clears the full cock notch), and the mainspring works on the hammer through the same amount of rotation, all that matters is how strong that mainspring is (and how smooth the hammer pin and side walls of the hammer slot in the frame are, to eliminate any friction). A heavy spring on the trigger or sear only adds to the force you have to apply to the trigger. The trigger does not transfer any of the trigger pull force to the hammer. You use the chrono and lower the powder charge (MAYBE 1 GRAIN STEPS) until you get your desired velocity. Once there, you fire 25 or 50 rounds in practice sessions to make sure you get a working discharge of both shot and wad EVERY TIME. Using a double barrel, load two rounds, fire them, then look from the chambers down the barrel to make sure everything cleared the barrel. Pump gun testing would be harder to do (use a cleaning rod to punch out the barrel) and tell you nothing extra about the function of the shells. If you start getting sunken crimps due to the lower charge weights, you may have to find a taller wad or put less pressure on wad seating or lower the level of the crimp die settings. Or use a more bulky powder. Clays was a great powder for light shotshells for cowboy shooting. Titewad and Titegroup are less satisfying because they are not as bulky and can give you fits with the "stack height" that supports the crimp petals and prevents sunken (leaky) crimps. good luck, GJ

The military 1911s had wide hammers until 1926. 'Nuf said.

Battle Born Rangers typically offer both as part of the monthly Wild Bunch Matches. Along with BIG BORE at the CAS matches. They were also part of the Nevada State Wild Bunch match in 2023.

Never heard of anyone ever wanting to shoot one of these in 20 years of wild bunch. Probably because the 1st one was manufactured in 1949, 30 some years after the time period of the wild bunch. Rules are now it is not legal. Bring it up in the TG forum and see if it gets any traction. I am sure we will be discussing it at the next ROC meeting as well if there is significant interest. When I looked at gunbroker it looked like these were more expensive than a model 12. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1138024614

They are side match categories starting the first of the year, you will hopefully see these side matches more at state championships and above that have the facilities/range requirements.

The Model 25 holds 6….. The Model 12 Featherweight only holds 4.

Why would you want to use a Winchester 25? The magazine capacity is limited. 97"s and 12's are available, as far as slide-action shotguns are concerned..

I hope it’s a great day!