Rifle · SAAMI · SAAMI (not in current Z299) · CIP standardizedObsolete
.225 Winchester
Factory semi-rimmed varmint cartridge from Winchester; offered near-.22-250 velocity in a bolt-action package but discontinued due to the popularity of the .22-250 Remington..
- Caliber
- 0.224″ · 5.69 mm
- Introduced
- 1964
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Parent
- .219 Zipper
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1964
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Ammunition
- Standard
- SAAMI · SAAMI (not in current Z299) · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- SAAMI (not in current Z299)
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 40 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Boxer Small Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 56,565 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 300 yd
- Max range
- 3300 yd
- Recoil
- 4.9–6.5 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Ammunition
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .225 Winchester, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .219 Zipper
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.69 | 0.224 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.60 | 0.260 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.31 | 0.406 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 25° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 10.72 | 0.422 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.25 | 0.049 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 6.17 | 0.243 | ≈ |
| Case length | 49.02 | 1.930 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 63.50 | 2.500 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .225 Winchester is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .225 Winchester
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Winchester in 1964 for the Model 70 bolt-action rifle, the .225 Winchester offered excellent varmint performance but used a semi-rimmed case that limited its use to single-shot and bolt-action platforms. The near-simultaneous standardization of the .22-250 Remington (1965) and its rimless design doomed the .225 Winchester commercially, and it was discontinued in the 1980s.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .225 Winchester use?
- .225 Winchester typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .225 Winchester?
- .225 Winchester uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .225 Winchester still in production?
- .225 Winchester is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is .225 Winchester used for?
- .225 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .225 Winchester based on?
- .225 Winchester is derived from the .219 Zipper case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 – 2015 (Centerfire Rifle) — Velocity & Pressure / Cartridge & Chamber Drawings · bullet ⌀, velocity archived
- Secondary Wikipedia — .225 Winchester · grain weights, year, velocity archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
