.225 Win. Load Data

The .225 Winchester, sometimes referred to as the .225 Win., traces its origins back to the early 1960s. It was introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1964 with the aim of providing a high-velocity, flat-shooting cartridge perfect for varmint hunting. Developed during a competitive era that sought to outperform existing .22 caliber centerfire rounds, the .225 Win. was created by modifying the rimmed .219 Zipper case, turning it into a rimless design. Winchester’s intent was for the .225 Win. to stand as a factory-produced alternative to the .220 Swift and .22-250 Remington, offering excellent performance in the lightweight .22 caliber class. However, despite promising ballistics and commercial availability, the round faced stiff competition from both the established .220 Swift and the rapidly rising star, the .22-250 Remington, which was also standardized by Remington in the same year.

The .225 Winchester found its niche primarily among varmint and small predator hunters, as well as rifle enthusiasts who appreciated its accuracy potential. Its flat trajectory and high velocities made it a favorite for shooting groundhogs, prairie dogs, foxes, and coyotes across open country where precise shot placement over varying distances is critical. While not typically considered a dedicated benchrest round or a match cartridge, it has occasionally seen use in precision shooting due to its fine inherent accuracy. For reloaders, the .225 Winchester is attractive because brass can be formed from other cartridge cases, and it accommodates a wide range of bullet styles—everything from lightweight varmint hollow points through heavier soft points designed for tougher targets.

When it comes to selecting target species, the .225 Win. is best suited for varmints and small predators. Its fast, lightweight projectiles deliver plenty of terminal energy for clean kills on smaller game like ground squirrels, rabbits, foxes, and coyotes. While some enthusiasts have experimented with the cartridge on slightly larger animals such as small deer, this is generally not recommended due to its light bullet construction and modest energy at extended ranges. The .225 Winchester is preferred by pest controllers and land managers who need reliable results on nimble, smaller targets at distances sometimes out past 300 yards.

Typical bullet weights for the .225 Winchester generally range from 40 to 60 grains, though most shooters opt for 50- or 55-grain bullets as an optimal balance of speed and ballistic performance. Projectiles in this weight class can easily reach muzzle velocities in the neighborhood of 3,200 to 3,500 fps, resulting in very flat trajectories and swift, explosive impact on smaller animals. The case’s rimless design enhances feeding reliability in bolt-action rifles. Like many modern .22 centerfires, the .225 Win. has a SAAMI maximum pressure specification that is compatible with robust bolt-action rifle actions. For reloaders, the cartridge’s generous neck and moderate body taper simplify case resizing and bullet seating, making it a pleasant caliber to handload. While factory ammunition is less common than it once was, brass and component bullets remain available, and the .225 Winchester continues to enjoy a loyal following among knowledgeable reloaders and classic varmint rifle aficionados.