.225 Winchester

The .225 Winchester cartridge was introduced in 1964 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

Based on the .219 Zipper case, and inspired by the shorter .219 Donaldson Wasp, it was intended as a replacement for the .220 Swift cartridge which had a reputation for burning out barrels. The .225 Winchester was chambered in factory rifles by Winchester (Models 70 and 670) and Savage (Model 340). All commercially produced rifles chambered in .225 Winchester were turn-bolt actions.

The round was eclipsed by the .22-250 Remington, already a popular wildcat which was introduced commercially a year later. Winchester ceased producing rifles chambered in .225 Winchester in 1971, however seasonal production of loaded ammunition and brass continues by Winchester. Reloading dies for the round are produced by Hornady and RCBS among others.

The .225 Winchester's case is the parent case for SSK Industries' popular line of JDJ cartridges designed by J.D. Jones, chosen for its strength and semi-rimmed design which makes it well suited for use in break-open actions.