223 to 225 Win

[Zeak]

Can a 223 be rechambered to a 225 Win. I have a extra 223 barrel so don't need the extra barrel. I have the 225 in a Savage bolt, so a single shot would make a nice truck gun. Zeak

[quickdtoo]

Yes, several members here have done exactly that, it's not on the list, but should be. 

Tim

http://4-dproducts.com/submenu/Singleshot_Chambers.htm

[PHATINJUN]

Yes it has been done several times. Just be sure you know what you want to do it for a lot of the veloscity that you hope to gain can be lost in the wieght of the bullet you may have to use to get it to shoot well with the 1-9 or the 1-12 twist of the 223 bbls. If I was to do it again I would probly try and find another 1-16 Hornet bbl and make 35gr bullets scream out of it. Kurt

[quickdtoo]

Yes it has been done several times. Just be sure you know what you want to do it for a lot of the veloscity that you hope to gain can be lost in the wieght of the bullet you may have to use to get it to shoot well with the 1-9 or the 1-12 twist of the 223 bbls. If I was to do it again I would probly try and find another 1-16 Hornet bbl and make 35gr bullets scream out of it. Kurt

The 225 Win @ 60kpsi in a vintage barrel with soldered/brazed underlug would be a real bomb, literally! 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

Hello Zeak,
 As answered it has been done and is an excellent rechamber  voice. I have thought about it myself more than once! I would have one if I needed its ballistics!

The 225 Winchester case is a very stout one. It never really took off as not long after it was produced the swift came along. Rimmed cases in bolt gns are not as nice as rimless so it fadded from popularity. It was and is still a great performer. IMHO made better with such rifles as our H&Rs.

Brass is somewhat scarce so be sure you have enough lined up. 1:12 twist will be just fine for reg bullet weights. 1:9 if you like the heavy weights. Personally the 1:12 offers the best balance.  Hornadys excellent 60g HP is a favorite in my 22/250 bolt guns. It should do just as well outta the 225Win.

Good luck with your rechamber,

CW

[PHATINJUN]

I have a friend that would weld it for me before I had the chamber cut. But it's not very high on my list right now anyway also sent the vintage brass I had with the bbl when I sold it   Kurt

[Zeak]

The barrel I have is  Ultra 24" bull with a 1 in 12 twist.  How would it shoot 55gr. and 60gr. bullets. Could you do a wildcat in 225-20 out of a 204 Ruger, I'm just thinking out off the box now. Have plenty of the 225 Win cases, since I allready have the bolt action in a Savage. The Savage is early to mid 60s era rifle.  Zeak

[LaOtto222]

Winchester designed the 225 and came out with it as a replacement for the 220 Swift. the 220 Swift had an undeserved reputation of burning up barrels very quick, which they could if you shot small bullets at high velocity, but if you toned down the velocity a little by shooting heavier bullets, it was not that bad. Unfortunately for Winchester and the 225, Remington came out with the 22-250 about the same time and it took off in popularity, while the 225 languished that was partially due to it having a rimmed case but also because the 22-250 had equal performance and was a very popular wildcat so it hit the ground with it's feet running.

If you start shooting light bullets at high velocities, you will burn up barrels quicker, no matter what case you are using. A 22-250 will burn up a barrel in short order if you start pushing bullets at 4000  fps.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Catshooter45]

I had my .223 NEF barrel re-chambered to the 225.  Love it.  I really wanted the Zipper, but it won't clean up in a 223 chamber.  I prefer a rimmed round in the H&R and I had zero 223 anything so I went with it.
 
 
Cat

[knight0334]

Yes it has been done several times. Just be sure you know what you want to do it for a lot of the velocity that you hope to gain can be lost in the weight of the bullet you may have to use to get it to shoot well with the 1-9 or the 1-12 twist of the 223 bbls. If I was to do it again I would probly try and find another 1-16 Hornet bbl and make 35gr bullets scream out of it. Kurt

I used a 22" .22Hornet barrel for mine.  It was the first Handi I rechambered.   With the .225Win's additional velocity you do not need 1:9" twist, maybe if you are shooting really really long bullets.   With 60gr or less varmint slugs 1:12" is more than plenty twist because of the extra velocity.    1:9" twist with varmint grenades at .225Win velocities runs the risk bullet pre-fragmentation.