Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Has anyone tried a 225 Winchester in a Contender?

I realize that there are plenty of 223 barrels available but the 225 Win has long appealed to me. Would mostly shoot 60 gr. bullets.

Too hot for a Contender IMO (about equal to a 22-250 or 220 Swift)
YMMV

1885,
Case head on 225 win = .473" (too much area of back-thrust for 57,000 cup) ... If you want 22-250 performance in a contender I suggest you read this:
http://www.bellmtcs.com/BellmChambers/222RemMagImp.htm
Mike is amazing and safety comes first with his projects.
I'd bet you can find something in Reeder's lineup that will fulfill your wildest dreams! http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/GNR_cartridges.htm
Good Luck,
Jimmy

I think JD Jones had pretty good luck with his 6.5 JDJ which is an improved 225 winchester case necked up to 6.5 on a Contender frame.

I never owned one but killed one antelope with one and it worked very well with 120 Nosler BT's

Link
http://reloadingforprecision.blogspot.com/2011/12/long-range-handgun-hunting-with-65-jdj.html

You want to run Contenders no more than 43k PSI according to Mike Bellm. Oh yeah, the Bellm line of cartridges are based on the 307 Win, so it's really how hot you load 'em.

The RIM diameter on the .225 is 0.473". The case head diamter is 0.424". The case head diameter on a 35 Rem is 0.460" and it's been a staple for Contenders (having one myself).

I agree that contenders have a restrictive range of operation regarding pressure but the case head dimension is the relative factor to backthrust, for example, the proficiency that the contender utilizes the .223 rem which operates a 55,000 psi!
Check out the 6.8 SPC & 300 Blackout, they too at 55,000.
They work great! ... because of relatively small case head.
By the way, the 35 Rem is a wonderful cartridge in the contender.
Shame it lacks a rim, tho...ask Mike.