Dear Ron: I would like to learn more about the 225 Winchester

Q: Dear Ron, I saw your article on the 222 rem. In it you mention the 225 wins, I have one, mod 70 ser # 760172. Back in the 80s, a friend was moving from northern Indiana to Montana and that is when I got it. I would like to learn more about the 225, its history, and what the insurance value would be. After Vietnam, I was sent to Alaska where I got a mod 70, 300 win mag. I love both my mod 70s, what a combo to have in the cabinet.

A: Treasure that 225 Win M70. I suspect it's rare. Don't know its value though. Winchester released it in 1964 as a replacement for the 220 Swift, but it's a weird case based on the 219 Zipper which was itself made from the 30-30 Win., a rimmed case, as you likely know. Essentially you can neck down the 30-30, push back the shoulder, straighten the walls, and turn down the rim diameter a bit to match the .473" diameter of the 225 Win., which is the same as that of the 30-06. Ballistically the 225 Win. is a match for the 22-250 Rem., but, unlike that one, the 225 Win. never caught on. I’ll bet it’s fun to flash at the gun range or hunting camp. Does anyone ever know what it is?