Well after lots of consideration and lots of reading on this round, I decided to take matters in my own hands. On a whim, I deceided to take look at Ed's contenders website and check to see if there was anything new listed. Well low and behold, the website had just been updated that very day, and there was a 21in. Bullberry custom barrel in .225win. So with one phone call, the barrel was mine. Now before you start slinging pressure numbers at me, I have read everything Mike Bellm has wrote about this cartridge, and had many long talks with Mike over the years. I made a visit to David VanHorn's shop in Arizona on Feb. of this year, and talked to him in depth about it. I have also made a visit to Gary Reeders shop in Sep. of last year in Flagstaff, and picked his brain about this little round, and in 2001 I made a trip to Utah and took a tour of both BullBerry Barrel Works and Virgin Valley Custom Guns on the same morning. So I have talked to all the Big Boys including a long conversation with Brother Jones at S.S.K. Industries about this round in the contender. And what I have decided too do, is to buy the barrel and apply my knowledge of over 23 years of being a machinist/shooter/reloader and see what this baby will do. I just received the barrel in the mail today after ordering it only on wed. It is a full bull, with the narrow groove rifling common to shilen match barrels but it has only five lands and grooves where I seem to remember my v.v.c.g. 7x30waters may have 6 grooves. IT is stamped BULLBERRY BARREL WORKS L.V. NEV. .225WIN. Now this is news to me that BullBerry was ever located in Nevada, but I know Mike Bellm might shed some light on this subject. I plan on starting with the low end of the reloading Data for the .225win. on Steve's Reloading website using the same powder I use for some of my other rounds like the 7x30, 308bellm, 338j.d.j. which is IMR 4895, and working up loads while measuring for pressure signs like Don and Mike have devised on Mikes website. Factory rounds? Maybe, but I am going to buy a G-2 before the year is over, and I think I will save the factory stuff for when I get the hopefully stronger G-2 frame. Worst case scenario is It gets turned into a .225improved or a .226j.d.j. if it doesn't work out. I'll let you all know how this project is going, but it may take a little to get off the ground as I am currently moving and all my reloading stuff is still in boxes for now.
Happy shooting,
Richard
in San Diego, Ca.

CALMOUNTMAN: Well get out your raincoat, because like my self you're probably going to catch hell for even shooting the 225 in your Contender. I have a S-14 (step-lug)rechambered to 225 Win. I have shot factory WW SuperX 55gr with no pressure problems, but for safety reasons, now only shoot handloads. Handload H4831 (35 gr) for 55gr VMax. Don't have a crono, but figure vel w/14 bbl is about 2800, with CUP below 39,000. T/C gave me 39,000 as max CUP for .412 case head diameter. My only problem is who ever rechambered my barrel needed to go just a bit deeper. So I have to snap the gun shut to get the internal saftey to dis-engage. Going to try & get a local gunsmith to deepen the chamber. Other than that has good accuracy and really enjoy shooting it. Ken

More than likely it's going to be turned into some sort of an improved chamber. But I just can't resist tinkering with it first. It's in my blood.
Richard.

Is there anyone out there that has a .226 J.D.J. or knows someone that does?

Ken,
Bump the case shoulders back until the barrel does close. It may be necessary to shorten the die body a little in order to do so.

DON'T deepen the chamber yet. In the event you rechamber to an improved, you may have the option of headspacing on the neck/shoulder junction for fireforming like you are supposed to do with improved cases. They require a shorter chamber by at least .004" to headspace right.

Deepen the chamber, and you may lose the option of headspacing it correctly with new brass or factory ammo.

BTW, the .30 Herrett and .357 Herrett are a few thous. smaller in diameter at the head than the .225, and data published for these two Contender rounds for years FAR exceeds the 39,000 figure TC quoted you.

Mike

BTW, the .225 Win standard round is quite borderline for Contenders, as noted, but just might be kosher in the G2.

Mike

On this barrel someone has filed down the locking lugs quite a bit. Is this the reason I can only take the barrel off by taking out the hinge pin? The trigger guard will not pull back all the way and release the barrel...:-(
Richard.

Richard,

I note that you will be trying to watch the pressure on workups for the 225 Win barrel using the spring-back technique as shown on Mike's page. Keep in mind that all the pressure data I derived for the Triad of cartridges was for chambers using reformed 444 Marlin cases. I did try doing the same method with a 35 Remington, but the case was too thin to give any reliable data. So, as you do workups for the 225 you will be getting into new territory. I don't know what you will be seeing, but following the same method is probably the best approach. However, It would be wise to go slow because the 225 case may not behave the same way as the 444's did. I would be interested in looking over your shoulder as you do it though, and would converse via email if you want to. Thanks,

Don Shearer
donald.shearer@worldnet.att.net

Don, I have been wanting to do this for years. I have always wondered why some custom gun shops give this round a thumbs up, while others give it a thumbs down. So, I bought the barrel to see for myself *WHY*. I love this little round,it has a lot of potential, so I am going to experiment with it in a 21in. barrel. I have recently moved so all of my reloading gear is still in boxes, but I ordered a set of Redding dies and 100pcs. of brass from Midway on Wed. so it should be here in a week or so. I still am waiting for Mike Bellm to chime in about my problem with the locking lugs as it would be nice to open the gun without taking out the hinge pin. I will keep you informed via e-mail and may ask for some advice along the way. When all is said an done, I will post my findings here.
Richard.

Calmountman (Richard) On your gun not wanting to open, is this all the time ? Or only after firing ? Thanks Ken

It happens when I first put on the barrel period. The only way to get it back off is to take out the hinge pin. It will not open at all. Plus, last night I noticed that it does not have the step lug like the rest of my barrels. Does this make a difference? If so, can it be machined into a step lug so I can use this barrel?
Richard.

Well thanks to some nice english Man at OTT T-C Barrels I can now use my barrel (sorry I forget your name). All I had to do is take the locking bolts out of another barrel, put them in to the .225 and it worked. Now I have to find a place where I can buy a couple of new locking bolts and roll pins to put back into the other barrel. Any suggestions? Oh by the way, I talked to Fred Smith at BullBerry barrels works about this barrel, and he offered me $100 off the price of a new barrel if I would just send this barrel in to be cut up just to get it out of circulation. FAT CHANCE.
Richard.

The dies and brass came U.P.S. today so as soon as I unpack the workshop, I can start reloading for this little beauty.
Me excited?....no way! This barrel looks almost new, like the previous owner may have shot it a few times and put it away for some reason, as there are still Lots of tool marks on the rifling.
Even if I throttle this round way down, i'm hoping in this carbine barrel it will show good speed with the narrow rifling, and some great accuracy.
I will start off with 40gr.v-max bullets with 27grs. of IMR-4895 and work up.
Hell yes i'm excited!
Richard

Thanks Mike, I will be sure to be *Gentle* with this barrel.
I have 100pcs. of brass prepped and ready to reload, but I have to wait till this holiday weekend to reload them. And who knows, maybe I will have enough time to go shooting....:-)
Richard