New Loads for the 6mm-225

Testing a Classic Wildcat

- Jim Matthews

Wildcatters are accustomed to other shooters looking at them with one raised eyebrow, a quizzical look, and asking, “Why in heaven’s name would you want that?”

The 6mm-225 Winchester wildcat is one of those rounds. Why, exactly?

Well, if someone seriously asks you that question, it could be argued they are not even remotely serious about their guns, reloading or varmint hunting. They probably also don’t have any imagination, like to laugh or have a copy of Cartridges of the World. Sometimes we have wildcats just because.

I suppose a more simple-minded answer would be to get .22-250 ballistics with equal bullet weights, but using a little less powder and a slightly larger diameter bullet. But that’s not really the point.

We could say it’s made on rimmed cartridge case. In fact, the 6mm-225 is made from the last legitimate varmint round introduced by a company just for varmint hunting with a rimmed case, which is ideal for single-shot rifles. So it has nostalgia and is a relic of a bygone era. But that’s not really the point.

The point is that it’s just cool, and different, and it has very respectable ballistics.