Encore 16″ specialty pistol in .257x.225 Improved. (Good heavens, I have no idea what that cartridge is.) Custom-chambered barrel by On Target Technologies, with shallow narrow flutes. The grip is also by OTT in Zebra Wood, and the owner finished the grip himself in a satin finish. He calls it the “Silver Ghost.” Burris 3-12 scope. Click on any of the pics to embiggen.
And here’s the first three shots from the new barrel after firing five to get on target. The red circle is 1/2″ diameter. These were fire-forming loads, he hasn’t tried for an accuracy load yet. More here.
OTT barrels are doing some pretty amazing things. Whether it’s the EDM process or just the care put into the work, these Contender, Encore and XP barrels are building a reputation for incredible accuracy. OTT is a one-man shop, by the way — wait times on barrel orders can be up to a year or more. Boy that seems worth it though….
I believe that would be the old .225 Winchester cartridge bumped out to .257. Sizewise it is similar to a .220 Swift, if that helps.
What does the headstamp on the case read?
Merle
I don’t know — I pulled this off of the Specialty Pistols forums and the owner didn’t post a picture of the cartridge. But you sound like you’ve probably got it right. I’ve never heard of the .225 Winchester, so I hadn’t a clue.
I do love my .257 Weatherby. The quarter-bores are underrated, I think.