i recently received an old 219 zipper i dont know much about it the only markings i could find was the number 4634 under the lever he also gave me reloading dyes for it and about 55 empty norma brass i would like to reload for this gun and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what loads to try

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=11 Inspect your cases for cracks before reloading. Most .219 Zipper brass (marked as such) are quite old. The .219 Zipper was discontinued here in 1964. New brass can be formed from .30-30 brass & I believe there are a few places that sell new .219 Zipper Brass, which have been formed.

I have been loading this round for 50 years. Powders lt likes are IMR 3031, H4895, ImR 4320. H380 was also a moderately good powder in this round. I suspect, as I haven't loaded for it recently, that IMR8208 XBR and Varget and the huge number of new powders that have been offers in the last 10-15 years, that you will find one that works well. Depending on the twist It should shoot most 50-55gr bullets well. I assume this is the model 64 Win. 28.5gr of IMR 4320 and a Hornady 55gr SX bullet is very accurate in my bolt rifle(M98 Mauser single shot) . Annealing the case necks may prevent spliting. They are easy enough to make and new cases can be found without much trouble. I wouldn't expect benchrest accuracy out of the lever gun but it should shoot fairly well. Case life can be short if not fireformed properly. Most loading manuals on line or in print should give you loads to work with.

Were two lever guns. Mod 64 (a varaition of the Winchester 94) and the Marlin 336. HAve never seen a 336 .219 with anything but a stubby (but kind of fat) carbine barrel, but they may have made them.

Never owned one. Have talked to people who have. Suspect there is loading data on-line, just not all that current or easy to find.

Some bolt guns (and single shots) have been chambered in this round, and the data worked up for those is probably too hot for the lever guns. Just don't have as solid a lock up or as firm an extractor system. Not worth beating a classic old lever gun to and early death for 100fps.

Bullets tened to the round nose/flat point type out of concerns for the tubular magazines... I'd still be concerned, but if I wanted to shoot spitzers, would use it as a "two shot" (one in the chamber/one in the mag.).


its a pretty large volume case being run at reasonably low pressure... which is where the medium rate stick powders seem to shine. Something like 4064, 4895, 3031, or 4320 should make it run to factory specs.

Bullets...think i'd feel decently safe with the Sierra semi-pointed versions...otherwise, in today's world, you'd have to use the stumpy ones made for the .218Bee.

Marlins 336SC was made in 219 Zipper from 1955-1960 with a total production of 3230.I find the 25-35 brass the easiest to reform.One trip thru the sizer and shorten the case slightly and its ready to go.You may have to retrim cases a few times right off as the cases grow a bit on the first few firings.Marlins 336 was made with a 20" barrel.The first two years it had a standard weight barrel.Third year-fifth year was a bull barrel.I've had the best luck with IMR4320 and use bullets from 55-60 gr.I use pointed bullets and just load one in the tube and one in barrel.Have gotten 1" groups at 100 with it.

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Jus Huntin with old guns.

Hi. LEVERGUNS,
You posted that you run 25/35 cases through the die once to form 219 Zipper brass. Are you saying that you just use the regular full length resizing die, or do you have special case forming dies?
Thanks so much.

https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/Mai...e=.C09J155N166

Forming dies: .219 Zipper from .25-35 cases cost $249.95 per set.

I obtain 219 Zipper brass from a guy on Gunbroker. It is reformed 30-30, good quality and inexpensive (last time I looked).

For my 336SC 219 Zipper (bull barrel), my most accurate load (approx. 3,300 fps) is;

Bullet: Speer #1024 46gr FN/Cannelure
Powder: H4895/28.0gr
OAL: 2.259" (seated in the cannelure)

I would suggest starting 10% lower and working your way up in powder charge.

Also, there are a number of reloading manuals that provide loading specs for the Zipper.

Dan

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My 5 yr old Sierra manual has 219 data in it.