.219 Zipper

.219 Zipper

The .219 Zipper, introduced in the late 1930s by Winchester, is a rimmed wildcat cartridge based on the .30-30 Winchester case, necked down to .22 caliber. It was originally developed for the Winchester Model 64 lever-action rifle and designed to deliver improved velocity and wounded animal performance over existing small-caliber offerings. Despite its rimmed design and the limitations inherent in tubular magazines, the Zipper found a loyal following among varmint hunters who valued its balance of speed, knock-down energy, and manageable recoil.

The cartridge excels with lighter bullets in the 46- to 55-grain range, using flat nose or round nose profiles when needed in tubular-magazine rifles. When loaded with more streamlined bullets in bolt or single-shot rifles, the trajectory improves noticeably—but the Zipper’s original charm came from its effective performance in lever actions. Powders used in published load data often include H322, Benchmark, and similar medium-burn rate powders that deliver consistent velocity without excessive pressure.

Handloader Issue #187 – June, 1997 includes a feature on obsolete cartridges and provides updated load data for the .219 Zipper among others. The data in that issue shows that, with quality components and good barrel condition, the Zipper is capable of accurate performance out to 200 yards, especially when load development is approached carefully (proper bullet seating, primer selection, and case prep being particularly emphasized).

While the .219 Zipper never gained the commercial popularity of rimless high-velocity varmint rounds, its design continues to offer value for shooters who appreciate vintage performance with modern refinements. Its relative softness when shooting compared to more overbore rounds, and its moderate barrel wear, make it a favorite among handloaders rebuilding older rifles or working with lever actions.

Source: Handloader Issue #187 – June, 1997