Rifle · SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.219 Zipper
The .219 Zipper was introduced by Winchester in 1937 for the Model 64 lever-action rifle as a high-velocity varmint cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.224″ · 5.69 mm
- Introduced
- 1937
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .25-35 Winchester
- Primary use
- varmint_hunting, hunting_small_game
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1937
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Ammunition
- Standard
- SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 34 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 41,336 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 250 yd
- Max range
- 3250 yd
- Recoil
- 2.6–3.3 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Ammunition
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .219 Zipper — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .25-35 Winchester.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.69 | 0.224 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.43 | 0.253 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 9.27 | 0.365 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 12° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 10.72 | 0.422 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 8.04 | 0.317 | ≈ |
| Case length | 49.23 | 1.938 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 57.40 | 2.260 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .219 Zipper is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .219 Zipper
Lineage
History
Winchester introduced the .219 Zipper at a time when the bolt-action varmint rifle era was dawning with the .22 Hornet (1930) and .218 Bee (1938). The lever-action concept was ill-suited to varmint shooting — which benefits from precise optics, prone shooting positions, and high-BC pointed bullets — all compromised by the tubular magazine. The Model 64 lever gun in .219 Zipper never found its market. Varmint hunters preferred bolt-actions; lever gun buyers preferred hunting cartridges. Production of both rifle and ammunition ended within a few years.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .219 Zipper use?
- .219 Zipper typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .219 Zipper?
- .219 Zipper uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .219 Zipper still in production?
- .219 Zipper is discontinued; typical availability is collector only.
- What is .219 Zipper used for?
- .219 Zipper is primarily used for varmint_hunting, hunting_small_game.
- What is .219 Zipper based on?
- .219 Zipper is derived from the .25-35 Winchester case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 8 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
