USRS Newsletter - 5/28/26
Did you know that USRS offers rewards for customer referrals? -
Our referral program has actually been around for a while, but it’s something that many of our customers may have overlooked. We wanted to mention it again in this newsletter to help spread the word.
If you’d like to learn more about the program and how to participate, please click the following link. - Referral Reward programs - USRS
The .219 Zipper: Winchester's High-Velocity Experiment -
Introduced in 1937 by Winchester Repeating Arms Company, the .219 Zipper was one of America’s earliest attempts at creating a true high-velocity varmint cartridge. At a time when shooters were becoming increasingly fascinated with speed, flat trajectory, and long-range performance, the .219 Zipper represented a bold step into the future of small-caliber rifle cartridges.
The cartridge was developed by necking down the .30-30 Winchester case to accept a .22 caliber bullet. This design allowed the .219 Zipper to achieve velocities that were impressive for its era, often pushing 46-grain bullets to around 3,000 feet per second. For varmint hunters accustomed to slower cartridges, the increase in speed and flatter trajectory offered a noticeable advantage in the field.
Unlike many later high-velocity cartridges that found homes in bolt-action rifles, the .219 Zipper was introduced primarily in the Winchester Model 64 lever-action rifle. This gave the cartridge a unique identity, blending traditional lever-action design with modern ballistic ambitions. However, the lever-action platform also created some limitations. Tubular magazines required the use of flat or blunt-nosed bullets for safety, preventing the cartridge from fully benefiting from the aerodynamic bullet designs that would later become popular in bolt-action varmint rifles.
Even with those limitations, the .219 Zipper developed a loyal following among shooters and experimenters. The cartridge quickly caught the attention of early wildcatters, who saw its case design as an excellent starting point for further experimentation. This led to the development of improved wildcat cartridges such as the .219 Donaldson Wasp, which enhanced performance and accuracy beyond the factory offering.
Although the .219 Zipper never achieved the widespread popularity of later cartridges like the .222 Remington or .22-250, it played an important role in the evolution of high-speed .22 caliber cartridges. It represented a transitional moment in firearms history, bridging the gap between traditional lever-action designs and the emerging era of precision varmint shooting.
As bolt-action rifles and more advanced cartridge designs gained popularity in the decades that followed, the .219 Zipper gradually faded from mainstream use. However, collectors and enthusiasts still appreciate it for its historical significance and distinctive character.
Today, the .219 Zipper stands as a reminder of an era when firearms innovation was advancing rapidly, and manufacturers were eager to push the boundaries of velocity and performance. Though often overshadowed by later developments, it remains an important chapter in the history of American varmint cartridges.
Moving forward, we are going to be posting these newsletters (minus any Newsletter Subscriber Exclusive Sales) on our website under our News section, which can be found at the following link. - News Archive
That's it for this week folks. Stay safe out there and thanks for reading!