Hello,

I purchased a 14" Contender barrel in 219 Zipper, but the only loading data I can come up with is for rifles. I found this in an old Pacific reloading manual from the 60s and some of the powders are obsolete and it does not list any newer powders. I am concerned about using this data in the Contender due to high starting powder charges and likely not using faster burning powders more suitable for the shorter barrel.

Does anyone have reloading data specifically for the Contender that I can use to determine safe starting powder charges to work up some loads?

Thanks,
CD

CD,

Welcome to HHM. I've been loading the following in my Win 64, Marlin 336, and T/C Contender 14" & 21" barrels with great accuracy and results: WW brass, fireformed from 25-35 WCF; Remington 45 gr. jhpcl bullet; IMR4895, 25.5gr.; with a Win LR primer. I have several other loads and some data. Send me a PM and I will forward the data that I have collected.

Doc

Handloader magazine did a great article on the 219 Zipper in April 2010 #256

2010 Handloader

Tigg is right, real good article.

Doc

I have read several articles where this has been tested over a chronograph and consistently the powder that produces the highest velocity in a long barrel will do the same in a short barrel.

Regarding pressure on the 219 Zipper because this cartridge was developed off the 30-30 case and used originally in a lever action rifle it was loaded to the same pressure as a 30-30. These pressures are well within the capability of a Contender.

Ken Waters and Sierra Data (you can contact them for it) works well too...I have found in my 14" Zipper that IMR 4895, 4064 and 3031 work well. Have even used IMR 4198 with 40 gr and get a little over 3000fps with it...get hold of the Waters and Sierra data and with the article you will be close.
50 and 55gr gr bullets go up to around 2750fps
45gr can go up to about 3000fps
Accuracy has been good. I use 25-35 cases and size in a 243 die to start the next, then finish by slowly screwing in the seater die and then resize in FL die...trim and fire for with medium load...a little work, but fun cartridge.
k

Thanks for all the info guys. I picked up some cases formed from 30-30 since I did not want to get involved in forming cases with the die cost. I expect to just neck size once they are fire formed to the chamber. This will be my winter/spring handload project.

My concern was with load data for rifle not being safe for the Contender since I have read the contender pressures must be kept under 40,000 cup. I will start with the rifle data beginning loads and run them over the chrony to begin with and look for any excess pressure signs as I increase loads. My normal process anyway. I am more interested in accuracy than anything to use on varmints. I did not need this Zipper barrel since the .223 does everything I want, but it was just too tempting to pass up.

CD