Contender Barrel Question **Zipper Coming to Life** May be a shooter

[tred1956]

Hi
Just got back from Post Office and found the most curious item there. It took me down Memory Lane for sure. Brand New in the original box, still has the factory grease on it. It is chambered in 219 Zipper (should go well with my 219 Wasp). Has the soft writing and I am assuming the deep blue of old. Also came with full set of Redding Form (# 1/ # 2/ &Trim)dies and a Redding Fl die set. :happy:

Now for my questions. I can't remember the last time I bought a barrel packaged like this one. I believe it was in the 80's. Does anyone know for sure when the were last packed like this? Or when they chambered for 219 Zipper?

Next question. Since the grease has been on the barrel for decades, I am sure. It has the wax paper stuck to it. How would you recommend cleaning it off?

Have had a couple of people ask about the collectors value. I can't imagine anyone offering me the INSANE AMOUNT it would take for me not to clean it up and shoot it LOL

Thanks in advance for your input and Happy New Years To ALL
Doug

 

[tred1956]

Rem Oil and a paper towel.

 

[Tim s]

Goo gone or alcohol. Probably early 80’s on the box.

 

[Bill K]

Hoppe's, WD40 or Ballistol will, I believe, remove it well.

 

[tred1956]

Not bad for a 40+ year old barrel. Can't wait to shoot IT

Thanks for the input
Doug

 

[3Ackleys]

I would second the early 80's. I bought my first 3 back then
30 Herrett, 22 Hornet, & 45/410. Haven't owned a Zipper yet...

 

[snert]

80's. Matches my Herret. Too cool!

 

[tred1956]

Beginning to take shape. Didn't realize it was soooooo hard to find gloss bases, rings and scope. Scope is a 6.5-20 Leupold Vari-X III (Old School) Tall elevation turret, fine crosshair with small dot. Base is Warne and rings are Burris Signature. Grip set is Georgia Jim Wildfire.
Primed brass (50 proper headstamped 219 Zipper) last night. Have a box of Sierra 52 grain BTHP Match bullets I think I will start with. Probably be next week before I get to shoot.
Safe shooting
Doug

 

[OKyote73]

Nice looking rig for sure

 

[tred1956]

Been raining for two days. 20+ MPH winds and 48 today. (Yes I am getting tender in my old age) LOL Any way I now have ammo and am ready to play . Original 219 Zipper brass with CCI primers & 28.0 grains of H4895 topped with Sierra 52 GR BTHP Match bullets. Maybe tomorrow or next week for sure. Should be enough to get scope dialed in and see if it likes the 52 grain pills. Will post results. Just love the OLD ODDBALL Cartridges.

Safe Shooting
Doug

 

[tred1956]

May BE a Shooter. This was using brass that I was reforming back to Zipper (Had been blown out to Zipper IMP) Seeing if it was worth the trouble. What I would love to do is find someone who would trade Regular 219 Zipper (with proper headstamp) for my 219 Zipper IMP (Proper Headstamp). But I know that is a very long shot.
Safe shooting
Doug

 

[1911nut]

Very COOL gun in a great cartridge. I shoot a Wasp and had brass formed from Federal 30 American brass I got from members here. That’s a 30-30 small primer case Federal made a while ago to form wildcat cartridges based on the 30-30.
I got tighter groups with the small primer.

 

[Tommie]

Love this

 

[tred1956]

Picture of the 219 Twins 16 INCH OTT 219 Wasp & 14 Inch TC 219 Zipper
Safe shooting
Doug