Winchester 1885 - .219 Zipper Improved - Update

I cleaned everything in/around the firing pin area and am still running into misfires. As a last ditch attempt, I'm going to load with some softer primers. After that, I'll have to start replacing parts. The rifle still shoots fantastic and looks like a million bucks, IMO!

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I would sure like to have a look at that thing. There's no reason that you should be having miss fires.
 
I saw one a long time ago that had a firing pin that was about 10/1000s to large in diameter, and would misfire periodically. Especially during weather changes ( thermal dynamics and what not). The smith that repaired it polished the firing pin and the fellow who owned the rifle claims to have never had a misfiring issue after that.
 
I doubt I can add anything new here but after owning several 94 ae actions with the rebounding hammer set up it's crucial the case rim is solid to the breech and not head spacing off the case shoulder.
219 being a rimmed cartridge, think so ??
 
You have a great looking rifle! The only rifle I have close to that is my B-78 Browning, it's chambered for the 22-250.

I do have a thing for the 219 Zipper Improved. I have two. One is a 219 Zipper Ackley improved. The other is... I'm not really sure. But the barrel is stamped "219 Zipper Improved". The case dimensions don't match any other 219 Zipper Improved I have found. Back then I think every gunsmith that could grind their own reamers did so.
 
I cleaned everything in/around the firing pin area and am still running into misfires. As a last ditch attempt, I'm going to load with some softer primers. After that, I'll have to start replacing parts. The rifle still shoots fantastic and looks like a million bucks, IMO!

View attachment 87
A drop of oil on the firing pin of my 44 1/2 helped. What do the primers look like after firing or misfiring?
Is the problem accompanied by vertical stringing?
 
The 1885 low wall always interested me. Same as the Ruger no.1 that I had in 218 Bee but I couldn’t never get the no. 1 I had to shoot that well.

Who else has Single shots in varmint cals? Let’s see some!
 
My single shots are all T/C's except fur my Martini's and my newer Steven's favorites.
Oh but I did build a Steven's Favorite into a 14 Jones.
 
My single shots are all T/C's except fur my Martini's and my newer Steven's favorites.
Oh but I did build a Steven's Favorite into a 14 Jones.
A buddy and me were discussing single shots. It’s hard to get contenders and such in Canada or would try that route. Not impossible but not many dealers and then finding the odd calibers are a no go.
 
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