219 .30-40 listed on Gunbroker

[LHS905]

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/981391069

The Blue Book of Gun Values doesn't list 30-40 as a caliber.  The caliber stamp on the barrel appears a little off.  Must have been re-chambered.

Interesting nonetheless.

LHS

[Garnett]

When I was researching for my book on the 219/220's, I was advised by Mr. Callahan, the Savage Historian, who had al the R&D records, that 2 were re-chambered for .30-40 Krag and reproofed.  It was decided not to produce and sell that caliber.  I have seen a few other .30-30 Model 219's re-chambered to .30-40.  Did you notice that surprisingly to me, there are no cracks in the stock from the added recoil.  I have a .22 Hornet barrel that is re-chambered to .219 Zipper.

[LHS905]

My first impression was that the .30-40 would be pretty hot for the frame size of the 219.

LHS

[Garnett]

Mr. Callahan, also said according to R&D records, they made two in .45-70.  He did not know if a shotgun barrel was sleeved or a completely new .45 caliber barrel made for these two guns.

[LHS905]

Yikes!  I don't think I'd want to shoot that configuration.

My .45-70 weighs right at 10.5 pounds.  The others I've shot that were lighter were not pleasant.

LHS

[Mike Armstrong]

I had a friend in Moscow ID who had a 219 .30-30 that he'd re-chambered to .30-40 because the original owner had ruined a brand new chamber trying to dig out a stuck .30-30 ctg. 

He used it for years but didn't shoot it a lot, since he only needed one meat elk a year!

[Garnett]

I would suggest to anyone who has or makes this conversion to remove, and glass bed the stock, and to add a good recoil pad to the butt without cutting/shortening the stock.  I prefer the black solid "Old English" style pads.  I have added several to various guns over the years.

[Mike Armstrong]

Garnett's suggestion is the Right way to do it!

However, being 1) lazy, and 2) cheap, I use the "pullover" version of the "Limbsaver" rubber pad to tame the recoil of light and powerful long arms like the one we are discussing.

Even I, with two 80-year old arthritic thumbs can "fit" this pad.  It makes most factory stocks including 220s and 219s, fit my physique, which includes what one of my gunsmith buddies (RIP) always called "your ape-hanger arms."  And it really kills the kick.

Downsides? Ugly as home-growed sin.  And you need to take them off after the guns gets wet; if you put 'em away wet, you will ruin the finish under them.  (DON'T ask me how I know this....).