Need .401 Wsl Load Data

[Bill H]

I just purchase a Winchester model 1910, and need loading data for the .401 round.

If anyone is loading this caliber, I surely would appreciate data.

Information

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[Bruce McAskill]

The 401 Winchester has a bullet diameter of .406 to .407 for both jacketed and cast. Max. case length of 1.500 and trim lenth of 1.495. Max over all lenth with bullet is 2.005.

200 gr. jacketed sp.

Unique 13.0 grs---1597fps 15.2 max---1811fps
2400 22.0 grs---1718fps 24.7 max---1915fps.

240 gr. cast

IMR-4227 24.0 grs---1506 27.5 max---1968 Accuracy load.

This data is from the Lyman 45 Edition and the data for the 2400 powder might be a bit high as 2400 has been changed a little bit since this was printed. hth

[RayP.]

I just purchase a Winchester model 1910, and need loading data for the .401 round.

If anyone is loading this caliber, I surely would appreciate data.

Bill H;what are you using for cases? Years back we made them out of Win 30/30,lot of hassle to cut rims,extactor grooves,length and then blow case out.Then years ago when the 7.62x39 Russian guns and ammo started to show up in the U.S. I latched on to all the empty cases I could find,they are perfect for the .401WSL.



Cases left to right, 30/30,7.62x39 mm Russian,7.62x39 case formed out,Factory .401 case and a 7.62x39 formed & loaded as a .401 WSL. I designed and made a die/tool that forms the 7.62x39 Russin case into a .401 WSL case in one simple step,if anybody wants the procedure I will post instructions,pics and etc.

RayP.

[Bill H]

Thanks for the information. I have loading manuals going back to about 1955, but no info in them.

I have no cases yet. I seem to remember that either Old Western or Buffalo Arms had them, but haven't looked yet. Just bought the rifle yesterday, and had no prior plans to do so, just couldn't pass up what looked like a bargain at a gun show.

Have a model 1905 in .35 WSL, and got cases from Buffalo Arms, made from .38 special. Never loaded for it, as factory ammo is not hard to find, although a little pricy.

Only box of .401 ammo I could find at the gunshow was priced at $95.00, and I am not paying that to shoot it up.

[Jim Tarleton]

Bill H;what are you using for cases? Years back we made them out of Win 30/30,lot of hassle to cut rims,extactor grooves,length and then blow case out.Then years ago when the 7.62x39 Russian guns and ammo started to show up in the U.S. I latched on to all the empty cases I could find,they are perfect for the .401WSL.



Cases left to right, 30/30,7.62x39 mm Russian,7.62x39 case formed out,Factory .401 case and a 7.62x39 formed & loaded as a .401 WSL. I designed and made a die/tool that forms the 7.62x39 Russin case into a .401 WSL case in one simple step,if anybody wants the procedure I will post instructions,pics and etc.

RayP.

Great job, Ray. I would be interested in seeing your die/tool. Why not just run it through the 401 sizer/expander?

Jim

[RayP.]

Great job, Ray. I would be interested in seeing your die/tool. Why not just run it through the 401 sizer/expander?

Jim

Had 4 pics,data pages,etc,that I was just about ready to download and Microsoft or Vista knocked me off line and I lost it,tomorrow I'll try again,it's late now.

RayP.

[RayP.]

Excuse blurry pic,only one like this I have(taken yrs. ago,1st. I used camera.



I designed this exspanding stem to exert as little pressure downward as possible with the major pressure being exerted outward,I found a single expander button tends to crush cases somewhat





The diff. in rim diam. has not caused any problems in the rifles we shoot,if you meaured several factory cases you would find they are far from being uniform.





There are 3 or 4 more notes concerning case annealig and so on,but I think this is enough to get the general idea,I've made cases for all the WSL rifles,use 32/20 for the .32 WSL,38spl for the .35 WSL,357Max. for the .351 WSL,had to go to 357Mag when 357 Max. got fairly rare/costly.

RayP.

[Jim Tarleton]

Wow! Nice work, Ray. Did you do the machining yourself? Reason I ask is I would like to know how you made the conical buttons. A tool post grinder?

Great work, my friend. I admire people who can sit down and get a job done and done right. Well thought out and darned well executed!

Semper Fi,

Jim

[RayP.]

Wow! Nice work, Ray. Did you do the machining yourself? Reason I ask is I would like to know how you made the conical buttons. A tool post grinder?

Great work, my friend. I admire people who can sit down and get a job done and done right. Well thought out and darned well executed!

Semper Fi,

Jim

I have an old Atlas 6x24 belt driven lathe(probably 30's vintage)ground some lathe bits for the diff. size shapes,finshed off with emery cloth and polished with crocus cloth.For a note on making cases that require cutting an extractor groove and reducing rim diam. such as 38spl to 35WSL,I took a piece of flat bearing race and ground it to shape that makes boths cuts at same time,I started doing things like this when I was a kid during WWll,9m/m ammo was hard to get,I made cases out of 38spl. cases.(wish my old pc would have had a spell checker,never knew I had so many typos).

RayP.

[wax push ya]

.401 Winchester SL

Ammunition for this elderly round is getting very difficult to find. It is one of those odd cartridges that you cannot reform from another cartridge until recently. Consequently you find old ammunition for $50.00 to $65.00 per box of 20 and are tickled to death when you find it.

Follow these instructions for ammunition.

Contact C&H tool and Die and tell them I sent you (Waxpushya) which means the legendary one LOL

Shell out about $170.00 for their kit which includes dies for the 401 and expander dies for the cases you will use and a bullet swaging die.

Go 2 Midway and get yourself 200 new cases for 7.62x39 (I prefer the Winchesters)

Order some .410 bullets Semi Jacketed 200 grain bullets with a canalurel (I prefer Speer)
I am assuming you have a RCBS Rockchucker or similar compound press (You either buy one first or buy one last)
Using the bullet swage die, swage all of your bullets down to .405 dia. Lubing them helps unless you have biceps like Popeye
Then use the three expander balls expand your case mouths. Lube the inside of the case necks. The last expander is the .406 the case with the die normally supplied in the 401 reloading set
Anneal the cases (Propane torch pan of water) there some good instructions elsewhere on annealing cases.
Length size them to 1.500 and if they come out a little short from the original resizing process don't sweat it . At least go over the necks with your L.E. Wilson deburing tool.
Then load some cases 10% below the table and go fire form them. Load tables are available elsewhere.
Then reload them as keepers.
This whole business costs about what 5 boxes of 20 cost on the open market currently so after you shoot 100 rounds you broke even.

Then have fun with it.