351 Winchester

DaveGP

DaveGP

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Any sources in Kanuckistan for bullets and brass for this old wierd rifle?
It's a 1907 Winchester 351 self loader - and recoil operated to boot - isn't a common bullet size, but I think I can swage 9mm copper-plated rounds down to .352 to feed it.....a friend just dropped it off and wants to try it out.
 
Be sure to use a fast burning powder. The gun is recoil operated and if you use a slow powder, the breach will partially open, pressure drops, powder stops burning then kapow takes off again with lots of flame etc and a bullet stuck in the barrel. I had a .32 SL but no loading data so started with green dot or something similar which worked OK then tried a slow powder in the hopes of ultimately higher velocity. Got the result above instead :>( Also if you are starting with no load data and working up from light loads, be sure to check that you do not have a plugged barrel after the first couple of shots.

cheers mooncoon
 
I have some loads I can share with you (H4227 rocks in this chambering). Your idea to size down 9mm and 38/357 bullets is good - I do that with cast bullets. Brass can be made from 357 Maximum (not Magnum) brass. Turn down the rim and deepen the extractor groove and shorten the OAL and presto. 38 Super dies can work but might not give a firm enough grip on the bullet.
 
Isn't there a book which lists a lot of ways to make custom brass out of common calibers? The gunsmith told me about it on Sunday and I already forget :(
 
one such book is The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions.
Written by John Donnelly He says exactly what Andy says 357 Max cases turn the rim to .407 cut a new extractor groove and trim to 1.38 F/L size and chamfer.
Good luck
 
Epp's lists brass. The cartridge doesn't use 9mm pistol bullets. Too light. A cast 158 or 170 grain RN .357" bullet could be swaged down to .352" though.
I have load data for a 171 grain cast with gas check if you want it. Uses Unique, 2400 or IMR4227.
"...223 brass..." Too small of a rim diameter by 32 thou. The .351 is a semi-rimmed case too.
 
My Max loads:

150gr Cast - 1.850" OAL

9.0 grs Unique -1525 fps
12.0 grs Blue Dot - 1610 fps
20.0 grs H4227 (full case) - 1875 fps

195 gr Cast - 1.780" OAL

7.0 grs Unique - 1250 fps
10.0 grs Blue Dot - 1415 fps
16.0 grs H4227 (full) - 1530 fps
 
sunray said:
Epp's lists brass. The cartridge doesn't use 9mm pistol bullets. Too light. A cast 158 or 170 grain RN .357" bullet could be swaged down to .352" though.
I have load data for a 171 grain cast with gas check if you want it. Uses Unique, 2400 or IMR4227.
"...223 brass..." Too small of a rim diameter by 32 thou. The .351 is a semi-rimmed case too.
Click to expand...
Semi-rimmed doesn't matter - the bolt face is flat rather than recessed, so as long as the extractor can grab, should be good to go.
Thanks for the load data - i do have the big cartridge conversions book, and have been collecting and reloading for 35ish years now - and strange stuff always ends up in my lap to research.
 
I'd still suggest that you slug the bore to determine exact (or at least closest) bullet diameter required, and then go at it with a lube sizer and diff. sized dies.
 
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