401 winchester self loader

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Big grizz

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Hello folks

Just picked up a beautiful winchester model 1910 401 winchester self loader on the EE, and want to start reloading for it. Looks like I can get 200gr and 250gr jacketed softpoint bullets in .406" diameter from Hawks bullets for this caliber.
Anyone have any load data for these two bullets, or any other pet loads for this rifle?

If anyone has any loaded ammo, empty cases, or a set of reloading dies that you want to part with, send me a PM.

It looks like I can get dies from CH4D, so they are the least of my worries, but brass, bullets etc. could be more difficult.

Thanks.......Big grizz
 
From my old "Ideal Handbook" #38:

200 gr jacketed bullet, 26 grs 2400 = 2061 fps
250 gr " " , 18 grs 2400 = 1430 fps
250 gr " " , 27.5 grs 4227 = 1850 fps
 
There was an article in a "Handloader's Digest" some years ago - I'll have a look for it.

From "The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions":

200 gr bullet, 31 grs 4227 for 2100 fps
 
The article I mentioned was in "Handloader's Digest" 12th edition (1990).

The author (Holt Bodinson) uses these loads:

200 gr jacketed bullet with 29 grs IMR-4227 for 2040 fps

250 gr jacketed bullet with 27 grs IMR-4227 for 1880 fps

The author says about 2400: "#2400, while accurate, proved more dirty than I like in a blow-back action."

If you're interested in making your own brass the author says to use .35 Remington cases.

In the article the author quotes an old Winchester ad which states that the .401 has more muzzle energy than the .30-40 Krag , 220 gr and the .45-70, 405 gr.

He shot an 8 point Texas whitetail with the 200 gr load but since the deer is about the size of my old male Irish Setter I don't think it's that good a test!

Sounds as though it will be a lot of fun to play with! Please let me know how you make out.
 
I certainly don't think it has more energy than a 45-70, and I purchased this rifle more as a collectable than a hunter. I think I'll try it out on some northern BC deer to see how it works, but more just want to plink away with the 102 year old rifle for sh*ts and giggles.

Everything I've found on reloading this round points to 4227 as the powder of choice as well. May even start casting some bullets to try in the old girl.

Thanks for looking up the old recipes for me.
 
You're welcome!

For cast bullets - from Ideal Handbook #38:

250 gr bullet with 12 grs 2400 for 1050 fps
250 gr bullet with 15 grs 2400 for 1285 fps
250 gr bullet with 18 grs 2400 for 1480 fps
250 gr bullet with 10 grs Unique for 1330 fps

The claim for the .401's power vs the .45-70 was based on the old 405 gr bullet at 1300 fps load.
 
Hey there,
I reload this caliber and the recipe is 4227 21.5 gr for a 210 gr slug. All of the old published loads I've tried have been too hot. The brass expands too much and it gets stuck in the chamber. With the load above I get good cycling and reasonable accuracy (these aren't tack drivers). Have fun, these are great to shoot.
 
There's some info here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471935

As stated, I have found after a bit of experimentation that H4227 (and I imagine IMR4227) is THE powder for the 401 WSL in the Model 1910. Right up to full cases with bullets weighing up to 210 grs are accurate and cycle the action effectively.

I also tried several loads with Unique and Blue Dot and observed an interesting phenonenom:

- too low a charge with either powder and the action won't cycle (already widely reported); but
- too high a charge with those powders and the action won't cycle. I had expected a more vigorous cycling, but not lock-up. Even lighter loads with H4227 would produce a higher MV, and a full case, higher yet, but the action cycled flawlessly.

I theorize that the faster pressure curves of Unique and Blue Dot cause the cartridge walls to grip the chamber too early in the extraction cycle, effectively locking the action. The maximum pressure was less than or the same as for H4227, but when it occurred made a difference.

Here are my max loads:

Unique - 11.0 grs - 1350 fps
Blue Dot - 14.0 grs - 1500 fps
H4227 - 28.0 grs - 2050 fps
 
Hello Andy

QUOTE:
Here are my max loads:

Unique - 11.0 grs - 1350 fps
Blue Dot - 14.0 grs - 1500 fps
H4227 - 28.0 grs - 2050 fps
__________________
Andy

What bullet are you shooting with these loads?
 
I just ordered 2 hundred 200gr and 1 hundred 250 gr .406 diameter jacketed soft point bullets from Hawks bullets today. They didn't have them in stock, but said they are doing a run of them next week. They said they can ship up to 500 bullets per order to Canada with no problems. I also ordered a set of dies from CH4D today and a set of 3 tapered expanders to neck up 7.62x39 brass to 40 cal. They recomended a .30 to .35, then a .32 to .37 and then a .35 to .40 expander to stretch out the 7.62x39 to 40.

So if anyone else is looking for some .406 bullets give Hawks a call as they are doing a run of them next week.
 
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