.350 Legend brass to make .351 WSL brass?

[richhodg66]

Anybody done this? I bought 50 rounds of .350 Legend brass at a gun show today. Probably won't get to it for a while, but I plan to cut down some and try loading it in my 1907. If this works, it'll solve the problem of finding brass for it since .350 brass seems to be all over the place lately.

 

[Tomme boy]

Why not 223 brass? Looks easier

 

[Missionary]

That is the fun of keeping these old Winchester brass flingers fed.
Ours is the 1910 Model (.401 Bore). The first round fired by us may still be in brass orbit.

 

[richhodg66]

I have heard from some that .223 brass will work, others say it's too undersized. It seems to vary with individual rifles too whether the extractor will grab a .223 rim. Looking for a good fit without having to turn down rims and cut an extractor groove which is the generally accepted method for .357 Max brass (which isn't real common either).

I'm gonna try a few and see. I hope it works, I like those old rifles and would like to deer hunt with it again.

 

[richhodg66]

That is the fun of keeping these old Winchester brass flingers fed.
Ours is the 1910 Model (.401 Bore). The first round fired by us may still be in brass orbit.

In some respects, the .401 would be easier to load for than the .351. That weird undersized bore of the .351 wouldn't be a problem, seems any bullet for the .41 Magnum would work.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Ever since handling my first SL I was hooked the 401 was the one that really excited me. But ya never see them now and of coarse there prices have excavated.

I wouldn't think the 223 case would be a viable option.

CW

 

[Missionary]

Our .401 as a tight chamber so .408 is as large as we a load without reaming case necks. But with the 255 grain cast we shoot it will do 2.5 inches at 50 yards. That is good enough for where I haul it around in the river bottoms.
Yes the prices are up and up ! Magazines are near like buying gold. But if you search long enough some old gun show vender may have one in an old box of "stuff" ready to sell.

 

[richhodg66]

Our .401 as a tight chamber so .408 is as large as we a load without reaming case necks. But with the 255 grain cast we shoot it will do 2.5 inches at 50 yards. That is good enough for where I haul it around in the river bottoms.
Yes the prices are up and up ! Magazines are near like buying gold. But if you search long enough some old gun show vender may have one in an old box of "stuff" ready to sell.

I will eventually have a 1910 in .401. I have been told one can form brass from 7.62x39 in a .41 magnum sizer, basically leaves a belt you have to grind off leaving the original rim diameter. Blow it out straight and trim to length. This is just what I've read, never done it personally.

I picked up a set of .41 mag dies a while back, never have owned a .41, but I'll keep them as a hedge against the future. I also lucked into an auction for one of the old Ideal molds for a round nose bullet designed for the .401, so I'll be set when/if I get one.

 

[Missionary]

Last batch of brass we made was with 7.62x39 and they work very good.
Which old did you buy ? We found a 255 grain shot best and really puts the rifle into the big game zone.

 

[richhodg66]

It's the 410426, turns out it's nominally 240 grains. It's a four cavity mold and it kind of rough shape, but I think it'll clean up to cast well. I should probably get it out and cast some just to see.

Probably not a good hunting bullet with that round nose, especially when there are so many good semi wadcutters to be had.

 

[Missionary]

But that RN has a big purpose..... reliable feeding.

 

[richhodg66]

If one cast them with soft points, it would likely be a stomper. I read the ballistics on the .401, don't remember exactly, but it seems I remember it was the equal of a pretty hot .44 magnum ballistics wise.

 

[Missionary]

It will do almost as well as a 414 Super Mag does from our Marlin 414 Carbine. Marlin has a 2 inch longer barrel.
But a 255 grain 50-50 (range scrap - WW) tumble coated chugging along at 1700 fps will slam through all sorts of shoulders and other bones.