401 Winchester load info for 250g Jacketed

[warhwkbb]

I just picked up 200 pieces of 401sl brass and some Hawk 250g jacketed bullets from Buffalo Arms.

For the last couple of years I have been using 210g cast and 200g jacketed over 27g of 4227. According to published loads, I am getting around 1900fps. More importantly, this load cycles reliably.

Finding published 250 jacketed loads for the 401SL has been harder. If you have loading data for 250g jacketed, I would love to hear it.

Below is the 1910. I rescued it from an online auction. The stock was rotten and the receiver was badly rusted. Shooting it is a real hoot. It makes a distinctive "BLAM" sound when fired. Accuracy at 50 yards is minute of pie plate, but I am still cleaning out 100 years of barrel leading.

Also, it came with an old Tang site, but it is not a Lyman or a Marble. The eyepiece is not original. Can anyone identify it?

 

[MMCSRET]

From Ideal Handbook #37, dated 1950.
250 grain jacketed bullet; three loads listed:
18.0 of 2400
19.0 0f 4759
27.5 of 4227-maximum load!! Remember that H4227 did not exist in 1950, so this refers to DuPont IMR4227
Good luck and good shooting.
Let us know how it works, please.

 

[powell&hyde]

I can't identify the tang, I'm sure others on here will be able to help. But I did scan Ideal #38 1951 for your 401 Win loads as mentioned above.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I settled on IMR4227 for my .351 as 2400 was too violent. I read somewhere where the burn rate for 2400 had been increased by about 10% over the years (decades). Anyway most data is pretty old and powders do change.

You may want to visit Vintage Semi Automatic Sporting Rifles website. Some folks make their .401 brass from the 7.62.39. Lots of good information about these old rifles.

 

[warhwkbb]

Wow! What a great resource THR has been. Thanks so much!!

I have a few cases made from 35 Rem, but since Quality Cartridge makes a run of 401sl periodically, I try to stock up when I can.

Buffalo Arms says they have "ample supply" of 401sl cases whatever that means. I purchased 200 for $1 each. That was my budget. I wish I could have bought all they had. I do not know who is making it for them. My guess is Quality Cartridge, but it could be Bertram or possibly even Starline. My previous source of cases was Quality from Midway. At a buck a piece, it's not worth trying to reform from other cases.

I have been using the Hawk 200g bullets, but will be experimenting with the 250g as I feel this is a better bullet weight for the 401sl and (the real reason...)Buffalo Arms is out of stock on the 200g bullets.

Thanks again to those that took the time to find loading data for me. I really appreciate it!!

Now to see if there is much difference between old 4227 and new 4227. If the burn rates are similar, I'll start at least 10% low and work up.

 

[warhwkbb]

For those curious about the 401 brass from Buffalo Arms: The cases are reformed 7.62x39. At $1 a piece, I think this is a good deal. Now I don't have to worry about losing the occasional case. The buffalo Arms website still shows "ample stock".

 

[warhwkbb]

For those that may be curious with my progress. I used the Buffalo Arms 401 cases, which are actually blown out PPV 7.63x39 cases. My starting load was 24.5gr of IMR 4227 using the Hawk 250gr JSP.
These worked flawless through my 401. My cases were just a tad dinged up so I might drop it down to 24gr. There were no other dangerous pressure signs and it finally felt like "The Hammer of Thor"

 

[Drail]

Now that's a proper rifle son. Hammer of Thor indeed.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Outstanding find and save on the .401sl, they are certainly Heavy Hitters.

The furniture could not have come out better, well done.

Thanks for all the hard won ammo info as well.