I'm working on a M-1910 Win. in .401 WSL caliber, and got to wondering if it can be made to shoot again. IIRC, the case is unique, and shares no dimensions with any other ctg. However, I think (?) I remember that the .35 Rem. is too big. The .35 has a case head dia. of .460" nominal. Also noticed that the 7.62x39's head dia. is .445, and wondered if that might be used to form new brass. The case length of the .401 is 1.495" trim to, and 1.500" max. Looks like it must headspace on the case mouth, like the .45 ACP, but I don't recollect that for sure.
Can anyone provide any info on forming cases for this old gun? Any info on the gun would be appreciated, also. I'm just kinda' impressed with this old gun. For the curious, the fella' who brought it in found it under a bridge, laying on top of some supports. Can't help but wonder if it has a body on it. Why else would someone hide it like that??? Looked up the serial # and it was made in 1911, the 2nd year of production. Can't guess when it was laid up under that bridge, though, but it was protected pretty good from the elements, apparently. It's in pretty decent shape. The nickel steel receiver had some pitting, more than would be expected from the "freckling" so characteristic of nickel steels, but not anywhere near what I'd have feared it would have. I've sanded out most of the pits, and it's actually going to finish up pretty good. The forend was split, and I'll be fixing that this coming week. Other than that, the wood's actually in decent shape, and I'll use Tru Oil on it. I've found a new respect for Tru Oil after learning to use a polishing wheel with an unstitched clean buffing wheel to polish down to the wood. Produces a very respectable looking finish.
I'm new at this gunsmithing thing, at least for other folks. Have done stuff for friends, and friends of friends, but not commercially. One thing I'm learnin' fast - this work gets real interesting real fast sometimes.
This old .401's really captured my interest, and I don't know what the fella plans for it, but I'm certainly going to put in a bid for him to let me know if he's gonna' sell it. I've really taken a shine to this gun. He's the boss, and wanted a complete refin, but I'm trying to leave it in a condition where if a subsequent owner wants to redo it as originally issued, they'll have that option. For now, it'll get a good hot blue, and the Tru Oil on the stock, which I think is at least respectable, if it's got to be done. Just want to leave all options open to any subsequent owners, too. The gun's a lot simpler inside than I'd originally suspected it might be. Looks like a very reliable design, given good ammo.
Just hope 7.62x39's will be close enough to use for new brass?