ohland
07-06-2015, 09:02 AM
I do not suggest using the .401 WSL for Grizzly. Otherwise, the .401 is an interesting cartridge, a near Super Mag in length (1.500) with a rimless case.
Otherwise, another look at the times...
Outing, vol 76, No. pages 122-123, May 1920
https://books.google.com/books?id=u5dAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA123&dq=401+winchester+short+range&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eXiaVfGLOcPZsAWx7YnwDQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=401%20winchester%20short%20range&f=false
WINCHESTER SELF LOADING
Question—I am thinking of purchasing a self loading rifle, model
10-.401 caliber W'inchester and would ask you to advise me about it. Is this an accurate, powerful, and durable gun? What is the muzzle energy in foot pounds? Will the take-down become loose after a length of time? What kind of sights do you recommend? Is this rifle large enough to kill deer, moose, bears, etc? Is it an all around good hunting rifle?
E. N.
Answer—The Winchester self loading rifle is made of very good materials and is durable. Its take down mechanism will not wear loose, the barrel being permanently attached to the receiver. It is well adapted to the quick repeating sometimes required when animals are jumped in thick cover, but not to very accurate shooting with deliberate aim, as its trigger pull is bad. In other words, this is a highly specialized arm, good for what it was intended for, but it is not a good all-around weapon.
Its shooting qualities are governed, of course, by the ammunition, so far as power and accurate range are concerned. The best sights for this kind of gun are open ones, as is designed chiefly for quick shooting.
The .401 Winchester cartridge is a compromise between the desire for high power and the limitations imposed by a short shell and a stubby bullet. A high initial velocity is attained, with moderate powder charge, by using a short, light bullet. This gives also a high muzzle energy. But the shortness of the bullet, its light ness for the caliber, and its stunted nose, prevent it from over coming air resistance so well as bullets of better shape and greater sectional density; consequently its energy falls off very fast, as the ofiicial figures show.—-Muzzle energy, 2,037 ft. lbs.; remaining energy at 100 yards, 1,315 ft. lbs.; at 200 yards, 840 ft. lbs., with the 200-grain bullet. There is nothing gained by using the 250-grain bullet, within the gun’s accurate range. The ammunition is not accurate beyond 150 yards, and there is no way to improve it in this respect.
The .401 is a good rifle for hunting deer and black bear in a timbered region, such as all our big game country is in the East and South. It will give a good account of itself on moose; but I would prefer a more powerful gun for that purpose, such as a .405 or a .35 of the Winchester model 1895. Both of these are accurate at much longer distances than the .401.
Otherwise, another look at the times...
Outing, vol 76, No. pages 122-123, May 1920
https://books.google.com/books?id=u5dAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA123&dq=401+winchester+short+range&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eXiaVfGLOcPZsAWx7YnwDQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=401%20winchester%20short%20range&f=false
WINCHESTER SELF LOADING
Question—I am thinking of purchasing a self loading rifle, model
10-.401 caliber W'inchester and would ask you to advise me about it. Is this an accurate, powerful, and durable gun? What is the muzzle energy in foot pounds? Will the take-down become loose after a length of time? What kind of sights do you recommend? Is this rifle large enough to kill deer, moose, bears, etc? Is it an all around good hunting rifle?
E. N.
Answer—The Winchester self loading rifle is made of very good materials and is durable. Its take down mechanism will not wear loose, the barrel being permanently attached to the receiver. It is well adapted to the quick repeating sometimes required when animals are jumped in thick cover, but not to very accurate shooting with deliberate aim, as its trigger pull is bad. In other words, this is a highly specialized arm, good for what it was intended for, but it is not a good all-around weapon.
Its shooting qualities are governed, of course, by the ammunition, so far as power and accurate range are concerned. The best sights for this kind of gun are open ones, as is designed chiefly for quick shooting.
The .401 Winchester cartridge is a compromise between the desire for high power and the limitations imposed by a short shell and a stubby bullet. A high initial velocity is attained, with moderate powder charge, by using a short, light bullet. This gives also a high muzzle energy. But the shortness of the bullet, its light ness for the caliber, and its stunted nose, prevent it from over coming air resistance so well as bullets of better shape and greater sectional density; consequently its energy falls off very fast, as the ofiicial figures show.—-Muzzle energy, 2,037 ft. lbs.; remaining energy at 100 yards, 1,315 ft. lbs.; at 200 yards, 840 ft. lbs., with the 200-grain bullet. There is nothing gained by using the 250-grain bullet, within the gun’s accurate range. The ammunition is not accurate beyond 150 yards, and there is no way to improve it in this respect.
The .401 is a good rifle for hunting deer and black bear in a timbered region, such as all our big game country is in the East and South. It will give a good account of itself on moose; but I would prefer a more powerful gun for that purpose, such as a .405 or a .35 of the Winchester model 1895. Both of these are accurate at much longer distances than the .401.