That ammo may be worth more then the gun!
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That ammo may be worth more then the gun!
.357 Mag dies worked well for loading my .351. You have to get a custom .352" sizer made. I looked but never found one.
No reason one of these custom mould makers couldn't make one.
With the .351, it's a struggle all the way but they're interesting to shoot. Mine's an old prison gun but shoots pretty fair. Kicks more than it should for a gin that heavy and ejects cases about 15 feet but it's a fun gun./beagle
I had hoped to shoot mine today, but never got out to the range.
Too many demands around the house.
Hope next week to get out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...100_1351-1.jpg
On using .357 dies for loading instead of using the expander try the Lee universal flaring die it works . For bullets i have a sizer to take .357 bullet down to .351 i think you can order a Lee push though sizing die for this make sure to lube them well Lanolin works well.
I bought a used Lee .351WSL deluxe die set off Ebay before I started working on the restoration so have no experience with using the .357 dies. The .357 max cases ran through the .351 sizer seemingly without touching the walls before firing but after test firing a round it was a real bear getting it resized for reloading. I tried using Unique initially but this gun would not eject any of the loads specified in the manuals. After a couple of weeks of half hearted searching I finally scored a pound of IMR4227 within reasonable driving distance and loaded a few cases with 19.5 grains. I tested three of them in my bullet trap and all ejected well. So well in fact that I've already lost one of the cases inside the shop. I need to set aside some time to shoot the rifle properly at the range but I think first I need to make some kind of brass catcher.
I have heard a couple people say the faster powders would not allow case ejection in their Mod. 1907's i had a load worked up with AL-8 that worked fine in cold weather but would not eject when it warmed up?
Sadly all these years later and I have yet to try my loads, have bought new dies, lots of new jamison brass, IMR4227 powder and just recently bought some cast bullets from a place called Rusty woods, he is up here in Canada.
Having had a heart attack one year, then a head on collision the next I have not even rejoined the rifle range.
One day I will get to it, oh and I bought through Wolff springs a new recoil spring for the 1907 also and a new buffer from Numrich as mine was so worn I did not know it had a buffer.
Those springs can be a bear to replace.
A buddy of mine has a 35WSL and a 401WSL , I've made him brass for both but the 401 is giving him trouble getting a load that cycles. the 35 is easy, 38 special type loads cycle through it fine. I wish there was some more load data besides the 4227 to try. hope you get it working for you.
I killed two deer with my cast loads in a 1907 Winchester last Fall. Neat rifles and good for that purpose. I used .357 magnum dies for hat, but have since picked up a set of RCBS dies for the .351. I used 2400 because I had some.
The bullets are another issue with that weird undersized bullet. I found a mold that was originally designed for the .35 WSL and it had a round flat nose. I used some plain based gas checks on them, but they still don't hold on very well as they are designed for .358 diameter bullets. I've since gotten a mold for the .348 Winchester that casts a nominal 180 grain bullet and has a nice meplat. If it casts to .352, it should work well, just haven't cast with it yet.
The old molds that are designed for the 351 use .348 gas check.
Being 4 years since this post was last brought to light and without going though the previous 130 posts I will add some things i have discovered on the 351 WSL in the last few years . I have started using 5.56/.223 brass in bottom loads i just trim it to length and load it with 357 dies ,the case neck is belled without running a sizer in it as for me that causes low case neck tension. I have a push though die that with one pass sizes either jacketed or cast bullets from .357-.352 . It is difficult to get the right part of the press stroke set to six jacketed bullets it must be the very top of the stroke where the most force is available. I think Lee would make a .351 sizer for not to much . The channalure is in the wrong place if you size 357 bullets as the bullet seats shallow only .2" a LEE .357 mag. factory Crimp die DOES A GREAT JOB locking the bullet in place . (with my rimless versions this does not seam to matter as far as headspace goes i suspect the extractor holds the case for proper ignition)
I have shot RESIZED 357 magnum bullets as light as 110 grains using 357 magnum loads normally cycle my action at the upper end of book loads , max. pressure for the 351 WSL 48,200 C.U.P. well above 357 magnum loads and the larger case should reduce the pressure some as well compared to 357 magnum cases using same load data.
I use .38 Special brass for the .35 WSL, and .357 Mag brass for the .351. I don't cut extractor grooves. I reduce the rims with a drill press and file.
I use .38/.357 dies. For neck tension I use a .223 sizing die.
.35 = 12 grs IMR4227
.351 = 17 grs IMR4227.
I have a mold that cast .352" bullets. Accurate Molds #35-175A or #35-175AG
Works perfectly.
I replaced the springs in each (Wolff Springs) and the buffers.
I also have a .32 WSL and a .401 WSL. They're easier to reload for than the other two.
Attachment 193302
I did a couple of short 351 wsl cases by simply turning the rim of a 357 magnum down they shot and ejected well but ended up stuck in the sizing die. I also jammed up the magazine badly will the shorter round when the top case got pushed behind a lower case and locked the top case in .
Battis have you looked at 7.62X39 & 5.5X39 case heads they look very close to what is needed if a guy could find a supply or boxer primed brass cheaply .
I tried the 7.62x39 brass but it didn't work out so well. I bought a set of Lee .351 WSL dies on ebay but they didn't work with the 38/357 brass. I've had great luck with the 38/357 dies - the .223 die is the key to neck tension. The amounts of IMR4227 that I listed are slightly compressed in the 35 & 351, and hold the bullet in place (a good crimp is needed), and work the action smoothly. New springs and buffers are usually needed. Wolff Springs does not sell the springs for the 32 & 401 but I still replaced the buffers.
For the 32WSL I use 32-20 brass, and for the 401 I use 414 Mag brass.
None of the brass I use has ejector grooves and they all work great.
Winchester also made a .22 WSL, and I had the chance to buy one, but I passed.
I call the .401 The Big Ouch. It has some recoil.
Great guns.
Kinda off topic, I don't watch a lot of TV but one of the series AMC is introducing looks to be a 1930s crime drama and I caught a split second a couple of times when I looked up to see someone shooting a 1907 Winchester. Wish I could remember the name of the show. Like I said, there are darn few program I bother to catch on a regular basis, but I might watch it a few times to see it.
These rifles are the epitome of old school cool.
Check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyFXlRzNnGk
Cool. This is the trailer for the series I mentioned;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBwJLfJcOfA
Looks pretty good. James Bond with a WSL. I like that extended magazine. I found an extra .351 mag in a small gunshop last fall (and some vintage rounds) but I've never seen the extended mag.
My .32WSL came with 75 original rounds. They have more punch than the ones I reload.
You can get ten shot mags that are currently made for them.
Any one familiar on swapping barrels from one receiver to another.
Thanks Chris
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