Obsolete Ammo Data Win. 351SLR

[Chipper]

Hi All,

First time posting in the H & R forum. I am looking for loads for the Winchester .351 Self Loading Rifle. I figured I would start my web quest for loads here because this has been the most informative forum for me. I would also like, if possible, to find some brass forming ideas to form cases from other cartridges and, of course, a source for bullets.

I have managed to locate the dimensions on the brass. I see that Bertram also makes the brass but, it is mighty expensive and would prefer a less costly source. .357 Maximum cases have been suggested however the rim will need to be trimmed off.

The oldest load manual I have is a Pacific (now Hornady) from the late 60's and the Win .351SLR isn't even listed.

Chipper

 

[m1911joe]

Looks like you will need to try and find some older manuals. I did look in
my Cartridges of The World and found some data.

They list a 180 gr bullet with 19 grs of 2400 for a MV of 1870. They also
have 4227 at 20 grs for a MV of 1840 with the same bullet. The book
does not say if this is a staring load or a max load! But I would treat it
like a Max load till I could see more listings from other sorces.

There are some boards on the net just for loading. You might try some of
them to see what they might have. But an old manual would be better.

Hope this is of some help.

ALL WARNINGS APPLY TO THIS DATA. DON'T USE TILL IT CAN BE VERIFYED!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Brass is available from Old Western Scrounger. It's a LOT easier to get the brass than to try to make it.

You can also occasionally find relatively new ammo at gunshows. Winchester was still loading .351 up until around 1985 or so.

If you're interested in casting your own bullets, you have have Lee or Lyman make a mold for you, along with sizing dies.

Some people have said that you can swage .357 bullets to the correct size -- I don't know if that's true or not, but reducing a bullet .005 to .006 seems feasible.

You don't have a lot of leeway on load development. These were recoil operated rifles, so you have to keep ballistics in the original range or you'll either stress the action with loads that are too powerful or the action won't function with loads that are too light.


Go to google.com and enter the following search terms, "351 winchester"

Include the " " on either end of the search tems. You'll get a bunch of hits, including newly loaded ammo and some reloading information.

 

[Chipper]

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for the quick replies and the info and tips.

Chipper

 

[tex_n_cal]

www.hawkbullets.com will have jacketed bullets in the correct diameter.

Now, what you really need to do is take a deeep breath before you price the dies...

I have a M1907 myself, and have fired with factory loads. I would like to see if I can accurize it a little, but it may be due for honored retirement.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Midway has the RCBS dies for $133.16, special order, 3 month turn around.

What they do have, however, are 2 sets of Redding .351 dies for $65.39.

Better get a set before they sell out. People are beating down the doors for these dies.

 

[magnumjim]

.351 WSL

Before you buy from anyone check out Buffalo Arms.
They can supply all your needs at reasonable prices
and are good people to deal with.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/

 

[tex_n_cal]

cool jim, thanks...I just bought a set. The last time I tried to buy a set of .351 dies was on Ebay, and I dropped out of the bidding at $135.

My 1907 lived a long hard life on a ranch in South Texas - it is from the first full year of production, and has no finish left. Old Factory ammo runs a chrono'd 1950 fps out of it...why the .351 was considered ineffective, I can't imagine - seems like a 180 grain bullet at 1900 fps is going to blow the doors off any 9mm subgun or carbine - maybe at or beyond the killing power of a 7.62x39?

Wonder if there are any high cap magazines floating around for them? I hear police and prison guards liked the gun.

Mine will shoot about 5" groups at 50 yards, with old ammo and sights that are very hard to see. I am eager to try it with new ammo, and one of those elusive tang sights. The mounting holes for the tang sight are 13/16" center to center, and I haven't yet found a reasonably priced, correct sight.

This old rifle protected countless head of livestock from predators, fed a couple generations, harvested countless gator hides, and probably was pointed at more than a few trespassers. I hope I can get it shooting in honorable fashion - if not, it will enjoy honored retirement.

 

[Mike Irwin]

The .351 was seen to be a LOT more effective than either the .32 WSL or the .35 WSL, both of which had been chambered in the Model 1905 self-loading rifle.

Based on complaints from the user public, the .35's case was lengthened significantly and the velocity pumped up by nearly 500 fps.

While still not an earth mover, the .351 was a lot better than the .35.

A lot of the concern was that most loads for the .351 had FMJ bullets. Not really a great stopper under the best of conditions.

 

[Sunray]

My old Lyman 45th Edition manual has it. Only two bullets though.

Bullet diameter, jacketed: .351"
Bullet diameter, cast: .352"
Max case length: 1.380"
Trim to: 1.376"
Max OAL loaded: 1.9"
Small Rifle primer

180 grain jacketed
Unique 10.0 to 11.0
2400 17.0 to 19.0
IMR4227 17.0 to 19.5(compressed)

171 grain cast with gas check.
Unique 12.0 to 12.5
2400 17.0 to 19.0(compressed)
IMR4227 17.0 to 19.5(compressed)

 

[Chipper]

Thank You Sunray!!!

Chipper

 

[greg531mi]

I have the .401 Winchester, Model 10, and have a set of .351 CH dies, anybody want to trade for .401 dies? Also, I am looking for some brass and a new forearm for my Model 10, any sugguestions or leads?

 

[tex_n_cal]

well, I bookmarked this thread...pretty good info on a pretty darn obscure topic