Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Using 38 Super in 351 Winchester 1907?

I have just read a post on another site that the guy is using 38 Super regularly in his 1907.

Sounds a bit sketchy to me, but maybe not.
Ted

Pressures are somewhat compatible but the 38 Super uses a .355" bullet while the 351 WSL uses a .351" bullet which would raise pressures.

If the person was talking of using 38 Super brass, I don't know. The brass I use is made from 357 Maximum and that is all I have heard use of. I have not looked up the dimensions of 38 Super and compared it to 351 WSL so cannot comment on that.

Mike Venturino' did an article on the 351 in Rifle or Handloader a few months back. I glanced over it but I don't recall any mention of what brass he used. I'll have to see if I can dig up that issue to read closer. There wasn't anything new regarding loads so I didn't do much more than glance at it.

His post says he is using factory 38 Super ammunition.

Ted

That seems creative, but odd. Maybe the guy doesn't handload?

Both Jamison & QCC have brass on occasion. Both are acceptable though I like the Jamison better.

It's easy to get Hawk bullets in the correct size, and they work well at 1907 speeds...

I would not trust what that person has to say or does regarding anything with any degree of risk. After comparing the two cases one quickly sees that the 38 Super case is much larger in diameter compared to the 351 WSL. That makes sense as the pistol round is significantly larger in diameter than the rifle round. I would guess this would be akin to loading 5.56x45 cases with .227" bullets meant for the 22 Savage High Power rather than .224" bullets as called for. Even this would be "better" as the case starts out the same size as the chamber rather than the case being larger.

The only measurement the 351 surpasses the Super is in length which may be why the person in question has not harmed the self or their rifle- yet. The amount of "free bore" may allow pressures to remain low enough to prevent the rifle from coming apart upon first firing. One can only imagine the stresses placed upon the rifle firing such rounds and likely the longevity of the rifle is greatly decreased.

Where is this site? Not so much to ridicule the poster as to maybe learn of a site with additional info on these obsolescent rifles and cartridges. Like minded people are few and far between with these relics and new/additional insight is always welcome.

I guess if someone needs the gun, won't/can't buy a different one, and can't make or buy .351 ammo, then the .38 Super is a last ditch option. The 1907 was used by many police & prison guards in its day, and is still not a trivial weapon, but serious use should really be dedicated to something newer & easier to feed. I took a cull buck with mine a couple years ago, but 10 round mags cost $200, and I would not choose it for serious use.



The .38 Super ammo might work, but as others noted it seems abusive to the gun.

Personally, I don't see this as abusive to the gun as much as I see it being down right idiotic. pushing a .355" jacketed bullet down a .351" hole is not something any right minded person would do nor condone. Considering the operating pressures of both cartridges are similar when used in an appropriately chambered barrel, the cramming of the one into the chamber and then down a smaller hole can only raise pressures precipitously. Add to the fact a blow back action as the 1907 is not a comparatively strong design to begin with and one can readily deduce that the person touting the use of 38 Super in the 351 WSL is not working with a full knowledge base.

It truly seems to be a case of God looking out for fools and children. I just don't want to be anyplace close when He tires of this person's foolishness. .

You have one Ted? There's one for sale down here with a pile of brass. Can you get brass shipped to you from 'Murica?

I don't have one myself. Just curious if anyone else has ever heard of using 38 Super in a 351?



How's the fishing been, my friend?
Ted