Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors So, the .401 Winchester SL

After finding a bit of fun with the M1907 in .351 Winchester, I decided to acquire its big brother.

I have one of these Self Loading contraptions on the way to me, which is said to have a good bore, and a kinda weird receiver sight. It's a shooter grade, AFAIK.

I have 400 Jamison cases in hand, and Redding dies on order, inquiring on 200gr Hawk bullets. I'm rather surprised to learn they supposedly use RCBS #3 shell holders, same as a .30-06!

Can anyone suggest suitable hunting loads for the 200gr jacketed bullets?

Thanks!

The Lyman Reloading Handbook 45th edition has 401wsl jacketed bullet data. It’s not listed in the 49th edition. Don’t have the 45th on hand. Cast bullet loads are listed in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd edition. Also believe there’s data in Cartridges of the World.

SCgun nut used up to 31 grains of 4227, I have only fired up to 29 grains IMR4227 with 200 grain jacketed bullets.

Can't remember what year/ issue, but there was a short article in Gun Digest about a guy who picked up a Win 1907 ( 1910?) in. 401 Win, and wrote about gathering reloading components for it. The title was something like "Blamming with a .401 Win". "Blamming" was used as the author felt the recoil blast of the .401 Win was more of a BLAM than a BANG. From the Gun Digest of the 1990's? 2000's??? A good read. Hope you can find it.

I agree, I think it would be a fun gun to shoot. I remember reading that actor Tom Selleck had one, and liked it.

I think the 401 round from a Winchester 1910 sounds much like a 450 Bushmaster round from an AR-carbine; a very loud "BLAM"!

I had one for a while. It was fun. I tried some Barnes 200 grain and some Hawk 200 and 250 grain bullets. They all shot well. I was surprised how accurate it was. The only powder I tried was IMR4227.

I’m not sure where my loading notes for it are. I’ll look around some for them.

Somewhere I once saw a picture of Babe Ruth with one in a group of hunters. Caption said it was his favorite.

I have the components but as of yet have not reloaded any yet still have about 300 rounds loaded

Well, when you tire of shooting the .401, you can move on up to the Winchester 1895 .405 WCF for a real fun big bore.

Not really a “hunting load” but I’ve loaded 10 grains of unique behind a 200 gr round nose for 1,300 FPS with reliable function.
Mild
Just for plinking

I've always wanted a 1895 405 win but never pursued it enough maybe one will still come along when i have the funds