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Post by 2gunsmike on May 28, 2016 12:58:54 GMT -5
Hi guys, I'm new to this site and I'm happy to see a lot of interest in the old self loaders! I just finished redoing a .401 and in the 7 months I spent working on it I did quite a bit of research. I wanted to find out just what Winchester actually used for buffer material. Just for kicks I bought a buffer from Numrich for the model 7 (they had none for the 10) just to see what it was made of. It seemed pretty hard to me so I looked for Thomas Johnson's patent and actually found it! In the patent description it said "hard rubber". I no when I acquired the gun the buffer was quite hard! Also knowing that "rubber technology" wasn't what it is now, and back then rubber would dry out and become brittle. I decided to go with the hard rubber (about as hard as car tire rubber) I haven't gone to the range yet, but as soon as I can, I'll report back on the results.
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 5, 2016 16:35:23 GMT -5
Went to the range today and very pleased with the old .401! The buffer works well, took it apart and checked the "gap" and didn't crush down at all. I used fresh reloads from Reeds ammo and all worked well with no hiccups what so ever!
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Post by battis on Jun 10, 2016 22:58:16 GMT -5
I brought mine to the range yesterday and fired off a few hand loads - .406 bullets and 24 grs IMR 4227. My chronograph said that the average velocity was right around 1600 ft per second. I forgot a butt pad - won't do that again.
The recoil was pretty stout this time around. Might be time to replace the spring. Anyone know where I can get one?
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 13, 2016 19:11:43 GMT -5
I know Wolf Gunsprings makes em for the model 7. Maybe give them a call and see if they can make one for your 10.
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Post by battis on Jun 14, 2016 16:19:55 GMT -5
I loaded up some more rounds and reduced the powder charge from 24 grs (IMR 4227) to 21 grs. What a difference. They all ejected and the recoil was much less. Will the curved Operating Sleeve Tip for the 1907 fit the 1910?
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 14, 2016 20:29:18 GMT -5
Yes it will. I bought mine from Numrich. What did your reduced loads chrono at?
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Post by battis on Jun 15, 2016 18:32:46 GMT -5
It was very windy, so I left the chronograph at home. The last time I brought it, and it was that windy, the tripod blew over.
When I bought the .401, the operating sleeve spring was missing, so I got one from Numrich and installed it. For some reason, when the spring is installed, the action automatically locks up when thingyed, which is a pain in the neck. No matter what I did, it would lockup, and I had to twist the sleeve to unlock it (it worked fine when shooting). At the range yesterday, the operating sleeve tip separated from the sleeve and went flying, with the spring right behind it. I found them both. The pin that held the tip on was missing. I got a replacement pin at the local hardware store.
Anyways, the rifle works much better without that spring in the operating sleeve. I'm thinking that the last owner just removed the spring because of the lock-up issue.
I've been shooting 250 gr bullets. Accurate Molds now has a mold that case .406 bullets at 205 grs, which should reduce the recoil.
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 15, 2016 19:09:01 GMT -5
I guess I don't quite understand what you mean by "the action locking up". Does the bolt not go back, or does it not come forward? Now I'm just guessing, but you said the button as well as the spring came off. So here's my guess as to the bolt locking. I'm guessing that pin might've been protruding just enuf to catch on the forend cap? The pin on mine is perfectly flush on both top and bottom when installed. You don't want either end sticking out at all!
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Post by battis on Jun 15, 2016 19:49:18 GMT -5
The forum software won't let me use the correct word, so I'll misspell it. When I kock the rifle to load from the magazine, the bolt stays back and I have to twist the operating sleeve tip to release it. Without the spring it works fine. I have three other WSL rifles and they all work fine. I installed a new pin in the 401 and I'm filing it flush as you said. Maybe it was the old pin sticking out too far - I never noticed it.
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 15, 2016 21:24:42 GMT -5
That's weird! I don't understand why the spring would cause that to happen. Are you sure you're not inadvertently turning the sleeve just a little when you kock the gun causing it to lock?
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Post by battis on Jun 15, 2016 22:04:40 GMT -5
I kocked it fast, slow, in between, doing everything I could not to turn the knob but it kept happening. Like I said I have 3 other WSLs and they're all fine. But it doesn't lock up when it's fired and ejecting spent brass. The fact that it didn't have the spring when I got it makes me think the previous owner had the same problem. That's why I was thinking of using the curved knob if it fits.
I'll check it out again tomorrow and figure it out - or just use it without the spring.
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Post by battis on Jun 16, 2016 10:30:28 GMT -5
I think you were right about the pin being the problem. I put it back together with the spring but without the pin and it works fine. I can't check the old pin because it's gone to Grass Heaven, but I'll bet it was sticking out on one side.
Good call.
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 16, 2016 11:26:25 GMT -5
Good deal! I'm glad it works for you now! And I installed the curved end just because I like the way it looks. I think it adds to the appearance of the rifle. I still have the round button in my spare parts bag.
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Post by battis on Jun 16, 2016 12:15:18 GMT -5
So, the curved tip definitely fits on the 401? I also like the looks of it.
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Post by 2gunsmike on Jun 16, 2016 17:11:39 GMT -5
Yes it fits perfectly.
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