crank
Junior Member
Posts: 92
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Post by crank on May 13, 2012 16:42:24 GMT -5
Well, here is my latest exploit. After experimenting with using modified .30 Carbine brass successfully, I spent quite a bit of time buried in every reference out there for all of the possible donors for .351 brass. Since all of the references keep coming back to modifying .357 Max brass, which is currently overpriced and nobody has much available, if at all. I decided to look for alternate choices and settled on 5.56 brass. Using a miniature chop saw, I cut them back just behind the shoulder and only had to remove .010 in the case trimmer to get to correct length. using the expander from my .351 die set, the case mouth was opened to accept the .351 180gr. copper clad projo. The cartridge seats nicely on the case mouth for headspace and there is adequate rim available to extract. Using a load of Unique, we had reliable feeding and only a couple of rounds were too mild to cycle the action fully. The case fire-forms nicely to the chamber dimensions and looks as if it is going to be good for several loadings. There was one total failure of a case, about 3/8" from the case mouth, which was due to a paper thin case and the load of Unique is probably a tad too fast burning. The rifle fired it and cycled normally, but failed to seat the next round due to the ring of case sitting in the chamber. Overall, it was a great way to create brass from a more common parent case and not become OCD trying to police every scrap of brass while shooting, if I lose some from time to time, I won't break down in tears and I can easily fabricate more. Accuracy was decent, but I was having a devil of a time seeing my aperture against the shadows on the indoor range, so a more serious attempt will need to wait until an outing on the outdoor range. It was such a blast to shoot that rifle, that now takes care of the 1905 and the 1907, now I need to get some ammo loaded up for my 1910 and let the "Hammer of Thor" send some big slugs down range. Nothing exciting there for brass, I have a whole bunch of Fiocchi .401 brass that is for berdan primers and luckily managed to secure a case of said primers. The trouble has been finding a source of ready made bullets, since I don't cast. I know there will be someone out there that will feel that what I have done is a hairs breadth from the total extinction of the human race , is going to make puppies die and babies will be born naked. So please only attempt this if you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express ;D understand what is going on when loading cartridges and realize that danger is always present. Mark
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Post by gastrap on Jun 7, 2012 12:38:54 GMT -5
I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THAT I TRIED THE 5.56 BRASS CONVERSION TO .351 WSL AND WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. I THOUGHT IT WORKED VERY WELL. ACCURACY WAS GOOD WITH THE GRAF 180 GR. COPPER CLAD SLUGS AND 4227 POWDER. SIZING THE FRONT OF THE 5.56 CASE WAS OFF CENTER AND LOOKED AWFUL BUT CHAMBERED, SHOT AND EJECTED NORMALLY. THANKS FOR THE TIP. I'M GOING TO MAKE MORE AND ENJOY SHOOTING MY M1907.
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crank
Junior Member
Posts: 92
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Post by crank on Jun 7, 2012 19:01:16 GMT -5
gastrap, Great to hear that you had good luck with your try at this idea. I realize that every rifle will behave differently, but I am happy with the way everything has worked so far. The problem with that one separated case, did not concern me, because it was a combination of factors that all contributed to an uncommon failure that could have occurred regardless of the rifle firing it. I used a cheap little cut-off saw from Horrible Freight Tools, set up with an adjustable stop to rough cut them to the same length and it was a great time saver. I never got a reply from Starline brass regarding the possibility of a run of .351 brass, so I will chalk that up as a lost cause. It's too bad that there is only one commercially available bullet, it would be nice to get some real jacketed bullets (preferably HP) and I don't cast. I have to admit that my 1905 in .32WSL is really nice to shoot and seems to be very accurate. I am looking forward to getting the Lyman 41 sight mounted on it to do some real accuracy testing. Be safe and have fun.
Mark
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Post by gastrap on Jun 8, 2012 13:00:22 GMT -5
I shot the 10 I made from lake city 5.56 02 brass and had 2 splits. They also expanded mostly to one side due to their sloppy annealing. Of course military has no concern for reloading, so they don't need to be critical when they anneal the neck and shoulder. I reloaded the remaining 8 cases and had better luck since they were fire formed. I made up 20 more from some promo federal cases. they expanded nearly concentrically and loaded well. I just chuck the cases tightly in my forester trimmer and turn the electric drill on and go for it. Only had 2 mishaps using this method. I just ran the 22 spud into the case and kept going all the way to length. Scary but it works quickly and quite well. I don't think I will ever buy any new made brass again and for nothing but about 30 seconds for trim time, if I loose one I don't really care. 223 brass must be the most prevalent on the earth right now!
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Post by gastrap on Jun 11, 2012 13:55:45 GMT -5
You seem to be interested in off the wall variants of the model 07. Ever seen or shot the Hymen Lebman made variation as made for "Baby Face Nelson" or John Dilinger in 1933-1934? I happen to live a couple of miles from where "Baby Face" killed the two "G MEN" in the 1934 battle of Barrington, Il. I also have a second home in the northwoods of Wisconsin and drink and eat at the famous "Little Bohemia" where the Dilinger/Baby Face/ G Men shoot out occurred in 1934. One of the Lebman guns was left during the gangs hasty retreat from Little Bohemia in 1934. Baby Face walked head on up to the Two Gmen in Barrington, IL. who were fireing a Thompson and a Remington model 11 and killed them both with his Llebman model 07 .351 WSL. This was after he was loaded down with seven 45 slugs and 10, double O buckshot from the G Men. I've attached a photo of the one I had made up. Let me know what you think. It's a real nice shooter
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Post by gastrap on Jun 11, 2012 14:03:52 GMT -5
Sorry, the sight wouldn't allow me to attach photo to last reply. Too big I guess. I guess I can't attach a picture. Send me your email if you are interested and I'll send you a picture
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