New guy with a 1910

[tx4445]

Hi folks,
Just wanted to share my first impressions on firing my 1910 for the first time this afternoon. I bought the rifle about 2 weeks ago, and have spent the intervening time gathering information, dies, bullets, and mostly modifying .414 brass. It is indeed an impressive looking shell. Todays range session was mostly just a function test, which it passed with flying brass. No long range accuracy testing, but 25 yd. looked promising. The load was a Hawk 200 gr. SP, modified Starline 414 case, mostly full of IMR4227. My first thought after the first round was "hits like the Hammer of Thor". I have some 250 gr. cast bullets on order, and hope to develop a milder fun load with them.
P O Emerson

[Hardrada55]

Hello P O Emerson. Welcome to the board. You got any photos of your new gun? Keep us posted on accuracy tests. And please tell us about this Starline 414 case and what you do to modify it for use by the .401.

[tx4445]

I haven't taken any photos yet, but I will soon. The rifle is in pretty good shape for 99 years old. No cracks or splits, no major pitting, and a really good bore.
I am making the brass out of .414 SuperMag, which is basically an extra long .41 magnum designed by Elgin Gates. Just chuck it up on a mandrel in the lathe, cut the extractor groove to .406 OD, cut the rim to .458 OD, bevel the base face, then trim to 1.495 length. Machine time might be 2 minutes, and I'm slow. Load and shoot. Midway and Grafs stock it, probably others.
Thanks for the welcome,
P O Emerson

[wsl49er]

Hello TX4445 -Not that any of this helps but it might give some clues

Buffalo Arms lists the ammunition and components for the 1910.

1929 (No.29) Ideal handbook lists for .401 WSL: (Note: no specific Ideal Bullet listed for the .401wsl this year)
200 gr bullet 25 grains of H Sharpshooter 2050 FPS
200 gr bullet, 20.0 grains Dupont No. 80 1525 FPS
250 gr bullet 19 grainds Dupont No. 80 1425 FPS (slightly compressed load)

The 1932 (No.32) Ideal Handbook lists: (Again no specific Ideal bullet listed for year though one is listed below)
Jacketed 200 Gr Bullet, 25 grains Sharpshooter powder 2050 FPS
Jacketed 200 Gr Bullet, 20 grains of Dupont #80, 1525 FPS
Jacketed 200 Gr Bullet, 26 grains of 2400 Powder, 2061 FPS
Jacketed 250 gr Bullet, 19 gr Dupont #80 Powder, 1425 FPS, Powder slightly compressed
Jacketed 250 gr Bullet, 21 grains 2400 Powder, 1650 FPS
Ideal Bullet #410426, 250 gr, 15 grains of 2400 Powder, 1285 FPS.

the Ideal $410426, 250 grain was a "Standard" Ideal Bullet
Lyman may still have the Cherry needed to make a mold.
Lee will make custom molds for a very reasonable fee.

[tx4445]

Hi wsl,
Thanks for the info. Those old loading books are some good reading. Cast bullets were the norm in those days for reloaders. Of course, most of the old powders are no longer made. And modern 2400 should not be used with the old data.

I did order some bullets from Buffalo Arms, but they are on back order. My cast bullets are from the Lyman 410426 mold, but I have not loaded any yet.

POE