Summary
The .401 Winchester Self-Loading (also called .401SL or .401WSL) is an American rifle cartridge.
| .401 Winchester Self-Loading | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||||||||||
| Type | Rifle | |||||||||||
| Place of origin | USA | |||||||||||
| Production history | ||||||||||||
| Designer | Winchester Repeating Arms Company | |||||||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||||||
| Case type | Semi-rimmed, straight | |||||||||||
| Bullet diameter | .4065 in (10.33 mm) | |||||||||||
| Neck diameter | .428 in (10.9 mm) | |||||||||||
| Base diameter | .429 in (10.9 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rim diameter | .457 in (11.6 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rim thickness | 0.05 in (1.3 mm) | |||||||||||
| Case length | 1.50 in (38 mm) | |||||||||||
| Overall length | 2.005 in (50.9 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rifling twist | 1 in 14 in (360 mm) | |||||||||||
| Primer type | Large rifle | |||||||||||
| Maximum pressure | 37,000–39,000 psi (260–270 MPa) | |||||||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
| Test barrel length: 20 inches (510 mm) Source(s): Whelen, Townsend. The American Rifle. Century Co. 1918 p. 266 | ||||||||||||
Description and performance edit
Winchester introduced the .401SL in the Winchester '10 self-loading rifle as a supplement to the Winchester '07 and the .351SL in their offering of hi-power, self-loading rifles. The only chambering available in the Winchester Model 1910, the .401SL was used by France, Russia, and American company security forces in the First World War.[1]
The .401SL proved powerful enough for both deer and other large game at ranges under 150 yards.[2] Both 200gr and 250gr bullet weights were offered by Winchester and other ammunition manufacturers as factory loadings. With extra available detachable magazines holding 4-rounds each, the Model 1910 could provide substantial firepower for the big-game hunter. This feature helped promote the use of the .401SL on dangerous game such as moose and grizzly bear in spite of the lack of controlled expansion bullet designs, which doubtlessly would have improved game-taking performance and the subsequent reputation of the .401SL cartridge.[3]
The .401 SL is of similar size to the later .41 Remington Magnum; but the longer self-loading rifle cartridge produced a muzzle energy of 2,000 foot-pounds force (2,700 J) with a 200-grain (13 g) bullet,[4] while the magnum revolver is credited with a muzzle energy of 790 foot-pounds force (1,070 J) with a 210-grain (14 g) bullet.[5] The .41 Remington Magnum revolver comparison is not entirely fitting, however, as a cartridge will often produce twice the muzzle energy when fired from a carbine as it does from a typically much shorter revolver barrel.[citation needed]
Dimensions edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Houze, Herbert G. (2003). Winchester's First Self-Loading Rifles. 'American Rifleman' Vol 151(5) p.84.
- ^ Whelen, Townsend. The American Rifle. Century Co., 1918. p.274
- ^ Stebbins, Henry M. Rifles, A Modern Encyclopedia. Stackpole Co., 1958. p.274
- ^ Sharpe, Philip B. (1953). Complete Guide to Handloading (3rd ed.). New York: Funk & Wagnalls. pp. 425&436–437.
- ^ Ramage, Ken (2000). Gun Digest 2001 (55th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 208. ISBN 0-87341-924-3.
External links edit
- 401 Winchester WSL Cartridges Archived 2021-01-07 at the Wayback Machine
- 351 Winchester and 401 Winchester: Auto-Loading Pioneers
- Vintage Full Box Winchester 401 Self-Loading Ammo 200 Gr. Soft Point
- .401 Winchester Self-Loading Ammo Deal - Gungeek on YouTube