.410 Wildcat?

[Rell]

So … I think I have a terrible terrible idea that I kind of want to actually do?

I love the 400 Whelen and have had two rifles that where suboptimal in feeding and reliability.

What if I used 240 Weatherby brass and slowly necked it up to ,410 and shot 400gr bullets out of it? Belt fixes any headspace issues?

Is this a new(ish) idea? Any thoughts on if it’s doable? I could even get a run of 1000 custom brass possibly?

 

[Rell]

That bad?

 

[PerH]

.425 Fossdal / MUNICION.ORG

Not a .410, bu .404

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I was wondering, why the 240 Weatherby? Is that just the brass you have handy?

And why a belted magnum case? Is the action length/bolt face the limiting factor?

I’m genuinely curious to see what you go with. Wildcats fascinate me.

 

[fourfive8]

Other than being a PITA wildcat, not a bad plan ballistically. Is it doable?- sure. Yes, the belt would solve/prevent any potential headspace issue. All in all I think kind of a scaled down version of the 411 KDF.

 

[Rell]

Just wanted a standard cartridge to be able to load 4-5 down. 400gr .410 bullet at 2050-2100fps.

 

[Rell]

PITA wildcat? Sorry, what’s that?

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Just wanted a standard cartridge to be able to load 4-5 down. 400gr .410 bullet at 2050-2100fps.

Makes sense

 

[C.W. Richter]

You can get std .416 rifles (take your pick on cartridge) with 4 in the mag and 2,450 fps using 400 gr slugs. Many have extended mag box stocks. What would you use it for? 405 appears to be .411

 

[Rell]

Buff mostly and eland I guess. I like CRF standard length actions, relatively light rifles and don’t like recoil. 400gr @ 2100fps kills everything that walks.

The big CZ actions/rifles in 416/458 just seem … to big. I’ve handled some really really nice custom 416s and 458s but they just don’t do it for me the way a trim 9.3x62 does on a standard M98.

 

[fourfive8]

"PITA wildcat? Sorry, what’s that?"

PITA wildcat? PITA= Pain In The Arsicle. Most are. Hard to find or unobtanium brass with correct headstamp. Few if any options for quality bullets and usually fewer bullet options. Custom reamer required. Custom/special order dies required. Smaller market and greater depreciation when it comes time to sell. That's the reality. Don't misunderstand, I've messed with a few and enjoyed the education. But, just about every caliber niche and nuance is filled or has been done or tried.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

There’s the 425 Express in a standard action. .423 bullet though

 

[C.W. Richter]

Buff mostly and eland I guess. I like CRF standard length actions, relatively light rifles and don’t like recoil. 400gr @ 2100fps kills everything that walks.

The big CZ actions/rifles in 416/458 just seem … to big. I’ve handled some really really nice custom 416s and 458s but they just don’t do it for me the way a trim 9.3x62 does on a standard M98.

My 416 Taylor is a standard long action heavy contour 21" bbl super accurate 2450 ft per second with 400 grainers pleasant to shoot (uses 10 to 20 grains less powder than the less efficient Remington and Rigby.) Chatfield-Taylor's previous reinvention of the 458 WM now pays dividends for the rest of us. Some of the Big bore scovill and hawk cartridges based upon the 30-06 have a little less steam but already exceed your qualifications. Read Kevin Robertson's Africa's Most Dangerous.

 

[geoff rath]

Advice from several highly reputable 'smiths is to have the chamber cut, and fireform using the "cream of wheat/rolled oats) filler method; less loss of brass ...

 

[Rell]

I guess I’m looking for a better 400 Whelen?

I really don’t want 2300-2450fps, I don’t think it’s needed and don’t want the recoil in an 8lbs rifles.

 

[PerH]

Fossdal wanted to use a 06 action with very little mods to it so he went with .423 diameter for the cartridge.

 

[AZDAVE]

Your idea will work, but my questions is why not get a good smith getting your 400 whelen to feed properly? My 400 Whelen is pushing 400gr bullets at 2155. And 30/06 or 35 whelen brass is much easier to source than the weatherby brass.

 

[Rell]

Who made yours? Any issues?

 

[crs]

Azdave scores again!

Or for those of us that want an "off the shelf" solution, just buy a Winchester 1895 .405 WCF and go shoot any game and DG you like. Just pick the bullets appropriate for the game (solids for ele) and blast away. The 1895 leaning on the buff in the pic uses a receiver sight and remains handy (fast handling) and DEADLY with the 400 grain Woodies at 2100 fps.
You can even shoot prairie dogs with it if you like. Hint, use 210 grain 41 mag pistol bullets. plenty strong enough for deer too.

 

[Rell]

The only lever action I really use in the wonderful 356 Winchester.