A while ago I obtained a .408 Winchester prototype round from the 1960s. It was a loaded shell that used a 250 grain round nose bullet, and originally it was designed for the Model 94 (though it never went into production). Anyways, I was wondering if anyone knows a cartridge that could be used as the parent case for this round. The dimensions are as follows:

Rim Diameter - 0.506"
Base Diameter - 0.446"
Front Diameter - 0.430"
Case Length - 2.030"
Bullet Dia. - 0.400"

Unfortunately, .30-30 brass is too narrow in the rear, and .307s are too wide to size down to 0.446". For some reason, I have this urge to convert a 94 XTR to .408 since I shoot a lot of 10mm in handguns. Any suggestions would be appreciated....I realize that I could use any number of other cases to build a level action 10mm, but I kind of want to do one in .408 Win.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Lee,

It should be relatively easy to use Remington 303 British brass for your parent case. It actually measures .449 at the base and .527 on the rim, but a little lathe work here will take care of the difference. In actual use I would not be surprised if the base diameter would not need to be changed at all, as most chambers will accomodate this much variation, so you might get by with only having to reduce the rim diameter.

Jim

Jim....thanks for the reply. I went through all of my cartridge drawings and somehow missed the .303.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Lee,

Sounds like an interesting project . What bullets are you considering for hunting use? I assume that pistol bullets may be too lightly constructed for the velocity you should be getting with Model 94.

Assuming that you are interested in a jacketed bullet I noticed that Hawk lists a .401 diameter 200 grain HP designed for the 38/40, but I still wouldn't want to use it on deer at higher velocity. They do list diameters .403, .406, .408, .410, and .411 as being available with a .025 jacket in weights of 235, 270, and 300 grains. The .410 might make a nice plinker with 41 mag pistol bullets. Another way to go might be to use a ring sizer to reduce the .403 bullets to .400. Lots of possibilities!!!

Sorry for rambling, but it seems like a pretty neat concept.

Jim

[ 09-26-2003, 21:01: Message edited by: mbogo375 ]

Lee,

I enjoyed your articles on the 400 colt python and the 401 herters powermag. Because of them I have come up with 2 new 40 cal. projects. Plus already have 2 other.

How is your 450 bonecrsher coming? i'm working on some 44,45 and 458 projects.

Dan

Dan....the Bonecrusher is done and works well. Recoil is stout, but I'm using a detachable brake on an 7 3/4" barrel, so it's manageable. Hopefully, I'll be able to chronograph the round this weekend and get an article up within a couple of weeks. Thanks for taking a look at Single-Actions.com.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Jim....I'm definitely going to stay away from pistol bullets. Ideally, I'd like to have a custom WFN mould made for hardcast slugs (between 250 and 280 grains). I have so many projects in the works now however, I may not get around to a .408 Win for a while (I still think it would be neat in an XTR though). Thanks for the suggestions.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Lee, I concur with your idea that this round needs a cast bullet. The WFN type should work great!

Dimensions sound similar to the 30-40 Krag, which was the progenitor of the Lever Power cartridges many moons ago.

BigIron.