The Winchester Self-Loading Rifles.
By Maurice H. Decker
Fur-Fish-Game, vol 25, No. 4, April 1917, pages 38-39
THE WINCHESTER LINE of self-loaders possess several distinctive features that distinguish them from other varieties of self-functioned arms. They were the first to handle center-fire cartridges; they are undoubtedly the most simple of construction with a less number of parts, with a single possible exception of the Colt pistols; and they are made in the most powerful caliber, namely the .401 which the Winchester advertisements so aptly describe as "Hitting like the Hammer of Thor." In construction and system of operation these automatics are very simple and positive of operation and there is very little chance of their getting out of order and refusing to work properly if given a reasonable amount of care.
Unlike that of the Remington rifle, the Winchester breech-bolt is unlocked and is held in place up against the head of the cartridge by a stiff recoil spring located in the fore-arm of the weapon. This spring and a heavy recoil-resisting bolt, the heaviest portion of which is also located in the fore-arm, are all that support the cartridge in the chamber and resist the backward recoil of the discharge. Consequently when the arm is fired the breech-bolt immediately begins its back ward movement and its speed of travel and the length of the barrel are so timed and adjusted that the bullet has time to leave the muzzle before the breech is opened completely and there would be opportunity for an escape of gas at the rear.
The heads of the shells used in these rifles are made thick and heavy for two reasons. The first is so they will stand the pull backward exerted by the extractor without its tearing thru the rim and leaving them in the chamber. When a charge of modern smokeless powder is fired there is an enormous pressure against the walls or sides of the shell, amounting to a number of tons and which aided by the great amount of heat also generated at the same time jam and braze the shell in the chamber to such an extent that it extracts with difficulty. With such rifles as the .30 Model .06 Gov, it will occasionally require about all the strength one can exert upon the lever to pull out the fired shell. The recoil of the breech-bolt of the Winchester Self-Loaders is sure and certain as it is accomplished by the powerful recoil of the cartridge fired and if the shell was made with a thin head the extractor would certainly pull thru and when the loaded cartridge was brought up and started into the chamber there would be a most beautiful and complete jam. This is a very good reason why the chambers of all automatics should receive the same careful attention in cleaning as is accorded the barrel proper. The second reason for a cartridge head of sturdy construction is that the shell is undoubtedly withdrawn a small distance from the chamber before the bullet completely clears the muzzle and consequently has to with stand part of the pressure of the powder gases which are still confined within the bore.
Since the advent of the automatic machinegun all makers of self-functioned arms have religiously avoided branding their product as automatic. Auto-loading and Self-loading are the terms used to describe their action, principally because people who are not fully informed concerning these arms suppose them to fire continually like the machine gun as long as the trigger is held back and be like a shooter once told me, "hard to stop once they get started." The operation of all automatic rifles is absolutely under the control of the shooter, as it is necessary for him to pull the trigger for each shot he fires. The advantage of a self-functioned weapon is first, greater rapidity of fire and second, better accuracy under trying conditions, for the action automatically reloads much faster than the human hand could, and the hunter has to think only of sighting his gun for a quick, effective shot with both hands in one position and no thoughts of manipulating bolt, lever or slide.
There are three models of the Winchester Self-loaders : The 1905, 1907 and 1910. The Model 1905 is made in two calibers, .32 and .35 Self-loading, with 22-inch round barrel only, plain walnut pistol grip, stock 13 7/8 inches long, fitted with rubber butt plate shotgun style; drop at comb 1 5/8 inches; drop at heel 2 ½ inches; length of rifle over all 39 ¾ inches. Capacity of detachable magazine five shots; one extra can be placed in the chamber if desired; magazines of ten-shot capacity can be obtained at extra cost. Weight of the rifle is 7 ½ pounds.
The .32 cartridge carries a 165-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity and energy of 1,440-foot seconds and 760-foot pounds, respectively. Accurate range is 200 to 300 yards. Trajectory at 200 yards range; height at 100 yards 11.86 inches; 300-yard range, height at 150 yards 31.74 inches.
The .35 Self-loading carries a 180-grain bullet at a velocity of 1,452-foot seconds, with an energy of 842-foot pounds. Accurate range is 200 to 300 yards. Trajectory at 200 yards range, height at 100 yards 12.75 inches; 300-yard range, height at 150 yards 34.31 inches.
The use of these two calibers is not very firmly fixed in my mind. They are probably powerful enough for such game as deer; but their range is too limited and their trajectory too great for shooting heavy animals at some of the ordinary hunting ranges.
The .351 Self-loader has a far greater field of usefulness as it gives one a really powerful load for work up to 200 yards and gives the shooter more cartridge value for his money than any other size listed. It sells for less per hundred shells than many other sizes of equal and inferior performance and with its heavy, large caliber bullet one may depend upon fine results upon the medium sized game. Its comparatively short range, however, due to the short, heavy bullet and short barrel constitute its principal fault, which it shares alike with its companion models. For close work in timber, or for canoe shooting, this rifle fitted with sling strap and a ten-shot magazine makes a very deadly weapon. The two other faults of these self-loaders that shooters take question to are the peculiar balance due to the heavy fore-arm and short barrel and the stiff trigger pull which amounts sometimes to six pounds and better. The .351 comes with 20-inch nickel-steel barrel only, measures 30 7/8 inches over all, weighs 7 ¾ pounds, comes regularly with plain pistol grip, walnut stock and regular sporting front and rear sights. The magazine is of five-shot capacity; ten-shot size can be fitted it the factory at extra cost. This model handles better than the '05 edition, as it has a slightly longer stock with less drop and a slightly curved rubber butt plate. The .351 cartridge shoots a 180-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1,875-foot seconds and generates an energy of 1405-foot pounds. Its accurate range is 300 to 500 yards a stated in the manufacturing catalog, but with its trigger pull and coarse sights I regard its limit of range for practical hunting purposes to be a little under this first figure. Peep sights fitted upon the Winchester Self-loaders increase that efficiency as it allows a greater distance between front and rear sights with a corresponding increase in accuracy and effective range. Trajectory at 200-yard range, height at 100 yards 7.20 inches; 300-yard range, height at 150 yards 10.97 inches.
The Model 1910 I regard as the most effective and desirable of the Winchester line of Self-loaders. Its questionable features of balance, trigger pull and accuracy at long range all vanish when we consider its caliber and the cartridge it handles. I believe the .401 cartridge to be one of the best designed sizes for effective work upon big game at ranges up to 200 yards. It is not by any means the most powerful when one consults the ballistic tables of velocities and energy, but it is impossible for one to pick out any caliber of equal weight of bullet and speed that approaches or excels this one in actual striking power and energy. I have always favored and preferred a bore of from .35 to .40, carrying a heavy bullet with a reasonable high velocity, high enough to insure accurate game shooting without sight elevation up to 150 yards to the small bore with lighter bullets developing excessive rifle-racking velocities.
We have with the advent of the .401 gotten smokeless cartridges designed originally for sporting and not for military purposes. The .401 cartridge is loaded with two different weights of bullets, namely: 200 and 250 grains in weight and which was a wise and clever move upon the makers part to insure the speedy popularity of this arm. The 200-grain bullet will appeal to the shooters who favor the small bore, high speed, calibers as its velocity is sufficiently high for all ordinary ranges of big game shooting, while those who still regard with a friendly feeling the large bore .45 calibers with their slow-moving bullets of heavy weight and certain knock-down properties will recognize in the .401 load with the 250-grain bullet a modern smokeless edition of the very principle they admire. In common with the .351 the .401 possesses the valuable features of being the lightest in weight and lowest in cost for its power of any other high power cartridge. The large caliber, short .401 bullet will have less ill effects upon the bore of the barrel and will admit of a longer useful life of the weapon.
The bore of the rifle is large enough to permit the use of a wooden cleaning rod, consequently there will be little wear upon it due to this attention. The receiver and all working parts of the .401 are made of nickel-steel of the same quality and strength as that used in the manufacture of the barrel and the action should be durable enough to outlast at least several barrels and withstand all the hard knocks a hunting rifle is liable to be subjected to.
In outline the Model 1910 is short, powerful and stocky and shows considerable improvement over the previous models, as many of the rough places have been smoothed over to make a much neater appearing arm. Its balance does not compare of course to a box magazine rifle with 24 to 26-inch taper barrel but it is quickly grown accustomed to and with a little practice the shooter can be assured of his ability to make a quick sight and shot at moving targets. I would not like to trust the 20-inch barrel of these rifles for taking shots at such game as the shy antelope and elusive big-horn, but when in a pinch and facing dangerous animals of the bear and moose variety in close quarters, the deadly rapid fire of the .401 should be something I would be glad and eager to depend upon.
The specifications of the Model 1910 are as follows: 20-inch round nickel-steel barrel, plain walnut pistol grip stock of 14-inch length, five shot magazine, larger capacity are not furnished, weight about 8 ¼ pounds. The gun is hammerless with a cross bolt safety in the trigger guard just ahead of the trigger which enables one to carry the rifle loaded and cocked, if desired. Trigger pull is about 5 ½ pounds and the sights are adjusted to shoot at their lowest position into the center of the target at 50 yards. By drawing a little coarser bead, however, one can shoot accurately at longer ranges without adjusting the rear sight, as the bullet follows a comparatively flat path. The detachable magazine allows one to carry several loaded in his pocket and, if necessary, it is possible to keep up a rapid continuous fire of ten to twenty shots. For longer ranges of course the cartridge with a 200-grain bullet could be used; but for dangerous game at short range the 250-grain bullet, although possessing less velocity and energy in the ballistic tables, will deliver a greater shock and knock-down blow upon animal tissue.
The 200-grain bullet develops a velocity of 2042 (?)-foot per seconds (ed. the velocity is unreadable) and an energy of 2,036-foot pounds. Trajectory at 200-yard range, height 100 yards 6.31 inches; 300-yard range, height 150 yards 16.53 inches; 400-yard range, height 200 yards 40 inches.
The 250-grain bullet develops a velocity of 1,875-foot per second, with an energy of 1,952-foot pounds. Trajectory at 200-yard range, height at 100 yards 7.14 inches; 300-yard range, height at 150 yards 20.16 inches; 400-yard range, height at 200 yards 41.85 inches. Accurate range of both weights 300 to 500 yards. Penetration of lighter bullet, soft nose, 14 pine boards 7/8 inches thick and metal cased, 34. Penetration of heavier bullet, 12 for soft nose and 27 for metal patch.