Reeder Custom Guns - Bullets for the 38-40 WCF and 401 GNR...

I've posted on this before, but posting about upcoming projects made me think.

I squeezed 41 Magnum bullets down in my Lee .401" Sizer. They worked just fine, but a little tight in a couple applications.

So, today I hope I've solved that...

All the 41 Magnum jacketed bullets I've measured have been undersized. So, splitting the difference in actual size and what I needed, I placed an order from the Lee Custom Shop.

Dies were ordered in .404" and .400". This will allow me to custom size heavier jacketed 41 Magnum bullets for about any gun requiring 10mm bullets.

Have a bunch of the 170 grn Sierra Bullets that Gary likes so much. I suspect they'll work just as well sized to .400". Hoping no animals carry a caliper.

The factory 10mm bullets just don't stand up to the elevated velocities of the 38-40 +P and 401 GNR.

These dies cost me South of $100 delivered. A $100 won't go far buying custom bullets. Money well spent...

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Would make a great Marlin Lever Action...

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I kind of want one too, with a brake please! LEE's standard sizes are close but not quite perfect and require you to order custom to get special stuff done. The .356 is good for 99% of my dealings but some times I'd like a .355. Ditto the .430", and .401", usable but I'd buy some others if they were readily available outside of special orders. They never even made one in .375 cal. or 6mm, outside the custom options. I'm grateful they market a standard .510", as Lyman only does .512".

Several revolvers in 10mm class I've measured have been less than .400" throats, 0.398-.399". It's the way the reamers have been made. A .400" pin gauge will not pass. So generally ammo with a slow ojive and .401 bullet won't fit either. I've opened several up to get around that for cast bullet shooting.

Still it's better than the old days where you had a .400 (or smaller) cylinder and a 0.403" bore. I think modern 10mm bores are a true .400" groove to groove.

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Mine (bore groove) are as follows so far...

Reeder 10mm Trail Gun .400"
Ruger Buckeye .400"
Ruger Stainless Blackhawk .4005"
TC 12" Contender .400"
Reeder 38-40 TC Contender Carbine .399"+

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Bullets for the 38-40 WCF and 401 GNR...

Should work great in the 400 GNR too...

Yeah I missed a chance at at Contender barrel

Exactly Right...