Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats .256 Newton .... New to Me

I probably did this wrong, but I just got a new to me, .256 Newton. I posted it on the Savage forum if you would like to see it. Love it !!! Love it !!!

If by some chance you would tire of it
let me know!!

I have two of them, a three-digit 1st Model Newton and a Husqvarna 9000 (S&W C) that Ray Montgomery in Grand Junction rebarreled for me. It is my favorite long action 6.5mm bore cartridge, certainly a winner that never took off due mainly to being introduced at the start of WW1. First Model Newton barrels are identical to 1903 Springfields, so a 1st Model Newton barrel can easily be screwed into a 1903 Springfield receiver and a 1903 Springfield barrel can just as easily be screwed into a 1st Model Newton receiver. The 256 Newton is sort of a long action 6.5 Creedmoor.

They make ammo for that? I don't see it in the store.

I looked under the Savage forum, no could find.. I would love to see this rifle..

There hasn't been any factory loaded 256 Newton ammo cataloged since 1941/1942 that I'm aware of. I make mine from 25-06 parent brass, but I don't make it very often 'cause it is a PITA to make.

Just do a search on his recent posts in the Savage forum and you'll find it.

Thanks.. Forgot about that!!

Just finished having a built up 98 Mauser in 256 Newton made. The only difficult areas have to do with cartridges. Making brass can be a chore. Also, loading data is dated. Wonder how long before somebody re-introduces the Newton? We are gradually catching up with 1914.

The most recent loading data that I recall seeing for the 256 Newton is the data that Ken Waters put together for the May 1987 edition of Handloader that is in his Pet Loads books.

I'd suggest starting with maximum recommended loads for the 6.5x55 and work toward the minimum recommended loads for the 6.5-06, since the 256 Newton's case capacity falls somewhere between those two well documented cartridges.

Using 140's and 4831 my 256 will comfortably manage about 2850 fps. This is about 100 fps faster than my 6.5x55 and about 75 fps slower than the 6.5-06 using the same combination. Now, I am already anticipating all of the posts telling me about their rifles which produce much higher velocities than these but I don't care. I have gotten 2850 from the 6.5x55 but that load was too hot IMO; just like 3000 from a 6.5-06.
The 256 Newton is surprisingly difficult to form well and I appreciate the availability of Jamison brass. GD

Tried to move them over here ...... will see what happens.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...umber/75015/filename/20180630_143522.jpg

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...umber/75018/filename/20180630_194537.jpg

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...umber/75019/filename/20180630_194728.jpg

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...umber/75020/filename/20180630_151158.jpg

I go along with you greydog with the loads, and miss the availablity of Jamison brass. Have been pretty busy forming some this last several days. Have been anealing 270 cases, using 20gr of H4198 to fire form and 48.5gr IMR 4831 for my load with a 129gr Hornady bullet. I haven't chronographed it yet, but there are no signs of pressure. This rifle is 102 years old, it seems like we haven't come all that far :):):) It is a wonderful old rifle !!! Love it

I find that it is easier to make 256 Newton cases by necking up 25-06 parents brass than by necking down 270 parents brass.

Several people have noted the potential danger of inserting a 256 Newton cartridge into a 25-06 chamber, but it hasn't been a problem for me so far.

I have had as much success necking down 30/06 as necking up 25/06. In either case, I've had some difficulty with shoulder collapse which was totally unexpected. Nonetheless, I think the 256 was/is a great cartridge; just like the 30 and 35. GD

My Speer loading manual #1 has 256 Newton loads listed. I will dig it out and post it here tomorrow.

The Speer reloading info will be much appreciated, thanks. I'm using 270 brass because I have so much of it. It's too hot in this part of Texas right now for me to wring this old rifle out. (today it was 109 with an index of 117 !! too much for this old man ) Come cooler weather, I will be giving it a workout. I don't want to drill and tap it, so all my shooting will be with old eyes and iron sights. Wish me luck :):):):)

John

256 Newton load data from Speer Manual #1

87 Grain Bullet:

60.0 4831 3135
58.0 4831 3005
56.5 4831 2940

59.0 4350 3345
57.0 4350 3214
55.5 4350 3075

56.0 4320 3567
54.0 4320 3436
52.0 4320 3298

54.0 4064 3556
52.0 4064 3415
50.0 4064 3252

55.5 4895 3534
53.5 4895 3390
52.0 4895 3295

51.0 3031 3476
49.0 3031 3366
47.0 3031 3212

120 Grain Bullet

59.0 4831 3065
57.0 4831 2938
55.0 4831 2875

56.0 4350 3065
54.5 4350 2955
53.0 4350 2845

51.0 4320 3030
49.0 4320 2915
47.0 4320 2791

50.0 4064 3010
48.0 4064 2892
46.0 4064 2812

48.5 4895 2845
47.0 4895 2767
45.0 4895 2691

47.0 3031 2965
45.0 3031 2863
43.0 3031 2758

140 Grain Bullet

58.0 4831 2952
56.0 4831 2845
54.0 4831 2764

53.0 4350 2853
51.5 4350 2758
50.5 4350 2665

48.0 4320 2792
46.0 4320 2674
44.0 4320 2582

47.0 4064 2761
45.0 4064 2663
43.0 4064 2575

47.5 4895 2733
45.0 4895 2604
43.0 4064 2526

45.0 3031 2764
43.0 3031 2645
41.0 3031 2562

Caution! This manual was printed in 1954 so powders have changed significantly even though they still have the same numbers. Particularly 4831 as it was then surplus 20mm cannon powder and slower burning then today's offerings. IMR 4831 is much faster then H4831 which is suppose to be close to the surplus. As always start low and work up. Enjoy shooting this old timer.

Dusty

Thanks Dusty. Appreciate the info from the old Speer manual. I cut my teeth on the "old" 4831 :):):) That was about 1960, the old men at the shooting range would share with me. They bought it in a cardboard keg and would divvy it up. The loading instructions were simple: scoop your case full, scratch off the excess with a popcicle stick or tongue depressor, seat a bullet on it and you were good to go !!! Surplus Russian rifles and Argentine Mausers were $12.00 a piece at Wackers 5 & 10 cent store. Ammo was a penny a round. Lots of fun.

John

As suggested using data from 6.5x55 and 6.5-06 worked very well for me. I'm interested in the vintage loading data. Having Ken Waters data was important to me. As a personal choice, I'd any day rather neck down. I use 270 brass. It's all good. Slow powders rule. This undertaking has not been smooth. Had one scope breakdown plus problems getting the rifle finished out correctly. I'll be glad when a guru writes an article followed by the re-introduction of the cartridges and rifles chambered for it.