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Joined: Aug 2009
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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 you don't like Robert E. Lee, you won't like it on this ranch. JGM
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Campfire Regular
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If by some chance you would tire of it let me know!!
"The more I am around people the better I like my dog." Mark Twain
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,255 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
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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.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,807
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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They make ammo for that? I don't see it in the store.
All guns should be locked up when not in use!
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Joined: Feb 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I looked under the Savage forum, no could find.. I would love to see this rifle..
Molon Labe
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
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They make ammo for that? I don't see it in the store. 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.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,255 Likes: 4 |
I looked under the Savage forum, no could find.. I would love to see this rifle.. Just do a search on his recent posts in the Savage forum and you'll find it.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Thanks.. Forgot about that!!
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 111
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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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.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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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.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2004
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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
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Campfire Regular
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OP
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If you don't like Robert E. Lee, you won't like it on this ranch. JGM
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Campfire Regular
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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
If you don't like Robert E. Lee, you won't like it on this ranch. JGM
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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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.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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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
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,313
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
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My Speer loading manual #1 has 256 Newton loads listed. I will dig it out and post it here tomorrow.
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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
If you don't like Robert E. Lee, you won't like it on this ranch. JGM
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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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
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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
If you don't like Robert E. Lee, you won't like it on this ranch. JGM
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Joined: Jul 2017
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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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.
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