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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 866
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 866 |
Saw a barrel in a shop today in this caliber. It looks like a factory barrel. Anyone have experience with this caliber? What’s it good for?
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,597
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,597 |
Varmint and small game caliber - 357 case necked down to .25 caliber.
For the Encore, probably was a TC Custom Shop barrel.
TC chambered the Contenders in .256, but it’s mostly a dead caliber.
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 866
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 866 |
Yea from the research I’ve done so far it looks to either be a pain or expensive to shoot.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,728
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,728 |
Terry Wieland is a big fan. I'd go .25/35 myself and save some trouble, plus add some capabilities. For some the trouble is the attraction, which I get.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,501
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,501 |
I have owned three .256 Winchester firearms: A Martini Cadet customized built for the cartridge (by someone else), a Marlin Model 62 lever action and a Contender with a .256 barrel. Still have the Marlin and the Contender. It's a bit of a pain to form brass, but if you neck size it once it's formed it lasts a long time. I found it to be pretty accurate out to 100 yards and minute of woodchuck out to 200.
The old 60 grain hollow point bullet was perfect for the case, doing about 2800 fps out of a rifle. I now shoot 75 grain hollow points at about 2400. You'd lose 4-500 fps out of the Contender barrel.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 10,262
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 10,262 |
25/35 ammo I believe is only hand loaded.. you could go to 25 06 which would close to 25/35 and you can buy loaded ammo...( just my opinion)
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 219
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 219 |
Several ammo companies offer 25/35 Win ammunition.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,817
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,817 |
My dad has a TC Custom shop Contender rifle bbl in .256 win. Also has a custom 14" pistol bbl ( non TC ).
Wondered how 85gr Nosler BT would work on deer kinda close.
Has a few boxes on WW factory ammo. So reloading should be no big deal ( has dies ).
Unfortunately the rifle wears a lefty Fajen stock LOL
Last edited by hookeye; 07/01/20.
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 65
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 65 |
Got frustrated trying to make 256 from 357 mag brass. Ended up buying the form dies. Now it's a breeze.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,075
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,075 |
Got a box of Win .25-35 ammo I'd give away to anyone with the chamber in one of their guns that lived in the area. Ain't shippin' it nowhere. I don't speak ORM-D
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,995
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,995 |
I had a Contender 10” octagon barrel at one time. Loudest damn thing I ever shot. With factory loads it had a huge fireball that I was afraid would set the grass on fire. Shot a coyote with it but just didn’t have a use for it so sold it. I would love to have a Ruger Hawkeye in it though
Guns don't kill people, it's mostly the bullets
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 180
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 180 |
I have a 10" Contender barrel and a Marlin 62 in 256 Win mag. I've never come across any factory rounds. I annealed new Starline 357 brass and full length sized them. They worked fine in the Contender barrel, but didn't want to extract from the Marlin. I neck turned them and now the Marlin cycles fine. Fun round to play with. Cast lead 86 gr bullets work well and are super cheap. The Marlin really likes the 60 gr Hornady's at max.
Member: NRA Ohio Gun Collectors Association
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,701
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,701 |
I've tried forming using the seating die with the seater removed. Got so so results, still getting wrinkles. I need to try annealing to see if that helps before buying a forming die. I'm in the process of rebarreling a Rolling Block in .357 to .256. Can't wait.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 180
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 180 |
My first attempts just using the full length sizing die left wrinkles and the few usable ones would split the neck upon firing. Annealing and using Unique sizing wax inside and out fixed that.
Good luck with your Rolling Block. Should make a sweet little varmint rig.
Member: NRA Ohio Gun Collectors Association
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