Is the .256 Winchester Magnum worth the effort?

[pertnear]

The beauty of the Contender is the smorgasbord of barrels. A 256 Win Mag is a good one to have in your collection. JIMHO

 

[radford56]

The real question: what would you use this gun for?

Honestly, mostly for plinking on the range. And I do, usually, like the challenge of something a little out of the ordinary.

 

[Adam in WI]

Honestly, mostly for plinking on the range. And I do, usually, like the challenge of something a little out of the ordinary.

Reason enough in my book

 

[Tommie]

Honestly, mostly for plinking on the range. And I do, usually, like the challenge of something a little out of the ordinary.

So there ya go. Have fun!

 

[centershot]

Honestly, mostly for plinking on the range. And I do, usually, like the challenge of something a little out of the ordinary.

Yes. Out of the ordinary is what most of my "stuff" is.

 

[3-300s]

I wouldn't sell it....I had a marlin lever action in 256. loved it, fun and didn't bust your ears. made cases from 357mag with regular resizing die, no problem.
shot 60 gr somethings and 75 gr Hornady spire points with very little powder. wish I had it now.

 

[730waters]

I have been shooting this caliber for years. It is a great little cartridge. I have shot several fox, squirrels, ground hogs, a smaller size doe or 2 with it and a few praire dogs when I was antelope hunting in Wyoming. It is very easy to load and fun to shoot. You invest the time and effort into and enjoy it.

 

[JSH]

Yes, and I realize that ultimately it's my decision. I was hoping to get some answers like "hey, it's really easy to load for" or "it's a major pain in the butt and you should run away from it screaming." I haven't come to a final conclusion yet!

I myself would run away screaming lol. You want a 25 something, look at the 25 TCU or the 25-45. Go over even more look at the 25’s off of the 30-30 case.

Or the easy way out, just go to a 25-20.

As mentioned above 25 caliber bullets are fairly slim pickings and certain ones can be hard to find.

 

[bobcat93]

Why!..why is it i find a write up about some old lame obsolete cartridge and start to romanticize about it..forming little brass cases, loading a little powder charge..building an interesting rifle, ill probably get bord with and sell like the others.
Then all of a sudden my internet algorithm reads my mind and its 256 win-mag every where i look..its in my FACE!..
With in the past 3 weeks the 256 win-mag topic is picking up pace..i see a few new YouTube vids up on 256..and a gentleman just posted shooting the 256 ruger hawkeye single shot revolver ..what a spectacular pc of Americana to own..
Well lets talk about it damn it..like the family alcoholic..lets just get it all out in the open.
Hahahahaha
I would like to state for the record
( i bobcat93 would absolutely love a ruger #1 sporter in 256 win mag)
How damn hot would that be! Sitting at a bench with a little box of cartridges you just made and you dont even pick up the rifle to reload it..
That would definitely be a classy pair.

Oh and for the record most of the information ive read has pretty much said the 22wmr, or 22mag made the 256 obsolete.
After watching the hawkeye video i mentioned i say that claim is completely B.S.
That little 256 win mag looks like it slames the bullet home with complete authority..
That isnt a 22mag..its not a 25-20..no no..
I would love to shoot one to see if it would suit my needs.
Because all the fancy guns can go away..but that 357 mag cartridge isnt going anywhere..never ending brass supply.
Thats just smart, money saving, sustainable
And why did the 256 win-mag die..because winchester wanted it to.
But this is all simply concocted in my head of course

 

[CJ6]

I wouldn't sell it....I had a marlin lever action in 256. loved it, fun and didn't bust your ears. made cases from 357mag with regular resizing die, no problem.
shot 60 gr somethings and 75 gr Hornady spire points with very little powder. wish I had it now.

They sold a Marlin in 256 mag a couple months ago at local auction, brought decent money. They even sold some factory ammo and maybe 70 empties.

 

[bobcat93]

Remember how much surplus was all over this country..guns, steel, wood galore.
Now were all scraping bottom and there is simply very little left...we have to wait for one another to pass away so some guns start circulating ..hahaha..
One of my buddies i always tell him the day every one at his funeral ill be at his house with a cordless grinder and cut the side of his safe open and take one specific rifle...hahahah
That baby is mine...like the old Vulture on The Bugs Bunny cartoon

 

[bobcat93]

Hey..hey buddy, what do ya think your doing...oh nothing..nothing at all..hahaha that old buzzard couldnt wait for the lion to die so he could eat him..thats how we are with our best friends guns..

 

[drop_point]

If tinkering is the enjoyment, go for it. If you like shooting more than tinkering, get rid of it.

 

[pertnear]

Why!..why is it i find a write up about some old lame obsolete cartridge and start to romanticize about it..forming little brass cases, loading a little powder charge..building an interesting rifle, ill probably get bord with and sell like the others.
Then all of a sudden my internet algorithm reads my mind and its 256 win-mag every where i look..its in my FACE!..
With in the past 3 weeks the 256 win-mag topic is picking up pace..i see a few new YouTube vids up on 256..and a gentleman just posted shooting the 256 ruger hawkeye single shot revolver ..what a spectacular pc of Americana to own..
Well lets talk about it damn it..like the family alcoholic..lets just get it all out in the open.
Hahahahaha
I would like to state for the record
( i bobcat93 would absolutely love a ruger #1 sporter in 256 win mag)
How damn hot would that be! Sitting at a bench with a little box of cartridges you just made and you dont even pick up the rifle to reload it..
That would definitely be a classy pair.

Oh and for the record most of the information ive read has pretty much said the 22wmr, or 22mag made the 256 obsolete.
After watching the hawkeye video i mentioned i say that claim is completely B.S.
That little 256 win mag looks like it slames the bullet home with complete authority..
That isnt a 22mag..its not a 25-20..no no..
I would love to shoot one to see if it would suit my needs.
Because all the fancy guns can go away..but that 357 mag cartridge isnt going anywhere..never ending brass supply.
Thats just smart, money saving, sustainable
And why did the 256 win-mag die..because winchester wanted it to.
But this is all simply concocted in my head of course

Looks like bobcat93 & I think alike! I made my stock pile of 250 .256 WM cases using Starline .360 DW (Dan Wesson) cases. This case has an extra strong web. While I keep my loads low not too stress my Martini Cadet, in a Ruger #1 you could hot-rod the cartridge a bit. Yeah, I know, it'd be like hopping-up a Volkswagen, but still a nice pipe-dream & would be a fun rifle. Better yet, build a nice 5 lb Ruger #3 in .256, add more powder & run around the woods popping critters deserving of such a fitting demise!

...and as far as odd "just because" projects go, thoughts about the new greater availability of the 5.7x28 ammo & brass seems to keep crossing in my thoughts lately. Could you really reload that tiny case?? LOL