Anyone loaded for a 256 Newton?

[Bbear]

Just got an original Newton 1st model rifle in 256 Newton. I know I'll more than likely have to form brass but I do want to shoot it.

Anyone ever work up loads for one? I've searched the interweb and found some loads but most are fairly old. With the more modern powders we have and the changes in older one's, I'm hoping someone has messed around with it.

 

[Frankr]

No love to see a Pic of one the rifle and the cartridge.

 

[Bbear]

Got the rifle, still need to make the brass from .270 or .25-06. Most likely .270 since I have two 25-06's and don't want to risk mis-loading.

 

[Barlow]

P.O. Ackley Handbook data, (1962)
87gr bullet 49gr 3031 3366 fs
" " 52gr 4895 3295fs
" " 52gr 4064 3415fs
100gr " 46gr 4064 3090fs
120gr " 54.5gr 4350 2955fs
140gr " 45gr 4895 2604fs
" " 58gr 4350 2952fs
150gr " 50.5gr 4350 2870fs
160gr " 46gr 4064 2550fs
All loads listed maximum! Their are a few others, but this should get you started. Ackley had high praise for this cartridge. Barlow

 

[Bbear]

Thank you, Barlow. Anyone else? I know it's a rare bird but I'm interested to see how the 'segmented' rifling shoots.

 

[Barlow]

That rifle was way ahead of its time. Keep us posted on your progress with it. Barlow

 

[Flouncer]

I know it's not but isn't that a 6.5-06 ???

 

[Frankr]

Thanks for the pic. Awesome rifle. I love the old rifles.

 

[Tommie]

Ok I’m likely way off base here, but it seems that I read something about those rifles being dangerous. Bolts blowing into the shooter’s face or something of that sort?

 

[Bbear]

Flouncer - similar to, but, not the same. Within 100 fps with similar loadings is what I've read. But, enough difference to NOT be able to use 6.5-06 load information. Different shape and length case. Pretty much a wildcat operation now unless Jamison brass comes out with some.
Tommie - haven't hear that about these rifles. 1st models were made in 1916. 2nd model was somewhat slapped together before Newton took control of it. Final version came out in 24 or '26 and was sunk by the stock market crash of '29.
All were made either by Mauser or another euro-company who's name I can't remember right now.

 

[Barlow]

Flouncer - similar to, but, not the same. Within 100 fps with similar loadings is what I've read. But, enough difference to NOT be able to use 6.5-06 load information. Different shape and length case. Pretty much a wildcat operation now unless Jamison brass comes out with some.
Tommie - haven't hear that about these rifles. 1st models were made in 1916. 2nd model was somewhat slapped together before Newton took control of it. Final version came out in 24 or '26 and was sunk by the stock market crash of '29.
All were made either by Mauser or another euro-company who's name I can't remember right now.

I don't recall the time frame, but I'm pretty sure the first rifles Newton built used Mauser actions, but they dried up when WW1 started. Later he built complete rifles in his factory, actions and all. I almost bought one years ago (I regret) that was chambered in 30 U.S., and it had interrupted locking lugs like Weatherby uses now, or at least did. The trigger guard was made of bone and was used to take the action out of the stock by rotating it. It was a beautiful rifle. Barlow

 

[thekriebles]

From left to right: 260 Rem. Imp. 30°, .256 NEWTON, std. 30-06, 6.5-06 Imp. 30°, 6.5-06 Baer 35°, 6.5-06 Ack. Imp. 40°

My sample .256 Newton case is head stamped Jamison.

 

[Bbear]

Thanks for the pic, thekriebles. I'm planning on making mine from 270 brass as I have 2 25-06's in the stable.
Here's a more exact source of info on the rifles. DWM and Sauer made the actions. Post-war, I think it was Sauer.
http://www.newtonrifles.com/newton-models.html

 

[RustyPin]

View attachment 1043856
From left to right: 260 Rem. Imp. 30°, .256 NEWTON, std. 30-06, 6.5-06 Imp. 30°, 6.5-06 Baer 35°, 6.5-06 Ack. Imp. 40°

My sample .256 Newton case is head stamped Jamison.

thekriebles: Is there any way you have a shoulder width measurement on the 30 degree 6.5-06 you could share?

 

[thekriebles]

thekriebles: Is there any way you have a shoulder width measurement on the 30 degree 6.5-06 you could share?

.4505"

 

[Frankr]

Oh yea awesome rifle you have a keeper there. I'm always on the look out for Browning Safari's and Medallion's at a good price.. I just missed a Belgium Medallion in 30/06 MINT for 1,350.00 I knew if i bid higher on it would have just went up but it went for 1350.00 i was bummed and it had a 1.4-4 Realist scope on it. Normally they go for 2500.00 in that condition with no salt wood. But yea all the new rifles suck compared to the older rifle's unless you spend a ton on a custom and even then it's hard to match the old rifles craftsmanship for the price you can get one at.
Very nice rifle thanks for sharing it with us.
How's that double set trigger Hair trigger?
I have shot a few custom High dollar 45/70's that had set triggers and the second trigger was hair and i have shot Bench rifles with 1 1/2 oz triggers but this was hair like 0 oz. i hit targets with it at 300 yards open sights. Yea like a 7K rilfe..

 

[Bbear]

FJIM, I've only dry-fired it so far but that trigger, when set, is really a hair trigger. I need to get a pull gauge on it to see just how light it is. Without the trigger being set I'm guessing it's at a crisp 3 lbs pull.

 

[Bbear]

Ok, sorry for the long delay in updating this thread. I got my rifle AND I got my dies. Then, in July, my company truck caught my garage on fire. Luckily, not a total loss on the garage (or the reloading equipment or the gun safe).
I worked up a middlin' load of IMR7828 under a 129 gr ABLR, put an older Minox scope I had laying around and went forth to shoot.
First impressions is the recoil is slightly more than my 6.5x55 SE but not bad at all. Something I could/would happily shoot on an all-day trip to the range. Unfortunately, the scope is toast. The scope won't adjust on the horizontal so it's going back to the factory. So, no accuracy report yet.
The 'regular' trigger is in the 3 lb range as I stated in an earlier post. The set trigger is scary-light! That one will take some practice to get used to! I'm guessing 8 oz or so on the set trigger.
I'll go out with the old girl again this coming weekend and see what it will do. It's the last weekend of our antlerless/spike season so If I can, I'll post up the old girl's latest target and kill. I'll drag the magnetospeed out with it and see what kind of velocity it's doing.

 

[centershot]

In addition to .256, there was a .30 and I believe a .35 Newton. They were factory loaded by Western with the old hollow point bullet that was also used in other calibers.

 

[John from MN]

Seems worth mentioning that Newton was the fella that developed the 22 Savage Hi Power and the 250 Savage. No doubt many here already know that.