256 Newton?

[cloverleaf]

So, last weekend going through a box at Mom's (jeepers is that work- sometimes fun but....she kept ALL of my junk... ) I found my old "shell collection". Not much there of note, mostly shotgun hulls of various sizes, a few paper cases. However, one loaded rifle round, dark brown with age and weather, with the bullet tip eroded away, was marked 256 Newton. Pretty sexy looking for a 110 year old round. My research says something close to the 6mm-06? With all the craze for 6mm and 6.5 lately, got me thinking. Anybody load for it? It cant be all bad...the same guy designed the 250-300 Savage and we know that is a winner..... :roll: CL

Wish I could remember where I found that dang thing....many, many, many years ago.

 

[FOTIS]

If it were loaded to today's pressures....

Cartridge          : .256 Newton
Bullet             : .264, 140, Nosler BalTip 26140
Useable Case Capaci: 58.765 grain H2O = 3.816 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63000 psi, or 434 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

187 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N570                    110.0     62.8     4.07    3084    96.3    62027   15015   1.169  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33                 110.0     65.5     4.24    3060    96.5    61404   14798   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        109.5     59.3     3.84    3039    99.6    63000   13638   1.176  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                        109.5     59.3     3.84    3039    99.6    63000   13638   1.176  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                104.0     60.1     3.90    3036    99.6    63000   13384   1.160  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  103.8     60.0     3.89    3035    99.6    63000   13357   1.161  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                 107.2     57.8     3.74    3034   100.0    63000   12671   1.164  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                    101.1     55.9     3.63    3032    99.0    63000   13624   1.169  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                           99.3     56.1     3.64    3032   100.0    63000   13178   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    101.4     58.4     3.78    3024    98.0    63000   13741   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           105.6     55.6     3.60    3023    99.3    63000   13188   1.158  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        99.9     55.6     3.60    3023    99.3    63000   13188   1.158  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        100.9     55.3     3.58    3009    99.2    63000   13079   1.156  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        104.8     58.9     3.82    3006    99.4    63000   12912   1.154  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                       101.3     55.5     3.60    3006    99.8    63000   13048   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                 101.3     55.5     3.60    3006    99.8    63000   13048   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       101.3     55.5     3.60    3006    99.8    63000   13048   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        104.1     55.8     3.61    3005    99.7    63000   13069   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     104.1     55.8     3.61    3005    99.7    63000   13069   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70                   92.9     53.6     3.47    3002   100.0    63000   12247   1.165  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      110.0     58.9     3.82    2998    99.4    62562   12862   1.157  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        110.0     58.9     3.82    2998    99.4    62562   12862   1.157  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     101.2     59.7     3.87    2990   100.0    63000   12459   1.169  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       104.6     57.8     3.74    2977    97.8    63000   12960   1.159  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      102.6     55.2     3.57    2976    98.9    63000   12789   1.174  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                         97.8     52.7     3.41    2966    99.7    63000   12381   1.164  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                  98.3     53.2     3.45    2964    99.7    63000   12445   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  110.0     64.6     4.19    2964    95.8    55345   14437   1.230
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          99.0     53.6     3.48    2958    99.7    63000   12360   1.172  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 90.8     52.4     3.40    2954   100.0    63000   11965   1.179  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      93.9     52.5     3.40    2952   100.0    63000   11949   1.179  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2218                        110.0     63.5     4.11    2948    94.1    54987   14743   1.222
ADI AR 2225                        110.0     59.9     3.88    2947   100.0    54739   13250   1.233
Hodgdon Retumbo                    110.0     59.9     3.88    2947   100.0    54739   13250   1.233
Hodgdon H4831 SC                    99.6     54.5     3.53    2944    98.7    63000   12348   1.168  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                      103.6     54.5     3.53    2944    98.7    63000   12348   1.168  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                         96.4     52.2     3.38    2942    99.6    63000   12141   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                           93.3     52.2     3.38    2942    99.6    63000   12141   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation           96.4     52.2     3.38    2942    99.6    63000   12141   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   91.1     51.7     3.35    2939   100.0    63000   11535   1.194  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                     90.8     50.2     3.26    2929   100.0    63000   11575   1.189  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                           93.4     50.1     3.24    2928   100.0    63000   11433   1.185  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          93.4     50.1     3.24    2927   100.0    63000   11430   1.185  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                        95.2     51.3     3.32    2927   100.0    63000   11091   1.192  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                        98.5     53.9     3.49    2926    99.9    63000   11857   1.191  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       92.5     50.1     3.25    2922   100.0    63000   11387   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              97.0     55.4     3.59    2919    99.7    63000   11843   1.177  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                       97.3     51.9     3.37    2916    99.2    63000   11886   1.172  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation        94.0     51.7     3.35    2916   100.0    63000   11637   1.184  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                    103.7     55.6     3.60    2912    99.9    63000   11605   1.182  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         107.3     55.0     3.56    2909   100.0    63000   11464   1.207  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      101.4     55.0     3.56    2909   100.0    63000   11464   1.207  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            98.0     50.8     3.29    2909   100.0    63000   11187   1.194  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350                       96.0     50.9     3.30    2903    99.9    63000   11446   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350                            94.2     50.8     3.29    2902   100.0    63000   11419   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         109.7     63.9     4.14    2901    91.2    63000   12451   1.176  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          93.3     50.0     3.24    2900   100.0    63000   11420   1.191  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                    103.8     53.9     3.49    2900    99.1    63000   11676   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   110.0     63.5     4.11    2891    89.0    58028   13111   1.205  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                        96.3     55.6     3.60    2887    98.7    63000   11684   1.183  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                       91.4     48.6     3.15    2884    99.9    63000   11292   1.183  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                          91.4     48.6     3.15    2884    99.9    63000   11292   1.183  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 95.9     50.2     3.26    2882   100.0    63000   10556   1.187  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          92.3     48.9     3.17    2875   100.0    63000   10971   1.191  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation        90.2     48.5     3.15    2870   100.0    63000   10772   1.175  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          110.0     58.7     3.80    2860    99.2    48753   13461   1.317
Hodgdon H870                       110.0     61.5     3.99    2843    94.9    49048   13769   1.307
Vihtavuori N170                    110.0     58.9     3.82    2837    93.5    56849   12409   1.245  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150                     93.8     47.9     3.11    2819   100.0    63000    9980   1.197  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50                 110.0     64.4     4.18    2815    91.9    47015   14139   1.350
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 110.0     63.0     4.08    2749    83.7    49120   13117   1.354
Hodgdon US 869                     110.0     63.5     4.11    2696    85.0    47017   12283   1.338
Hodgdon 50BMG                      110.0     60.5     3.92    2692    80.7    47080   12267   1.335
SNPE Vectan SP 13                  110.0     60.9     3.95    2639    89.3    42954   12048   1.401
Accurate 8700                      110.0     62.2     4.03    2620    88.5    42299   12030   1.399
Vihtavuori 20N29                   110.0     64.1     4.16    2600    85.2    40989   12125   1.429
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520       110.0     60.9     3.95    2574    86.3    40285   11739   1.443
NC A3502 ,test only                110.0     58.3     3.78    2359    61.7    36856    9288   1.500
TLP A 502(RH) ,test only           110.0     58.3     3.78    2338    66.3    34644    9729   1.543
Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star            98.2     26.5     1.72    2100   100.0    63000    4533   1.279  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AS 25 BP                       110.0     20.1     1.30    1813   100.0    41500    3560   1.537
IMR TrailBoss                      110.0     20.1     1.30    1813   100.0    41500    3560   1.537
V1734 7-multiperf ,test only       110.0     58.3     3.78    1670    30.3    18989    4553   2.019

 

[DrMike]

That would be a skookum round, to be sure. It does intrigue me.

 

[Bruce Mc]

Good read on the .256 Newton in April Handloader Magazine.

 

[Dwh7271]

It's a cool cartridge.
Dimensions are slightly different (sharper shoulder angle, case taper) but it is very similar in performance to a 6.5-06. I think the original twist was a 10 on those.
It would be cool to play with.

 

[SJB358]

It's a cool cartridge.
Dimensions are slightly different (sharper shoulder angle, case taper) but it is very similar in performance to a 6.5-06. I think the original twist was a 10 on those.
It would be cool to play with.

I'd die to have an original Newton rifle. Way too far ahead of its time.

 

[Bbear]

tagging in for an upcoming 256

 

[SJB358]

tagging in for an upcoming 256

Hmmmmmm.... I’m more than a little jealous!

 

[Dwh7271]

I'd like to build one up. No reason other than nostalgia and just because. It looks like Jamison actually makes brass for it so why not?
I know the 6.5-06 does a little better (I have two :grin: ) but just sounds flat out cool.
I now see PTG has a reamer for it. This could be an issue. :shock:

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah- the Newton stuff was a half a century ahead of its time. Red hot performance back in the day when you consider the '06 with 150s was commonly 2600-2700fps and 180s rarely broke 2500! Not at all shabby by modern standards even.

 

[SJB358]

Yeah- the Newton stuff was a half a century ahead of its time. Red hot performance back in the day when you consider the '06 with 150s was commonly 2600-2700fps and 180s rarely broke 2500! Not at all shabby by modern standards even.

Amen... makes me really wanna get my big 35 Newton out.

I’d love to have a Newton rifle in 256 or 300 Newton....

 

[Dwh7271]

300 Newton....

Ahem. Well, here's some brass....just sayin' :lol:

https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/21450

 

[SJB358]

Thanks Dewey!

I still have a set of 30 Newton dies on my shelf somewhere..

Honestly, I should be working on my 35 Newton more.. Need to sort that big sucker out.

 

[Bbear]

SJB, my uncle had two of them - a 256 and a 30 Newton. His youngest son has them now (he's 6 years older than I am).
My uncle had a guy that reloaded for him using 25-06 brass and 4831 of some type. I think he used partitions. In any case, my uncle used the 256 as his go to rifle for elk and mule deer up in Idaho.

 

[Bbear]

Got my Newton!

Finally got my dies. Time to hit the reloading bench and make some brass!

 

[SJB358]

That’s an awesome rifle. Can’t wait to see what it does for you!

 

[DrMike]

That is truly slick! Congratulations.

 

[Bbear]

Was at the local gun show yesterday looking for .270 brass to convert. (one guy wanted $125 for 120 1x fired 270 cases - found 60 for $20). Saw a set of 30 Newton RCBS dies in a box. Thought about grabbing them. The guy was asking $120 for them IIRC

 

[Bbear]

Just an update on this old thread.

4 days after I got the brass, my company truck caught fire in my driveway. It also caught the garage on fire. All of the 270 brass (heck, ALL of my brass) got partially annealed down to the bases. (did get $60 and $39 for the brass at the brass reclamation guy though)
Starting over I find that the gun was shooting 2 1/2 FEET low.
Just this last weekend I had the chance to try out yet another attempt to raise the POI with the shims.
BINGO!

Now I can actually start on load development. Looking to use one of 3 different bullets: 129 gr ABLR, 130 gr SGK Hollow point, and the Lapua 123 gr Scenar. Powders I'll try include 7828ssc, RE 23 and IMR4350.

I'll let y'all know what I find out.