.256 Newton

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gunpostcanada

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Good day all,

I've been buying rifles from a guy who is thinning his guns collection. I've got lost, mostly kept and sold some as I didn't like or need them.

Now comes a .256 newton is very good condition. Comes with dies and maybe some brass (when he finds it).

Please any inputs as what I could use it when hunting, and if it's general a good rifles to add to a collection.

thank you,

P
 
.256 Newton is the caliber (.264" bore)... what is the platform?

Or is it an actual Newton bolt action, such as the Model 1916?

The Newt is good for game up to WT deer... some might use it for moose and elk, but there are better options.
 
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The 256 Newton is ballistically a 6.5-06, the Newton rifle was very high quality in the day and was loaded to very high pressures by Newton himself. They are a quite unique part of American rifle history and were the first NA designed magnums, but beltless of course. I used to own a 256 once upon a time but never really shot it, it was an original Newton rifle.
 
#######canada said:
Thanks for the reply, It is a newton rifle
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The Newton is the .30/06 case shortened and necked down... it has less case capacity than the 6.5-06. The original Newton rifles are an excellent gun... personally I would hang on to that one.
 
I have a 256 Newton done on a pre-64 and its an excellent shooter.
Performance is considerably more than a 6.5X55 and less than a 264 mag., or as others have said similar to a 6.5 / 06.
Brass is easily made from either '06 or 270 brass and does have slightly less capacity than the '06 case.
30-06 brass being 2.484 " trimmed and the finished Newton case is 2.440".
However, with the availability of modern powders the Newton can and will come very close to 65 / 06 performance.

Depending on condition I would think an original Newton rifle would certainly be a collector piece and especially if it came with original brass and extras...
 
The Buffalo Newton Rifles were the Weatherbys of the day. The reversed set trigger that appeared on some models was interesting, some had a dog leg bolt handle, others were straight, stocks normally exhibited a Schnabel forend. A peep sight that attached to the cocking piece was available, and the stocks had quite a lot of drop to accommodate iron sights, which is an appearance I like, from a time when telescope sights were less than ubiquitous. I'm not a collector by any means, but an original Newton rifle, is something I would consider desirable, particularly one in .35 Newton.
 
#######canada said:
Good day all,

I've been buying rifles from a guy who is thinning his guns collection. I've got lost, mostly kept and sold some as I didn't like or need them.

Now comes a .256 newton is very good condition. Comes with dies and maybe some brass (when he finds it).

Please any inputs as what I could use it when hunting, and if it's general a good rifles to add to a collection.

thank you,

P
Click to expand...

Buy it now.
 
LOL, I will get pics when I buy it in the next week; I sure hope the stock is orriginal, I will be getting a krag with it with an updated stock, looks great. I also picked up a Savage 20 in 250-3000; very happy about new acquisition lately. I haven't been accepted on the buy and sell here but when I do, I'll be posting some of the stuff I find, some is good and other quiet normal lol

I do like the 256 because of the way it handles, it's quiet light but commands respect at the same time. Also, it does come with the older set of dies, hammer kind I think. Should be cool and I will keep you guys posted with pics ASAP.

thanks
 
tylerjwitty said:
Wonder why the 256 newton never took off ? Sounds like a real gem
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Several reasons I think, one among them seems to be that the cartridge was probably ahead of its time as development was concerned since in those days there was a lack of powders of a burning rate that would bring it to its potential.
I believe that there were a few other cartridges developed in that era that never really took off for the same reason however in later years those same rounds did, but not the Newton.
 
Kevan said:
Several reasons I think, one among them seems to be that the cartridge was probably ahead of its time as development was concerned since in those days there was a lack of powders of a burning rate that would bring it to its potential.
I believe that there were a few other cartridges developed in that era that never really took off for the same reason however in later years those same rounds did, but not the Newton.
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For all intents and purposes, we are talking about a 6.5-06... which is a very fine cartridge with a good reputation and a small but dedicated following... and as stated, new bullets and powders really juice up its potential... I agree that everything is about timing... if the Newt had been introduced in 2000, I have to believe that it would have been to rave reviews... and would be riding the "6.5 Wave."
 
#######canada said:
LOL, I will get pics when I buy it in the next week; I sure hope the stock is orriginal, I will be getting a krag with it with an updated stock, looks great. I also picked up a Savage 20 in 250-3000; very happy about new acquisition lately. I haven't been accepted on the buy and sell here but when I do, I'll be posting some of the stuff I find, some is good and other quiet normal lol

I do like the 256 because of the way it handles, it's quiet light but commands respect at the same time. Also, it does come with the older set of dies, hammer kind I think. Should be cool and I will keep you guys posted with pics ASAP.

thanks
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If you would like some loads for the 256 Newton PM me and I will help out, my personal loads were developed by my Grandfather for accuracy first and velocity second, your rifle may like slightly different loads but this would be a good starting point. No animal, including moose and elk, have ever walked away from the 256 which has been in constant use in my family since, it seems like, forever.
 
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