too personal

Cool!

Elwood Epps is still in business - or rather the business still is. As a matter of fact, they're one of the sponsor companies with their logo at the top of this page.

The handwritten page, if that is your father's handwriting, appears to give some loads he used for the .256 Newton. IMR-4350 is still in production after being introduced in the 1940s. Ditto 3031, which dates from sometime in the 1930s.
 
We need a "green with envy/drooling" icon.

You have an apartment full of great history there, both the rifles and the correspondence. Keep those notes handy because one day someome here on CGN or some other forum will be trying to find 256 or 30 Newton reloading data and you'll have it at your fingertips.

You're lucky to have that brass. I just checked Buffalo Arms' website (Ponderay, Ohio) and he has some, for $3.31 ea. Not bad, given that Epps price was $3.00 ea. in 1994.

Unfortunately The U.S. Dept. of Paranoia won't let you take brass out of the US without an export licence, but if you do need something like this, contact Henry Nierychlo here on CGN, as he is licenced to bring stuff in from the US.

And don't forget to take pics for us when you get those two old gals out to the range.

:) Stuart
 
I agree with the 'green with envy' sentiment.

I've got a copy of the Speer #1 loading manual that includes a write-up and load data for both the .256 and .30 Newton. Holler if you want copies.

Here's a site that may be of interest. It appears to contain a lot of good information on all things Newton including loading data from the Speer #1 manual.

http://www.newtonarmscompany.com/
 
Actually, it's my Grandfather's Loads. Has his name right on it. The factory loads are below.



What's the difference? What do you guys think it is?[/QUOTE]

Its most likely IMR 4350 if your Grandfather was using it....
 
Idcurrie said:
HA! I found a long narrow plain brown box. Upon opening it, I found a box that looks like it's right from the factory (90+ years ago). It has a barrel for the 256 newton in it which appears to be a match to the one on the rifle. I guess I don't have to worry about shooting the barrel out!
Click to expand...

Ye gods... it keeps getting better and better! :eek:
 
Idcurrie said:
Thanks for the nice comments, guys.

I unboxed a few books, one of which is called "Basic Handloading" by George C Nonte, Jr circa 1978. I'm going to read this book - it sounds like it has what I need to get started.
Click to expand...

It is a very good book. Cutting edge stuff when it came out. Major Nonte was quite as prolific as Ken Waters, Jack O'Connor, Dean Grennel, and many others in the same period.
Stuff to be learned, definitely. A good read and lots of deeper interest.

I especially enjoy the problems and solutions chapter.
 
I'd suggest being very careful using the old load data. The modern IMR 4350 may be a bit faster or slower than the 4350 Mr. Donald Currie used. I'd recommend staring 5-10% or grains lower and working up watching for pressure signs on the cases and primers. As well, I have a 67 Speer#7 reloading manual I can check for data in, but the same applies to that data. The data supplied in those days was intended for use in a clean functional barrel that was properly fitted. The modern data has a safety margin factored in and the powders have changed a little bit too.

Absolutely in awe at those family treasures. Talk about history, I'm planning on giving both my sons a heirloom rifle, but a 4 generation tradition is way cooler.
 
A good reloading book is a must. Then watch You tube. Watch a How-To on sizing brass, then priming brass and then powder measuring and bullet seating.

Do you have any of the ammo boxers he used? They might have the receipes marked on them.
 
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