Friend of mine just picked up a 256 Newton by Buffalo Arms from his father-in-law and is looking for information about the caliber and gun. He would like to work up a load to use on whitetails. Does anyone have information on the ballpark value on a gun like this? Any load info from those that may own one?

Ken Warner, Pet Loads. Only source of information I know. See if there is a copy at the local gunsmith, library, etc. Good reading and worth springing a few bucks on.

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MikeG

The 256 Newton is to us the 6.5 Calipier is it not ? Depends when you measure the bottom or top of the rifling groves .

Cartridges of the World, 10th Edition, page 116:

Cases may be made by necking-down, reforming and shortening 30-06 cases.

Yes, this is actually a 6.5mm, or .284" bullet, as measured by US standard of measuring diameter from the groove, rather than bore.

Recommended loadings:

120 gr SP - IMR 4350 - 55.0 gr - 2980 fps
130 gr SP - IMR 4895 - 46.0 gr - 2900 fps
140 gr SP - IMR 4831 - 57.0 gr - 2890 fps
129 gr SP - Western Factory Load - 2760 fps

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Must have been on consignment because I don't think Buffalo Arms otherwise sells Newtons (other than brass)

A modified 256 Newton (no original butt plate and modified trigger and tapped for a scope) is listed on GunBroker for $900. I have seen original 256 Newtons sell there for $1,200 to $1,500 depending on the condition.

MikeG is correct about Pet Loads having some loads for the 256 Newton. There are also some 256 Newton loads listed in the original Speer #1 reloading manual, but that was before Speer had accurate pressure testing equipment, so they are probably on the hot side.

The 256 Newton is a true 6.5mm. Several companies now make brass for it but you can also make brass by running 25-06 cases through a 256 Newton FL die. It is essentially a slightly shortened and trimmed 6.5-06 with a little less case capacity.

Barstool(er)

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Fostule lurks on this board and he has a custom left hand Remington 700 in 256. Ill make sure he has seen your post.

The old Newton Arms Company failed in 1918 or thereabouts. They were located in Buffalo, NY.

You need Volume II of the Bolt Action Rifle by Stuart Otteson.

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slim

I would be interested in hearing his opinion. Thanks for the info so far guys!

Stumbled across this web site:

http://opencarryflorida.org/NewtonRi...sociation.html

Lots of info on all the Newton's and has a section with reload data on the 256 Newton

Barstool(er)

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If you have a Buffalo Newton rifle, I'd recommend that you have the rifle checked out by a gunsmith before you shoot it.
When Newton went into bankruptcy and was taken over by a bank, there was an effort by the bank to recover as much money as possible from the Newton company. Many rifles were assembled from parts lying around- some of which were lying around because they were rejects.
About 25 years ago I met an older fellow who's Dad had worked for Newton rifles in Buffalo. This fellow owned a Buffalo Newton he'd inherited. Unfortunately, the rifle he had was made with a barrel that had never been heat treated before assembly. The first shot bulged the chamber. I still have a 256 Newton case in my collection that this fellow gave me, with a large bulge just ahead of the extractor groove.
Ken Waters Pet Loads article on the 256 Newton is the only reliable source of load data I know of. There is some older data that surfaces occasionally, but, powders have changed, pressure testing methods have changed, etc, since then.
Barstool's link is a great one. That appears to be a second source of modern loading data.

Thank you so much for the great info. I had found that website too and printed it off for my friend. I will have him search for the Pet Loads manual, as well.

Hello Everyone. Visit www.NewtonArmsCompany.com for new brass, case forming, modern load data for .256, .30, .35, .40 Newton, pictures, notes, books and historical information. There is even a phone number for your questions!!

As a rule, the board does not allow advertising by members. However, since this is in direct relation with the original thread, it will be permitted this time. It is requested you change your member name so as not to be advertising in the future.

Thank you.

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I have visited the Newton Arms Company online magazine for years. If you go and look at it, you will see it is a source of more gun, reloading and general historical information in one place that I have ever found. There is a whole series of these, from the SuncoastGunClub.com to the Young Americans Marksmanship & Safety Association. This online magazine network compiles great information for young shooters, youth groups, reloading and general gun information and history. They are members of the NRA's affiliated organizations, and have been written about in several other gun publications. They sell nothing. The online magazines are non-profit and a great resource for shooters and partiots.

Someone wrote that the 256 Newton is a 284 caliber by groove, and it is in fact a 264 caliber by groove not 284. 256 bore diameter !!

As I recall, all of the Newton cartridges were very nice cartridges indeed. The 35 Newton was quite impressive for the day. HD1

Ken Waters' Pet Loads info for the .256 Newton can be found in the May-June 1987 Handloader magazine issue. A link is here: http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...127partial.pdf
Additionally, Charles A. Benke wrote a piece on his custom .256 Newton. The article includes reloading data.
Bob Jourdan wrote about the .256 Newton in the March 2000 Precision Shooting magazine.
.256 Newton cases can be made from .30-06 or .270 Win and a forming die. I learned for a fellow .256 Newton shooter that .25-06 is a better way to go. Just run them through a .256 Newton die and trim to length.
Bruce Jennings, Jr. was the subject matter expert on all things Newton. He wrote a book titled Charles Newton: The Father of High Velocity. If you can find a copy, it is a great companion to your rifle.

Thank your for the great info!

I shoot a .256 Newton using Hornady 129 gr. 6.5 bullets with 57 gr. of H4831 short cut powder.
It gives me 3125 fps muzzle velocity over the chrono.
There is load data in Donelly's Cartridge Conversions of Barnes' load of 57 gr. 4831 with a
140 gr. bullet. There is good reloading data in "Handbook for Shooters & Reloaders" Vol. 1
by P.O. Ackley.
The value, of course, depends on condition of the rifle. A range of $1500-$900 is reasonable
for a decent original Newton.
Best Regards,
Tom