Forming 256 Win Mag with 30 Luger dies

[ohland]

My set of Lee 30 Luger dies came in today, and Dad was able to easily form 256 Win cases using the 30 Luger sizing die as an intermediate form die.

He ran the 30 cal necked down 357 cases through the 256 Win sizer with only some lube denting. They may have some thick walls, which is what Forster inside neck trimmers were made for.

[Freischütz]

I'll mention this to a couple of people that shoot 256s. I have the 7.65 P dies. Maybe they'd like to try it.

[Artful]

Don't forget to anneal or they will crack

[michiganvet]

Last year I bought a set of Redding case forming dies for my Contender carbine because I can't justify more brass from Quality Cart at a buck each. I think the .256 would have been more popular today had better rifles with decent chambers been available. Certainly the .223 had much to do with it's demise and the Hawkeye pistol was a poor application but the FIRST win short mag is an ideal round to discourage chicken chasers with many fine jacketed bullets available as well as some very excellent molds.

[trooperdan]

Would you anneal before the first forming or after the final forming?

[beagle]

The .256 is a hard one to form for sure. I have the Redding form set and they recommend forming dry and it works. They do need reaming but is cheaper than custom cases.

I ran into a guy at the range one day shooting formed nickel cases and they were perfect. Unfortunately, he got away before I could learn the secret.

I keep hanging on to my .256 stuff in hopes that one day I might take the plunge and make a M1894 Marlin in .256 Win Mag. Great little cartridge.

I use to shoot a Hawkeye back when they were in production and wish I had one now but the $$$$ is too much./beagle

[Artful]

Would you anneal before the first forming or after the final forming?

Final forming - if you do it before the neck tends to collapse into the shoulder. Go easy on the lube (imperial sizing wax works best for me)

If you don't Anneal you'll loose the case before you can reload it half a dozen times - also don't try to go to max pressure and it will extend your brass life.

Best to use NEW .357 mag or .357 max brass to form with.

here's a linky for some load data
http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/256%20WM.htm