.357 to .256

[gnappi]

I'm thinking that the crimp line will act like a checkbook burst perforating line, break off the neck and stick in the chamber eventually.

[tward]

When I got my 256 win Contender barrel I could not afford form dies so I lube up some once fired 357 cases with Lee sizing lube and slowly ran them into the 256 die doing it in stages with lube in between . I had about a 5% failure rate but I had brass to reload! Have fun with it. Mine liked the noe 70 gr cast. Tim

[cwtebay]

I'm thinking that the crimp line will act like a checkbook burst perforating line, break off the neck and stick in the chamber eventually.

I recall being cautioned about that in 6 mm Lee Navy and 225 Winchester. I'll bet I have 10+ loads out of all of that regardless of if that line is there or not.

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[Beast of Burden]

I, too anneal my cases before forming and rarely have any issues. I have also experienced the fact that Contender barrels in the 256 WM do not do well with heavy boolits. Fun little cartridge, for sure!

[jlsinaz]

The 256 WM is another of those great forgotten cartridges. I had a Contender in that caliber. It was great for jack rabbits with the 60 grain bullets. Mine liked the 87 grainers and was a killer on javelina. I used it to shoot metallic silhouettes and it would knock everything over, if I did my part. Had to hit the rams high. There was gentleman at the last gun show I went to that had a custom B78/1885 in 256 win with dies and brass for sale. I'm regretting now that I didn't grab it.

[Newtire]

I scrounged a set of 256 forming dies and they work fine with brass or nickel cases.

Yeah, me too. Heard that the Nickel cases were tough too but necked them down to a .30 cal in a pistol die first. Can't remember which one but think it was a Mauser pistol. They came out fine actually.

[reddhawkk]

Following this thread with great interest as I just started with Contenders. I have always been interested in the Marlin 62 in .256 Winchester so after getting the Contender I have been looking at barrels in .256 but the brass situation has had me reluctant to get one but now I think I might just have to get me one!

[shdwlkr]

you can also use 360dw brass just like grumpa did

[Texas by God]

I just annealed and reformed 70 mixed .357 brass to .256 with NO losses.
Thanks, TxCowboy52!


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