the 256 rides again

[part_timer]

Inspired by this forum I decided to try and shoot cast boolits out of a marlin levermatic in 256. I have had pressure problems in this rifle from the start. Using Jacketed bullets it would crater the primers and stick the cases no matter what powder/primer/bullet/ case forming combo I tried.
As a last ditch effort 2 weeks ago I ordered a .258 sizing die, gc's and top punch to go with my 65gr lyman mold. I stopped by a friends and borrowed a bit of unique and today I gave it a whirl.

:drinks: WEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAA :drinks:

It worked. Now we aren't settign any land speed records but there was no sign of pressure what so ever. This afternoon we are going to bump the powder a bit and see how it goes. We didn't take the time to group these rounds but it was minute of cucumber at 50 yards.

I'll keep you up to date as we develope loads for this gun. My son said he'd do the range test for y'all this afternoon as soon as he gets done loading a couple of dozen rounds.

[beagle]

The .256 shoots cast great. I had a Contender barrel for a while and it was a great plinker at 100 years on pop cans with a scope and the 257420.

I'd love to make up a lever on the Marlin M1894....but, there's a lot of things I'd like to do as well./beagle

[Bret4207]

Consider it a 25/20 on steroids and go from there. I think our beloved and admired, most reverent and all knowing Dippity Al shoots a 256 Levermatic.

[6pt-sika]

I have a MArlin Model 62 in 256 WIN MAG !

Even have dies for the thing . But making brass for this thing is a PITA [smilie=1:

So I have yet to fire it ! Although given time I am sure I will atleast light it off a few times !

Also happen to have a Model 62 in 30 Carbine ! That one is a good bit more fun to mess with :drinks:

[9.3X62AL]

Bret heaped some unearned distinction upon me above, but I do appreciate it all the same.

My Levermatic is in 30 U.S. Carbine, which is really just the 32-20 on steroids--much like the 25-20 vs. 256. I'll say this--the Marlin shoots j-words better than any Carbine I've ever fired, and shoots castings better than jacketed--Microgrooves and all.

Bret--if I were "all knowing", I would have made admin rank--right?

[part_timer]

Zac made 35 boolits for the 256 tonight as it was all I had cast. we were using 5.5g of unique under the 257420. There were several one hole 3 shot groups and a couple of 3/4" 5 shot groups at 50 yards. What a blast.
Zac decided we needed to take it after tree rats tonight instead of posting pics. So now I'll learn how and get some posted tomorrow. No tree rats but maybe later in the week.

[9.3X62AL]

Zac has the right idea. These small-sized rat calibers are EXCELLENT for varmints and small game, and many is the rat and jackrabbit that have fallen to the bark of my 25-20.

[Bret4207]

Yo Al, just send me a check and I'll add some various titles to yer name. Everything has a price bud!:mrgreen:

[onceabull]

Bret4207: even more damning ,this fellow you have been talking up,has walked away from my Marlin 256 levergun,despite the lowball pricing I'm known for...:twisted: Onceabull [smilie=1:

[Bret4207]

Hmmm......perhaps I was too hasty. The Al I thought I knew? Walking AWAY froma gun deal?!! Methinks something may be rotten in Demark..... Let's hope it's just that new abode temporarily depleting his liquid assets and not some dread disease like "nomoregunittis"!!!

[45 2.1]

I have a MArlin Model 62 in 256 WIN MAG ! Even have dies for the thing . But making brass for this thing is a PITA [smilie=1:

Brass can be easily formed for this, i've done quite a bit. An intermediate neck down of the 357 Mag case (brass cases are preferred as they last longer) in a 30 Mauser sizer or seater die is required. Once the 30 caliber neck and shoulder are started (its easier to run the die down, without the decapping assembly, on a 256 case till it hits the shoulder, then stop and tighten the lock ring down), size normally in the 256 die. I get perfect cases this way with hardly any lose.