30 Newton

[Patman]

What can anyone tell me about a rifle labeled 30 Newton? It has matching serial numbers and has very few if any handling marks on the stock. Blueing is in very good condition with some scratches on the steel butt plate. I guessing that it was manufactured around 1917. Any info would be helpful.

[Bullshop]

I think you can think of the cartridge as a beltless 30/338
Is it a Newton rifle? First model or Buffalo Newton?
BIC/BS

[Patman]

It's a Newton rifle. First model.

[Bret4207]

There has to be a Newton collectors assoc. of some sort on the internet. Do a Google search, or hit some of the historical firearms sites.

[Multigunner]

I don't know much about these but I just found an article on Newton and his rifles in an old american rifleman journal.
I could scan the pages if posting them wouldn't violate any copyright rules.

[Bullshop]

To my understanding the 30 and 35 newton cartridges for practical purposes were about the same as the 308 and 358 Norma cartridges accept that the Norma's have the belt and the Newton's do not.
The 256 newton is on the 30/06 case with the shoulder pushed back a but and case length shortened some.
I think for the 30 or 35 you can use the Norma brass by turning off the belt.
Shouldn't be too hard to come up with some published data.
The first model Newtons are very good actions unique in several ways. The Buffalo Newtons were not so good as I understand they were a struggling attempt to stay alive by a dying company. And with that dog legg bolt handle not nearly as nice looking as the first model.
BIC/BS

[longhorn]

I think there's a knowledgeable Newton collector that hangs out over at the doublegunshop forums in the classic rifles section; there's also a book or 2 out there on Newtons.

[Multigunner]

Theres some good info in the linked exceprt.
http://books.google.com/books?id=dN2Riq7zfToC&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=Newton+Rifles&source=bl&ots=kSEhp9OoJ3&sig=t9wSkyuNwtmZWR0qfL6GPId5Nec&hl=en&ei=HqVnS5uILoO0tgfUsMnoBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAcQ6AEwADgU

Lost track of the mag I mentioned, may find it tomorrow and scan it.

One thing I didn't realize was that Newton's rifles used Chrome Vanadium steel for the actions, very advanced metalurgy. Also his proprietary ammunition used Copper jackets rather than the Cupro-Nickel more commonly used at that time.
This could mean that a well preserved Newton would have suffered less from corrosion since copper fouling was easier to remove so salts weren't as likely to be trapped under metal fouling.

PS
Found a lead on a possible source of .30 newton cases.
If it pans out I'll post what I find.

[swheeler]

brass can be readily formed from RWS 8x68mm- from Cartridges of the World

Now Hornady drawings show 8x68 brass .524" just ahead of the extractor groove and .512" head dia(rebated) and .511" and .530" head for Norma. I have a factory loaded 30 Newt here in collection.

[swheeler]

OK got the cartridge in my hand, headstamp reads WESTERN 30 NEWT, double cannalure hollow point bullet- guessing 180 gr? quick caliper measurements

head-.524"
just in front of extractor groove-.523"
dia at shoulder-.496"
case length-2.518"
loaded nk dia-.339"
COAL-3.322"
bullet dia-.308"

[Patman]

Gentlemen, thanks for your responses. I am taking notes you can be sure. Hoping to fire this rifle sometime soon. Will post pics and let you know how it goes.