256 Winchester Magnum
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: SE CT
Posts: 145
256 Winchester Magnum
Looking for some load data for a 256 Winchester Magnum. I have a T/C Contender carbine with a 18" barrel that I would like to develop some loads for taking coyotes out to no more than 100 yards. Any one here have any pet loads they would like to share? I am looking at the Hornaday 75gr HP as a bullet that i think will do for this purpose, but there may be others that you have tried that may work better..
#3
I haven’t had one in a Contender, but have in a Hawkeye. I’ve strongly considered building one on a GP100 as well. H110/W296 has been my go-to powder for the 256, just like any other magnum rimmed cartridge round. With the light 75’s, you won’t be heavy enough, I don’t believe, to warrant lil’ gun, so in your shoes, I’d keep my focus on H110/W296.
#5
In a Contender, less constrained by tip length, I would spend my time with the 75 V max over H110/W296 or H4227. From my Hawkeye, scoped and benched I generally saw about 2.5-3” at 100yrds as my standard for that pistol. But that’s saying more about the platform than the cartridge or bullet - a Contender with an appropriate load, scoped and benched, would beat that with ease.
#6
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: SE CT
Posts: 145
I am currently loading the Hornady 75 gr JHP over 19.0 grains of 296. Getting around 2550 FPS and near 1" groups at 100 yards. I just wanted to see if anyone had a pet load that I should try. I like to tinker with loads, always looking for that "one" best load.
#7
It’s an obscure round, and the platforms in which it was offered were extremely varied - leverguns, singleshot break actions, and singleshot rotating breechblock pistols (built on a revolver frame, no less)... what worked well for my Hawkeye would have no bearing on what will work well in your Contender, other than to confirm, for magnum revolver cartridges, it’s difficult to beat W296/H110, H4227, and 2400 as top contenders - backed up by the fact they remained to work so well in my Hawkeye in 256. Seems like you don’t have much to complain about with your 19.0 grn load, however!
#8
Here ya' go,
https://web.archive.org/web/20170830...p?CaliberID=29
or http://stevespages.com/257_6.html
Also get a copy of the 'Complete Reloading Manual for the Thompson Center Contender" extensive loads recommended by many bullet manufacturers.
Good luck, Great little round.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170830...p?CaliberID=29
or http://stevespages.com/257_6.html
Also get a copy of the 'Complete Reloading Manual for the Thompson Center Contender" extensive loads recommended by many bullet manufacturers.
Good luck, Great little round.