Help with 256 Win

[walkswithsticks]

I became intrigued with this cartridge as a mild cast bullet shooter as arthritis makes the big "barn burners" rather uncomfortable anymore.  I now have a 10" round barrel in hand.
 
Used reloading gadgets are proving to be scarce and dear.  All I have so far is a 30 Mauser sizer die to use as an intermediate step in reducing the necks.  I will keep watching the auction sites for a good set of used dies in 256 Win.
 
I am concerned about neck thickness.  I have never formed a case from a larger case before, but it seems logical that the neck thickness will increase.  Will I need to turn/ream the necks to prevent chambering or pressure problems?  If so, I would appreciate any thoughts on what gadget would work best.
 
The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook only recommends powders that I do not currently have on hand, but they do sell powder at the store on the corner.  I thought I would start out with Meister's 85 gr RNFP to see if I like the cartridge, and molds could be located later.
 
Any powder recommendations would be appreciated along with a minimum/maximum range.
 
It is beginning to sound like a nice tutorial on this cartridge would be in order. 
 
Thanks,
Bill

[palgeno]

Best results are to be had by annealing the .357 Mag case before full sizing. I tried all the other things first and it was a waste of time... just anneal and get it over with. It's not that difficult.
 After sizing the annealed cases with Redding dies, they fit perfectly in my Bullberry bbl...and it has a tight chamber. Just spend the money and get good dies.
Gene

[Junior1942]

I'd first ask myself this question: Will the 256 Win mag do anything the 7mmTCU won't do better, cheaper and easier?

[rescue_171]

The 7tcu is a little better ballistics wise but I dont own a contender in a caliber that is not rimmed. The rimmed cases are much easier for my little fat fingers to get out of the chamber.

[Hopalong7]

The 7tcu is a little better ballistics wise but I dont own a contender in a caliber that is not rimmed. The rimmed cases are much easier for my little fat fingers to get out of the chamber.

     AMEN!!!

[walkswithsticks]

How does the 7mm TCU rate as a cast bullet plinker out to 100 yards?
 
Still on the 256 Win.  What are some good powders for cast bullet shooting?
 
Bill

[palgeno]

 Any of the TCU's (7, 6.5, 6, or .257) with a good choice in bullets at max loads can yield better terminal ballistics than the 256 Win Mag. However it does use a rimmed case if that matters to you....and it is a gratifying cartridge to load and shoot. Not to mention that when using the Hornady 75 gr VMax it just plain looks cool.
 What is the intended purpose? For deer, forget it. For smaller varmints, it works just fine.
Gene

[Junior1942]

How does the 7mm TCU rate as a cast bullet plinker out to 100 yards?
 
Still on the 256 Win.  What are some good powders for cast bullet shooting?
 
Bill

My 14" is a 1/2 MOA jacketed 100 yard shooter and a 1 1/2" to 2" cast 100 yard shooter.  The twist is too fast for cast.

[gr8ful]

I have both a 7TCU and a 256 Win mag, both are fun to shoot and load for.  The .256 is one of favorite barrels, with Sierra 70gr BlitzKings over a moderate charge if Lil'gun or h4227 it is very accurate and mild mannered, and deadly on varmits (crows, coyotes, armadillos, and beavers).  I plan on taking a deer and possibly a hog with it this year.  I also plan to do the same with my 7tcu.
 
The best advice I can give you for forming your cases is to anneal the first 1/2 inch of the case until it begins to change color (straw colored to slight blueish)  This takes a little experamenting but once you get the hang of it you will lose few cases, if the necks split heat them a little more. lubricate the cooled cases well then run them into the seating die until the shoulder and 1st 1/8 inch of neck starts to form. Next just run them through a full length sizing die , trim to length and start loading.  Btw the TC lets you use spitzer bullets and for best accuracy mine likes to be .030 off the lands.  For larger varmits and deer sized critters a 87 gr Soft Point over a max charge of h4227 will shoot completely through a large coyote diagonally (22 inches of penetration) so should be just fine for a broadside deer inside 100yrds.

[walkswithsticks]

I am really impressed in that I did not know that a bullet could get completely sideways in just 25 yards.
 
I tried some mild Unique loads behind an 85 gr cast bullet with no positive results.  I don't think I am even interested in working the variables on this powder.
 
The higher ranges of Trail Boss did show some promise, though.  I will persue that.
 
I have never gotten the hang of checking twist rates and computing bullet stability. Does anyone know the twist rate of the 256 Win barrels and if that would stabilize an 85 gr bullet measuring .693 in length?
 
Any other guidance in shooting cast in this caliber would be appreciated.
 
Bill

[Hopalong7]

     Standard factory 256Win Mag barrels are 1:10.  TTBOMK all are the same.  You should be able to stabilize an 85 with no problem although I don't remember shooting anything heavier than 75 in mine.  Even though I've never used mine for hunting much of anything, I find it to be a really fun caliber.  My first was a 10" Octagon 256 and later added an S-14....still have and shoot both .  The 10" 'er especially has killed an emense pile of empty beer cans .  I shoot a lot of the little 60gr Hornady SP's.
Walt

[Curtis]

I do not have any on hand to check the length, but I could not stabilize Nosler 87 gn ballistic tip boat tails.  Admittedly this is a longer bullet than you propose to try.
 
Curtis

[walkswithsticks]

I think that this 256 Win barrel may be a cast bullet shooter after all.
 
Slowing down the 85 gr bullet got rid of the keyholing and shows some real promise. 
 
My slowest load with Unique started looking good.  Next trip out, I will slow it down a little more.
 
A charge of Trail Boss at about 80& capacity shot a 1" group with a called flyer opening it up to 1 7/8".  All this at 25 yards from a rest with open sights and a few distracting factors.
 
With most of my cast bullet shooting, I have had good results with a heavy bullet and small charges of fast burning powders.
 
Bill

[smcnamara]

Just purchase some 256 mag brass.  I believe you can get them from Graff & Sons or Huntingtons and they are marked "256 mag." I bought 100 pcs several years ago and they have been through several reloads with the loss of only one case in that time period. My gun likes the cast 86gr FP at around 1400fps.
 
Fun gun to shoot. Would love one in a carbine barrel.