Marlin 61 in 256 Winchester

[shotgunner]

Yesterday I ran across a Marlin 61 in 256 Winchester mag. I always wanted to shoot one so I bought it. I am working on brass and dies. Any idea what I should expect from this one? Will it shoot under 2" at 100 yards? Will case life be short? It is a nice clean gun and the clip was included. Looks like it will be a fun project. Shotgunner

[shotgunner]

Correction. The Marlin is a model 62, not a 61 as it says in my post. It was a very long day yesterday. Shotgunner

[bilmac]

I always wanted one in 256 and never found one. Finally I bought a 61 in 30 carbine. I think it would have shot pretty good, it was pretty fair with just the first loads I tried, but I didn't keep the gun very long. The magazine is right at the balance point and carrying it for even a little while chewed up my hand. Also I worried about loosing the mag and not being able to find a replacement.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Nice find shotgunner, somewhere in my stuff, I have a book called LEVERGUNS by a friend, Paco Kelly...I know there is a chapter on the 256 and I think it deals with the Marlin, and maybe a rechamber win...if I can locate it, I will see what it says if you are interested...I haven't seen this book floating around...but it is a good one for lever guns...let me know...

[shotgunner]

I just learned how to make brass without buying expensive forming dies. I ran some 357 cases into a 32-20 die to start the shoulder, then into the 256 dies in 3 steps. I bought 20 sets of dies at an auction yesterday and there was a set of RCBS 256 dies among them, so this must be my lucky week. You loose a few cases, but not too many. I am going to fire form them later today. I will get a scope on it and test some reloads tomorrow. This is great fun. Shotgunner

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

   Good buy!!!! I did find the lever gun book among some old Gun Digests...looked up some .30-30 data, will check the .256 stuff. now that you mention it, I think it discussed forming brass from 357....sounds like a fun gun.....

[shotgunner]

I am going to try fire forming with a cast bullet and 5 grains of Unique. I have some 60 grain flat point 25-20 bullets, 75 grain hps and a number 87s. The gun came with a sheet metal scope base and I am going to put something better on it. I have a Leupold 2x7 VX11 in a drawer somewhere. I will have to shoot a couple of woodchucks this spring with it. Shotgunner

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  shotgunner, I looked up the stuff on the .256...not much that would be helpful...here is the most imp. info. from this chapter...it was pretty short compared to others..he favored the 75 grain Horn. for varmit...and 87 grain Horn. for deer, and a 90 grain cast from an NEI mold ....for small game including turkey if you choose to use a rifle...he mentioned Unique and Bullseye for the cast loads, but no wts.......he could not find a used 62 so worked over a model 92 for this project......

[shotgunner]

I found some cast bullet data in the Lyman Cast Bullet handbook. I just put together some 60, 75 and 87 grain loads with 4227, and will try them with the iron sights this afternoon, my wife wants to go out for lunch first. Deer with the 256? I had not thought of that, but with a properly placed shot it would work. John Wooters thought a lot of the 25 Copperhead. I will see what I can do with the woodchucks and post some pictures. Shotgunner

[shotgunner]

Coyote Hunter, thanks you for the effort. Things like that really help. Shotgunner

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Shotgunner, you are certainly welcome...I have Paco's email somewhere I think...he loves lever guns...I am certain he will have abundant info. I am not sure where this address is, but I think I can get it from a friend if I do not have it.....he is quite a shooter, and I feel certain he may or will have lots of data..

[shotgunner]

I took my first shot at a woodchuck with the 256 yesterday, yes I have been way too busy. I used a 75 grain hp and 4227. I killed the woodchuck at 185 long steps. It was a very good beginning and looks like maybe this is a 'lucky" rifle. I am going to continue working with this one. I did get sidetracked buy a Savage Sporter in 32-20 for a while. Shotgunner

[clodbuster]

I know this is after the post by quite a bit but a 256 addict can't resist.  I've had good luck making brass by first
annealing then just run up into a 256 sizing.  Very little loss with new ww yellow brass.  My load is 60 gr hornady
over 18 gr of aa1680 or 75 horn hp over 16.5 gr of aa1680 with sm pistol cci primer.  both loads pack a whallop
considering the lightness of the load. 

[Hopalong7]

     My first Contender barrel in the early '70s was a 10" .256Mag...still have and love it...later added a 14" tube and always wanted a model 62 to go with 'em.  I run my 357 brass into a 30Mauser size die and then the 256 die and fire form...very little loss of brass.  I really like the little 60gr Hornady in the short tube and heavier bullets in the 14".  The 10" is very accurate and the 14" is a lazer with 75gr Hornady's.  Great find and ...Enjoy!!!
Walt