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  #1  
Old 05-06-2017, 07:38 PM
trentcwwilson trentcwwilson is offline
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Default 357 Mag to 256 Win Mag

I've been pondering this for a while and have been forgetting to bring it up to my local smith. How hard would it be to convert a 66-8 in 357 Mag to 256 Win Mag? I'm thinking a custom cylinder and boring out the barrel for a 25 caliber blank. Considering the 256 is based on the 357 case, timing wouldn't be an issue. Only problem I can think of is with it being a bottlenecked cartridge so there'd be ejection issues. Ask me how I know...

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  #2  
Old 05-10-2017, 11:17 AM
jmcghee jmcghee is offline
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Saami says 357, 35000 max pressure. 256 win mag 60000 max pressure. Jimmy says bad idea
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Old 05-10-2017, 11:59 AM
trentcwwilson trentcwwilson is offline
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Saami says 357, 35000 max pressure. 256 win mag 60000 max pressure. Jimmy says bad idea
What about building on an X frame? The 460 is 65000 max.

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Old 05-10-2017, 01:08 PM
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You might want to do some research back to the early '60s when supposedly the major manufacturers did experiment with .256 revolvers and gave up on them.
See SCSW#4, P.139 for some additional info.
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Old 05-10-2017, 01:22 PM
rck281 rck281 is offline
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I have seen a factory S&W that I believe was marked as a model 14. I believe this was the only one made by S&W, but not sure.
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Old 05-10-2017, 01:30 PM
trentcwwilson trentcwwilson is offline
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Originally Posted by jmcghee View Post
Saami says 357, 35000 max pressure. 256 win mag 60000 max pressure. Jimmy says bad idea
Current pressure is SAAMI set at 50000

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Old 05-10-2017, 01:34 PM
trentcwwilson trentcwwilson is offline
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I have seen a factory S&W that I believe was marked as a model 14. I believe this was the only one made by S&W, but not sure.
Models 10, 14, 15, and 19.

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Old 05-18-2017, 09:10 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is online now
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Trent, I believe Hamilton Bowen has made a couple of .256s on S&Ws, but I am not positive. You might give him a call and beg his indulgence for a few minutes to give you the quick +/- on this idea. He would have more knowledge on this than anyone I could think of. Hamilton doesn't take on S&W jobs right now, which is a great shame, but I'm sure he'll be able to tell you a lot - and you'll have had the chance to speak with a really great craftsman, one of the finest ever at his trade.

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Old 05-18-2017, 09:13 PM
trentcwwilson trentcwwilson is offline
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Originally Posted by M29since14 View Post
Trent, I believe Hamilton Bowen has made a couple of .256s on S&Ws, but I am not positive. You might give him a call and beg his indulgence for a few minutes to give you the quick +/- on this idea. He would have more knowledge on this than anyone I could think of. Hamilton doesn't take on S&W jobs right now, which is a great shame, but I'm sure he'll be able to tell you a lot - and you'll have had the chance to speak with a really great craftsman, one of the finest ever at his trade.
I've actually had the pleasure of meeting him. Great man, made me feel really stupid. As for the work, I can do it. Nothing more than a barrel change and making a cylinder. I'll see if I can get back in touch with him.

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Old 05-19-2017, 03:34 AM
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Here's what HBowen said about such conversions (I know he doesn't take any work like this now, but the info may be interesting).
As for the pressure issue,,you load for the firearm you have. You don't use Ruger #1 47-70 data for your Trapdoor Spr'fld.

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  #11  
Old 05-19-2017, 07:08 AM
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Interesting idea, and I also heard/read he is no longer accepting work on S & W revolvers.

A quick add up of all the potential charges from the web page linked above (presuming you have a working donor frame and need the barrel, cylinder, refinishing) comes to close to $2000.
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Old 05-19-2017, 07:31 AM
silentflyer silentflyer is offline
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I shot a .256 barrel on a Contender frame years ago, two things stand out, it did well out at 100 yards and beyond, and the muzzle blast was "impressive" not quite up there with the Model 53 .22 Remington Jet, but close.
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Old 05-19-2017, 08:03 AM
trentcwwilson trentcwwilson is offline
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Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
Interesting idea, and I also heard/read he is no longer accepting work on S & W revolvers.

A quick add up of all the potential charges from the web page linked above (presuming you have a working donor frame and need the barrel, cylinder, refinishing) comes to close to $2000.
I can do the conversion for MUCH MUCH less than that.

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