264 win mag load?

[Esmith]

I recently inhereted a Remington BDL in 264 win mag. Factory 24" barrel, markings date it 1974. Looking for accurate hunting load for 0-700 yards. Anything coyote to Elk size. Mainly been looking at 140g bullets. Which bullet/powder combination do you recommend?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Everett

 

[benchracer]

Though it doesn´t have the bc numbers of some of the better long range bullets, the 140g Partition is tough to beat as an all arounder. Loading the Partition over Retumbo will yield everything there is to be had from the .264 WM.

For long range use, go with the 140g Berger Hunting VLD´s or the 140g Hornady AMAX over Retumbo. The Bergers have a better reputation on heavier game, while the AMAX´s have a reputation for expansion at lower velocities than the Bergers.

 

[wapiti25]

Use the Berger Hunting VLD not the match version for hunting. The 130 VLD and 140 VLD is what I would use. I hunt with the 168 Hunting VLD in a 7 mm Rem Mag, they are the most accurate hunting bullet I have ever tried. I killed a large bull moose with the Berger last fall. My hunting buddy shot a bull moose in Wyoming at 512yds, one shot bang flop. He also killed an antelope at 479yds and it expanded just fine with the 7mm mag.

 

[BigDMT]

Use the Berger Hunting VLD not the match version for hunting. The 130 VLD and 140 VLD is what I would use. I hunt with the 168 Hunting VLD in a 7 mm Rem Mag, they are the most accurate hunting bullet I have ever tried. I killed a large bull moose with the Berger last fall. My hunting buddy shot a bull moose in Wyoming at 512yds, one shot bang flop. He also killed an antelope at 479yds and it expanded just fine with the 7mm mag.

Match VLDs work great for hunting too. I have documented 13 kills using the 140gr Berger Target VLDs in my 6.5 rem mag.

Esmith,
As for the 264 Win Mag, just start with loads listed in your reloading manuals and go from there because there's no guarantee that what works in another fellas rifle will work in yours

 

[2506]

With that short 24" barrel the first place to look for a good load is in the Sierra loading manual because that is what they used for the work up on the 264 Win Mag. There suggested hunting load with 140 gr bullets is a max charge of H4831 of 62 grs. for 3000 fps. I have a custom Rem 700 with a 27 3/4" Shilen barrel, all that could be gotten out of the 28" blank, that really smokes with 66.5 grs Retumbo powder and 130 gr Nosler Accubond bullets 3350 fps and is under MOA accurate. I have killed 6 WT deer with this combo and all have been dead in their tracks from 80 to 352 yards. The Accubond is really a great bullet. It flies like the ballistic tip and starts to open up like the ballistic tip but holds together and keeps on trucking like the partition. They make a 140 Accubond now. I have found that the 130 Accubond flies better than it's given numbers say it should. If you are having a hard time finding 264 Win Mag cases just use 7mm Rem Mag cases and run them through you 264 Win Mag FL sizer with one quick motion and you have a perfect 264 Win Mag case. I use once fired 7mm Rem Mag WW cases to make my 264 Win mag cases. Don't burn out your barrel working up loads. Find one that will work and stick with it. Let that barrel cool WELL between shots and it will last you a life time.

 

[BigDMT]

Yeah the "hot rod" 6.5mm's can start to show signs of excessive wear after 400-500 rounds if pushed to their highest speeds.

If you want a fast load, find it and use it sparingly as "2506" suggested because barrel life won't be very good.

If you want to have good barrel life and plenty of killing power, throttle your loads back. Just keep speeds with whichever bullet you choose to 3100 fps or less.

The 264 wm has a well known reputation for burning up barrels quickly. But that's because everyone pushes it to the limits. It doesn't have to be a barrel burner. It's all decided in how you choose to load for it.

 

[Esmith]

Thanks for the info!

I really don't plan to shoot it repeated like match shooting....just hunting...maybe 10 shots a year. I have a 270 and want it to perform better with the higher BC bullets offered in 6.5mm. I would like to get the 140g at 3100 fps.

Is there any concern for the twist of the factory barrel and the 140g bullets? I think its 1/9
Berger advertised 1/8 for 130g and 140g. Hornady has 1/7.5 on the 140g.

2506, do you need to turn the neck when using the 7mm brass?

 

[Rustystud]

Recently I got a Pre-64 264 Westerner, I have replaced the barrel with a Muller Works #5 fluted, 1:8.5, 6 groove barrel. I have not received Jewell trigger or McMillian Model 70 Varminter stock yet. I was able to find 100 pieces of brass. I am going to experiment with the following bullets: Barnes 120gr XXX, 127 gr Barnes LRX BT, 129 Nosler Accubond, 130gr Nosler Accubond, 140 gr Nosler Accubond, and the Swift Scirocco 130 gr.

I am in favor of accuracy and controlled expansion vs High BC (J4 Jacketed bullets) and unpredictable results of target bullets used for hunting. If a game animal goes 20-30 yards with no blood trail here it can get lost in a hurry.

Most of my customers shooting 264 Win mags are pushing 120 Barnes bullets at 3420 fps. With sub .5 moa accuracy to 800 yards.

Nat Lambeth

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Another vote for the 130 accubonds.


Kermit

 

[BigDMT]

Thanks for the info!

I really don't plan to shoot it repeated like match shooting....just hunting...maybe 10 shots a year. I have a 270 and want it to perform better with the higher BC bullets offered in 6.5mm. I would like to get the 140g at 3100 fps.

Is there any concern for the twist of the factory barrel and the 140g bullets? I think its 1/9
Berger advertised 1/8 for 130g and 140g. Hornady has 1/7.5 on the 140g.

2506, do you need to turn the neck when using the 7mm brass?

1 in 9 will work fine for the 140gr Berger VLDs.

 

[RJ]

I have hunted with a 264 Winchester on and off for about 30 years now. Both with Custom Rifles I have built and a factory Remington 700. For many years the problem I found was the construction of the 6.5mm bullets. If I found a hunting bullet that shot well, It would not open up upon impact at longer ranges. It would shoot right thru them with very little damage. If I found bullets that would open up they would not group that well and I had no confidence in the Rifle at longer ranges.

Remember the selection of 6.5mm until recently was slim. I have tried everything out there in the years I have hunted with the 264 WM and I was never satisfied with any of the bullets. That's why I would stop using it for awhile.

I was about to give up on it and rebarrel my Rifle to another caliber when Walt started selling the Hunting VLD. I had some in the shop for a client that wanted me to tune a 6.5-284 Rifle that I just completed for him. I figured I would try them before I took the barrel off. Deer season was only about 2 days away. I loaded a couple rounds with 4831SC and took it to the range next to my shop. Accuracy was great .

I took the Rifle the first day of the season to see how the bullets would perform. We shot 5 deer with the rifle the first week from 115 yards to 527 yards. All were one shot kills and went straight down. Like the hammer of Thor hit them.

I have been using the Berger 140 Hunting VLD bullets in the rifle every season since then. With the same results every year. I shot a nice 8 pt last year at 756 yards.

I have built quite a few 264 WM, The feedback I am getting is the same results that I have gotten . That bullet in that cartridge just works.

No, I do not work for Berger Bullets. I would like to help the guys who are just starting to shoot the 264 WM . And save them some money on bullets that will not give them the results they are looking for.


Richard Hilts
HILTS CUSTOM RIFLES

 

[2506]

No need to turn necks when I neck down 7mm Rem mag cases to 264 Win mag. .284 to .264 ain't much.

 

[Esmith]

Thanks for everyones response.

One last thing...some powders are hard to come by locally these days. I currently have on hand is H4350 (listed in manual for 264 win mag) but also IMR4895, Varget, & RE15.

Retumbo, H1000, & H4831SC seem to be the most popular. What are better powder choices?

I may just have to hold out until the local stores restock.

 

[benchracer]

Retumbo seems to be about the ideal powder for the .264WM, assuming your rifle likes it. I have not had trouble finding Retumbo, even with the shortages taking place. From what I have seen, the slow magnum type powders are not as tough to find as the powders commonly used for the .308 and .223 class cartridges.

I have also heard good things about imr 7828 and Ramshot Magnum in this cartridge. RL-22 will work, too, but you may be leaving some velocity on the table with it.

 

[WTLORD264]

I have a remington 700 26" SS .264 win mag that I have been shooting about 10 years now, stumbled on the right load for it right away. Im loading the 120gr Barnes TSX over 64 grains of Imr7828, Rem 91/2M primers. loads chrono at 3395 fps and shoots 5 rounds at .5 MOA if I do my part. Good luck working it up and like you have seen from others let it cool down between groups and it should last you many good years! Welcome to the .264 club!!!

 

[RE in Idaho]

I noticed that the 140 gr vld bergers recommend a barrel with a 1 in 8 twist. My 264 has a 1 in 9 twist. Are you going to get the accuracy that a person wants by shooting that combination, or does a guy put a new barrel with a 1 in 8 twist to get the accuracy

 

[JRS]

US869 works wonders in the 264. The Barnes 120TTSX is a killer of the greatest magnitude. It's like hitting an animal with a 140 grain bullet. Don't push your gun too hard. You won't achieve 26" barrel velocities from that 24" tube.

 

[2506]

With your 9 twist barrel you probably will not be able to use the 140 VLD because of stability problems. Those bullets are loooooooog. I have a 9 twist and the 130 Accubond shoots like a dream.

 

[Shinbone]

Bumping this older thread back up.

I am working up a load for my Winchester Extreme Weather in .264WM. I am currently working with Barnes TSX 120gn bullets and Retumbo.

Will probably try Hammer bullets and Vihtavuori N570 next

Its been a few years since folks posted in this thread, and I was just wondering if anyone has any more info to add on .264 WinMag loads?

 

[Ol' Sarge]

I recently inhereted a Remington BDL in 264 win mag. Factory 24" barrel, markings date it 1974. Looking for accurate hunting load for 0-700 yards. Anything coyote to Elk size. Mainly been looking at 140g bullets. Which bullet/powder combination do you recommend?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Everett

Would work for Coyote - I had good luck on steel with Custom Competition 140's & 66 grains of H1000 @ 15thou off the lands. (Sendero SFII) Was holding .8 moa. @ 1000, but started losing it further out - Me or the 1-9 twist? About 1.25MOA @ 1200.
Tried RL33 (a lot more powder) & 140 RDF's, higher velocity by 100+FPS, but the tight groups weren't there @ 1000 & 1200. (Velocity didn't help the slow twist rate)
>NOTE:According to Hodgdon, their lower listing for H1000 was due to the harder Jacket of the hunting bullet used for their test raising pressure faster. Their max for H1000 = 58gr @ 2900FPS. I was getting no where near that velocity with Nosler's C.C's or Sierra SMK 140's. So you'd need a ladder test on bullet used and watch for pressure signs.