Author Topic: .264 WIN.MAG. (Read 1961 times)

dave hall · « **on:** January 02, 2004, 07:50:02 PM »

a guy where I work is selling a .264 win.mag. I know this round is not in much new. can any one tell me if its worth buying, or why it was dropped. THANKS.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2004, 09:10:16 PM »

It's a fine caliber, had one myself,wish I still had it :oops:
The introduction of the 7mm rem mag is what sealed the fate of the 264.

jdt48653 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2004, 06:45:16 AM »

the 264 got a lot of bad press it didnt deserve.it is one of the best 6.5 to ever come along.with proper cleaning and not letting the barrel get hot it runs ahead of the pack!it does best with a 26'' or longer barrel,as it is an overbore,like a lot of our large mags.it makes a lot of noise,and gives a good kick.i love mine!

freddogs · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2004, 07:39:56 AM »

I had one for awhile. It was an OK rifle. It probably lost out to the very popular 7mm Remington magnum. It did get bad press but I never saw anything bad about it. The rifles are often cheaper(used ) than a similar gun in 7mm.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2004, 09:26:28 AM »

dave hall,

Quote

a guy where I work is selling a .264 win.mag. I know this round is not in much new. can any one tell me if its worth buying, or why it was dropped. THANKS.

Questions. What make and model is the rifle? Any accessories come with it(scope, sling, etc.)? What kind of shape, in your opinion, is the rifle in? These will tell you whether or not the price is right. As far as the .264 Win. Mag. goes it's a great cartridge that got a bad reputation it didn't deserve. Everyone said it was a barrel burner. There were rumors going around that after as few as 500 shots the throats were burnt out. Both of these statements were wrong unless you loaded nothing but HOT loads. ANY cartridge can have the throat burned out shooting nothing but HOT loads. Been there, done that(even with such mild mannered cartridges like a .222 Remington). If your hunting offers long range situations a .264 is an excellent cartridge. If the rifle is worth the money your friend is asking I would say go for it and don't second guess your decision. Lawdog

lgm270 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2004, 10:55:51 AM »

I always thought a "long throated" .264 Mag., set up to seat 140 grain spitzers with the bullet base flush with the case neck and loaded to full length overall magnum (i.e. 300H&H) length with a 25" barrel would be kind of cool. YOu should be able to hit 3,200 fps with the long, sleek 140 grain spitzer. Kind of a speciality item, but very cool.

acearch72 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2004, 04:30:21 PM »

I agree with the others. The 264 has a bad rep that is undeserved. I have one that does everything I ask it to. Very accurate and great for long range shooting.

Problem is getting quality ammo if you don't reload. Winchester and Remington make some 140 gr. loads with cheap bullets. If you want a premium bullet and variation in bullet weights you will need to either reload or go to someone like Kole Conely. I get mine from Kole and he has lots of choices for premium bullets.

So, nothing wrong with the caliber if, like lawdog says, the gun is worth the money.

turfman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2004, 10:12:33 AM »

My first deer rifle other than a muzzleloader ( my pop was kinda funny that way ) is a mod 70 .264 westrener. I have retired that gun in favor of a ruger MKII special run in .264. The westrener had 500 rounds through it before I got it; and probbably has at least 500 rounds since I've owned it. The new ruger already has 500 rds through it ( rough barrel ) The throats on these rifle are fine.

The key to the .264 is in the powder. You did not have the powder selections like you do today. Much the same way the .220 swift earned the barrel burner badge 25yrs before the .264. I use both 7828 and rl 22 for my rifles; near max loads. The ruger had a longer throat in it so 140's are the ticket in it. The winchester likes 120's.

If you don't reload get a .270. I once had a friend that had the carbine pre 64 .264, it was a very loud and threw flames about 3ft out the tube and subsequently had less than .270 velocities. The factory offerings for the .264 are around 3000fps. My ruger with a 24" barrel will push a 140 pill at 3220.

An interesting observation about the "new" mags to come along in the last 5 or so years ( namley the stw's & big ones like that ) is that if you burn out the throat on these; its kinda like a braggin right. Just my .02 cents though.

If its in good shape get it; at worst you'll have one more rifle in the cabinet.

Turfman

264 WIN MAG · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2004, 07:36:40 AM »

My 264 mag pushes the 140gr. Nosler Partitions at about 3200fps. and I was pushing the 120gr. Nosler BT's at close to 3500fps. The newer 264 mags are not shabby on speed nor on accuracy. I have shot a lot of different kind of rifles and I would not trade the 264 for any of them for any kind of hunting or target shooting.

rickt300 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2004, 07:00:00 AM »

I have a Lilja 1 in 12 .264 barrel I am thinking of having chambered for .264 magnum and use it to test the limits of Nosler 100 grain partitions on Antelope or Mule deer. I also hope it will stabilize Speer 120 grin soft points at around 3300 fps, maybe a bit more. I will have the barrel cut to 27 inches. I got the barrel at an estate auction for 10 dollars. It is stainless so It ought to take at least 1500 rounds I hope.

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2004, 08:28:56 AM »

rickt300,

I don't know about using a 100 gr. bullet, even a Partition, on a deer as large as a Mule Deer. I load 125 gr. Partitions in the 6.5mm Swede for the wife to use on Mulies and get great performance. I can not help but wonder how such a light bullet will perform at the velocities capable with the .264 Win. Mag.. Lawdog

rickt300 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2004, 12:31:51 PM »

I am a bit concerned myself. I will take only good broadside shots till I see how it does. Maybe if I push em fast enough I will get good accuracy with Speer or Sierra 120 grain bullets. The slow twist limits the bullets I can use. I just can't see using that much powder on gophers.

Lawdog · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2004, 07:58:27 AM »

rickt300,

I understand your problem with that twist rate. Suggestion, try Barnes 120 XLC's. I have been trying Barnes's XLC's in 140 gr. in my wife's Swede, although it has a 1-9" twist, and getting some very good accuracy(1 - 1 1/4 inches). I am still playing around with seating depth and powder but I believe I can shrink the groups down some more. I think your twist would stabilize the 120 gr. weights and I have yet to find an expanding bullet that will out penetrate Barnes. Like I said just a suggestion. Lawdog

rickt300 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2004, 03:10:54 PM »

Anybody know what powder to use in the pursuit of top velocities with 120 grain bullets? I wonder if the 120 X bullet being long for it's weight might be to long for a 1 in 12 twist.

Ohioyotecaller · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2004, 04:11:57 PM »

I tried some Retumbo with Sierra 140 MK's (yes, 140's, not 120's) and with a charge of 70.5 grains I got a velocity of 3395 fps. This was a compressed charge. I recommend that you start with a charge of 67 grains and work up, checking for pressure signs.

drags · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2004, 06:02:47 AM »

Hi OYC
What barrel length is your .264 win. also what action stock barrel maker ect. Have you tried the 142mtk in your rifle I use them in a .260rem and they work very well. I've use the 140gr mtk in a 30'barrel 6.5-06 but I'm going to try the 142grmtk when the weather breaks. I get 3050fps with the 140 from the 6.5-06 with 30' barrel I would like to know what a .264win would do in a 30' barrel using the 142mtk.
Drags

Ohioyotecaller · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2004, 03:49:59 PM »

The barrel is a 28" Pac-Nor 3 groove. It's on a Savage single shot action and set up for long range shooting (500 out to a mile (so far)). Never tried the 142.

drags · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2004, 04:16:10 AM »

OYC
I use my 6.5-06 as a long range woodchuck rifle and some long range deer hunting. I like it very much it shoots very flat, I've shot it out to 1100 yds at rocks and it worked very well, The barrel is made by hart has a 1in 9 twist and is the rem varmint contour, what twist is your barrel and what contour do you have also what is the advantage of the 3groove barrel?
Drags

jdt48653 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2004, 02:20:16 PM »

some of you may find this of intrest ,type in 264thor

Ohioyotecaller · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:40:59 PM »

The twist is 1 in 8". My rasoning for using a 3 groove barrel is that the rifling will have a thicker profile and the throat should last a little longer.

jim21 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:25:35 PM »

I have a older Winchester model 670 in 264caliber.It has the 26"barrel.
It packs a punch when fired.It wont let any animal get away.I dont do any
reloading,and I can't afford buying shells for this rifle.Its been retired for
about 25years or more.I wont sell it.Its a piece of art to me.

nomosendero · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:46:57 PM »

Ohioyotecaller, that is very good velocity for that weight of bullet! That is the weight of bullet that I would want to shoot also, with 1 exception. Swift
has introduced a Sc. 130 Gr. & it has a very high BC for a 130,& a good game bullet as well.

I am looking at buying the new Sendero in 264 Mag.