Author Topic: 25-06 vs 264 win mag (Read 1881 times)

kudzu · « **on:** June 13, 2006, 02:03:42 PM »

Which one for everyday WT hunting. Will most likly will handload.
What are the pros and cons of each. Which one will overall outperform the other.
Just what we need, a can of worms. O WELL things are slow.

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2006, 02:18:02 PM »

If you handload, then you can take advantage of the 264WM because there are not a whole lotta factory choices available.

The 264 has better Sectional density than the .257 of a given weight.

The recoil from the 264 is more noticeable than the .25-06, but not too bad at all. It's more loud than it is a hard kicker.

Despite what people used to think back in the 60s (and what some people still belieive today), barrel life is no worse than some of today's other magnums, especially when you compare it to the likes of a 7mm Ultra Mag, etc.

The 264WM shoots faster, harder, and flatter than a .25-06 (of a given weight) but that does not necessarily mean that the 264WM is a better choice than a 25-06.

Zachary

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2006, 02:29:47 PM »

I can't say anything bad or good about the .264, but I can speak about the 25-06.

The advantages to this caliber are increased case life, easy to handload for, and a lesser amount of recoil than a 270, but with the power of the new 25 WSSM. You will also have an easier time finding ammunition for it at your local gun store, or brass for it locally or ordering on-line. I guess the biggest advantage to it though, is that I don't get beat up everytime I fire it by the recoil.

I have one, and I love it. I get great results from 117 gr. Sierras and Hornadys. The Sierras were especially easy to reload for, if you use the previous edition (the one before the current one) Sierra reloading manual.

Mine is a Ruger Mk II M77 with a Nikon 3x9 Monarch on it. I use it for Coues Whitetail and Mule Deer, and anything else I want to reach out and touch. If you are interested at all in antelope, this is the caliber to get.

Would I get another, probably not in a Mark II. That Ruger No. 1 in
.25-06 is tempting though... :grin:

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2006, 02:43:35 PM »

I own both, the .25-06 and the .264WM. I tend to prefer the .25-06 because I don't handload and there is a lot more choices for factory ammo. In addition to that, I have kinda stayed away from my magnums. I guess maybe I'm just getting a little bit wiser.

Zachary

Don Fischer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:34:26 PM »

I assume that WT means whitetail deer? Well for any deer, either is more than enough. It's been years since I shot a 264 and I hated it. Not the recoil but the noise. Most 264's also came with a 26" barrel. Nice for plains shooting but in white tail cover it could be unhandy. A 257 Roberts with a 22" barrel would be lots handier. Even a 25-06 with a 24" barrel would be handier.

People have a tendicity to overlook handling qualities of the rifle and tend to go for something because of the cartridge. If indeed it is whitetails your talking about,I'd rather a 250-3000 with a 22" barrel or a 257 Roberts with a 22" barrel or even a 260 Rem or 6.5x55 with a 22" barrel than either the 25-06 or the 264.

nomosendero · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2006, 05:54:37 PM »

For most people, I would say the 25-06. To compare these 2 rounds we should logicaly look at what each cartridge offers over the other.

25-06 advantages
Common brass & much cheaper with more firings per case.
Less powder
Bullets are a little cheaper
Overall quite a bit cheaper to reload
Much cheaper factory ammo
If you decide to shoot Varmits it is much better for that.
Less recoil
Less blast
Easier to work up an accurate load, but both rounds can be VERY accurate.
Easier to resell, although most people with a good 25-06 won't sell theirs!
Better barrel life, but this is overblown by many.

264WM advantages
More killing power, but for Deer it is a mute point as both rounds have more than enough power with the right bullets & loads out to 400 yards.
For Heavier bullets if you decide later to hunt Elk or bigger animals the 264
is better for these animals.
The heavier bullets in the 264 will have higher sect. Densities, but again
a mute point for Whitetail. I have never been able to stop the 25cal. 120 Nos. Part. or the 115TSX 25 cal. in any Deer at any angle.
The heavier bullets in yhe 264 have a higher BC which offers better long range possibilities, but only at longer ranges & it would take quite a distance before it matters. I have a tuned Sendero in 25-06AI that is a pure death ray on Deer & it does what I want in spades.

So what it boils down to is that if you use the right bullets & loads for
Whitetails, your stated purpose, the 25-06 will serve you well out to 400 yards. The only way that the 264 will give you something extra for Whitetails only is IF you want a specialized "bean field" type rifle & want
to set it up for longer yardages than 400 yards. Only a select few acquire the tools, well tuned rifle, best ammo, optics, & practice with wind doping
skills & restraint. Only you can determine if you are one of those few &
no one on this site can tell you, me or anyone else if we should be of this slim minority. And please let's don't go there, my answer is only to point out the abilities of the cartridge, because it was asked & not to point out what any one person should do with it!!!

jnclement · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2006, 08:38:49 AM »

The 264 is certainly a cool, unusual caliber. But it's way overkill for WT, even compared to a 25-06. I'd go for the 25-06, easier to find ammo. The performance of the 264 doesn't justify the additional cost.

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2006, 10:44:41 AM »

Zachary wrote:

Quote

I tend to prefer the .25-06 because I don't handload and there is a lot more choices for factory ammo.

Zachary I'm stunned. As many rifles as you own (how many is that, exactly?) and you're not a handloader? Is it a lack of time or lack of interest in loading your own? Lord knows handloading isn't saving me any money, but I enjoy it.

Zachary · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2006, 03:16:11 AM »

Time, and Time only.

I wish I had time to handload. Unfortunately, I'm an attorney and I have a very busy practice. If I did have time, then I would certainly handload. I think that it will actually cost more to handload (at least for me), but i don't care. I think that it would be very relaxing for me.

Zachary

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2006, 06:49:02 AM »

Quote from: Zachary

Time, and Time only.

I wish I had time to handload. Unfortunately, I'm an attorney and I have a very busy practice. If I did have time, then I would certainly handload. I think that it will actually cost more to handload (at least for me), but i don't care. I think that it would be very relaxing for me.

Zachary

Zachary,

If you are that busy, what must your stress level be like? Sounds like it's time for a new hobby! Nice thing about reloading is that you can do it in steps and stages (case re-sizing, primering, charging, etc.), taking a break in between. Could be good way to unwind.

longwalker · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2006, 09:37:12 AM »

I can say with experience that the 25-06 will do what you need on White Tail deer. My only knowledge with the 264 is from other shooters that used the case to wildcat with.

I bought the 25-06 for deer and antelope and long shots on critters. It has yet to disappoint me. I handload but there is a large selection of factory ammunition to choose from. Personally I like the smaller bullets 90 and 100 grain bullets. But that is just me.

longwalker

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2006, 09:56:44 AM »

Quote from: Zachary

I'm an attorney Zachary

I always assumed you were a sales rep for Tikka :-D :-D :-D :-D

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2006, 12:52:37 PM »

Yea, I get that alot.

Zachary

Cheesehead · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2006, 04:06:52 PM »

If it is a hand loading scenario, the 264 mag is a good choice. Hits harder, better chance for a quick kill. Also, a better bigger game caliber for future reference.

Cheese

Slamfire · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2006, 07:51:14 PM »

I don't have any experience with the .264 Magnum, but judgin' by the medium speed 6.5s, it is just a lot of unnecessary fuss and feathers. There's a reason the Win and Rem mags didn't make it in the market place and it isn't all the bullet diameter. :roll: