Loading 264 win msg

JustSomeGuy264 · Nov 6, 2019

Hey guys

I'm new here and looking for a little help. I was recently gifted a NIB Winchester m70 super grade maple. It has a 26" barrel and 1:9 twist. I'm hoping to get some suggestions on a couple good bullets and powders for deer.

I'm aware that there won't be any consensus on a question like this, just hoping to get some suggestions.

I'm new to this caliber also so any other info you may have would be appreciated.

lightman · Nov 6, 2019

I don't hunt with a 6.5mm but I would be confident with one of the Sierra soft point bullets.

murf · Nov 7, 2019

here is a post from a bit ago: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/264-win-mag-results-so-far.856620/

luck,

murf

p.s. welcome to the high road.

CptnAwesome · Nov 7, 2019

That thread Murf mentioned was mine, posted not that long ago.

My first advice is get a tool to measure max OAL your chamber will take with the bullet you're using. I have Hornady lock-n-load length guage, they make a modified 264 Win Mag case to use it with. If your model 70 is like mine (which I'm sure it is) it will have a really short throat which will require you to seat bullets deep... Deeper than some books recommended OAL.

I have a model 70 Featherweight and it loves RL22 and 130gr Sierra GameKing HPBT.

The Super Grade Maine is one beautiful rifle!

stillquietvoice · Nov 7, 2019

I don't shoot 6.5 but you might try heavier bullets and real slow powder to reduce throat erosion. 140gr would be a heavier for caliber bullet weight to try.

Welcome to the forum.

JustSomeGuy264 · Nov 7, 2019

CptnAwesome said:
That thread Murf mentioned was mine, posted not that long ago.

My first advice is get a tool to measure max OAL your chamber will take with the bullet you're using. I have Hornady lock-n-load length guage, they make a modified 264 Win Mag case to use it with. If your model 70 is like mine (which I'm sure it is) it will have a really short throat which will require you to seat bullets deep... Deeper than some books recommended OAL.

I have a model 70 Featherweight and it loves RL22 and 130gr Sierra GameKing HPBT.

The Super Grade Maine is one beautiful rifle!

Thanks for the info, I'm gonna look into that tool for sure.

May be a while before I get to load anything for it as i found out yesterday my dad dismantled his reloading bench to do some remodeling. Probably just end up using some boxed ammo for now, ad much as I hate doing that.

Another question about this caliber. What is it that makes these things so hard on barrels? Looking at some random load data the speed doesn't really jump off the page so just curious. Like I said I'm new to the 264 and am just trying to gather as much info as possible.

stillquietvoice · Nov 7, 2019

It due to case diameter compared to neck diameter. The 264 case is extremely overbite for projectile dieter so all burning gasses are forced into a smaller area. The duration of the hottest gasses takes slightly longer heating the throat more than the same case in a larger diameter bore.

If you look at the 308 win, 7mm08 and 243 win all 3 calibers start with same case body therefore the throat life on 7mm08 is less than a 308 and 243 is less than 7mm08. The 243 is considered a barrel burner because of it being more over bore.

JustSomeGuy264 · Nov 7, 2019

stillquietvoice said:
It due to case diameter compared to neck diameter. The 264 case is extremely overbite for projectile dieter so all burning gasses are forced into a smaller area. The duration of the hottest gasses takes slightly longer heating the throat more than the same case in a larger diameter bore.

If you look at the 308 win, 7mm08 and 243 win all 3 calibers start with same case body therefore the throat life on 7mm08 is less than a 308 and 243 is less than 7mm08. The 243 is considered a barrel burner because of it being more over bore.

That makes sense. Thanks

JustSomeGuy264 · Nov 12, 2019

I hope to be able to shoot this gun this weekend. How long should I wait between shots? Wont be able to load anything for a while so I'll be shooting 130 grain Nosler trophy grades.

blue32 · Nov 12, 2019

If I had a 264 wm, I'd be trying to get the Speer 140 gr hot cor spitzer to work before anything else. Either of the 4831's should work well.

JustSomeGuy264 · Nov 12, 2019

blue32 said:
If I had a 264 wm, I'd be trying to get the Speer 140 gr hot cor spitzer to work before anything else. Either of the 4831's should work well.

What is it about the Speer bullet that you would try it before any others?

blue32 · Nov 13, 2019

Its a 20 cent soft point.

GooseGestapo · Nov 13, 2019

I can vouch for the Speer 140gr HotCor. They shoot very well from my Rem Mod-7 in .260. I’ve not recovered one from a deer shot with one. I have recovered one 120gr HotCor, and it exhibited a perfect mushroom, with high weight retention.

I would use the age-old classic belted magnum powder, H4831.
Don’t try to load overly hot, and shoot slow, 3-shot groups, and clean well, and the barrel will likely outlive you.
Once you find a load you like, stop there. Shoot just enough annually to verify zero, go hunting!

JimKirk · Nov 13, 2019

If you are loading 140 grain. bullets ....the slow powders like IMR 7828, Retumbo, Reloder 25/26, Renault Magnum, IMR 7977, IMR 8133....there are others .... This cartridge is where the slower burn powders really shine ....

Mine was a 24" Model 70 Winchester ......

JimKirk · Nov 13, 2019

Double post ..

murf · Nov 14, 2019

three shots maximum then cool for, say, five minutes (hotter weather maybe longer). never get it so hot that you cannot keep your hand on the barrel.

luck,

murf

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