264 win loads
- Thread starter grit
- Start date
Max 140 grain velocities, with Hodgdon, Accurate and Alliant powders, run under 3000 fps at around 60,000 psi. 3200 fps would be way over max.
120 max loads run a bit over 3200fps. 129/130's around 3000fps.
Ignoring published max loads is asking for trouble.
120 max loads run a bit over 3200fps. 129/130's around 3000fps.
Ignoring published max loads is asking for trouble.
- Location
- Ontariariario
+1 !!! best advice Ive read in a looong time.
My 264 with 24" seems to like 75gr of US869, Fed 215M, 140gr Accubond. Flys over the crony at about a 3050 average. I'm not getting any aparent pressure signs. Could probably increase but i'm happy with how this load shoots.
I could not achieve to have my cake and eat it too.
I run a middle line powder (H4350) found it to produce the best accuracy with 140s and 120s.
I run 3050 with 140s I know its slow and run 3250 with a 120 Nosler.
I tried some RL-22 with both bullets and found great velocity, but poor accuracy. I took accuracy over velocity, I am sure the animal will not know the difference.
I run a middle line powder (H4350) found it to produce the best accuracy with 140s and 120s.
I run 3050 with 140s I know its slow and run 3250 with a 120 Nosler.
I tried some RL-22 with both bullets and found great velocity, but poor accuracy. I took accuracy over velocity, I am sure the animal will not know the difference.
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
264
I would try Retumbo as stated by Eagleye, I use it in my 257 weatherby and 7mm RM and it gives me the highest velocities and great accuracy, that should work in you 264 as it falls between the 2 cal. I mentioned.
I would try Retumbo as stated by Eagleye, I use it in my 257 weatherby and 7mm RM and it gives me the highest velocities and great accuracy, that should work in you 264 as it falls between the 2 cal. I mentioned.
Retumbo gives me less FPS than RL25 (and no accuracy what so ever) before I start seeing pressure signs & that's out of a 26" barrel.
I will be getting some US869 on the 18th to try.
So far mine likes 64-64.5gr RL25 the best with a 140gr Accubond. Speed is in the 3100-3125 FPS range.
I used to get 3220 with H870 when I had it with excellent accuracy, so I am hoping the US869 will be the ticket?
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
You should get that with H-870....hopefully your rifle is throated long enough to allow for a good amount of powder space. My tests with US 869 did not give me that much velocity...not sure why since burn rates should be close. Let us know how you make out.
Many say they have, but probably at 65-75K psi depending on the powder they chose.
There is not enough case capacity in the 264 Win Mag to do what you want at sane pressures. There are powders slow enough to fill the case and produce safe pressures, but they will not produce much over 3100 fps with the 140gr and under 3300 fps with the 130gr.
If you "need" those numbers, you're looking at a Wildcat 6.5/300 Win Mag, 6.5 STW or 6.5 RUM - they'll all do it with ease.
I should add that my last 264 had a Pac-Nor 27" SS barrel, and I had it throated to put the base of a 140 Partition even with the juncture of neck and shoulder of a 264 case, leaving .020" bullet jump to the lands. This combo, using 76 grains of H5010 gave 3310 fps with that 140 Partition, and shot very impressive groups, averaging just a shade less than ¾moa right out to 500 meters. I had brass that had been fired 6 times, and the primer pockets were still good and tight, and cases did not require trimming, so pressures could not have been excessive for that particular combination in my rifle. Eagleye.
Sounds like a good, safe load in your gun. If you lopped off 3" to bring the barrel to 24", you'd likely be right around 3200 fps.
I have a pound of H5010 but haven't used it yet (it's discontinued and I bought it out of curiosity and don't want to get addicted to it). It is said to be of a burn rate similar to H870 (also discontinued
), and US869 (that I have and have used quite a bit).
I don't own a 264 Win Mag, but do have a 6.5/300 Win Mag (300 Win Mag necked down to 6.5mm). It holds about 10 grs more powder than the 264 Win Mag. Mine happens to have a 24" barrel (for now), and with a 140gr Hornady, and the bullet 0.020" off the lands (OAL 3.320"), 84.0 grs of US869 (a full case) gives me 3320 fps (about what you got with the longer barrel - makes sense).
I thought about lengthening the throat to allow an OAL of 3.500" and another 3-4 grs of powder, but the barrel will be replaced so I can't be bothered. A simple alternative to lengthening the throat is to use a "two diameter" bullet (one that has a very long, ogive). The Hornady 160gr is such a bullet, and I can seat it to 3.500" and with US869 approach 3200 fps! Remington sells a two-diameter 140gr that will allow me the same 3.500" OAL, and I have some, I just haven't tried it yet. Neither bullet is a "Match" bullet, but at least you can get a sense of the MV potential.
I have a pound of H5010 but haven't used it yet (it's discontinued and I bought it out of curiosity and don't want to get addicted to it). It is said to be of a burn rate similar to H870 (also discontinued
), and US869 (that I have and have used quite a bit).I don't own a 264 Win Mag, but do have a 6.5/300 Win Mag (300 Win Mag necked down to 6.5mm). It holds about 10 grs more powder than the 264 Win Mag. Mine happens to have a 24" barrel (for now), and with a 140gr Hornady, and the bullet 0.020" off the lands (OAL 3.320"), 84.0 grs of US869 (a full case) gives me 3320 fps (about what you got with the longer barrel - makes sense).
I thought about lengthening the throat to allow an OAL of 3.500" and another 3-4 grs of powder, but the barrel will be replaced so I can't be bothered. A simple alternative to lengthening the throat is to use a "two diameter" bullet (one that has a very long, ogive). The Hornady 160gr is such a bullet, and I can seat it to 3.500" and with US869 approach 3200 fps! Remington sells a two-diameter 140gr that will allow me the same 3.500" OAL, and I have some, I just haven't tried it yet. Neither bullet is a "Match" bullet, but at least you can get a sense of the MV potential.
Interestingly, Andy, I had a couple hundred of those two diameter bullets in 264. They were, IIRC, Remington cor-lokts designed specifically for the 264. While they were OK, I never got stellar accuracy in any 264 I owned, so shot them away in one of my Swedes that liked them better. That 160 at 3200 would be a real performer inside 300 yards, no doubt!! Regards, Eagleye.
Eagleye, right now I am having trouble reaching a 3 shot MOA with a 140 or 130. I have to see my gunsmith about a trigger & crown issue next week. He has told me he would have enough time to pull the barrel & make the throat longer. Right now COL 10 thousandths off the lands is 3.440. I can go to 3.600 in my mag box. My old 264 was a COL of 3.505. Now 3.600 puts the BT of the Accubond just a little over flush in the neck. A 130 Accubond is 60 thousandths shorter than a 140gr which would give me a COL of 3.540 ehich is where I was thinking of getting it throated too.
I am getting mixed opinons on whether to do it or not. What do you think?
I am getting mixed opinons on whether to do it or not. What do you think?
Wookie316; Most 264's in factory form are throated too short to take advantage of standard ogive bullets. Throating will almost invariably help in using these bullets. However, I am not certain how much gain would be realized with a 24" tube, since my personal opinion is that to exploit the 264's potential, one should have a minimum barrel length of 26", with 27 or 28 better. Regards, Eagleye.
Mine is a Ted Gaillard 1-8 26" tube. My Smith throated it for a 142gr Sierra HPBT, but the bullet taper of a 140gr Accubond is not as much so I can't seat the bullet out to where I want it. He said he could open it up more when I see him next week. I've put 95 rounds down the barrel now & I can say I have yet to be impressed compared to the 264 I had with a 25.5" Shilen barrel. That shot dime sized groups easy. Having trouble getting a MOA with this one. Both 130gr & 140gr have not impressed me yet. I have HPBT's & Amax which I have not dug out because I built this rifle to hunt with not target shoot.
I'm going to switch the scope also just to make sure it is not an optic issue. I don't think that is the problem though. We'll see.
Just a little frustrating that I got the 7mm I built for Dad to shoot right out of the gate, this one is another story.
I can live with 140gr @ 3000-3100 FPS out of the 264 if I can get the grouping I want. Right now that is not the case though.
Suggestions?
Just for your info I pullet the Shilen barrel on my old 264 because it was Magna-Ported. I didn't want to cut it down, so I pulled it even though it was a tack driver I hated hunting with it.
I'm going to switch the scope also just to make sure it is not an optic issue. I don't think that is the problem though. We'll see.
Just a little frustrating that I got the 7mm I built for Dad to shoot right out of the gate, this one is another story.
I can live with 140gr @ 3000-3100 FPS out of the 264 if I can get the grouping I want. Right now that is not the case though.
Suggestions?
Just for your info I pullet the Shilen barrel on my old 264 because it was Magna-Ported. I didn't want to cut it down, so I pulled it even though it was a tack driver I hated hunting with it.
264 Velocities
Chrony a Winchester 140 factory,John Barness got 3150 in a 26" M-70 Westerner,so the 3200 is safely doable . But the SAAMI chamber is so short throated,there no cushion to offset spiking,(Weatherby or Norma mags)so to keep the average low enough for for SAAMI specs,they run it slow. A good very slow powder is great help.I burn Ramshot Magnum in mine.
Chrony a Winchester 140 factory,John Barness got 3150 in a 26" M-70 Westerner,so the 3200 is safely doable . But the SAAMI chamber is so short throated,there no cushion to offset spiking,(Weatherby or Norma mags)so to keep the average low enough for for SAAMI specs,they run it slow. A good very slow powder is great help.I burn Ramshot Magnum in mine.
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
Wookie, I am going to try out some US-869 in my Sako 1-8 26" with 130 TSX's if the weather ever straightens out. I have no problem getting over 3250 with these bullets and 7828sc. 7828 will push these faster but accuracy at this point was so good just never tried any faster.
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
When trying to find data for US869 didn't have much luck. Talked to Hogdon tech and he said that they couldn't get enough powder in case to make it practical. A few gents on accuratereloading gave me a few min and max loads to try. Am curious to see how this powder performs as it will be slowest I have tried yet. I wonder sometimes if one should have gone with a little less twist.
