1894C
Well-Known Member
Literally that easy. Long action magnum bolt face.... you're a barrel away from a 264 win
Question - Rem 700 Classic .264 WM
- Thread starter OR_98
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Second stupid question - That's true for any manufacturer (Tikka, Ruger, Savage, etc.) or just for 700s?
1894C
Well-Known Member
If it'll support a 7mm rem mag or 300 win it'll take a 264. Regardless of what brand it is
Laguna Freak
Well-Known Member
Exactly! It will likely shoot most 140 gr and lighter hunting bullets accurately. Run your data inputs through the JBM Ballistics Stability calculator to gain insight as to performance you can reasonably expect.
Congrats on the find!
I have all 25 Model 700 Classics and shoot four of them on a regular basis (17 Rem, 264 WM, 35 Whelen and 35 Rem Mag). I just couldn't help myself. All are sub-MOA. Life is short, shoot em.
You will need a 6.5/ .264 barrel blank. The old 300 win mag or 7mm rem mag barrel will be took off. The gunsmith will thread it , cut the chamber with a 264 win mag reamer and install it with correct headspace on your rifle. Also crown the muzzle. It's no issue what so ever to rebarrel the other two chamberings to 264 win mag. You will have anywhere from around $300 to $400 in the labor for just chamber, thread and crown( basic rebarrel). The blank will cost you anywhere from $300-400 shipped. More if you want fluting. As others have mentioned, if you do go with the 264 you saw, go ahead and try it. You may not want to rebarrel if it shoots to your liking.
65WSM
Well-Known Member
If there is a brand of brass that you like for quality or price in 7mm Rem Mag. You can use it instead of correct headstamped cases. You might have to turn the necks. But you might want to do that anyway. Make sure you choose a twist to match the bullets you intend shoot. I have made 11 and 9 twist .264 Win Mag rifles.
Murph1951
Active Member
What!?? Why change anything? The .264 WM is what all the high velocity boys talk about. My problem is the .264 WM is very hard on barrels. It will shoot dead just about anything in North America and at a distance. Winchester developed this along with the .338 WM. A 1986 Remy 700's were still being made with good quality control.
Stef-han
Member
WELL SAID ! The 2 I have owned had stainless barrels and would last the normal hunter a lifetime. Rapid fire in hot weather is a kiss of death for any magnum.
I use a barrel cooling blower in my 6.5-300 WB and wait 5 minutes between range shots. I go to the range at daybreak to avoid heat, mirage and wind.
Worst case --- remage barrels are cheap.
I use a barrel cooling blower in my 6.5-300 WB and wait 5 minutes between range shots. I go to the range at daybreak to avoid heat, mirage and wind.
Worst case --- remage barrels are cheap.
Eric Alexander
Well-Known Member
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- Mar 30, 2015
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yup. exactly. Cut-rifled barrels like Brux, Bartlein , etc are preferrable to button rifled. Send them your old barrel and they can duplicate its profile if you are keeping the stock. If this is a BDL you'll probably want to keep it looking stock cuz they are nice looking.
If this is your hunting rifle, pick the length that gives you the balance you like. You give up a little speed (<100 fps) in a 26 vs 24 inch, but gain comfort. One is not more accurate than the other.
What is most important is the twist. A 1 in 8 twist is necessary to stabilize the nice high BC bullets like Hornady's 143 gr ELD-X or Nosler's 142 ABLR (my choice). You can stabilize higher weights, also.
Practically nobody makes decent factory ammo, so if you don't reload, find a vendor like Colorado Custom Cartridge, Buy a couple of boxes of factory ammo, go target practice, sight your scope, get a feel. .... then send them the fireformed brass to be reloaded. If your smith has put your custom barrel on a trued action, you will have a serious shooter, sub-MOA, that reaches out to your target with high lethal effectiveness... and not much recoil. It is a wonderful caliber, capable of taking anything you want in the States Enjoy the ride and save the old barrel for posterity.
I say this from experience, I too had a yearning for a 264 win mag, paid way more then I should have, and it didn't shoot worth a hoot, put it in another factory 700 stock, and it shoots MUCH better then me. There aren't that many 6.5 bullets over 140 gr. That it would justify a new barrel for more twist and 2 more inches Or maybe another 60 FPS, the game will never know it and neither will the shooter. We all want as much as we can in our favor when we pull the trigger, but for a all around hunting rifle you reach the point of diminishing returns, just enjoy that rifle, and spend you money on things that will get you more time behind the trigger, that will make you a better shooter and that's what it's all about.
Laguna Freak
Well-Known Member
That is sage advice.
I've never used a barrel cooler and dont spend a lot of time at the range in TX-summer. The last 2 days I did were early morning in June and August. Sun was too low for the chrony to work but I was testing seating depth in 2 rifles so didn't need it. I quit before the temp hit 82F.
I usually shoot 2 then remove the bolt so the breeze can pass thru and wait at least 3 minutes between subsequent shots. I use the old fashioned hand on the barrel temp gauge. Mostly because I dont want to have any more gear.
