264 win & hammers

[mtank]

Anyone loaded any hammers in a 264 win mag? I'm wanting to get some & work some loads up. Gun currently shoots factory loaded 130 accubonds extremely well. Just wanting to try other things. Gun is mainly used on whitetail but it might go on a elk hunt. The gun shoots well & I want a bullet with enough punch to make a ethical kill. I'm assuming on a 264 that should put me in the 500-600 yrd range.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

The 124's would be blazing out of a 264! I'd run those! Currently running the 181's out of my 300AX. I may work up a load with the sledge hammers at a later date. The velocity gain and I'm not sure on the B.C but it will be a win with the hammers. I picked up 150-160FPS and a few % in B.C going with the 181's over the 200gr AB.

 

[snox801]

Yep I'd second the 124 hammer hunters.
I run them out of my 6.5 creed and I limit myself to 600 yards on game. So that should be easily done with the .264.
The 124's have been flawless for me. They would only be better in your round.

 

[birdiemc]

No hammers for me yet. I'm so new to reloading I figure it wouldn't be fair to get the magic hammer bullets that shoot good no matter what, and bypass the years of frustration fiddling with seating depths and powder charges....just wouldn't be fair to you guys who been reloading for 50+ years and had to brew up your own gunpowder from raw elements and hand forge cases in a back acre foundry, or however it went back then. Haha. It would be like giving a 16yr old kid a Ferrari for his first car, just not right.

 

[codyadams]

I'm assuming on a 264 that should put me in the 500-600 yrd range.

If you do not anticipate needing to shoot farther than 500 or so yards, the 124 would work fantastic and give you all the performance you need, likely with outstanding accuracy. But if you think there is a good chance of shots being 500-800 yards or maybe more, a heavier higher B.C. bullet would serve you much better, especially on a western elk hunt where winds can really come into play, as well as a need for more energy on the animal. Just something to consider.

 

[snox801]

Cody is spot on. If I'm stretching out for steel or paper the 147 eld is money. I just get much better performance on game with the 124hh. I didn't get a single pass through on an oryx with the 147. Hammer zip right through everything. But I limit them to 500-600 for game.

 

[codyadams]

It really is too bad you .264 doesnt have a 7 twist, the 137 hammer would be the ticket for elk, even way out there. It stays pretty close to the ballistics of the 140 bergers, eld-m's, etc, in the velocity I could get them out of my Fathers .264 wm they would maintain over 1000 ft. lbs out to 1100+ yards, and wind drift is within .1 or .2 mils of the 140 Berger Elite hunter.

 

[ramrod79]

124gr on Elk out to 600 ???? I would think you would want to go heavier 150-160. You should be able to push 160 Matrix pretty hard out of that 264win.
150 Sierra would even be a good choice 147 Hornady you have the horse power to shoot a bigger bullet.

 

[codyadams]

124gr on Elk out to 600 ???? I would think you would want to go heavier 150-160. You should be able to push 160 Matrix pretty hard out of that 264win.
150 Sierra would even be a good choice 147 Hornady you have the horse power to shoot a bigger bullet.

The 124 has 1500-1800 ft. Lbs of energy at 600 yards out of a .264, and the hammer bullets are known for exceptional terminal performance.

 

[ramrod79]

Not doubting just with the horse power why go down in size with the heavy choices out there. That way if your faced with a bit longer shot you have the punch if needed.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Not that familiar with the 264 win but I'd imagine 3400FPS is within reason with the 124.

 

[HARPERC]

.....It really is too bad you .264 doesnt have a 7 twist, the 137 hammer would be the ticket for elk, even way out there.........

New barrel's aren't that pricey guy's!

Seriously you couldn't, run fast enough to give me a 6.5 regardless of what you named it (for the Creed guy's), prior to the new developments in bullet technologies. Now I've got 2 in the pipeline.

 

[codyadams]

Not doubting just with the horse power why go down in size with the heavy choices out there. That way if your faced with a bit longer shot you have the punch if needed.

Don't get me wrong, I shoot 140+ in my .260 AI, and the .264 wm I put together for my father has a 7.5 twist for the Berger 156 (whenever they come out) but if someone has an 8 twist, and wants to use specifically the Hammer bullets, then the 124 is the best option. I will be using the 156 in my .260 AI when it becomes available as well.

 

[snox801]

Not doubting just with the horse power why go down in size with the heavy choices out there. That way if your faced with a bit longer shot you have the punch if needed.

So I think it's hard for some to understand even me that the lighter monos just seem to turn smaller calibers into more lethal calibers. I was running the eld 147's and I'll tel you right now out to 400 yards the hammers have out performed them every time. Of course after 5-600 yards the eld will start to shine but under the monos just drive through anything can't say that about cup and core.
I wish I could find the old article that convinced me to try monos. It went really in depth using .223. I will be taking an eland this fall with my 6.5 creed and the 124. Obviously it won't be at any distance but I have complete faith it will do the job.