.264 Win. Mag

[264WM]

I have had mine since 1963 and love it. Its taken Rocky Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, White Tail Deer, Antelope, Elk, and lots of Ground Hogs.
I was at the range on Tuesday testing 6 different bullets in my 264WM with a Shilen 30 inch barrel with 6 grooves, 1 in 8 twist and here is the results.
160gr Woodleigh PPSN, 73gr H570, 3 shot average 3261fps
130gr JLK VLD, 73gr H570, 3 shot average 3226fps
100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, 72gr H4831, 3 shot average 3709fps
100gr Sierra HP, 72gr H4831, 3 shot average 3691fps
95gr Hornady Vmax, 72gr H4831, 3 shot average 3687fps
85gr Sierra HP, 73gr H4831, 3 shot average 3880fps
Use caution if you try these loads they are pushing the limits. The H570 is no longer made. I was lucky enough to find 3lbs and the heavy bullets like it.

 

[bushgun]

Is it really necessary to have a 28-30 inch barrel for the 264 Win Mag? What kind of velocity could you get out of a 24" barrel?

 

[WildRose]

Is it really necessary to have a 28-30 inch barrel for the 264 Win Mag? What kind of velocity could you get out of a 24" barrel?

No it's not necessary. If you look at factory rifles in this caliber pretty much all are going to be 24-26".

Longer barrels allow you though to take advantage of slower burning powders and achieve higher velocities with less wear and tear per shot.

 

[264WM]

Is it really necessary to have a 28-30 inch barrel for the 264 Win Mag? What kind of velocity could you get out of a 24" barrel?

No its not necessary and my gun is a Remington 721 which I bought in 1963 and came with a 24" barrel. It shot just fine and took many deer and ground hogs. In 2010 the barrel just was not performing the way I wanted it to so I decided to go with the Shilen barrel. What I like is it does not heat up like the 24" barrel did. I fired 18 rounds through it and you could still grab the barrel, with the 24" barrel 6 rounds would make it so hot that it would burn if you grabbed it. Less heat longer barrel life and better accuracy.

 

[roninflag]

gmk- the .264 is a good round. the rifle is more important that the caliber. I can't tell which .264.