264 Win Mag 156 Berger EOL

squeeeeze

squeeeeze

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2011
Messages
722
Location
AZ
Finally got my 264 Win Mag together and hope to shoot it next week if I'm able. It's a semi custom REM 700 action in a McMillan Edge fill stock. 1:8 twist 26" fluted barrel and COAL to the lands measures 3.382. I plan on starting at 10-15 thou. OTL. Been wanting to use the 156's for quite a while mainly due to wind drift at longer distances.

I plan on using Retumbo and F215M primers as I have plenty (getting a little low on CCI 250's, but can use if necessary) new 264wm head stamped Nosler brass. Last post I read was from a year ago and hoped there was more info out there now with this cartridge combo. I've read quite a few but not that many with 156's. Any of the powders recommended over Retumbo with 156's before I load up? Don't care to burn more than I have to. I'm sure Retumbo will do great though like it does in my other cartridges. I don't care to try and find powder I don't already have, especially Temp sensitive here in the Hot AZ sun.

The powders I have plenty of that cold be used
Retumbo
IMR8133
RL23
H1000

Load Data from my 2021 Hodgdon Magazine with FB HDY 160's
32608261-9211-4D7D-8A58-208CFDF6AAC5.jpeg


Info from a post a year ago from a member that talked to Berger
D060770F-1B2A-4FFD-94B6-B37387965748.png
 
I'm shooting Retumbo in my .264 wm with 156 Berger & with HBN in .212 free bore. CBTO of 2.856 (.065" jump) and
COAL of 3.563". Peterson brass.

Lower node is 65.3 gr Retumbo (2,972 fps), ES-5,
Sd-3.1 on 3 shots, grouping in low .2's.

High node is 66.8 gr Retumbo (3,025 fps.), ES-16,
SD-7.9, groups in low .4's.

That data was 65-70 degrees, 28.24 actual pressure, 40% Humidity in 26" Bartlein. 67.5 grains of Retumbo was max charge and groups opened to 1.3" with 31 ES.
 
Last edited:
I ran Retumbo w/ the 140s but switched to N570 when the 156 came available. My OAL is 3.477 @ 0.025 off. Load developed at 85*F at basically sea level. Nosler brass and 215M. Getting 3095 MV w/ 26" Bartlien w/ 8T. Group size and ES compares w/ dok7mm. Be sure and check your case H2O capacity and modify if using QuickLoads. There's a recent thread on LRH about temp stability of N570 but getting conflicting info. I emailed Capstone but no reply. Mine built on a M-70 CRF but no flattened primers or hard bolt lift.
 
I shoot Retumbo(65.7 gr) in my .264(.175 FB) with the 140's at 3205 FPS 215 and Peterson Brass. I started with WW brass but inconsistent neck thickness(.013-.016) caused some interesting issues.
I ran some ladders with N570 and Retumbo with the 156 and the WW brass. I was able to run to about 3050 before pressure with the Retumbo at 67gr max the N570 topped out at 69 gr. max but I did not chrono.
Case capacity and chamber dimensions vary quite a bit, it would be recommended to start low and work up.
 
Here was my work up. Have since switched to ADG brass, and now shooting at 3080 fps, very consistent. These are HBN coated, using Federal primers, so work up. But unless you have a slow/tight bore, 3100 should be attainable. I got a lot more than that, but it shot best at 3080. This was in a 26" Ruger M77 with a Krieger 4 groove 7.5 twist using a labradar.
Screenshot_20190905-180955_Sheets.jpg
 
Great information so far gentlemen! Thank you for all the info and experience. Mine isn't throated long so I'll have less case capacity (better fill rate at least) but definitely have starting points for sure. Sounds like Retumbo and F215M still the best choice. 264WM + 156 should be a great combo!
 
squeeeeze said:
Finally got my 264 Win Mag together and hope to shoot it next week if I'm able. It's a semi custom REM 700 action in a McMillan Edge fill stock. 1:8 twist 26" fluted barrel and COAL to the lands measures 3.382. I plan on starting at 10-15 thou. OTL. Been wanting to use the 156's for quite a while mainly due to wind drift at longer distances.

I plan on using Retumbo and F215M primers as I have plenty (getting a little low on CCI 250's, but can use if necessary) new 264wm head stamped Nosler brass. Last post I read was from a year ago and hoped there was more info out there now with this cartridge combo. I've read quite a few but not that many with 156's. Any of the powders recommended over Retumbo with 156's before I load up? Don't care to burn more than I have to. I'm sure Retumbo will do great though like it does in my other cartridges. I don't care to try and find powder I don't already have, especially Temp sensitive here in the Hot AZ sun.

The powders I have plenty of that cold be used
Retumbo
IMR8133
RL23
H1000

Load Data from my 2021 Hodgdon Magazine with FB HDY 160's
View attachment 305902

Info from a post a year ago from a member that talked to Berger
View attachment 305903
Click to expand...
The bottom one was my post; you might give Berger tech support if they have anything newer to recommend.
 
squeeeeze said:
Great information so far gentlemen! Thank you for all the info and experience. Mine isn't throated long so I'll have less case capacity (better fill rate at least) but definitely have starting points for sure. Sounds like Retumbo and F215M still the best choice. 264WM + 156 should be a great combo!
Click to expand...
Ya, the one I am loading for is a SAAMI throat as well. BTW, the 156's work well on light to medium game! My dad added another critter to the pile, this is number 16? 18? Something like that, with the 156. 782 yards with his .264 wm, first pic is the blood trail, I'm standing about where impact was, the goat is dead over where my dad and sister are standing. Heart shot, as you can see on the photo, that is the exit side.
20211024_115528.jpg
20211024_115422.jpg
 
I'm having a 264 WM built, throated for the 156 EOL with the bullets seated out to 3.550". Will be built with a Proof 28" Sendero barrel.
I'm looking at starting load development with N570.
Sadly it won't be complete until after hunting season is over. But that gives me plenty of time to dial in a load for it and hopefully take it antelope hunting next year.
 
squeeeeze said:
Finally got my 264 Win Mag together and hope to shoot it next week if I'm able. It's a semi custom REM 700 action in a McMillan Edge fill stock. 1:8 twist 26" fluted barrel and COAL to the lands measures 3.382. I plan on starting at 10-15 thou. OTL. Been wanting to use the 156's for quite a while mainly due to wind drift at longer distances.

I plan on using Retumbo and F215M primers as I have plenty (getting a little low on CCI 250's, but can use if necessary) new 264wm head stamped Nosler brass. Last post I read was from a year ago and hoped there was more info out there now with this cartridge combo. I've read quite a few but not that many with 156's. Any of the powders recommended over Retumbo with 156's before I load up? Don't care to burn more than I have to. I'm sure Retumbo will do great though like it does in my other cartridges. I don't care to try and find powder I don't already have, especially Temp sensitive here in the Hot AZ sun.

The powders I have plenty of that cold be used
Retumbo
IMR8133
RL23
H1000

Load Data from my 2021 Hodgdon Magazine with FB HDY 160's
View attachment 305902

Info from a post a year ago from a member that talked to Berger
View attachment 305903
Click to expand...
Assume a 264 Win Mag with a SAAMI chamber, 26" barrel, COAL of 3.340", and safe pmax of 62,366 psi, shooting the Berger 156-grain EOL. My copy of QuickLoad (V3.9) estimates a max safe load of RL26 to be 63.2 grains, producing 3,000 fps at a pmax of 62,316 psi. I load 63.4 grains at a slightly longer COAL and get 3,035 fps. Quickload estimates 64.0 grains of RL25 would be the max load for the same parameters, yielding 2,988 fps at a pmax of 62,080 psi. Always approach max loads with caution, in small increments.
 
Well I wasn't able to get to the range these days off to shoot unfortunately. I have a few rifles to shoot so I need to get out for sure.

Heard back from Berger today and they had more info.

264Win Mag 156 Berger EOL 26" bbl 3.340" COAL
He didn't mention which primer and didn't think to ask

RL23- 56.5 2745 fps
59.3 2854 fps 90% case fill. Max

H1000- 61.5 2796 fps
64.6 2934 fps 97% case fill. Max

Retumbo- 64 2829 fps
67.5 2975 fps 100% case fill. Max

They did not or would not try RL26 due to too much empty space left in case and didn't want to chance a potential detonation.
 

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