264 win mag throat question

[ddb264]

I have a 264 win mag 26" barrel 1/9 twist and my question is about current reloading bullet options versus throat length. Why have rifle manufacturers not extended the throat in this caliber with the current bullets available? Seems odd to me that bullet seating depth is so short for 130's and mine will not accommodate 140's. Matter of fact factory loads are into the lands when chambered. Building another with a 28 inch barrel and 1/8 twist to play with and the throat is longer but not by much.

 

[257Tony]

Yeah mine has a standard chamber and 140's have to be seated pretty deep, but they still get over 3100+ fps pretty easily so it's not too big of a deal. I bet your new rifle will knock on 3300 with the right load.

 

[ddb264]

Thanks, I have a ladder test ready to go if the weather will ever cooperate. Used retumbo as many say it is a good place to start. I have IMR 7828SSC if not. I appreciate your reply.

 

[codyadams]

I have a load in a SAAMI throated 26" 1 in 7.5 twist .264 wm, and with an HBN coated 147 eld-m it's doing 3240 fps using Retumbo. Didn't hit pressure until 3290 fps. But it's seated WAY in. I would have had it throated to begin with but it's on a Ruger action, so OAL is a concern. When the 156 Berger comes out that is what we are switching to, I may have my smith install an extended mag box and throat it just for the 156. With 140's and retumbo, you should break 3250 easy. If you have the length and are having it built, I would go ahead and have it throated for your bullet. I bet you will gain some performance

 

[just country]

morning, the magazine length normally dictates the seating
depth of bullets in the cartridge if not the throat length.
manufactures for years have had a standard in the throat
length of any given cartridge. standard length chamber reamers
by industrial production standards could b another
problem. this is for speedy production. MONEY,
I for one give my smithy a dummy cartridge
for chambering reference. I've had
many production rifles with a short chamber.
NORMALLY production rifles chambers can b lengthen. at
what cost, for what purpose. generally speaking.
once a year hunting persons could care less
about chamber lengths. the hunters want meat.
hunting success. justme gbot tum.

 

[ddb264]

Cody,
Thanks for your reply. The one I'm having built I will definitely get throated for the longer bullets. The Model 70 I am working on loads for now is my issue. With SST's the COL is only 3.204 when its into the lands. May try the 6.5 Sierra Gamchanger. I have some in 30 cal and they seem to allow for longer OAL. Fun process but can be frustrating for a novice.

 

[ddb264]

just country,
I agree with what your saying about the hunting rifle part totally I just question it for 2 reasons. In my case personally 3.204 to the lands seems short even for a factory rifle. Second with the current 6.5 hype, which is legitimate, why not take advantage of the new bullets available and tout the performance potential the 264 has? Thanks for the input.

 

[just country]

morning, I totally agree with ur personnel gains in the
throating of ur 264mag. this is a very good cartridge.
I have a 6.5 rem. mag. which is a 264 chamber. this
is a custom made rifle. the smithy who barreled and
chambered this rifle used a short throated reamer.
UNLESS a shooter is a very avid hunter and shooter
I would not pay the expense of having the rifle
rechambered. my 6.5mag. is very accurate with
a short chamber. this is ur preference. justme gbot tum

 

[codyadams]

If your not having any issues with your current rifle in the form of accuracy or performance, I honestly wouldn't worry about having a short throat. Just seat your bullets where they work and shoot them. Don't get too caugh up on needing your bullet in one specific spot, especially if its shooting well. I only worry about it if I'm having a new one built, then you might as well make it how you want.

However if you mostly shoot factory ammo and factory ammo is jamming the lands like you said, this could be an issue, and you may need to have it throated, or if it has a significant amount of rounds through it, just rebarreled. The one I have now is my first, but I'm estimating barrel life around 1000-1400 rounds.

 

[WildRose]

I have a 264 win mag 26" barrel 1/9 twist and my question is about current reloading bullet options versus throat length. Why have rifle manufacturers not extended the throat in this caliber with the current bullets available? Seems odd to me that bullet seating depth is so short for 130's and mine will not accommodate 140's. Matter of fact factory loads are into the lands when chambered. Building another with a 28 inch barrel and 1/8 twist to play with and the throat is longer but not by much.

Unless you're hung up with shooting VLD's and heavy for caliber bullets it makes no difference. IF you are tell your gunsmith you'll be shooting VLD's and heavy for caliber bullets and to chamber it accordingly.

Throats are generally or at least frequently cut with a separate reamer so lengthening it is no problem.

Have him do a no turn neck for you as well and extend the neck length a few .001's while you are at it and it will save you having to trim necks so frequently for Max brass length.

I'm going to do the above with my 6.5LRM pretty soon as trimming and expecially neck turning are both a PIA.

 

[ddb264]

All,
Thanks for all of the advice, it is greatly appreciated. I'm going to take the advice and ignore the short throat and see where it is. I just hate that some of the factory ammo is already into the lands. I say some because I have not tried it all. Just nice to have a backup plan and when your like me that never hurts.

Thanks again.

 

[WildRose]

All,
Thanks for all of the advice, it is greatly appreciated. I'm going to take the advice and ignore the short throat and see where it is. I just hate that some of the factory ammo is already into the lands. I say some because I have not tried it all. Just nice to have a backup plan and when your like me that never hurts.

Thanks again.

Like I said, for little or nothing you can just have a gunsmith run a longer throat reamer through it and never have to worry again. It's about an hour's worth of shop and machine time, that's it.

 

[Nevmavrick]

I put a 26" Shilen with a 7" twist on a Savage 110 action to shoot a bit of competition, with long-range practice thrown in.
We shoot iron Varmint animals at varying distances, squirrel at 200 meters, crow and chuck at 385 meters, and jackrabbit and coyote at 500 meters. They are life-size, and we shoot from prone with bipods.
The order is changing for each shot, ie target #1, then target #3, then target #5. The order would change for each set of 5 shots, with 2 1/2 minutes to shoot the 5 shots single loading.
When you shoot a high-enough score, say 25 out of 40, the coyote gets moved back to 650 yard. As you improve, again 25 of 40, the coyote moves to 750 yards.
Any rifle, any scope, any ammo may be used.
I am using this .264 WinMag, with a .160" throat. I am experimenting with 147gr ELDs and Sierra 150gr target hollow points.
H1000, Retumbo, US689, Norma 217, and Reloader #33, are in the mix. A bit over 3300fps is possible.
I chose it because of the wind that pops up in Nevada.
There are a few ARs with .223 chambers, so we shoot a gong as a .22 has a hard time knocking an animal over.
The most popular guns are 6mm Creedmore, or 6.5 Creedmore.
A couple ranges in the area shoot the type.
Have fun,
Gene

 

[ddb264]

Gene,
That sounds like a great time and an excellent way to hone ones shooting skills. The longest range we have within 100 miles of home is 200 yards so I'm envious of the set-up. I got the 264 on a whim. It was marked on clearnace and was made in Morgan Utah so I went for it. The more I read about it the more I like the round. Most talk about universal cartridges and this one deserves a seat at the table when harvesting anything from coyote to elk. Have fun and be safe.