Did some load development in the form of pressure work up finally, don't have any Berger 156's of course, so I'm starting with the 147 ELD'M's and Retumbo. Also, this will be shooting all HBN coated bullets. The bore was treated for HBN prior to load work up. These are the first rounds that have been fired through the rifle.
.264 win mag
7mm rm Federal brass, necked down to .264
CCI 250 Primer
HBN coated 147 eld-m, seated .010" off a saami spec throat (oal 3.330")
Retumbo powder
All loads chronoed w/magneto speed
60 - 2832 fps
61 - 2876 fps
62 - 2915 fps
63 - 2938 fps
64 - 2994 fps
65 - 3044 fps
66 - 3077 fps
67 - 3118 fps
68 - 3167 fps
69 - 3204 fps
70 - 3244 fps and first sign of pressure, faint ejector mark
71 - 3292 fps and slightly heavier ejector mark
72 - 3342 fps and identical ejector mark to 71, and first signs of heavier bolt lift.
So it would seem that the max for this set up will be around the 3200 fps area, not too shabby for this old cartridge!! At the elevation/atmospheric conditions we will be hunting at, this load retains over 1500 ft. lbs and is still going 2156 fps at 1000 yards, with only 1.1 mil of wind drift @ 10 mph, only .1 mil off what a 195 EOL at 3100 fps out of a 28 Nosler does!! I think this is going to be a pretty effective deer and elk rifle, especially once the 156 Bergers come out.