I have tried H1000 and H4831SC with 140 Amax, 123 Lapua Scenar,and Sierra Prohunter. I get the 120's to shoot 1" @ 100yds. but they open up to 3" @ 200. A little history on the rifle. I bought it new and before I shot it I noticed the bolt lugs were not making very good contact with the action. I took it to a Remington warranty smith, LSG Guns, and he said he lapped the lugs and rechambered it. I have to seat most of the bullets below min. length to keep them from being hard in the lands. I am 1 to 2 grains below max and other than some minor primer cratering I see no signs of pressure, but my velocity is graphing like 300 fps over what the manual says. Any ideas? Because of bad weather I haven't got to spend a lot of time with the rifle. I'm thinking I may need to take it back to the gunsmith.
If you are getting velocities over 300 fps faster than the manuals suggest, you should strongly consider reducing your loads several grains IMO. I would be willing to bet you are probably getting pressures well above what those manuals suggest as well. Every rifle is different and some will max out below what the books advise. The books just give us a good place to start.
Start at minimum loads listed and work up. You may see a dramatic accuracy increase if you lower your loads.
Good Luck
Reloader
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004
Yep, powders too fast. H1000 is a very finicky powder in low expansion ratio cartridges and is prone to pressure excursions when you get near optimum pressures. H4831 is just plain too fast. I'll guarantee that according to your velocities your pressures are running at an unsustainalble level and your primer pockets will be excessively loose after the second firing with your current loads.
Posts: 13263 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
I am shooting 129 grain Hornady Inter-locks in my 264 in front of 59 grains of IMR4350 with 100yd accuracy at 1/2", this load chronographs at about 3200 ft/sec. If this powder is too fast my rifle doesn't know the difference.
Dennis Life member NRA
Posts: 1191 | Location: Ft. Morgan, CO | Registered: 15 April 2005
FWIW my 264 likes IMR7828. And I have have several 264s that really like IMR4350. I know, I know, it's too fast. But it sure has been accurate and fast enough (3100 with 140's)
Posts: 1416 | Location: Texas | Registered: 02 May 2003
H-1000 popped a primer with a starting load for me. Spikey. If you notice the Hodgdon data,has H-1000 maximum at much lower pressure than SAAMI max.IMR 7828 is nice and lineral.
You can hunt longer with the wind at your back
Posts: 480 | Location: B.C.,Canada | Registered: 20 January 2002
You mentionrd to reduce and start over again. You cannot reduce powder charges 10% with H 4831 I had High pressure come up adding 1 grain.I have reloaded the .264 since 1960. The best load has been 68.5gr H 4831. Do NOT substitute IMR 4831. with a Sierra 100Gr. HP. bullet. I got 3375 FT/Sec. with a 24 in. barrel.Care must be taken when reloading not to set the shoulder back. Marlin
Posts: 67 | Location: California usa | Registered: 11 May 2005
your speeds are higher because your barrels 26 inches,h1000 will work fine for your heaver bullets,as stated above imr 4350 will work great with 120 to125 grain bullets, cross reference all the reloading manuals you can get. since its re-chambered and the lugs lapped lightly kiss your lands,not mean any pun but its hard 2 know just how much experience you have in reloading,its a great round and iv''e reloaded for it once with no complaints two one shot kills on two different wis deer season openers,enjoy your toy ...jjmp
Posts: 999 | Location: wisconsin | Registered: 26 April 2005
Given that your rifle has a short throat, I'd start with IMR 7828SSC, or RL 25 and 129/130 grain bullets. Forget 160s, leave 'em for the Swede. Of the two powders IMR 7828 would be my first choice. The way I see it you have a choice. Leave the throat short and keep it as a super varminter, or throat it for 140s and be happy.
