Now before you think “why doesn’t he buy two rifles†please bear in mind that in some countries the number of guns which can be possessed is either strictly limited or it’s made difficult to posses two rifles of a broadly similar type – intended for a similar use (similar as far as the authorities are concerned).

With that said: My local shooting (deer) calls for something like a 6.5x55; 7x57; .270 Win etc, however I also have an occasional requirement for a rifle to shoot soft skinned game in South Africa. The shooting distances involved in SA are somewhat longer than those indulged in locally.

To cut a long story short – I’ve been offered a rifle of a type (and by a maker) which I’ve been after for some time & at the right price (wonderful condition as well). Only snag is it’s in .264 Win Mag – a calibre I’d not considered (if in any of the other calibres mentioned above I’d have already grabbed it). Judged solely on calibre I’d turn it down but as it’s otherwise my ’perfect’ rifle I’m reluctant to reject with fair consideration.

Looked at objectively it would be ideal for SA & would more than do the job on local deer. I realise modern powders have turned the .264 from what some in the past have called a “barrel burning overbore cartridge†into something a little more easy to live with. I’ve never shot a .264 but I still recall firing the even more overbore .244 H&H Mag – what a horrendous muzzle blast & noise (.244 H&H = 6mm 100 grain bullet on a necked down .375 H&H case). Now I don’t mind some noise and/or thump if it’s required - but when it’s not necessary I’d prefer not to unduly assault the ears of either myself or any companion. The question is – for local shooting can the .264 be effectively loaded down to warm 7x57 ballistics - when using a 140 grain bullet? If so is it about as pleasant to shoot (noise)?

I’ve not come across anyone locally with a .264 so I can’t ask/try.

The issued of trying to make one calibre do several jobs with reduced loads is a very old one – and often not the best way to go – but sometimes circumstances which force it to be considered.

Thanks for any advice.

Webley

Sure the 264 can be loaded down. The bigger case will normally require more powder to get the velocity you get in your 7X57. But you could easily have it behave like a 270 or 7X57. Going with medium to fast powders will drastically reduce the muzzle blast.
Well if it were my dream rifle and I could make the caliber work I wouldn't look back.

I've owned a .264 for 40 years, and have shot everything from ground squirrels to bull elk with it. It is nearly ideal for longer range plains game, and while it is theoretically more than you need for local game, it will do quite nicely. There's no problem with throttling it back a little if you want, but you'll still want to use powders toward the slower end of the spectrum to fill as much of the large case as is practical. If I were you, I'd buy that rifle in a heartbeat. Should locating .264 brass be a problem, simply run 7mm Remington through a FL sizer and go happily on your way.

I had a .264 and couldn't see what it did that my .270 didn't do.....so I sold it.

That said I wouldn't hesitate to hunt any of the plains game of Africa with one using premium 140 grain bullets. If you handload it's a workable cartridge for anything less than dangerous game and out to 400 yards.

If it's the gun you want.....buy it. The .264 won't let you down.

I have 264,I bought it because the rifle was bargin.But once down that path things got more interesting.It does shoot 140gr bullets at 3200,check out the ballistics of that 6.5mm.The writer John Barness did an article on reloading it.My experence mirrors his,except my rifle was a bit more picky.He shot a couple of deer with his,both at shorter distances,both quick and clean.He used Speer hot-cors.

The down side is,if the rifle doesn't do fast,some don't,you have a noisy 270.