just got dies for the winnie,so will be reloading asap,
Is it advisable to use magnum primers when reloading this cartridge,
I will be using the 129gn hornady sst's and H4831sc..
any pet loads would be much appreciated..

regards
griff

Griff I load for a couple of friends who shoot 264's. The 129 Hornady works well at longer ranges on deer and antelope. At max velocities and close ranges this bullet will open up and you will see some meat damage. I have found that IMR 7828 and mag primers to produce the highest velocity and the best accuracy in this calibre. Hope this helps

You don't really need mag primers to light H4831sc. Often accuracy will be better using a std. or match primer.

Fed 215 Match cap
125 partition
67 gr RL 25
3350 fps and .55" at 100 yds
That is my load.

Now according to Quickload.....

67.5 gr of H 4831 will give you 62098 psi and 3255 fps with the 129 Horny.

I'd use a magnum primer.....and I'm not sure why!!!

You won't see much, if any, difference in using a "magnum" vs a "standard" primer. I would use whichever I had available.

H4831 is on the fast side for maximum efficiency with a 129 grain bullet, but you can likely get it up close to 3200 fps before running into pressure problems. If you have IMR 7828, VV N170, or RL-25 (or the Norma equivalent) available to you, you might get better results. However, 3200 fps isn't shabby, but you'll have a lot of empty space for the powder to rattle around in, and I've never been comfortable with low-density loadings.

Stonecreek
thanks for that! would you be looking for 85%-90% case density?
probably have bought the wrong bullets with these Hornady SST'S combined with the 264 velocity..
They would of been ideal @ 6.5x55 velocities

regards

griff

Griff:

I have no experience with the Hornady SST's. I like Nosler Partitions in my .264's (a pair of 24 and 26 inch Sakos). I mostly use the 140 grain with surplus WC-872, but I think you could work up an excellent load with the 125 Partition using H4831 (as the very fastest acceptable powder). Either bullet should do the trick on Red Stags. If you're venturing over to the Scandinavian countries for alg (moose to us Norte Americanos), you would defintely want the heavier bullet.

SSTs at those speeds and ranges under 200 yds will be explosive but shouldn't fail altogether on medium game. You will see more meat damage; much like a Ballistic Tip.

I agree with Stonecreek about bigger game; go to either a heavier 150-160 gr standard bullet or a premium 130-140 grain bullet.

This is one where I do not trust QuickLoad at all. I would never go over what the Hodgdon book says at 65 grains of H4831. Mine likes 60 grains of IMR4831 for 3100 fps from either the 125 Partition or 129 Hornady. I could go a grain higher, but it shoots these into 1/2" consistently.

thanks all,
going to use the 129gn SST'S for varmints and buy some 125/140gn partition for the stags..
probably use H1000 or H870, see if I can get the case density upto 90/95%

regards

griff

griff-
I believe H-870 is no longer available. If I were starting load development for a .264, I'd start with V-V N170 and Nosler's 140 grain Partition. That combination should stop anything you aim at short of a freight train!

I don't think H-1000 burns anywhere near as slow as folks think. It wasn't that slow in my 270 Weatherby, and slow is what you need for the 264.

I agree with Buckshot that H-1000 is a faster powder than generally represented and not a good candidate for 140 grain bullets. It is probably acceptable with the 125's. H-870 is a great powder for the .264 if you can find it, and Accurate 8700 is very, very similar and would be useful.

My most accurate load to date in my Model 70 is 63.0 grains of H4831 behind the Sierra 120 grain spt. I chronoed it at right over 3100. Sierra says it should be a bit faster but I'm satisfied. Not the toughest bullet on the market but has worked well so far albeit only in one antelope and one deer. The 125 grain Noslers group fairly well also. This would probably be my number one bullet of choice but the Sierra's shoot so well. Not going after anything bigger than deer, I've done some paper shooting with different 140 grain bullets but have taken no game with them.

60 grns imr4350 rem 9 1/2 M mag primer w/120grn sierra spt @3200fps-this works for me- the 264 is a kick azz rifle

thanks all,
can get any amount of H870 so will take your advise and go with it rather than the H1000 & 4831.

regards

griff

Larry. I remember that I used once IMR 4831 with a 100 grain Sierra BTHP. I ran into High pressures at 65Gr. IMR 4831.I can load 68,5 gr. of the old Hogden Powder with no high pressure at all. IMR 4831 is faster burning. Marlin

I've been doing a lot of load development for the .264 WinMag lately, but not with your components.

With 100gr Sierra'a I load 70.5gr of IMR4350.
With 125gr Partitions I load 59.0gr of IMR4350. With 140gr Partitions I load 59.3gr of H4831SC.

All loads are very accurate in my rifle.

All loads use WW cases and Federal 215M primers. Whether or not magnum primers are needed at the range at today's temperatures, I load for reliable and consistent ignition in the field when it's cold outside during hunting season.

I think the 264 win mag was made for H-870 powder.Mine loves it in about any load I have filled the case with.I have stuffed 70 grs of H-870 with the 155 gr Lapula bullets I love.It shoots like crazy 3/8" at 100 yards.I tried the remington 140 gr with 73 grs of H-870 it shot good around 1" but it stayed that way .I want to try Nosler Partitions 140 gr and see if they are as good as the Lapula bullets.I have tried Norma mpr powder and it did pretty good but was not as easy to measure in my Dillion 550 .I have not tried reloader 25 yet in the 264 but if I do run out of H870 I will.

Did a load developement with some H870, and settled for 75gn H870 with the 129gn sst's, haven't chronoed it yet,as it was raining heavily last night.
I won't be doing any further loads until the new B & C stock arrives and a new trigger..
I can tell you that the H870 apart from being really smokey was far better then the H4831.
Will have to stock up on the 870 as it is discontinued..

regards

griff

YUP , --- Agree with those who say H870 is ideal for .264 Mag. -- Also that Accurate 8700 should be close to the same properties .

Back in the 60's when I developed all of my loads for .264 / Nosler 140 Gr. -- THROAT EROSION , and loss of accuracy , ( sometimes within 500 rounds ), was the bad rap that later led to the decline in popularity of the magnificent .264 .

At that time I read an article in a major Gun Magazine that claimed they had run tests , on Book , Maximum Loads , -- and said that accuracy would remain for seven to eight times LONGER , with the exclusive use of SPHERICAL / OR BALL powders .

To solve the Throat Erosion problem , I believe Winchester later went to a Stainless Barrel , to solve the same problem .

My pet load with H870 brought the 140 Grainer out at 3300 FPS . -- There was some compression to the Powder , -- and other articles said that if these H-870 loads were left compressed for long periods of time the granules could " Clump " and cause actions to KABOOM !!

SO I NEVER STORED THESE LOADS MORE THAN ONE SEASON .

The above H870 loads showed no primer signs of dangerous pressures . --- Maybe a bit more flattened than factory , -- but no cratering .

Accuracy was excellent by hunting standards .

-------- MMCOUGAR .

Funny thing you should talk about barrel erosion. Recently I gained access to a Hawkeye borescope and today was able to examine my Encore blued 26" 264 win barrel. I have less than 200 rounds thru it, all 3 shot groups and then let it cool, working up loads. To look down the barrel with the naked eye, this barrel looks pristine. The borescope shows the throat area has an "alligator hide" appearance that gradually disappears within about 4". Several of the tiny "alligator bumps" have broken off and gone.My best loads so far are: 120 NBT-66gr IMR 7828@ 3250 fps and 140SST- 69gr Ramshot Magnum@ 3075fps. , both with CCI 250 primers. Both loads shoot sub 3/4" 100yds. I have 2 SS rifles, a 243 (500+rounds) and 25-06AI(1200 rounds) that look to be in much better shape than my 264. I think it will be fine for a long time as a hunting rifle but some of you guys that shoot more and more often than I do could burn one out in short order. If you have examined your 264 with a borescope you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, don't worry about it just keep shooting and enjoying it. I almost wish I hadn't seen it. Rick

Throat erosion is something of a boogy man.

My .264 Sako is was 40 years old last year. I have no idea how many shots have been down the tube (many of them inappropriate overloads while searching for the right powder), but it has to be in the thousands. The gun was my only centerfire rifle for many years (got it when I was 13) and I shot everything from ground squirrels to elk with it.

As you would expect, it exhibits considerable throat erosion. But the only change seems to have been that it now uses a grain or so more powder to achieve the same velocity as when newer. Every year when I pull it fromt he safe to check the sights, it places the first round right on the money about 2" high at a hundred. Groups (on the now-rare occasion that I might shoot them) are every bit as good as when the rifle was brand new.

Some rifles' accuracy may very well suffer from throat erosion. It has not been the case with this one.

All the same, a .264 is not a bench gun or a varmint gun. Shoot it only for working up loads, checking the sights, and hunting, and it will last beyond the lifetimes of your grandchildren.

The handloading of the 264 Win has been discussed at great length over at the Campfire.

Hare are some links to pertinent threads. There is much good information available.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?C...arch=true#Post500341

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?C...arch=true#Post518221

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?C...arch=true#Post566651

More discussions may be found in the 24 hour archives.

I forgot to add velocity and group size to my post. Sorry.

100gr Sierra: 70.5gr IMR4350- 5 shots in one ragged hole- 3790fps

125gr Partition: 59.0gr IMR4350- .50"-
3223fps

140gr Partition: 59.3gr H4831- .75"-
3087fps

These loads are warm, but not dangerously so (IN MY RIFLE). This round is somewhat finicky to load. It seems to shoot best at the verge of unsafe high pressures, so there is a very small sweet spot if you're looking for maximum performance in this cartridge.

Be forewarned, however, that the hotter loads also shorten brass life and barrel life.