I worked on a 264 M70 for a couple of years. It shot nothing better than 1.5 MOA until I did the crown over. Now it's shooting too good to believe with 120 Ballistic Tips, RL 22 and Fed 215M's. The velocity is 3350 fps.
I will use it for long range varmints. I don't think I will have time to work out another load but will use other favorites for big game.
The thing is that it goes almost ten pounds and I have better guns for the way I hunt big game.
Concur with Fritz. Have been using the 120 grain Barnes X in both my son's .264 Mag and now in my 6.5 WSM (yes, a wildcat) both with H4831 powder. Accuracy has been phenomenal, especially considering what others have said about X bullets. Did try the 120gr Swift A-Frame, but it was really sensitive to seating and powder charges...the complaints most often heard about the X bullet. Will be taking the 6.5 WSM to Quebec in two weeks for Caribou.
Posts: 3490 | Location: Colorado Springs, CO | Registered: 04 April 2003
Quote: I fail to see the "stronger than a partition" reference.
Sorry, I guess my interpretation of " "The Hornady SST will hold together better at high velocities" implied that you thoght it was a tougher bullet.
I'm not knocking the SST, I think it is a better (read tougher) buller than the ballistic tip, and I have have good success with the 140gr SST in a 264 Mag.
I don't disagree with your general assessment. My only quibble is that IMO, although it is a fine bullet, the SST will not hold up as well at high velocities as a partition. (And, UNFORTUNATELY there is no Interbond in 264)...Jim
Posts: 1416 | Location: Texas | Registered: 02 May 2003
I picked up some 129 grain SST's for the .264 yesterday. I was curious as to seating depth that you are using, as it is a long bullet and seems to really hang in to the case when seated to the cannelure. I've always been concerned about pressure increases when the base of the bullet is well below the neck inside the case.
Any insights or recipes you have for 129 grain SST's in the .264 mag would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jasper243
Posts: 32 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 August 2004
Jasper: Sorry, but I don't have any experience with the 129SST. When the 264 SST's first came out, I called Hornday and asked about the 129's. The rep suggested that I use 140's in the 264 so that's what I did. In my rifle, the 140's work best when seated just to the cannelure. They are very accurate and have worked very well on whitetails and hogs, even at close range and quartering shots.
Hornady claims that the SST's are built to penetrate just as deep as the standard Interlocks.
When the velocity gets over about 3100 fps, I'm more comfortable with a partition bullet. But obviously, others feel differently and have enjoyed good success. Just my thoughts...Jim
Posts: 1416 | Location: Texas | Registered: 02 May 2003
I believe that what everyone has found here is something that I ran into last year and that is a void in high end controlled expansion bullets for .264/6.5mm capable of Nosler Ballistic Tip Accuracy for higher velocity .264's like the .264 WM and the 6.5 WSM. We all know that the Partition is a great for penetration but, due to the two compartment design, does not have the accuracy potential of a single compartment bullet.
Nosler has not, to my knowledge, annouced an intent to produce the Accubond in .264 nor has Hornady for the Interbond. However, I did e-mail Hornady last year and got a response that indicated that it might be something that they might consider in 2005.
I will likely try the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw in 140 gr. I get great accuracy from them in my .300 RUM and Midway has a good deal on them at the moment. The Hornady Interbond is capable of .5 MOA accuracy in my .300 WSM; I hope Hornady sees the light. The Norma 155 gr Oryx bullet would be interesting; I bet it hits like the Hammer of Thor.
Posts: 1323 | Location: San Antonio, Texas | Registered: 04 March 2003
I've been using the 140 Partition in my .264 for nearly four decades. It is fully as accurate as any bullet I've ever used in my gun (with the possible exception of the old Norma 138.9 grain FMJ), and that's good.
The 140 Partition (with the proper load of VERY slow powder) in practical terms shoots as flat as lighter bullets and gives extraordinary penetration with excellent expansion. It maximizes the potential of the .264 (provided, as with any bullet, that your gun happens to like them).
Posts: 13274 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
Jim,...no offense meant my friend. I think that the jacket on the SST (JMO) was intentionaly thicker (albeit slightly) than the NBT just because of the horror stories. I REALLY wish Nosler and Hornady would get into the 140gr 6.5mm game and I think they will. The match guns out there in 6.5 are growing in number and the hunters are soon to follow (obviously with factory rounds). The 260rem through a 8 or 9 twist will be a super performer and if anyone had the nuts to bring the 264win back in an 8 twist 26" tube,.....well you get the picture. I have only recently come down from my 1000yd 7mm and 30 cal super mags to try the 6.5 bore,..and I am already impressed.
In the future,..try the a-max 140gr for hunting. Although they are touted to be a match pill,.we have been making some super holes with them at longer ranges.
Pop,..1/2" is super hunting accuracy, but with my IBS experience I personnaly find that hard to accept even in a hunting gun (disclaimer,...I am an accuracy freak who takes all shooting to extremes so don't condemn me yet. I am JustC,..and I am an accuracyaholic)
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002
I fail to see the "stronger than a partition" reference. However,..upon checking the catalog (which I tend to leave at home during the day) I see that the SST is offered in the 6.5mm (also the box on the loading shelf has reinforced that conclusion). The partition may do well,..but the NBT and SST are far more accurate and plenty strong for anything with "deer" in the classification. In fact,..I see no need for a partition at all. In my attempts with select match barrels by the finest makers,..I still find partitions to be lacking in the accuracy dept. If I have a shot of a lifetime at 500yds,...I will NEVER trust that shot to a partition. Now,...a NBT, SST, Accubond,..that's a money bullet and meat on the ground. Your mileage may vary,..but mine stays the same. Polymer tips rule the hunting in N.A, as far as I am concerned. The NBT's will fill the chamber of my 7mm rem in Wyoming in just a few weeks,..and their performance on even the largest Mulie is of little concern to me,...because thay have yet to let me down. DG bullets are for DG,..not for anything with "deer" in the name. (I think I have just become the first redneck rapper ) And also,..if the twist is 1:9 or faster,..forget them little short pills and get up to the heavier ones. My 6.5-06AI will put 140's into the .2moa class all day long with a 1:8 PacNor and at just shy of 3100fps SST's,...and a-max's as well as SMK's.
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002
) And also,..if the twist is 1:9 or faster,..forget them little short pills and get up to the heavier ones. My 6.5-06AI will put 140's into the .2moa class all day long with a 1:8 PacNor and at just shy of 3100fps 
SST's,...and a-max's as well as SMK's.
