All right all, here is the situation.

I bought a rifle that i needed like an extra hole in my head. Now considering I have some gunsmithing bills coming due sometime soon on a rifle in for work, and some other stuff coming up (i.e. Christmas and wedding) I need to sell a rifle. I have three that are almost identical, all use same case basically but different bores, 270 apex, 264 win mag, 7mm rem. mag.

Now, the Apex isn't even an option, it is my prettiest rifle with a beautifully figured english walnut stock wich great checkering. (only fired it 5 times :-( as I haven't decided on a scope to put on it yeet)

So that is between the 7mm and 264 now. I always wanted a 264, but have more time and money in the 7mm. Here is the specs.

264- M98 large ring mauser, mark II trigger with side safety (remington style?) stock with some dings but the sweetest palm swell ever, weaver 4x scope.

7mm- 09 argentine action, buehler style low safety, timney trigger, freshly done laminate stock in kind of a salt'n'pepper coloring (brownish and black, don't know how to describe, looks great, I just finished it with tru-oil myself, it's bedded etc.) It has a scratched bell 2.5-10 B&L on it (I think that is the power).

The 264 did not shoot well last time I took it out, I couldn't get it to group. I am not sure if it is the scope or the bedding. It is free floated but there might be a pressure spot at the front of the barrel channel. I am leaning towards it being the scope though. although I have always wanted a 264, have tons of brass for it now (at least 220 rds, most never fired) and bullets (no dies yet) I am really loathe to let the 7mm go, it looks so good now that I have finished it and I have never fired it so don't know how it is to shoot. (scope might be bad on that too, it was given to me by a friend that found it in an apartment he was doing some refurbish on, it was left with a bunch of other stuff by the previous tenant).

opinions appreciated everyone.

Red
(sorry so long winded)

You need to take them out and shoot them some. Then the decision will be easy.

All three will do about the same thing.

I have shot the .264 some, but wasn't sure about spending the time to get it shooting right. I don't have dies and the ammo is expensive! maybe I will buy a box for the 7mm, take it and shoot it and if it shoots well I have my answer.

also, do you all think I am better off selling the 264 as a package or sell the rifle and brass off seperate? (I think I will keep the 60 rds of herter's brass for forming the 270 Apex cases).

Thanks again all,

Red

7mm is pretty flat shooting more so with same and higher grains then the 264 with smallest grain bullets. It will also hit harder in longer ranges for whatever need be I like 7mm would be my choice to keep its an amazing all around cartridge thats just my opinion.

-Mash

[ 11-04-2003, 03:14: Message edited by: Mashminster ]

What will you be using them for? That should determine your choice. Neither rifle fills the same niche. If moose or big bears are your upper end target, keep the 7mm. If deer or black bear, keep the .264. IMO anyway?

[ 11-04-2003, 03:39: Message edited by: BBBruce ]

Dago,

I don't think we can properly share our opinions without some more information. What else do you currently own that's close to the two you want to sell? I assume you have a very full safe, so if you can share what other rifles you have that are above and below these two in power or application we might be able to justify our opinions a little better.

I for one will never have your problem. I will eventually own 3 or 4 rifles: A 223, a 257 or 260, a 300WinMag, and a 416 or 458. That's all. I believe these will cover all my shooting, whether for kicks or hunting.

Good luck making this choice. I'm sure it won't be easy.

Ok, I have starting from the bottom-up (not including 22's)

264 win mag
270 winhchester
270 apex (264 or 7mm brass necked to 270)
7mm rem. mag
30-06
308 norma mag
35 whelen AI
375 H&H
45/70
458 win mag
(I have another 06 ackley improved but it is shelved as a future project gun).

does that help?

I really appreciate the help guys.

sorry, double post guys.

[ 11-04-2003, 11:50: Message edited by: Dago Red ]

Seeing what you have on hand, I'd lose the 7mm from the line-up.
It will be easier to sell too, more people looking for a "Magnum"!!
Not that it's worth it but you'll probably get more money for it too!

Dago,

I am a big .264 fan. I have used one for years off and on. If you decide to get rid of it I would be interested as I currently am without one.

Since it seems you are emotionally attached to both, establish about 3 competive criteria points and run both rifles through the same tests. Make the decision beforehand that whichever one wins is the keeper Try to be as objective as possible. Some criteria could be:

accuracy
cost to operate
offhand shooting accuracy
availability of ammo
carry weight

You get the point. Most likely, one of them will distinguish itself, even if only slightly.

Dago Red,

As much as I love the 6.5 bore, I would dump the .264 W-magnum. In my gun cabinet are 2 6.5x55 Swedes, 6.5/08 Ackley, 260 Remington, 6.5/06 and a 6.5x55 BJAI in the works.

The only 2 magnums I would ever own again would be the 7mm Rem and the 375 H&H. My personal experience with the .264 Winchester Magnum has been frustrating in the least and a "pain in the ***" at best....but again, its your choice to make.

Ol' John

Y'know, it's awful to have to make a choice like that! Have you considered, say, taking up prostitution instead?

Gosh, even when I don't need money I want to take up prostitution! :-) I had a lady I was dating once "this close" to being my pimp (I was still in good shape at the time, before the extra 40lbs), she even found out how much $$$ she could get too. But like many good things it fell through.

Of course, after seeing that Duece Bigalow movie I am glad it went the way it did. ;-)

It looks like I will be getting rid of the 264. I am going to take pictures tonight and put together everything, count brass, make some decisions on price etc.

Thanks everybody.

Red

How's this for scientific reasoning; 7 mags are like a?#holes, everyone's got one, while the .264 Winmags have a little of the intangible "cool" factor;

lose the 7 mag, IMHO
Craig

I would keep the 7mm rem mag I owned one once and I like that caliber.

Would you be selling that .264 locally or to anyone?

Dago - You made the right choice. Flush the 264 to anyone silly enough to buy it.

I avoided getting a 7mm Rem Mag for a long, long time because of the "everybody's got one" factor. But I finally got one and like it a lot. I think it's as close to that mythical "one gun for everything" caliber as anything, and has some advantages over the classic old .30-06 on both ends of the game spectrum. The reason it's ubiquitous and the .264 is a "cool," rare niche caliber is that the 7mm Rem Mag is a lot more flexible, both with factory loads and handloads. Remington trumped Winchester by necking up the .264 to 7MM.

I'm with Pecos, dump the 264, its all boom, noise and smoke, no better than a .270 for all practical purposes...The 7 mag is a pretty fair round with 175 gr. bullets...