Friends-

I am in the early stages of a custom build of a .264 Winchester Magnum.

What would be the optimal barrel contour, knowing that it will be finished with a barrel length of 26 inches?

Thanks in advance.

What kind of action are you going to use and what sort of hunting will you be doing?

Duckboat-

The action is a VZ-24. Big game, deer and antelope, primarily.

I built a 264 on a FN Mauser action and used a Shilen #3 Sporter contour but would have been OK with #4 Magnum Sporter contour. The #4 is what is recommended for the 264mag for a field rifle. I was trying to keep the weight down a little on mine. The important thing is to use a barrel with 1/8" rate of twist.

Had one built last year and used a Kreiger SS #4 and had it fluted by the gunsmith. He also recontoured the radius just before the shank. My guess is it weighs about as much as a #3 contour (un-fluted.)

The rifle weighs 7 3/4lbs. before optics. It's not a featherweight but in it's favor it hangs very steady off a shooting rail with the long heavy barrel. This is sort of a "beanfeild" rifle.

Terry

if i built a 264
longer barrel and shorter buttstock than usual

if you are Texas hunting, 9# .. i'd probably go 23-25" barrel, 13.5 LOP ...

it'd be a shilen barrel

I'd go for a Krieger #3. I've got one in a contour similar to #4 and I think it is a bit too heavy. I think the 1-9 twist is the way to go. The 264 with a 26" barrel puts plenty of velocity on the bullet that the standard 1-9 twist works well for every 140 grain bullet I ever tried.

I'd also consider going with a 25" barrel instead of a 26". I've found that I frequently choose to hunt with my 6.5 RM, which has a 24" barrel and a lighter contour than my 264. I usually prefer something shorter and lighter, but the 264 can't be beat in certain situations.

quote:

Shilen #3 Sporter contour but would have been OK with #4 Magnum

If you must have the 26" length then #3 contour.

I just built mine on a Shilen #2 but settled for a 24" barrel....accuracy is excellent!

Use a contour and weight commensurate with how it will be used. Is the primary purpose goats and sheep in the mountains, prairie dogs from a rest, deer stand, elk in thick forests, or just target shooting?