280 Rem. or 264 Win. Mag.

[goglesby3]

Been pouring over the numbers on these two calibers, would like some real world comments based on experience. Will be using to punch paper and hunt ( Pronghorn to Elk) plan on having both rifles made by ER Shaw.. Title should read 260 and 264 mag. plan on having both..

[Dark Hunt]

If Elk are included I always say go with the heavier bullets as long as you shoot it accurately.

[Trapper]

I'm currently hunting with a 7mm/08 and my next rifle will be chambered in .280 ackley improved. My vote is for the .280 or a .280ai

[Sutcliffe]

Why get both?

The .260 is a fine cartridge but never really took off. Have you considered the 6.5 CR?

[Jimmy's]

264 is cool but you need the proper twist, 280 Ackley is a better choice.

[condor]

Never shot a 260, but I am a big 264 fan. 140gr ammo is accurate and will handle any north american game. Factory loads are also more available. IMHO

[TMB 1]

Be better to get 280 Remington and 7mm Remington magnum then you can use same bullets in both.

[Dark Hunt]

Be better to get 280 Remington and 7mm Remington magnum then you can use same bullets in both.

That's like saying to buy two Ford trucks so you can use the same tires.

[870classic]

Hello,
Back in the day, (1970's) the 264 Win Mag was known as a barrel burner due to the speed of the bullet and the resulting erosion of the throat of the barrel chamber. This would limit the life of the barrels accuracy to about 2000 round or so. The 264 is "now" an inefficient cartridge due to the volume of the case. The Belted magnum can be difficult to reload or obtain due to it going out of favor in the shooting community. Having said all that the 264 was also an accurate long range rifle cartridge with excellent ballistics and could take anything from varmints to elk without a problem at extended ranges.

The 260 (Rem) is a necked down 308 cartridge with very good ballistics and will work in a short action.

Either cartridge will serve you well, especially if you reload. And since hunting is your game, the barrel life of the 264 shouldn't be a problem. (Due to the low round count)

Best regards and good shooting!!
870classic.

[TMB 1]

That's like saying to buy two Ford trucks so you can use the same tires.

280 is not as powerful a truck as the 7 mag but it comes close if you Ackley it. Look at it as having a Ford and a Chevy that use the same rims.

[Jimmy's]

The 280 Ackley will shoot TWO different types of ammo. Standard 280 and 280 Ackley and it will shoot both to the same degree 99% so how efin cool is that?

[DrewN]

I love my .264, but .270 equals or beats it in anything but 26" barrels in most factory loads. My first hunting rifle was a .260 (well, 6.5x08) and it's served me perfectly for 40 years.

[Divernhunter]

I took off the 7mag barrel and put on a 26" 264win mag barrel on one of my Ruger M77 and I really like it. I would get one for sure. But get a 26" barrel! I have lots of load data for the 264win mag if you want it. So far I have taken one sheep with it.

I do not have a 260 but a friend does and he really likes it. I do have a 6.5X55 Tikka(also an all original mil surplus rifle) and I love it also. With my hand loads it is right up there with the 260 or 6.5Cred. Several animals have been taken with the 6.5X55 and several with my friends 260.

I would say go ahead and get both rifles you are considering with the 260 in a light weight carbine style rifle and the 264 with a 26" barrel.

[goglesby3]

Thanks for all the replies, a lot of good info.. 870Classic and Divernhunter pretty much confirmed what I've read over the last month or so. It's funny how timing or advertising really handicap's some calibers. Chuck Hawkes web site has an interesting story about why the .358 Winchester gets no respect, when it is such an all round caliber; thanks again for the info, will stay in touch...

[fatfreadiescat]

6.5-300 weatherby. 140 grn
The elk I took this year was a one shot kill at 200 yards.
He fell into his footprints and never moved again