Light loading a .264 Mag

[yellowfin]

My buddy Jim brought up something interesting the other day. He runs a .264-06 for 1000 yard shooting and gets REALLY nice results with it. I'm interested in getting into precision shooting at some point and have a really nice .264 Winchester that I love and would love to shoot more if I could. I currently don't shoot it much at all because it's a pre-64 M70 family heirloom and I don't want to wear it out which I'm told running lots of ammo through would do in quick order, which makes me very sad. So I had a thought creep into my mind: could I run light loads in it, like say to .30-06 levels, which would give it a lot more normal useful life with the original barrel? Would this potentially yield good results and save me the expense of having to get a whole new rifle when I have one I'd rather use instead if I could?

[Fjold]

If you can find an accurate load for it run the 142 grain SMKs at about 2,800 fps. It's a nice mild load in the Mag case and will save you some barrel life.

[sargenv]

A lot of people start casting for their rifles for this reason.. nice light plinking loads and they tend to not ever wear out a barrel..

[guns_and_labs]

My buddy Jim brought up something interesting the other day. He runs a .264-06 for 1000 yard shooting and gets REALLY nice results with it. I'm interested in getting into precision shooting at some point and have a really nice .264 Winchester that I love and would love to shoot more if I could. I currently don't shoot it much at all because it's a pre-64 M70 family heirloom and I don't want to wear it out which I'm told running lots of ammo through would do in quick order, which makes me very sad. So I had a thought creep into my mind: could I run light loads in it, like say to .30-06 levels, which would give it a lot more normal useful life with the original barrel? Would this potentially yield good results and save me the expense of having to get a whole new rifle when I have one I'd rather use instead if I could?

Define "lots of ammo".

I shoot the .264 WinMag a lot, through a couple of rifles. I put probably 150 rounds a year through them both, at normal, accurate loads, and still haven't noticed wear. But they will wear over time. If you want to keep it as an heirloom, don't shoot it. If you don't mind replacing the barrel eventually, shoot sensible loads, don't overheat, clean it, and you won't have a problem.

[Fjold]

My 6.5x284 (smaller case than the 264 WM) is good for about 1,500 - 2,000 rounds or so since I don't load it hot but do shoot it in F class competition which does heat it up.

[FLIGHT762]

If you are going to get into precision shooting, save that family heirloom to go on hunts with your Sons, Daughters and Grand Children. Pass that beautiful .264 pre 64 down to an Heir that will appreciate it and take care of it. I say this as a former owner of a pre 64 .264 Magnum "Westerner". I traded that rifle off years ago and have regretted it ever since.

Typically in precision shooting, the rifle barrel is an expendable item to be replaced every year or two. Also, expect to pay two to three times the cost of your rifle on optics. There are plenty of good, affordable, entry level rifles from Remington and Savage. Go buy a long range rifle.

Save that heirloom for family memories.