I just picked up a .308 bolt and want to get something in the kit for extra long distance. I have read a bit about 7mm and know it's a shooter along side 300 Mag but today at the store I found 264 Win Mag. I have seen a few things about it online but I wonder do any of you have a bolt gun set up with 264? And is it a 260-308 comparison?
- Thread starter AF_TT
- Start date
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
Not much difference with these better 7mm bullets nowadays. I like the .264 WM a little better but both will get the job done equally I would think.
Not much difference with these better 7mm bullets nowadays. I like the .264 WM a little better but both will get the job done equally I would think.
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
I would strongly favor the 7Mag based on bore life expectancy. Also, the original .264's were engineered to employ a 'bore rider' bullet and can be difficult to handload for their best performance.
Greg
I would strongly favor the 7Mag based on bore life expectancy. Also, the original .264's were engineered to employ a 'bore rider' bullet and can be difficult to handload for their best performance.
Greg
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
What's the twist rate on that factory .264 and what is 'extra long distance' to you?
7mm is the way to go, but you need twist for the better bullets.
And you probably don't need a magnum of any kind unless you plan to routinely shoot beyond 1000 yards.
What's the twist rate on that factory .264 and what is 'extra long distance' to you?
7mm is the way to go, but you need twist for the better bullets.
And you probably don't need a magnum of any kind unless you plan to routinely shoot beyond 1000 yards.
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
Beyond 1,000 Yards as far as I can take it. I just don't have the money to shoot 338 or 50!
The rifle would have to be built for me on wither my savage long action or a remington action I purchase. So I can do either the right way.
Beyond 1,000 Yards as far as I can take it. I just don't have the money to shoot 338 or 50!
The rifle would have to be built for me on wither my savage long action or a remington action I purchase. So I can do either the right way.
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
The .264 is a great round. I've had one for about 5 years and love it. Took an elk in Idaho at 645 yards. She has about 650 rounds though her and seems like she might have a year or two left before I rebarrel her.
The old add said something like this "makes a hellava boom, packs a hellava whollop". I agree with all of it except for how mild the recoil is. I don't think you can go wrong either way but get talked out of it if you want to give it a try. I'm hooked.
Reloading wasn't bad either.
Good luck,
JamieD
______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994
The .264 is a great round. I've had one for about 5 years and love it. Took an elk in Idaho at 645 yards. She has about 650 rounds though her and seems like she might have a year or two left before I rebarrel her.
The old add said something like this "makes a hellava boom, packs a hellava whollop". I agree with all of it except for how mild the recoil is. I don't think you can go wrong either way but get talked out of it if you want to give it a try. I'm hooked.
Reloading wasn't bad either.
Good luck,
JamieD
______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
7mmRM all the way, and twice on Sunday. I built a 264WM a few years back. It lasted a whole 650 rnds. Kick ass cartridge no doubt, but never again.
7mmRM all the way, and twice on Sunday. I built a 264WM a few years back. It lasted a whole 650 rnds. Kick ass cartridge no doubt, but never again.
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
Look guys, time to step back and assess goals and options.
A basic Long Action .473" diameter bolt face will easily chamber a .280 Rem.
Installation-ready Savage threaded barrels are not hard to find.
The .280 will serve all your needs out to at least 1200yd, maybe a bunch more, with the right twist and decent LR-capable bullets.
This is not rocket surgery.
The economics are decent, and the action can be switch barreled off to any number of other chamberings.
Magnums are way overrated.
At least think about it.
Greg
Look guys, time to step back and assess goals and options.
A basic Long Action .473" diameter bolt face will easily chamber a .280 Rem.
Installation-ready Savage threaded barrels are not hard to find.
The .280 will serve all your needs out to at least 1200yd, maybe a bunch more, with the right twist and decent LR-capable bullets.
This is not rocket surgery.
The economics are decent, and the action can be switch barreled off to any number of other chamberings.
Magnums are way overrated.
At least think about it.
Greg
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
I just had a 7 mag built. When doing load development I have two 3 shot groups under 3" at 550 yds
I just had a 7 mag built. When doing load development I have two 3 shot groups under 3" at 550 yds
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
you can always load the 7mm RM down to .280 velocities if you wish. i'm reluctant to trade performance for economy when it comes to rifles, though. i do run .264s though, but an emotional attatchment to the cartridge and a pile of once fired brass from crod1972 on the board here makes it an easy decision. i just sent my last 7mm RM (a Winchester Laredo) and a Lilja barrel off to the smith to rebarrel to .264 Win
top one is M700, Lilja #7 three groove 1-8", McM A1-3 and Badger bottom metal
bottom one is M700, Brux 1-8" sporter contour in a McM Classic ADL
you can always load the 7mm RM down to .280 velocities if you wish. i'm reluctant to trade performance for economy when it comes to rifles, though. i do run .264s though, but an emotional attatchment to the cartridge and a pile of once fired brass from crod1972 on the board here makes it an easy decision. i just sent my last 7mm RM (a Winchester Laredo) and a Lilja barrel off to the smith to rebarrel to .264 Win
top one is M700, Lilja #7 three groove 1-8", McM A1-3 and Badger bottom metal
bottom one is M700, Brux 1-8" sporter contour in a McM Classic ADL
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
Yeah. I know some decent .30-'06 loads can duplicate some of the more tame .300WM peformances, and I suspect .280 Rem could do similar compared with the 7Mag.
I've never been a fan of ripsnortin' Kamikaze chamberings. Just too much mayhem goin' on inside that bore for my liking.
I figure if I can't get it done with a .30-'06 equivalent chambering, maybe it doesn't need doing. While it wouldn't be my first choice for the big bears, the '06 will do them at least adequately. My complaint isn't with the capacity, but with the bullet mass. I might feel perfectly comfortable with a .35 Whelen in such an instance.
Greg
Yeah. I know some decent .30-'06 loads can duplicate some of the more tame .300WM peformances, and I suspect .280 Rem could do similar compared with the 7Mag.
I've never been a fan of ripsnortin' Kamikaze chamberings. Just too much mayhem goin' on inside that bore for my liking.
I figure if I can't get it done with a .30-'06 equivalent chambering, maybe it doesn't need doing. While it wouldn't be my first choice for the big bears, the '06 will do them at least adequately. My complaint isn't with the capacity, but with the bullet mass. I might feel perfectly comfortable with a .35 Whelen in such an instance.
Greg
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
yea, and i know some .308 loads that will duplicate the more tame .30-06 loads. how far down that road do we go?
given a BC, the only way to improve exterior ballistics is by increasing muzzle velocity, and that takes increasing displacement and/or pressure given equal barrel lengths.
seriously the 7 mag has a well proven track record and could take one third of the drop away from the .308 performance.
i'm not slammin' the .280, it's a dandy in it's own right, but if you are stepping up from a .308 in the interest of "extra long distance" like the OP, IMHO take a real step, and it would take some effort to top the 7mm RM in that role.
yea, and i know some .308 loads that will duplicate the more tame .30-06 loads. how far down that road do we go?
given a BC, the only way to improve exterior ballistics is by increasing muzzle velocity, and that takes increasing displacement and/or pressure given equal barrel lengths.
seriously the 7 mag has a well proven track record and could take one third of the drop away from the .308 performance.
i'm not slammin' the .280, it's a dandy in it's own right, but if you are stepping up from a .308 in the interest of "extra long distance" like the OP, IMHO take a real step, and it would take some effort to top the 7mm RM in that role.
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
Diff'rent strokes...
Diff'rent strokes...
Re: 7 Mag or 264 Win Mag for build?
I like the colors of your top stock.
The calibers all have their advantages and disadvantages. One thing that always surpises me is on how mild the push of the .264 running 140's is. It really is a caliber you can shoot well and enjoy shooting. It's funny at the range becouse it really does make one hellava boom. Guys sitting beside you think your shooting a cannon. Couldn't be any further from the truth - although there is an Elk in Idaho that was on the buisiness end of it at 645 yards that would argue that point : )
Pick a caliber and have fun.
JamieD
______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994
I like the colors of your top stock.
The calibers all have their advantages and disadvantages. One thing that always surpises me is on how mild the push of the .264 running 140's is. It really is a caliber you can shoot well and enjoy shooting. It's funny at the range becouse it really does make one hellava boom. Guys sitting beside you think your shooting a cannon. Couldn't be any further from the truth - although there is an Elk in Idaho that was on the buisiness end of it at 645 yards that would argue that point : )
Pick a caliber and have fun.
JamieD
______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994
I was about to post the same question. I have been debating this for a while now. I have a spare remington long action I want to build. The 6.5 creedmoor and the .284 are the two rounds I have settled on. Both have great ballistics. The 6.5 has the same ballistics as the 300wm but with less energy on target. The .284 will shoot 180 vld's at almost 3000 with rl17 in a long action without any pressure signs. Barrel life of a .284 is better then the 6.5 creedmoor also. At 1 mile, unless im on the wrong page, both are almost as flat but the 6.5 will be around 41-43 grains of powder while the .284 will use 51-55 grains. Is the minimal difference really worth loading 10 extra grains? Barrel life is shorter with the 6.5 but will cheaper reloading offset the cost over time?
Im in the same boat. 308 bolt head and an action but stuck on which cartridge to go with. I would appreciate hearing the same advice. Is the .284 worth it for the almost zero difference in ballistics and much higher recoil?
Im in the same boat. 308 bolt head and an action but stuck on which cartridge to go with. I would appreciate hearing the same advice. Is the .284 worth it for the almost zero difference in ballistics and much higher recoil?
I am in the process of rebuilding my Dad's .264, I stuck with it for many reasons mostly sentimental. But a 7mag is a better way to go for sure.
Dont forgot AF_TT, with a .308 bolt face, a .284 is what youre stuck with because of its rebated rim. 7mm Mag, 300 Wm and SAUM and the rest will need a bolt change.
7mag all the way. Buy a pre-chambered barrel in 7 mag and a new mag bolt head. Buy a go gauge and spin them together. All for less than $500.
I like the 280 idea for say out to 1300, but if you want to go further (or if you are even thinking you will) go with the 7RM. As long as you have a long action Savage, as mentioned by Medium Rare, you just need a bolt head and prefit barrel, go gauge and a few basic tools.. you can spin it on at home in about 10 mins. The 280 won't burn the barrel as fast as the 7RM and use a little less powder. Everyone needs a magnum!
I think GunShack has group buy on ER shaw 7mm RM barrels for something like 160 bucks in varmint contour. Savage prefit of course.
Why not keep it real simple and go for the 7-08? Nice 162 grain A-max or 175 SMK in it and you can keep it at mag length and stil shoot the lights out with practically the same barrel life as the 308
Agree that 7-08 would be a great opinion due to more commonly available brass and better barrel life and reasonable ballistics within 1000 yards.
