264 Crazy Short Throat

[nomosendero]

I have received my components for testing my Number 1 .264WM. I have been really cranked about this rifle.
I got out my trusty Stoney Point gauge & found out the throat is crazy short. In fact, with the 120 gr. BT & the 140gr. Part. the bullet contacted the lands at an average of 3.257 & 3.23 Respectively with the SAAMI max length
of 3.340.
This REALLY bothers me when you look at this particular rifle. I can see it for a bolt rifle with a mag, like the Ruger 300WM for example, which is not a mag. length action, that makes sense. And yes I have read the articles that say seating the bullets way out don't help capacity much ( these articles were common after the short mags intros), but on the other hand with a throat this short you can imagine how deep the 140 Berger would be seated.
I think it is of little importance with light bullets, but no way with heavy/Match bullets.

With a Single Shot, why not have a generous throat? After all, who buys a 264 to buy factory ammo? I called Ruger to discuss the matter & got a guy in Cust. Ser. who had no clue what I was talking about. To me it just isn't logical. I am not sure what I will do with this rifle now. :?:

 

[nvbroncrider]

Bugs you that much rebarrel her in something sweet like 6.5X284

 

[nomosendero]

Bugs you that much rebarrel her in something sweet like 6.5X284

Not a real solution for me. I already have some sweet rounds.

Thanks though

 

[cloverleaf]

Keep after Ruger. Somebody there is "gun nut" enough to appreciate your argument. CL

 

[BK]

I don't know jack about much heavy-duty gunsmithing, but couldn't a good gun mechanic re-cut the throat a little longer?

 

[FOTIS]

I don't know jack about much heavy-duty gunsmithing, but couldn't a good gun mechanic re-cut the throat a little longer?

YUP!

 

[Guy Miner]

nomosendero - my .375 Number One has a Really Long Throat - I seat the bullets waaaay out.

Wonder if the chambering guy at Ruger just likes messing with us?

 

[SJB358]

I know it is kind of a detractor, but my M70 is kinda short in the magazine, which does hamper powder room a little, but honestly, I can still push the 130gr AB at 3350 really easily and the 140gr PT in the 3200 range without too much trouble. I think I am at 3.275" COAL with my loads. There is just a ton of room for fuel with the 264WM. Looking forward to doing some more shooting with mine shortly. I have some 140gr AB's loaded up, just waiting on a range day. Retumbo seems to work pretty well, but I think RL25 would work just about as well too. Scotty

 

[nomosendero]

I don't know jack about much heavy-duty gunsmithing, but couldn't a good gun mechanic re-cut the throat a little longer?

YUP!

Yes, the question I guess would be who would be the best bet?

 

[nomosendero]

nomosendero - my .375 Number One has a Really Long Throat - I seat the bullets waaaay out.

Wonder if the chambering guy at Ruger just likes messing with us?

I wondered that too. I mean, if any chambering they have done begs for a generous throat, it would be the 264 I think.

 

[nomosendero]

I know it is kind of a detractor, but my M70 is kinda short in the magazine, which does hamper powder room a little, but honestly, I can still push the 130gr AB at 3350 really easily and the 140gr PT in the 3200 range without too much trouble. I think I am at 3.275" COAL with my loads. There is just a ton of room for fuel with the 264WM. Looking forward to doing some more shooting with mine shortly. I have some 140gr AB's loaded up, just waiting on a range day. Retumbo seems to work pretty well, but I think RL25 would work just about as well too. Scotty

That's encouraging. What is the barrel length & is it a custom tube?

I was about to send it to market, but maybe not.

 

[SJB358]

Mine is just a standard run of the mill M70 Sporter with a 26" tube. Shoots very well. Took a little to get it smoothed out some, but it has really became an excellent shooter. I think you will be in great shape with your rifle, give it a chance. I imagine if you wanted to, you could always go through the work of rethroating it if it was warranted. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Any gunsmith worth his salt can do this. Seat a couple of dummy rounds way out there with your bullet of choice and have him re-cut the throat. Easy job.

 

[Kodiak]

+1 as Fotis has said.

 

[NoslerMP]

Hi Guys, this is from "The Guru" himself Mike Harris here at Nosler.

"The 264 Win Mag was originally designed for a 2 diameter bullet which Winchester still uses.(.264” inside the case neck and .256 outside) This was thought at the time to reduce pressures and improve accuracy. Nosler also used to make 2 diameter .264” bullets, however some cartridges required different seating lengths so we went to today’s design and seat them shorter. All load data is developed at the shorter seating depth."

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/264 Winchester Magnum.pdf

 

[SJB358]

Thanks for the info Mason. I don't have too much issue with the shorter seating and my 264 either. Plenty of powder room in this thing. Scotty

 

[nomosendero]

If I choose to get the most out of the round with a 140 gr. Berger, I will get it throated as Fotis mentioned. My rant is over, I decided to shoot it & I am glad of that!! I have started with the 120BT & with that bullet, the cap. is fine, as we all know. I shot a 9/16" group with it in the process of sighting it in with a stiff charge of H4831SC. It appears to be a shooter. I stopped with a good load for now, as we are in the middle of Deer season & getting ready for my Wife's Cow Elk hunt.

 

[gerry]

Like Scotty said lots of room for fuel in the 264 WM. I wish mine didn't have such a long throat but it shoots well anyway.

Nomosendero, sounds like it will be a shooter if you are in the mood for more experimenting later on I have found Retumbo to work pretty good in my gun.

 

[FOTIS]

Sounds like you have a gem there

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

There is an easy solution. Just put a couple of thousand rounds through it. The throat will lengthen right out for you.