264 shoots the NBTs

[remingtonman_25_06]

I decided to work with the proven NBTs since my 264 wont shoot my beloved 140g AMAXs I've found over the years if your rifle wont shoot a Ballistic Tip well, chances are its not shooting anything well and its a rifle problem...

So, I threw 3 loads together with a few 100g NBTs that Jmad gave me with some H4831sc, did 68g, 69g, 70g Wasn't hoping or expecting much out of these, dont plan on using them for anything but maybe coyotes. Pretty much just wanted to get an idea of how fast I could push them. I shot these in the morning and was able to crono them.

I also threw 3 loads together with the 120g NBT/H4831sc, did 64g, 65g, 66g. This is the bullet I'd like to concentrate on. I think at around 3300fps, it will be a great LR coyote/antelope/deer round. I shot these in the evening with Jmad and was planning on using his crono so didn't bring mine and he ended up not having his, oh well, I'll get them in the morning. Should be in the 3200-3300fps range however.

Results at 100 yards

100g NBT/H4831sc/CCI 250/ R-P/ 3.250"
68g- .656", 3602, 3634, 3601fps
69g- .426", 3655, 3642, 3613fps
70g- .541", 3767, 3671, error 1

120g NBT/H4831sc/CCI 250/ R-P/ 3.250"
64g- .676"
65g- .811"
66g- .956"

Not to shabby for the first 6 loads with the 100 and 120g NBT with H4831, made me happy to know nothing is wrong with my rifle, it just didn't like the 140 AMAX. Every single group today with the NBTs went under MOA. I'm going to play around the 64g charage with the 120s tomorrow morning, start at 62 and go to 64 in .5g increments this time, then will fine tune with seating depth either in the evening or the following morning in .010" increments.

 

[DrMike]

That is certainly looking promising. It will be interesting to see what seating depth does for accuracy.

 

[onesonek]

That's not too shabby RM.
Over the years since they came out, when I have aquired a new rig, the first bullet I grab to check it's inherent accuracy, has been Nosler's BT. I have to admit, I haven't tried a lot of other mfg's. But then I haven't had a reason to.
In your case, it looks like the rifle likes the 100's over the 120's. But still that lower 120 load looks pretty good. Being you stated you are going to play around that 64 gr. area, I'm glad to see accuracy is more important than speed.
The one suggestion I have with that being the case, is to give H-1000 a try. It just might be that a slower longer pressure curve, might get that 120 into the sub 1/2 moa realm, if the H4831 don't. I don't think you would sacrifice much velocity , if it happens to like the upper end with the H-1000.

 

[TBASTIAN]

Darn nice groups. Definitely a shooter.

 

[1Shot]

I have a 27 3/4" barrel on my 264 Win mag but with Retumbo I was getting over 3600 fps and great accuracy with 120 ballistic tips. I was afraid to use them on deer because were I hunt I am just as likely to have a deer pop up 40 yards away as 500 yards. At over 3600 fps they would come unglued really quickly at close range. I shoot the 120 BT in my 6.5X55 Swede at 3000 fps and know what they do on deer inside 100 yards. I chose the 130 AccuBond for my 264 WM with Retumbo 3350 FPS accuracy and they really work close up and far away. Good luck and good shooting.

PS, I can just picture a yote being hit with a 100 gr BT at close to 3700 fps. Bits and pieces flying everywhere.

 

[JD338]

Remmy,

Nicely done. The 100 gr BT at 3600 fps will be a laser death beam on coyotes. I agree that the 120 gr BT would be a good deer, goat and coyote load.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Thats great the rifle is shooting well for you. Those 120's seem like they are going to be nasty on coyotes. Scotty

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Went out again this evening to fine tune the 120 NBT/H4831sc with powder charge.

I went 62, 62.5, 63, 63.5, 64g. I also moved the seating depth out to 3.275" which is at the lands instead of the 3.250" I tested day before. See if it would improve any. It seemed to like the bit shorter length in reguards to how big the flyers were today.

Yesterday 64g shot the best at .6". Today was no different, it shot the best again at about .6" or .7" 2 shots almost touching, with the other out a bit. I also crono'ed these right at 3200fps. Little slower then I'd like. I will end up trying H1000 and/or Retumbo as well to see if I can reach 3300fps and keep at least 3/4 MOA.

So now I think I found my charge at 64g w/H4831sc, just need to fine tune the seating depth. Think I'll seat .010" deeper from the lands at a time untill I'm about .050" or .060" off. Hopefully I can get things to tighten up a bit somewhere in there.

Interesting note, had a few of the 100g loads w/69g 4831 and they shoot to the exact same spot as the 120s with 64g.

The 69g/4831 load is actually only doing 3450fps over Jakes crono which I trust a bit more then mine. Mine is off about +125-150fps

 

[257 Ackley]

Are you planning on trying any 130 grain bullets? What is the twist in your barrel? If it has a 9 twist the 140's might not work, but 130's still might.

 

[FOTIS]

Good job Bro! :mrgreen:

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

The only 130s I might try are the 129g SST or the 130g VLD. I almost picked up a box of the VLD's when I bought the 120g NBTs, but I decided against them.

I have the standard 1 in 9" that comes with factory rifles, mine being a winchester model 70.

Here is the target from this evening from 62-64 in .5g increments with H4831sc/120g NBTs

 

[SJB358]

Jorey, right now I am loading the 130gr AB's at 3.275 also. I just loaded up a bunch of them last night in order to try again. The last time I topped out at 67gr of RL22 and got around 3375 with those. I dropped back to 66.5 and think I might have something worth keeping with this next go around. Accuracy was pretty good for all loads and speeds seemed to be excellent also. I had the two in and one out deal going on also. I think if I slow down some, it should pull them all in. Those 129gr SST's would be a great bullet also. Most of the Hornady's have been accurate for me and you can't knock the price on them either. Scotty

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Well went out this afternoon to do the final OAL tweaking on the 120g NBT/64g H4831sc load.

I loaded up 5 loads, with 3 shots each, all at 64g/H4831sc from 3.260" down to 3.220" in .010" increments and fired them at 300 yards.

I also shot the 100g NBT/69g H4831sc load after I was done to see where they would group. Out to at least 300 yards, I'd say theres not enough difference to worry about.

Im about done with this particular combo. I am thinking about splitting the difference at 3.240" and 3.230" and making it 3.235" since those were by far the sweet spots. I will check the 3.235" OAL load tomorrow. I'd like to be right in the middle of the sweet spot so when your off a .001" or .002" in seating depth one way or the other, it will still be in the group.

Either way, it still put all 5 loads, (6) if you count the 100g NBTs into 4" group at 300 yards. Not bad considering I had 4 hours sleep, my allergies make it almost impossible to focus and get a clear sight picture, throw in the mirage from a warm 80 degree afternoon and I'd say its doing just fine.

 

[SJB358]

Those look pretty darned good RM! What speed did those 120's end up at for you? Scotty

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

3200fps.

I'll try H1000 and or Retumbo when I get some more bullets

I'd like to see 3300fps and stay at or under 3/4 MOA.

 

[SJB358]

I would bet you could smoke them out around 3350-3400 with the right powder Jorey. Seems like maybe Retumbo/RL25 would really make them 120's sing. Scotty

 

[onesonek]

I would say that is a reasonable and doable goal,,,and my bullet of choice would be the 125gr. Partition. Might take a little playing around, but I have gotten close enough, to BT accuracy most times with comparable weight NP's. And I have yet to look back, and say,,, I wish I had used something else.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I'm not sure 3350-3400 is going to be attainable from my 264, remember I do only have the 24" bbl which does hinder me 75-100fps. I might be able to hit 3350 with Retumbo or RL25, but I doubt I'll get 3/4 MOA in the process. Never know, I have H1000, Retumbo, and RL25 I can try and see.

The 125g NP doesn't seem like a bad bullet, but I really have no use for partitions in this rifle. Its a coyote/antelope/deer rifle and I rarely get shots this side of 100-200 yards so a stouter more expensive bullet is not really what I'm looking for. Would be great on black bears or elk though if I was going to take the 264, then I'd stick a partiton or AB in it.

 

[SJB358]

I would think that 120gr BT would be about perfect then. That 129 or 140gr Hornady SST might be worth a shot to Jorey. You'll pick up a little BC with them. Wished those 130gr ABs were on sale at SPS. They seem to be pretty slick and would make an awesome all around load. Going out tomorrow to give my load a try. Hoping for the best out of them. This rifle might go to Oregon this year if it shoots these well. Scotty