.264 Win Mag & 130gr Nosler AB

[1100 Remington Man]

Well I worked up a ladder test, where would you start now ? I’m thinking 68.2 grains Retumbo
Today’s weather 84F and light wind.
Very slight extractor mark at 69.5 still very slight extractor mark at 70.2
Heavier extractor mark at 70.9 bolt lift still ok
I did have stiff extraction at 73.0 grains and I did not shoot the last thee I had loaded.
Started at bottom with 3 shot groups.
Rifle Model 70 XTR .264 Win Mag. 24 inch barrel.

 

[TackDriver284]

Cartridge          : .264 Win. Mag.
Bullet             : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 73.899 grain H2O = 4.798 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.223 inch = 81.86 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61500 psi, or 424 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

156 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2218                        106.6     77.4     5.01    3369    98.5    61500   15972   1.208  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570                    102.5     73.6     4.77    3338    98.1    61500   15597   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  105.6     78.0     5.06    3330    98.9    61500   15340   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33                 104.3     77.1     4.99    3323    98.4    61500   15387   1.237  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50                 108.9     80.2     5.20    3316    98.0    61500   15693   1.263  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870                       108.7     76.5     4.96    3313    99.2    61500   15019   1.240  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        106.2     72.8     4.72    3302   100.0    61500   13636   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    106.2     72.8     4.72    3302   100.0    61500   13636   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          108.6     72.8     4.72    3301   100.0    61500   14037   1.250  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                     94.0     65.4     4.24    3271    99.7    61500   14029   1.232  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                        101.6     69.2     4.49    3269   100.0    61500   13948   1.246  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        101.6     69.2     4.49    3269   100.0    61500   13948   1.246  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                 96.8     70.4     4.56    3269   100.0    61500   13722   1.232  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                   96.6     70.3     4.55    3267   100.0    61500   13690   1.232  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                     94.3     68.3     4.42    3264    99.1    61500   14203   1.241  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26                  90.9     66.5     4.31    3262   100.0    61500   13240   1.253  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                            98.3     65.1     4.22    3262    99.9    61500   13588   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        93.0     65.1     4.22    3262    99.9    61500   13588   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                           92.1     65.5     4.24    3259   100.0    61500   13433   1.241  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                         98.0     69.3     4.49    3253   100.0    61500   13303   1.216  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                  99.4     67.4     4.37    3252   100.0    61500   12924   1.234  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                         94.2     64.8     4.20    3251    99.8    61500   13495   1.218  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        103.1     69.5     4.50    3251   100.0    61500   13266   1.217  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      103.1     69.5     4.50    3251   100.0    61500   13266   1.217  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation        94.3     64.9     4.21    3240   100.0    61500   13355   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                  94.3     64.9     4.21    3240   100.0    61500   13355   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                        94.3     64.9     4.21    3240   100.0    61500   13355   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                      96.8     65.3     4.23    3239   100.0    61500   13382   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                         96.8     65.3     4.23    3239   100.0    61500   13382   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 109.0     78.6     5.09    3235    91.2    61500   15063   1.273  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   105.4     76.5     4.95    3233    93.3    61500   14282   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation        97.8     67.9     4.40    3225    99.0    61500   13469   1.219  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                       95.7     64.7     4.19    3218    99.7    61500   13224   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                      94.2     69.9     4.53    3215   100.0    61500   12732   1.240  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                         91.3     61.9     4.01    3207   100.0    61500   12752   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                  91.8     62.5     4.05    3204   100.0    61500   12798   1.229  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869                     110.0     79.8     5.17    3201    93.0    60251   14230   1.248  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          92.5     63.0     4.08    3197   100.0    61500   12712   1.229  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG                      110.0     76.1     4.93    3196    89.0    59673   14416   1.249  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                    93.2     64.2     4.16    3189    99.6    61500   12817   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                       96.9     64.2     4.16    3189    99.6    61500   12817   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation           90.1     61.4     3.98    3184   100.0    61500   12528   1.227  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                         90.1     61.4     3.98    3184   100.0    61500   12528   1.227  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                  96.3     64.2     4.16    3180   100.0    61500   11986   1.251  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170                    105.9     71.4     4.62    3179    96.8    61500   13396   1.249  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                       91.1     61.2     3.97    3162    99.8    61500   12335   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                        91.9     63.3     4.10    3160   100.0    61500   12164   1.250  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron                    94.6     62.7     4.06    3157    99.6    61500   12433   1.224  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              90.8     65.2     4.23    3156   100.0    61500   12203   1.237  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         103.0     75.5     4.89    3155    93.8    61500   13199   1.240  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                     96.9     65.3     4.23    3146   100.0    61500   11923   1.242  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                     97.3     63.5     4.12    3144    99.8    61500   12113   1.230  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            91.3     59.6     3.86    3136   100.0    61500   11508   1.252  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                       94.6     64.4     4.17    3135   100.0    61500   11756   1.269  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         100.0     64.4     4.17    3135   100.0    61500   11756   1.269  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                        90.3     65.5     4.24    3130    99.6    61500   12140   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 13                  110.0     76.6     4.96    3128    96.2    55722   13731   1.304  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 8700                      110.0     78.2     5.07    3128    96.3    54269   13798   1.300  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 20N29                   110.0     80.6     5.23    3116    93.9    54047   14097   1.320  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron                    99.2     66.9     4.33    3113    95.0    61500   12357   1.225  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520       110.0     76.6     4.96    3063    94.2    52118   13575   1.342
NC A3502 ,test only                110.0     73.3     4.75    2829    72.7    44484   11974   1.414
TLP A 502(RH) ,test only           110.0     73.3     4.75    2799    75.8    42397   11987   1.454
V1734 7-multiperf ,test only       110.0     73.3     4.75    2000    36.0    22580    5922   1.934

 

[TackDriver284]

I believe that a ladder test with .7 grain increments is too large of a gap to make a good guesstimation where we can miss a node or two. I think I see a potential between 70.2 to 71.6 grains since the variation in speed is only 20 fps. Possibly try in 3 round groups with .3 increments from 70.2 to 71.6 grains to see what you may find.

May I ask if the .100 jump is because the cartridge would not fit the magazine? If there is plenty of clearance in the magazine, I would do .005" jump to the lands if it will fit the magazine and play with seating depths later. Seating bullets deep tends to give more pressure since you have less volume. Just a thought.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

I believe that a ladder test with .7 grain increments is too large of a gap to make a good guesstimation where we can miss a node or two. I think I see a potential between 70.2 to 71.6 grains since the variation in speed is only 20 fps. Possibly try in 3 round groups with .3 increments from 70.2 to 71.6 grains to see what you may find.

I was getting light extractor marks in that range, but I know some brass can be softer, would you guys be concerned about it ? I picked .7gr because this is about 1% between shells.

May I ask if the .100 jump is because the cartridge would not fit the magazine? If there is plenty of clearance in the magazine, I would do .005" jump to the lands if it will fit the magazine and play with seating depths later. Seating bullets deep tends to give more pressure since you have less volume. Just a thought.

No they can be loaded a lot further out. I just picked .100 because a lot of people said Nosler AB usually do better with Jump. I did buy a box of Nosler .264 Win Mag 130gr AB just to see what Nosler loads them to and it is 3.202 from the one I pulled out of the Box tonight.

 

[1Shot]

I just goes to show you that no two rifles are the same. I have a custom Rem. 700 with a 27 3/4" Shilen #4 1n9 twist barrel. I shoot the 130 AB using Winchester 7mm Rem mag cases run through a 264 Win mag FL size die to covert to 264 Win mag. I use CCI 250 primers and use a COAL 3.450 which is 20 thousands off the lands and a max load of Retumbo in this rifle is 66.5 Grs and I get 3350 fps average and sub moa accuracy. If you are getting ejector marks your over loaded for YOUR RIFLE no matter what load data says. Where you state that you started seeing slight ejector marks at 69.5 your velocity was 3258 fps. With the neutered 24" barrel, 264 Win mags need at least 26" barrels to start to do their thing, 3150 fps is about safe max velocity so from your results 68.1 grs should be your max do not go over load. The Hornady manual gives a Max load of Retumbo with Hornady 129 gr bullet at 67 grs. it does not have the 130 AB listed but with my rifle as said 66.5 is the max safe load. Be careful and don't try to get screaming velocity with that 24" barrel. By the way the 130 Ab is one AWESOME bullet on white tail deer. I have killed somewhere between 25 and 30 deer with it from 25 to a touch over 500 yards and the bullet performed the same no matter the yardage. Goes in takes out the vitals and exits with a nickel size hole and deer are DRT.

 

[Bbear]

I'm in agreement with 1Shot, in YOUR rifle, as soon as you saw extractor marks or any other signs, you are at max load and then some.
If you are dead set on Retumbo (or any other powder for that matter), work with what you have found out. And that is that 69 grains is probably your safe max in YOUR rifle.
If you go back and start over, I'd start off at mag length on your loads or, .05 or so off of the lands. You can always set the bullet deeper or a bit longer AFTER you find a group.
The alternative is to go back to the minimum load and load your cartridges to touch the lands, then seat deeper using the same, minimum load until you find a group. THEN start messing with the loads at a .3 grain difference.
Either way, you've found your max load for this lot of powder for your rifle.

 

[fremont]

After at least two years of trying to make Re-33 work under 130 NABs (too finicky/spikey), I've decided to go back to the drawing board. Retumbo sounds interesting, but the velocities are relatively low--at least in Nosler's data. Was interested to see their data as having a 4350 powder as the most accurate. (Low density charge, too; something like 75%.)

At this point, I'm much more interested in trying to get my M70 SG to shoot and am worrying less about MV.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Load development done. After much thought and advice I found my Max load in my Rifle.
I ended up going with. Today’s 75F wind 4-8mph
Nosler Brass
Nosler 130gr AB
CCI 250 primers
Retumbo 68.5gr.
COAL. 3.223 .100 off lands
3199 FPS for 5 shot average FPS
Today’s groups.
.570
.639
.786
Average group .665 This will do
I never tried different COAL
This load is 1.0gr below Max in my Rifle.
Work up from below in your Rifle
Thanks to DrMike for working up a quick load for me last fall.
I know several here could improve on this load but it should work on Caribou this fall.

 

[DrMike]

That should equate to caribou in the freezer. Congratulations.

 

[boomer68]

Very nice. Good load development.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

 

[1Shot]

That should do the trick. Caribou won't know what hit it. Give us a report when you kill one.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice! That’s a pretty solid combo there. With the 24” barrel it’s pretty hard for a 264 to strut its stuff but 3200 with a 130 AB is solid in my book.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Well the Nosler 130gr. Just flattened him as his legs folded on a broad side shot to the chest. One shot 290 yards with complete pass through with a high double lung shot.
Still in AK when I return I will post details of hunt. TC and Good Luck with your Seasons
Just FYI I will be backing off my load by .5gr as I had a very slight extractor mark on case head. But ejected fine.

 

[DrMike]

Definitely worked on that beast. Excellent harvest. Congratulations.

 

[1Shot]

That is a nice critter. I told you those 130 Accubonds were AWESOME on game.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Flat shooting for sure. Maybe my next trip I can stretch her legs and take a longer shot.