264 WSM

[257 Ackley]

As some of you are aware, the fine gentleman named Nodak7mm (Rod) got to yank my chain for a couple days until the new tool could be picked up. We had a great time discussing loading and shooting and checking out the fine shooting irons in his safe.

I want to personlly thank Rod for giving me the name of the gunsmith used to build this rifle. It is the little details that you notice on the second or third pass that really make you appreciate someone that wants to do it right vs. throwing it together to get paid. Hopefully you can see some of the detail in the pictures.

This rifle started life as a featherweight chambered in 300 WSM. The action was blueprinted, and a 26" Brux stainless barrel installed. The barrel contour is a #4, so it was a great fit without having to do much work to the barrel channel. I wanted to keep the rifle in the featherweight wood stock, so it was important to pillar bed and glass the action. Finish is a flat black paint similar to Cera-Kote.
Heading to the range tomorrow to season the barrel with a few 120 BT's. Hopefully there will be decent targets to post tomorrow evening.

 

[257 Ackley]

A few more pics...

 

[JD338]

Joel,

That is a gorgeous rifle buddy. If she shoots half as good as she looks, you are in business.
Congratulations to you on your 264 WSM.

JD338

 

[gerry]

Looks very nice really like the flat black and how he did the bolt, looking forward to seeing you post some range results

 

[Woodycreek]

I told everybody it was a good looking rifle :lol:

 

[nodak7mm]

You aint shot it yet? :shock:

She shore looks purty, name her "D" for Delilah. Godess of Death.... or something like that... Sounded kool in my head anyway.

I resent being called a gentleman...... :mrgreen:


FWIW: Joel, it was my great pleasure in helping and in meeting you, those 3 hrs flew by way too fast. Like we talked, we'll get hooked up and get some serious hooting done next time...

Rod

 

[DrMike]

Handsome rifle, Joel. It is just what the Doctor would have ordered, had he been ordering a 6.5 Rock.

 

[cloverleaf]

MAN, That is NICE! Just somthin' about a Winchester Featherweight, and that one is exceptional! Glad it turned out so nice! CL

 

[HeathSexton]

Wow, that is gorgeous!

 

[BK]

Nice looking stick! I like the detail on the bolt... always wondered how a coated M70 bolt would look.

 

[257 Ackley]

Bullets are loaded and ready for the range tomorrow!! Shooting 120 BT's to see if it will like a light bullet. The throat is long, so I was able to seat them out to 2.900. Saving the 130's and 140's for the serious work in a week or so.

 

[DrMike]

You probably should have sent that up here, Joel, so that I could do a proper break-in for you. Of course, I might not have sent it back. I am a sucker for those Featherweights. It is a most attractive rifle.

 

[257 Ackley]

Mike -
I think you would appreciate the work that was done on this one. The barrel is definitly heavier than the factory barrels, so it is another half pound more now than when it left 3 months ago.

I am thinking that Retumbo and R25 may need to be tried with the heavier bullets before load work is done. We may have to do some more QL searches. There is very little data on this caliber, and most of internet data scares me when I do find some.

 

[DrMike]

Anytime. It looks like a skookum cartridge. It should be a powerhouse.

 

[SJB358]

Joel, that rifle is FANTASTIC! I can't believe what a great job was done to that rifle. I can't think of anything that would make that rifle any better than to be sitting in my safe!

What an awesome rifle it is going to be. I imagine it is going to shoot EVERYTHING well! Retumbo is really working out to be excellent in my 264WM and being they are about the same powder capacity and bullet, I can't see you not doing well with it. Man, what an excellent rifle. You did well. Those are great pictures.

I can't wait to hear about the range report from you. I can't imagine you are going to be disappointed in the least. Now I am really dieing to get home and get to shooting! Scotty

 

[usmc 89]

Congrats on a sweet rifle! What was the turn around time and who did the work?

 

[FOTIS]

Not too shabby buddy....
Congrats.

 

[257 Ackley]

Congrats on a sweet rifle! What was the turn around time and who did the work?

Thanks for the comments guys. There isn't alot of flash on this one, which is what I wanted. I plan on hunting her hard and putting some "beauty marks" on the stock. This is meant for serious hunting, not a safe queen or wall hanging rig.

The work was done by a friend of Rod's that lives in central North Dakota. His name is Steve Wald, and he does alot of work on F-class and Palma builds. If you look at some of Rod's threads of his rifles you will see some of his other craftmanship. Total attention to detail. The turn-around time will vary, depending on what you want and who's barrel you use. I wanted a cut-rifled barrel, so it took about 3.5 months from when the barrel was ordered until Steve got it to do the final chambering and finish work.

Case comparison: 300WSM on the left, 264WSM middle and Remington 260 on the right.

 

[Woodycreek]

Looks cool Joel. Now stop playing and go get some holes in paper! We need a range report!

 

[JD338]

Joel,

That is one cool looking round for sure.
Looking forward to your range report.

JD338