264WM and 35 Whelen at the range

[SJB358]

Well, I had a few hours to kill, and wanted to see what the 264WM would do with the 130gr AB's and RL22. It shot pretty well. I will say this, I was way to jazzed up on coffee to be shooting super groups, and had about three groups with 2 touching and once I tried to settle the 3rd one it, I boned it up. Here are some results

63gr 3026-3052-3054

64gr 3130-3117-3093

65gr 3244 - 3273 - 3272 (barrel was still too warm, didn't allow it to cool completely)

66gr - forgot to turn the chrono on and just had a complete brain fart during that session. Group was about like the others, with me pulling the third!.

67gr 3379-3362-3408 (first two were fine, third left an ejector mark on case head and had a slightly sticky bolt lift)

Now, the Whelen, all the groups were about the same size with RL15 and the 250gr PT's. Some were in the 1.25" range, but all respectable for this combo for me.

57gr 2479-2476-2477
58gr 2496-2505-2505 (again, pulled the 3rd. I get too happy with myself sometimes)

59gr 2574-2575-2576 (decent group, but most of it was in the wood)

60gr 2673-2671-2669

That last group at 60gr's came together well for me. There is no measurable or visual differences in case head expansion or primer looks. It seems pretty darned good. I am waiting to see some data from QL for projected PSI, but I am think it is still a safe load. Not that I am worried too awfully much about them, everything checks out as far as I can measure. I am just in denial about the 35 Whelen pushing those 250's like that. Alliant has data with the 250gr Spire Point to 59.5 and they state 48,000CUP. That is still kinda mild, so that is why I pushed a little harder. In MY rifle, they seem to be good to go. Ambient temp was 75* here in Northern Va, so it seems okay. I will retest some more, but I have been shooting about the same exact load with RL15/CCI250's/RP cases and 250gr Speer Hot Cors for awhile and have nearly the same results. Kinda makes me wonder why I have a 338WM! Anyhow, I figured you all would want a look at this.

Looking forward to dropping back to 66.5gr of RL22 in the 264WM and seeing how it does. I would think it should be good. The rifle is shooting fine. All those 2 in's and 1 outs can be attributed to me being a nut job. It does take that barrel a long time to cool, but whew man, 130gr AB's at 3300 seems pretty darned good. I can really see any need for more, and with some tuning it should turn in some proper groups shortly. I have to really put this rifle to the side and let it cool. I shoot three shots as fast as I can cycle the bolt and aim back in. It is the way I shoot groups. I know I could probably do better letting it completely cool between each round, but I am looking for hunting loads, and I want to know what the rifle is capable of. Overall, I am very pleased with the 264WM. It is a baby to shoot. Plus, it is fast. Can't imagine much walking away from one of the 130gr AB's. Should be a deadly combo. Scotty

 

[chet]

NICE!!!!!

I'd drop back to the 65 gr load and play with seating depth.
Aint nuthin walkin away from that death laser!!!!!!

 

[DrMike]

You're going to have to lay off the coffee before going to the range! The consistency in two touching and one out raises a couple of questions. Were the two touching always or usually the first two? If so, you may have a pressure point requiring relief. On the whole, however, that looks pretty good.

 

[SJB358]

You're going to have to lay off the coffee before going to the range! The consistency in two touching and one out raises a couple of questions. Were the two touching always or usually the first two? If so, you may have a pressure point requiring relief. On the whole, however, that looks pretty good.

I think you are probably right Mike. I think that is an easy fix though. Just a little sandpaper to get rid of the Pressure Point and then a little Tru Oil to see it back up. It is not floated and that may help.

You are dead right though, it was always the first two touching and the 3rd coming out.

Chet, I plan on dropping back to 65.5, 66, and 66.5 and giving those a go. I have alot of hopes that RL22 will net me nearly 3300 and SUB MOA. It is really showing me it what it wants, and I am thankful for the mighty Winchester! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

Nice. Play with the COL, you are almost there.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

If it keeps on doing the 2 and one thing then it is probably the bubble gum bedding they put in there (or use to). Winchester did this and if you look at it it looks like see-through resin yellow stuff. Very soft. All my win 70's made by Winchester were rebedded by me.

 

[DrMike]

Fotis is correct. Winchester still uses hot glue to bed their rifles. It may work, but all mine have been rebedded at the very least.

 

[BK]

Nice, Scotty! I don't really have anything useful to add, but "pulled coffee" has to be one of the more interesting comments I've seen on targets! I will add that I believe you are setting new standards for range photography!

 

[HeathSexton]

Nice shootin'! You've got Thunder and Lightning there. That .264 would be a long range hammer knocker. 2600+ with a 250 NPT......I gotta get a Whelen!

 

[Powerstroke]

Scotty -

Might I suggest running yourself through the chrony first to get a baseline i.e. before & after coffee readings :lol:
Man that is frustrating when you know you pull one and want to see nice little clover leafs !

Fantastic though - 3300fps. Wish I could see that with the .260
You'll have to stretch her legs and let us know what you think.

 

[bullet]

That Whelen is ready to hunt with

 

[SJB358]

Nice, Scotty! I don't really have anything useful to add, but "pulled coffee" has to be one of the more interesting comments I've seen on targets! I will add that I believe you are setting new standards for range photography!

That is what we Marines try to do, we strive to raise the bar higher! Scotty

 

[SJB358]

Nice shootin'! You've got Thunder and Lightning there. That .264 would be a long range hammer knocker. 2600+ with a 250 NPT......I gotta get a Whelen!

Love the Whelen. Haven't met many folk that weren't impressed with it once they settled down some game. I really would not fear anything with that PT at 2600. Can't think of much that would take many of them. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Fotis is correct. Winchester still uses hot glue to bed their rifles. It may work, but all mine have been rebedded at the very least.

Mike,
I do not know whether or not the new Winnies made in SC have the same issue.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty -

Might I suggest running yourself through the chrony first to get a baseline i.e. before & after coffee readings :lol:
Man that is frustrating when you know you pull one and want to see nice little clover leafs !

Fantastic though - 3300fps. Wish I could see that with the .260
You'll have to stretch her legs and let us know what you think.

I will take that into consideration next time Mark! I do like that 264 alot though. What a flatliner. I am going to try to stay in the 3300fps range with that 130grAB and then get I zeroed out at 300 and check for groups. Should be able to practice out to 600 with this rifle shortly.

I felt like the 25-06 was a flat liner but man I think the 25's play heck to keep up with those slippery 6.5's! Either way it is a baby. Can't wait to poleax something! Need Mr. Woodycreek to get some damage control permits! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

POP,

Mine still had that "hot glue" bedding. These were all '07/08 manufacture (three). It did not affect accuracy terribly, but I'm convinced it didn't help, either. I have two pulled apart and setting in the shop that are more recent manufacture ('09/'10) that I'll have to check to see if it is the same situation.

 

[Guest]

...What a flatliner. I am going to try to stay in the 3300fps range with that 130grAB and then get I zeroed out at 300 and check for groups. Should be able to practice out to 600 with this rifle shortly.

Scotty, I looked over your groups, and I think I'd take a very close look at playing with seating depth on the 65gr load. You'd still be flat as Kansas with 3250-3270fps as an average, and that group printed a near perfect equilateral triangle, which tells me it's got a lot of potential. Play with the seating depth and shoot it at 300yds and see what it's doing. The difference between 3250 and 3300 will be nil, out beyond 500-600yds, I can assure you. I went through the same experience with my 270Wby - chasing 3500fps with 130gr bullets. I got 3500fps with published data, and no pressure signs. But the accuracy wasn't there. I ended up with a 3400+ load with the 130gr E-Tip and it's smoking flat. If I remember correctly, sighted roughly 2" high at 100 and 200, on at about 265, and right at 3" low at 320yds, 11" @ 400, 18 @ 450, and 27 @ 500. I can hold dead on out to 320, then adjust "on the fur" out to 400, where I'm at the top of the back (for white-tails). Beyond that, I'd have to hold over, but I wouldn't take that shot unless I had time to dial up 5min and hold dead on, with no wind. I doubt that shot will ever come around. By my calculations, at 3250 your trajectory would be "hold dead on" out to 300yds, and then would be about 1-2" off of my trajectory out beyond that to 500. That's pretty darn flat, my friend. If seating depth will tighten that perfect triangle, and groups will hold up out to distance, you're all set - and your brass will last forever!

 

[Woodycreek]

I felt like the 25-06 was a flat liner but man I think the 25's play heck to keep up with those slippery 6.5's! Either way it is a baby. Can't wait to poleax something! Need Mr. Woodycreek to get some damage control permits! Scotty

Working on the permits right now. I have few farmers in the "Hood" that may need some help. That .264 flatliner of yours and my 45-70 :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

That would be AWESOME! Plus, I can't say I would mind a little more venison! Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

My freezer is low also and the grill needs to be warmed up!