7x64 Brenneke

[Guest]

I have some questions regarding this caliber and handloading. First, I have some data for it, but where can I find more? I have checked pretty much everywhere I normally check, and there is precious little. Lee's book lists it, but with reduced 280Rem loads. Is this standard practice? I have plenty of 280Rem data, so could I just work up from the start loads for the 280, or is that a recipe for disaster? (I believe Chuck Hawks references doing this, too.)

Is the Brenneke in any of the mainstream manuals? Is anyone else loading for one?

 

[buckfever]

The7x64 Brenneke has a little higher powder capacity than the 280 so you could start low and work your way up.

 

[JD338]

dubyam,

Although the two have similar case dimensions, I'd be a little leary of starting off of 280 Rem load data. I am not aware of any current loading books with load data.
Try here
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage. ... iberID=128

Remember, use caution when working with load data from the internet and unknown sources. Start low and work up.

JD338

 

[Guest]

In reviewing my load manuals tonight, I found some interesting data in a few of them. The Lee manual has data, but only the raw stuff, no commentary, no barrel lengths, no frills. Good data, but it clearly states it is all 'reduced 280Rem loads' and the powder charges are 3-5gr lower than the 280Rem data, but the velocities are the same. Appears the 'testing' was purely theoretical.

My old Speer #12 has some fine print on the 280Rem page noting that this data is safe as start charges (work up normally) for the 7x64. I haven't a newer Speer manual, but I suspect they say the same.

Hornady doesn't offer 7x64 data, but offers 7x65R Brenneke data, which it also states is safe to use in the 7x64 un-rimmed version of the Brenneke as well. So I have been able to deduce that the 7x64 Brenneke is to the 280Rem what the 8x57JS is to the 30-06, as both the former cartridges are about 97-99% of the two latter ones. I think if I can talk the gunshop down a bit on this rifle I may have to consider it.

I even found where I can buy Speer brass for about $50 per hundred for this thing, and Lee makes dies for about $25, so this is really coming together nicely to end up less expensive than my last project (a 270Wby, complete with $1 per piece brass and $35 Hornady dies). Now if I could just figure out why I need this gun...

 

[JD338]

I even found where I can buy Speer brass for about $50 per hundred for this thing, and Lee makes dies for about $25, so this is really coming together nicely to end up less expensive than my last project (a 270Wby, complete with $1 per piece brass and $35 Hornady dies). Now if I could just figure out why I need this gun...

Because you don't have one. :lol:

I told my bride of 21 yrs that guns are like golf. You can't play the game with one club. :wink:

JD338

 

[Guest]

You are truly a wise man, JD. Now, if I can just convince my wife that what we believe to be true, is true. This could be only slightly more difficult than negotiating peace in the middle east!

 

[JD338]

Better to ask for forgivness than ask for permission. :wink:

JD338

 

[BFaucett]

Case drawings courtesy of Steve's Pages at http://www.stevespages.com/page8d.htm

From the looks of the case dimensions, I think .280 Rem load data could be used as a starting point for the 7x64 by backing off a little on the powder charge, to be safe, and then working back up. I don't have case capacity data handy but the case dimensions of the two cartridges are very close.

Just my two cents worth....

-Bob F.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Bob. I had already looked over them in my manuals, but those are better drawings than what I had. Either way, it confirms my thoughts that the cartridge is just about 97-99% of what the 280Rem is, making it (easily) an all around cartridge for North America. Interestingly, Norma of Sweden lists this as suitable for all game including bears. I personally wouldn't go looking for anything larger than a black bear without something on the order of a 338WinMag, but that's just me. Perhaps the bears in Sweden are nicer than the big guys here in the US.

 

[BFaucett]

I own a .280 Rem and I was curious as to how it compared to the 7x64 Brenneke so I put together this table. Ballistics shown are factory ammo specs from the sources indicated. Notice that the .280 Rem velocities are from a 24" barrel and 7x64 velocities are from a 25.6" (650 mm) barrel.

RWS web site:
http://www.rws-munition.de/en/rws_ruag/rws_ruag.htm

Brenneke web site:
http://www.brenneke.de/

Cheers!
-Bob F.