Starting 264WM load work
- Thread starter tddeangelo
- Start date
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,977
- 2,007
FOTIS":14rh9zfv said:
Quick load must be a bit off I use Retumbo in mine and 63.5 gr of it gets about the same speed as the 70 gr load above with 140 gr Partitions and Accubonds. Hodgdon shows 63.5 gr as a max load. I do like the powder quite a bit, it works well.
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,977
- 2,007
I must have a tight chamber or something because if I go even a bit over 63.5 gr light ejector marks start showing up on the brass. I guess that is why it is always best to start low and work up 
gerry":1c6oslk8 said:I must have a tight chamber or something because if I go even a bit over 63.5 gr light ejector marks start showing up on the brass. I guess that is why it is always best to start low and work up
Without a doubt Gerry. I thought the same when I started with my 264WM. Brass and chambers show a big variance. I would have to run back through my Retumbo notes, but I am pretty sure I was quite a few grains above. Once I had Mike run some QL #'s with my H20 capacity, it started to make sense.
- Thread starter
- #26
tddeangelo
Handloader
- May 18, 2011
- 2,024
- 21
Shot at 200 yards today.
Results:
That's 76.0gr RL33, OAL of 3.150" (no that's not a typo), goes 1.930 center-to-center, as near as I can read the micrometer. I didn't get to chrono, but past chrono sessions and QL cross-reference tell me it should be about 3200fps, give or take at most 50fps. I chrono'ed 76.5 at 3233fps and 75.0 was well over 3150.
After I finished, I had some leftover rounds. I had just shot two shots somewhat close together, so it was a tad warm. Threw a shot at the 8-10" gong at 300, center plate hold. THWACK! Perfect.
Looks like the Whelen and this 264 are headed south for some deer hunting with me in a little less than 2 weeks. Should be a good time.
Results:
That's 76.0gr RL33, OAL of 3.150" (no that's not a typo), goes 1.930 center-to-center, as near as I can read the micrometer. I didn't get to chrono, but past chrono sessions and QL cross-reference tell me it should be about 3200fps, give or take at most 50fps. I chrono'ed 76.5 at 3233fps and 75.0 was well over 3150.
After I finished, I had some leftover rounds. I had just shot two shots somewhat close together, so it was a tad warm. Threw a shot at the 8-10" gong at 300, center plate hold. THWACK! Perfect.
Looks like the Whelen and this 264 are headed south for some deer hunting with me in a little less than 2 weeks. Should be a good time.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,554
- 6,665
I'd say that the 264 will perform for you this fall should you choose to use it. You're in the zone, man.
- Thread starter
- #29
tddeangelo
Handloader
- May 18, 2011
- 2,024
- 21
Headed out to bowhunt, but quick fly-by....
Shot the 264 to 300 today. It did well. Pics later.
Shot the 264 to 300 today. It did well. Pics later.
- Thread starter
- #30
tddeangelo
Handloader
- May 18, 2011
- 2,024
- 21
So, the 264 made me a happy camper today.
I shot this group at 300 yards (POA was 12 o'clock on the dot, as I wanted to see what the drop would be, and the 3" dot seemed a good reference if I shot at the top):
Then I had 3 rds left, and NO time so I gave it 15 minutes to cool, and shot three back to back. That yield this (made some adjustments on the turrets, and used a 6 o'clock hold):
Both groups measure about 2.1-2.2". That load should be getting 3200fps for a 140AB, based on other charges I've chrono'ed and QL data. I have it pretty well bracketed with data, so I am fairly confident in an estimate of 3200fps.
I think it needs to come down about 1MOA, though, so as not to have as much mid-range trajectory. We will be shooting at 100 at the outfitter in SC where I'll be hunting next Saturday, so I figured I'd make my elevation changes then.
I'm pretty stoked to see the rifle shoot like that. Today took the round count to 70-75 (have to look in my notes for exact number).
Makes me feel really good that if I do my part, the 264 will make some deer real dead real soon.
I shot this group at 300 yards (POA was 12 o'clock on the dot, as I wanted to see what the drop would be, and the 3" dot seemed a good reference if I shot at the top):
Then I had 3 rds left, and NO time so I gave it 15 minutes to cool, and shot three back to back. That yield this (made some adjustments on the turrets, and used a 6 o'clock hold):
Both groups measure about 2.1-2.2". That load should be getting 3200fps for a 140AB, based on other charges I've chrono'ed and QL data. I have it pretty well bracketed with data, so I am fairly confident in an estimate of 3200fps.
I think it needs to come down about 1MOA, though, so as not to have as much mid-range trajectory. We will be shooting at 100 at the outfitter in SC where I'll be hunting next Saturday, so I figured I'd make my elevation changes then.
I'm pretty stoked to see the rifle shoot like that. Today took the round count to 70-75 (have to look in my notes for exact number).
Makes me feel really good that if I do my part, the 264 will make some deer real dead real soon.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 6
That is definitely a dead deer at 300 yards. Nice groups Tom.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,554
- 6,665
Nothing wrong with either of those groups. I'd say you can have confidence in the rifle/load.
- Thread starter
- #34
tddeangelo
Handloader
- May 18, 2011
- 2,024
- 21
Thanks, guys.
Scotty, you're right. I think I've found the load, but it will take more rounds to really see it shine. Now that I'm shooting out past 100 again, I really, really see the need for a Bulls Bag set up. I do ok with the front rest and rear bags, but there's just that little bit of wobble that I can't seem to completely eliminate.
I made some sandbags from the legs of worn out jeans, and that really helped. I made them a lot bigger than the normal shot bags that are used, and that made things VERY stable. I had a much better rest this time than last time I shot at 200, but I am actually looking at those 300yd groups and realizing that some of that dispersion is very likely do to those "wobbles" I see when I dry fire that are just from the gun moving a hair when the striker drops. I was able, a few times, to get it in such a "dead" position that it didn't move at all on the break of the trigger on a dry fire, but I couldn't tell you what was different then compared to other times when it did fidget when the trigger broke (with respect to how I had the rifle bagged).
When I get back from SC, I want to scrub down the rifle pretty good and go shoot some more. I think load work is over, I just want to shoot a little. I think I want to mess with the BT on the Swaro on the rifle a little bit at that point. My thoughts are to set the "zero" at 200, then set the first reference point for a 300yd zero, so I could, effectively, switch between them depending on the area I'm hunting and how far I can shoot. I'd have to rely on computations, but I figured I'd set the next two stops at 400 and 450. I probably can't come up with a scenario where I can shoot longer than that on game. If I go for antelope next year, that would still probably be sufficient distance, I hope.
Scotty, you're right. I think I've found the load, but it will take more rounds to really see it shine. Now that I'm shooting out past 100 again, I really, really see the need for a Bulls Bag set up. I do ok with the front rest and rear bags, but there's just that little bit of wobble that I can't seem to completely eliminate.
I made some sandbags from the legs of worn out jeans, and that really helped. I made them a lot bigger than the normal shot bags that are used, and that made things VERY stable. I had a much better rest this time than last time I shot at 200, but I am actually looking at those 300yd groups and realizing that some of that dispersion is very likely do to those "wobbles" I see when I dry fire that are just from the gun moving a hair when the striker drops. I was able, a few times, to get it in such a "dead" position that it didn't move at all on the break of the trigger on a dry fire, but I couldn't tell you what was different then compared to other times when it did fidget when the trigger broke (with respect to how I had the rifle bagged).
When I get back from SC, I want to scrub down the rifle pretty good and go shoot some more. I think load work is over, I just want to shoot a little. I think I want to mess with the BT on the Swaro on the rifle a little bit at that point. My thoughts are to set the "zero" at 200, then set the first reference point for a 300yd zero, so I could, effectively, switch between them depending on the area I'm hunting and how far I can shoot. I'd have to rely on computations, but I figured I'd set the next two stops at 400 and 450. I probably can't come up with a scenario where I can shoot longer than that on game. If I go for antelope next year, that would still probably be sufficient distance, I hope.
Yeah, if you can get a range to run it out long, and really set up that BT with the load you have, I think you'd have a combo that would be unbeatable for muley's and pronghorn for a LONG way out there. The 264 is impressive at longer ranges and I haven't ever shot mine past 600 which I consider long, but out to there, it is a piece of cake with a good load and a good drop table.
