OK talk me into or out of a .264 win mag barrel

[R.W.Dale]

 I've been lookin looking to buy a barrel chambered for a thoroughbred small bore round, 6.5mm down, that's a capable deer cartridge. I was all set to buy a 6mm-06 until i checked on  the price of dies  . after that bubble burst I moved on to the 25-06 , Nice round but a little too vanilla and not many high BC bullets avalible for a quarter bore.

 This brought me a little further down midways barrel list to the venerable 6.5mm bore. I've owned a few 6.5x55's and liked them. I wouldn't mind a 6.5x284 but they're only avalible in 24"  where I prefer a 26" to 28" tube and I've heard reports that rebated rims and Encores don't get along.

 SO! the .264 mag, High performance check, readily avalible brass and dies check, very aerodynamic bullets check.

 So please comment, am I insane? Or do you think everyone should own a .264WM.

[Paladin]

sounds like your on the right track to me, potent round. I say go for it. good luck

[Grumulkin]

Were not here to help you not buy barrels because we're enablers.

The 264 Win. Mag. does have a reputation of being a barrel burner though.

[R.W.Dale]

The 264 Win. Mag. does have a reputation of being a barrel burner though

 Yeah I've read that, But I've also read that careful cleaning and managing temperatures can all but eliminate this. But hey even if that doesn't work WHO CARES! that's the joy of an encore I'll just buy a different barrel when that happens

[Heavy C]

What barrel length are you going for?

[swampthing]

Do it, Do it.
Or... ha. What about a 6.5-'06, less of a barrel burner, more practice/shooting, dies are cheaper than a replacement barrel, { I think SSK will make'em for $90.00 bucks} plenty of speed, cheap/available brass. I'd go with a 26" tube either way.

[sweetwyominghome]

krochus wrote: "I was all set to buy a 6mm-08 until i checked on  the price of dies"

Yes, they are expensive...maybe $25-30!...

The 6mm-08 is the .243 Winchester, by the way...

I personally prefer the 6.5s, particularly the .260 and 6.5x55 in the Encore and the 6.5x30-30 (aka 6.5 Bullberry Imp) in the Contender. Inside of 300 yards, my Contender rifle can easily handle any deer that ever walked.

[Dusty Wheeler]

Buy it!  It is funny...I was just asking a similar question on another board about the .280 Ackley Improved!  It really is the beauty of the Encore!

[R.W.Dale]

Yes, they are expensive...maybe $25-30!... Smiley

The 6mm-08 is the .243 Winchester, by the way...

 Sorry I typoed that, It should have read 6mm-06

What about a 6.5-'06, less of a barrel burner, more practice/shooting, dies are cheaper than a replacement barrel,

 Oddly enough 6.5mm-06 it isn't on their list of chamberings

[swampthing]

I vote for 6.5mm-'06. Still.

[Wire Nut]

I also plan on going with a 264 win mag. I found brass on e-bay for a reasonable price. As far as the barrel burner reputation goes I read in a magazine (i think varmint xtreme) that they tester a 220 swift
vs. a 223 in regular and chrome lined and found no difference in erosion. The 264 came out in the 50's and I have read that barrel meturalgery was not as good as it is now.

I SAY DO IT!!!!! I am! 

[R.W.Dale]

What barrel length are you going for?

26"

[Silvertp]

Ive shot several deer and some coyotes with the .264 Win Mag.  Closest thing to a lightning bolt that Ive ever used on game.  Laser like trajectory, very high BC bullets, light recoil.  What more could you ask for?  Get the longest bbl you can handle & enjoy!

Silvertp

[MGMorden]

Yes, they are expensive...maybe $25-30!... Smiley

The 6mm-08 is the .243 Winchester, by the way...

 Sorry I typoed that, It should have read 6mm-06

Actually, you had it right the first time .  .243 is a short action cartridge - a necked down .308 Win.  The 6mm-06 is a wildcat cartridge (.30-06 necked down to a 6mm bullet) that is longer than the .243.  Cheapest 2-die set (RCBS) that MidwayUSA lists are $134 . 

Those oddball dies are always an emotional let down.  I recently became convinced that I could save a lil money on an bolt gun I wanted to build into .375 H&H.  Figured since it was an Enfield P17, and was meant for .30-06, I could just have it made into a .375 Whelen instead.  No modification for magnum, resize all that .30-06 brass I have lying around.  Should be awesome!  Yeah - until I looked at the die prices . 

[R.W.Dale]

 You know I've waffled around and half way talked myself into buying the 26" 6.5x55 barrel instead

[sweetwyominghome]

A 6.5x55 barrel.......NOW you are on the right track!!!

[rdh]

No go on and buy it you will like it. I bought mine from midway already had a win 70 in 264 so why not . I have not shot it a lot but enough to know I like it. If you hand load may have to play with head space in a single shot. And I also have the 6.5x55 barrel also man is that thing sweet I love mine good luck let me know if you need any help

[olsingleshot]

I have a 6.5-06 and a .260 encore plus my 6.5x284 just arrived. My 6.5x55 is in a model 70. You have the right caliber. The 6.5x284 will get the same velocities as a .264 with 20% less powder, but both can be barrel burners if not used properly. I used .270 brass for the 6.5-06 and recoil is not bat at all with a synthetic PH thumb hole stock.  Out of all of them the 6.5x55 is the most versatile and very accurate. If you need more info email me at olsinglehsot@gmail.com

[R.W.Dale]

Thanks for the replies gentleman, But for me the point of this topic is now moot As I just put the order in for a 26" heavy contour 6.8SPC barrel. Kinda night and day difference from that 25-06 or .264 I was thinking about gettin.

I think I'll like the new 6.8 round, it is very efficient to load for and easy on barrels and the shoulder. It has enough horsepower to be a good mid range deer rifle. I have no doubt that in the encore with it's medium heavy barrel that it'll also be as accurate as all heck.

[jw4570]

No one mentioned the 6.5x55 Swede.  Sure it's not common, but an excellent reputation.

Jason

[nomosendero]

No one mentioned the 6.5x55 Swede.  Sure it's not common, but an excellent reputation.

Jason

 

[jw4570]

OK,

I stand corrected, krochus was asking about better performance than the 6.5 Swede, his comment was on using a longer barrel and something with more powder.  I don't know where my mind was, we all make mistakes!!!!!!

I still think the 6.5 Swede is an excellent round, and that he should consider a custom longer barrel in 6.5 Swede.

[rdh]

I have a 264 winmag in a model 70 and a 26" encore barrel and 6.5x55 swede 26" encore barrel and a ss abolt browning in 25-06 and the 6.5swede is my favorite. I did not know much about the swede until I starting wanting one just read on line about one . The swede is very mild recoil and muzzle jump easy enough for a younger hunter or a lady. I have not got to shoot any live targets yet but cant wait they use this round in Europe to take moose so should kill any size deer. The 264 well thats another story I love mine also but a little hotter round havent shot the winchester much because of the value but the encore I have shot maybe fifty rounds got it late winter. all the stuff about burning barrels I think is how you shoot it I mean I donot target shoot hundreds of rounds with a caliber this big I mean most average hunters shoot before season to check scope and however many animals they shoot so at most maybe 20rounds per year. If you think this is a barrel burner read on the 223wssm, and the 243wssm. Oh I about forgot about the 25-06 probably still my favorite bolt action it has the boss and shoots about 3/4" groups with handloads. This gun doesnt care what you feed it from 85grains to 115grain bullets it will shoot them it does have the boss system took the muzzle brake piece off and put the conventional recoil piece on it was way to loud with the break on it.   if anyone needs any help just message me will be glad to help