.264 Win Mag Check out

[johnm1]

Looking to replace my model 70 in .264 (sold it when we bought the house 15 years ago) and want to know what to look for in a used bolt action rifle. I have heard that the caliber tended to wear out barrels but don't know if this is a real concern or how to look for that. I plan on staying with the major manufacturers but haven't settled on a model yet.

Now a specfic question on the caliber. I bought the original 264 when I lived in Texas thinking it was large enough for any Texas deer and the lighter loads were adaquate for varmints. Now that I live in Arizona, is the .264 Win mag enough for Arizona elk?

[taylorce1]

Now that I live in Arizona, is the .264 Win mag enough for Arizona elk?
It will work for elk but you'll need to use at least 140 grain premium bullet of some kind Partitions, TSX, TBBC, etc. The velocity of the .264 Win makes using standard cup and core bullets a problem at short ranges. If you do decide to use this rifle on elk stick to the boiler room and don't try to punch through the shoulders.

The problem with the 6.5 caliber bullets in the .264 Win is that the 160 grain bullets which would be best for elk only seem to be made in round nose varieties. I imagine this has something to do with the length of the bullet required to make a Spitzer and getting it to stabilize in the 6.5mm calibers rate of twist. I'm sure you could shoot the round nose 160's in your .264 but that would defeat the purpose for which this rifle was designed.

What to look for as far as barrel wear will be difficult when purchasing a used gun unless you have a bore scope handy. The throat is what erodes badly on this rifle and they are really hard to inspect without the scope. .264 Win can be a hard to find caliber period, so if you have any doubts about the condition of the barrel remember they can be replaced. I know of quite a few places you can get this done for less than $500.

http://itdcustomgun.com/index.html
http://www.rwsnydergunsmithing.com/services.asp
http://www.pac-nor.com/pricelist/

I'm not sure how up to date some of the pricing on ITD Custom Guns site is but you can contact them by e-mail and they respond pretty quickly.

[Buzzcook]

If you're replacing a model 70. Then the only thing that'll do is another model 70.
I don't know anything specific against the .264. If it does have a corrosive reputation then keep it clean and don;t let it get hot at the range.

[dgludwig]

Unless you're fixated on the Model 70, the latest "Sendero" (SF II) model Remington 700 can be had in the .264 Winchester caliber. Appropriately, it can only be had with the 26" barrel.

[boltgun71]

May I recommend the following...
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/special_runs/model_700_CDL_264.asp