I owned a .264 in a M-70 Classic.....It shot real good and was a fine hunting rifle.....As far as I'm concerned the barrel burn out issue is way overworked.....Just don't shoot it hot.....when the barrel gets to the point that you can't hold it up by hand it's too hot.....Used as a hunting rifle is not a problem.....using it on prairie dogs can be a tad hard on barrels because there's a tendency to do a lot of shooting.....and the barrel gets hotter than blases and that kills a barrel.

I sold it because it's just too close to my .270 but if you wish to be a collector I'd go for it.....It's a helluva long range pronghorn and mule deer rifle for sure. But I never saw any advasntage in that over the
.270