Why are they not more popular?

barrel life is short there are no free lunches with high speed bullets for the guy who shoots about 50 rounds a year there is no problem but use this round more than average you may have trouble from whatI read when remington work up a loading data they went through more that one barrel .

The main reason is the 7mm Rem Mag stole all the 264 Win Mags thunder.

Though the 264 Win Mag has a reputation for burning out barrels, with todays better materials I don't think the rep is entirely deserved.

Edited by - frizzellr on 11/07/2002 14:15:23

Frizzelr..i agree with you on the timing was bad on its initial introduction. I doubt it has anymore noticeable barrel wear than a 7 mag or a 257 mag or something along those lines. I am betting it has quite a bit of muzzle blast though and should probably be shot out of 26" minimum barrels. At this point it is a custom proposition since most mfrs don't chamber them anymore .

I read somewhere, it might have been Cartridges of the World, that the 264 Win Mag has tremendous muzzle blast and 270 Win ballistics in shorter barrels. I have never had the chance to shoot one to find out. I am sure it would be a fine cartridge in the right barrel length in a new stainless barrel.

In an OLD Speer manual it states that there has been reports that in a 264 Win Mag as few as 500 factory rounds fired and the barrels have been shot out.Reduces performance to the 270 Win class.It also says what Frizzellr said that the 7mm Remington Mag's introduction took away from the 264.The 264 is a flat shooting cartridge ideal for western hunting.For about 20 years now I've owned a Winchester Model 70 chambered in the 264 Win Mag which is still unfired. Ruger Redhawk

Support the NRA...Protecting our Gun Rights and Freedoms is everybody's responsibility. Ruger Redhawk A proud NRA Life Member since 1977.

Ain't i in your will ruger? old buddy!
I would like to have one . i had a chance once to trade a smith 59 for a winchester 70 in the caliber but screwed up and didnt.

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

Soark you need to send me your address I will will you all my browning A bolts how bout that? Can't believe you were actually trading in something for a Winchester...must have been a weak moment.

The .264 is ideal for western shooting in a 26" barrel, and is limited somewhat to game not much larger than big mulies due to the nonavailability of factory lods with bullets of over 140 grains. When it is shot from barrels of 24" or less, it really does NOT outperform the .270 Winchester. Therefore, the .264 is more of a specialized chambering, and is not as "all-around" as the 7mm Rem. Mag., .30/'06, or .270!

Keep yore powder dry!!

I have been thinking about picking up a used Ruger 1b in some magnum chambering and screwing on a 28" custom barrel on it and chambering it for something along those lines. This would be a long range Mulie gun and nothing else.