What "go/no go" gauges do I need

[RyanG]

Good morning all.... sorry for this dumb question. As I have said I am going to build up a 264 win mag on an older flat back 110 long action. I need to know what gauges I need for the 264 win mag that I am starting to build. I cant find gauges for the 264. When I did the 6.5 284 I just used 284 gauges and they worked fine. Is it the same with the 264? In not in any real hurry wont even be ordering my barrel until after the first of the year. I am still working on my action and waiting on bolt parts etc...

Again sorry for the dumb question.

Ryan

[hammie]

@RyanG: My dad always said that the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

I think the principle is the same as for your 6.5-.284. The same headspace go/no go gauges work for all the belted cartridges, with the exception of the .450 marlin. At least that's what I inferred from the PTG website, which is a fun site to visit. You may want to check there at: shop.pacifictoolandgauge.com

[jerkin]

There are much cheaper options but this link has a pretty complete listing of what you are looking for: http://shop.pacifictoolandgauge.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1149

Oops, slow fingers, lol.

[hammie]

@Mr. Jerkin: You're right. The PTG website is pretty cool. I noticed that it has some hard to find gunsmithing tools, plus a lot of bottom metal options for remingtons and howas.

[stangfish]

I am going to step out on a limb an say that the belted magnums seem to use the same Chamber headspace gauge. You don't heaspace the barrel off of the shoulder as you would a non belted case.

If you are a reloader this is why neck sizing a BM is important for good accurate loads. If you do full length size you want to use a Case headspace gauge to set up your die and only bump the shoulder back .001"-.002" on a fired case.

[scope eye]

300 winmag or 7mm remmag are the ones you need.

Tanks Dean

[hammie]

@Mr. Stangfish: No, You're not out on any twigs or branches. I thought the same thing, but if the barrel manufacturer cut the dimension between the top of the belt and the shoulder correctly, things should work OK.

If it's a little long, then do as you say. Adjust your die to headspace off the shoulder. If it's a little short then things get problematic. I have a .300 Win Mag and it's shoulder is cut to minimum tolerances. Two different sets of dies would not work and I finally had to grind a couple of thousandth's off the shell holder and then adjust the die for headspacing, as you suggested. This is why I hate belted cases.

[RyanG]

The more and more I think about this project the more I think that I might pick another caliber. I was under the impression that swapping the barrel out was going to be pretty straight forward. Just screw it down to the go gauge.... looking like I am not right here... then from what I have read regarding the throat not being long enough to handle 140 grain vld's....

I am starting to wonder if a 6.5-06 might not be a better choice.... Or will my stubbornness get me through....

[hammie]

@RyanG: I thought, "Well...brass will likely be more available for the 6.5-'06" (at least for forming), but then, no, you can always form .264 Win Mag from 7mm Rem Mag. Although Gmac5 is right - the parent bass for the 6.5-06 is cheaper. And Gmac5 is again correct about the 6.5-06 being better balanced in terms of case capacity/bore volume. I don't think you would sacrifice much velocity, if any, with a 6.5-06. Plus you can easily headspace the 6.5-06 wit 30-06 springfield gauges.

My vote's for the 6.5-06, but of course, it's your decision. What fun! The planning and dreaming for these projects is half the enjoyment.

[RyanG]

The other nice thing about the 6.5-06 is that I wont have to change out the bolt head either. So I hate to be so stubborn that I may actually be missing something good with the 06! And yes this is a total blast, pun intended. I have been doing so much research on this and have learned so much!

My first thoughts were that the 6.5-06 wont do much more than the 25-06 and is the same almost as my 6.5-284.... But looking at it hard again neither will the 264.... hmmm decisions... decisions.... its hard cause I am hung up on the flat shooting speed demon of the 264.

[scope eye]

I love my 264 winmag my pet nane for it is Mr nasty, I shoot 85gr Sierra's with 70gr of Hv 100 Hybrid, they exit at over 4000FPS that is the definition of flat shooting.

Tanks Dean

[RyanG]

Dean you ARE NOT helping!!!!!!! lol!!!! hehe

Well I still have some time.....

[stangfish]

6.5-284! 6.5x55! Wait!!!280!!!!!!

[hammie]

Especially when its not our money

@Mr. Stangfish: LOL

@Mr. RyanG: You're right. the 6.5-06 would duplicate the 6.5-.284. Lately I've been intrigued with the 6.5 creedmoor. Not hyper-velocity, but should be easy on the shoulder and much tamer muzzle blast, and supposedly inherently accurate. If you want a speed demon, then that's why god made the .220 swift or the .204 ruger.

[RyanG]

I did think about the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5-47 Lapua. I am intrigued by both. Right now I have a long action and I sound like a littly baby throwing a temper tantrum because Im not getting my way.... hehe.... Im not ready just to give up on the 264. Its funny because I havent even seen one since I was in high school.

[cheezie]

The 6.5-06 WILL indeed do something the 25-06 will not! It will shoot a 140gr bullet with a BC of 0.520 at 3000+ fps. The two cartridges do overlap, but each one has its strengths. That's what, IMO, is so cool about the easy Savage barrels change process. Get one of each and you'll love 'em both. Cheezie

[hammie]

@RyanG: Funny you should say that because I was acne faced, in high school in the early 60's - a little bit after the .264 Win Mag was introduced in the model 70 westerner with a 26 inch barrel. It was my dream rifle. At the time, many decried the "long" 26 inch barrel, but that length has almost become the industry standard for the creedmoor.

Since you have a long action, and you want something different, there is always the .280 remington. Or go to a medium bore: 9.3 x 62, .338-06. or .35 whelen. For elk, I always used my .300 win mag, but if I had to do it again now, I would buy a 9.3 x 62.

Edit: Oh and I forgot. One advantage of the 35 whelen, is that with some unique and cast or jacketed pistol bullets, you can make some almost zero recoil, cheap, plinking loads. I have a .35 remington, and I occasionally have some fun with it that way.

[pappy83]

how about a 284, in a long action they are great no need to change bolt head and able to shoot great bullets.