.264 Win Mag Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.264 Winchester Magnum: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle Magnum |
| Used For | Long-range hunting, Target shooting |
| Case Design | Belted, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 1958 |
.264 Winchester Magnum: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Excellent long-range performance
- ✔ High velocity and flat trajectory
- ✔ Versatile for various game sizes
- ✔ Good balance of power and recoil
- ✔ Suitable for both hunting and target shooting
Cons
- ✘ Relatively high recoil compared to standard cartridges
- ✘ Ammunition can be expensive and less readily available
- ✘ Barrel life may be shorter due to high velocities
- ✘ Overkill for smaller game animals
- ✘ Requires a magnum-length action
.264 Winchester Magnum Ammo: In Depth
The .264 Winchester Magnum is a high-performance rifle cartridge introduced by Winchester in 1958. It was designed to offer magnum-level velocities in a standard-length action, making it an excellent choice for long-range hunting and target shooting. Known for its flat trajectory and high energy retention at extended ranges, the .264 Win Mag has gained a dedicated following among hunters and long-range enthusiasts.
History and Development
The .264 Winchester Magnum was developed by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1958. It was part of Winchester's family of belted magnum cartridges based on the .375 H&H Magnum case, which also included the .458 Winchester Magnum and .338 Winchester Magnum.
The cartridge was designed to compete with the .270 Weatherby Magnum and to offer superior long-range performance compared to the popular .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. Winchester's goal was to create a cartridge that could deliver high velocity and flat trajectory for long-range shooting while still being manageable in terms of recoil.
Initially, the .264 Win Mag was chambered in Winchester's Model 70 Westerner rifle. It quickly gained popularity among hunters and long-range shooters due to its impressive ballistic performance. The cartridge was capable of pushing a 140-grain bullet at velocities over 3,000 fps, resulting in a very flat trajectory and high retained energy at long distances.
Despite its impressive performance, the .264 Win Mag faced challenges. The high velocities it produced led to rapid barrel wear, especially with the barrel steels available at the time. Additionally, the introduction of the 7mm Remington Magnum in 1962 provided strong competition, offering similar performance with a wider selection of bullet weights.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the .264 Win Mag, particularly among long-range hunters and target shooters. Modern advancements in barrel technology and bullet design have helped address some of the earlier concerns, allowing shooters to fully exploit the cartridge's potential.
Timeline of .264 Winchester Magnum Development:
.264 Winchester Magnum Performance
The .264 Winchester Magnum offers impressive ballistic performance, particularly for long-range shooting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 3,200 fps (120-grain bullets)
3,030 fps (140-grain bullets) Velocities measured from a 26-inch barrel |
| Trajectory | Extremely flat trajectory at long ranges Drops only 23.5 inches at 500 yards with a 200-yard zero (140-grain bullet) |
| Energy | 2,700 ft-lbs at the muzzle (140-grain bullet) Retains over 1,500 ft-lbs at 500 yards |
| Recoil | Moderate to heavy Approximately 20 ft-lbs of recoil energy in a 8.5-pound rifle |
| Accuracy | Capable of sub-MOA accuracy in quality rifles Excellent for long-range hunting and target shooting |
.264 Winchester Magnum: Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .264 Winchester Magnum loads.
.264 Winchester Magnum: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .264 Winchester Magnum ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Range Hunting | 0-800 | Excellent for medium to large game at extended ranges |
| Target Shooting | 0-1000 | Capable of extreme long-range accuracy with proper loads |
| Competitive Shooting | 0-1200 | Used in long-range precision rifle competitions |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .264 Winchester Magnum is known for its flat trajectory and excellent long-range performance. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .264 Winchester Magnum
The .264 Winchester Magnum's high-performance profile makes it suitable for specific long-range applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .264 Win Mag's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .264 Win Mag with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .264 Win Mag with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .264 Win Mag with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .264 Win Mag with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison
Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration and energy retention.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density | Relative SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| .264 Win Mag | 140 | 0.287 |
|
| .264 Win Mag | 120 | 0.246 |
|
| .264 Win Mag | 160 | 0.328 |
|
| .264 Win Mag | 130 | 0.266 |
|
| .264 Win Mag | 100 | 0.205 |
|
Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration, but other factors like velocity and bullet construction also play significant roles in overall performance. The .264 Win Mag offers a range of bullet weights, allowing for versatility in hunting and long-range shooting applications.