Any 264wm guys out there?

[Hardstalk]

The pre 64 have alot of value. Glad youve still got it.

 

[2rocky]

My Father has a pre64 264wm. It has accounted for a lot of dead Blacktails, mule deer and a few elk. If I inherit it I won't change a thing about it.

It came with a 26" barrel, which may be standard for that Caliber, but I'm not sure.

Dave speaks the truth, and seems to know the round. Handloading sub max loads was the most accurate in his case as well.

 

[Hardstalk]

I think the decision has been made. Salvage the barrel, mcmillan or bell and carlson stock. (Not alot of stock choices for lightweight builds) ill take a slap in the shoulder to save my back on a hike. Save the original wood stock for a later date. Contact vortex and get one of them snazzy pst scopes,find light weight rings, work a load for super wazoo turrets.

Appreciate all the input. It may take some time to do this right but if anyones interested ill keep the thread updated.

Another question. I find myself drooling over the brown/tan colored powdercoated actions. Would this kill the value in the long run of the rifle or is the post 64 mod 70 action something that should be played with at will? (Not even sure if its called powdercoating) Meaning they are semi readily available and future value wont be something I should be concerned about?

Is the bolt of value also? I like some of the fluted designs I see. Same question stands for the barrel if the original is salvageable.

On a side note once this gun was deemed unhuntable I dropped some coin on my father. (Pre wife and child!) He wasnt sure what to do when his trusty steed finally started failing him. I purchased him a model 700 300 ultra mag and had it done up with nice swaro scope,hogue stock,custom loads and a muzzlebreak, had the smith set the trigger to his liking. About once a year I join him to make sure the 300 is still sharing holes in paper. Im looking forward to the day I hand him the 264 all modern and snazzed up. Dad-"whats this thing!"
Me-" that 264 you thought you could clean by shooting another round thru it!"

 

[Hardstalk]

Dropped off the 264 this a.m. Got a text a couple hours later asking if this is of sentimental value or trash. .

 

[philw]

140's would be plenty for elk and deer, IMO, especially in 6.5 with the high sectional densities. I would go for it, hardstalk. There is no "lapping" a barrel back into shape, but you may be able to set it back and cut a new throat. I bet the rifling is fine. The throat was likely torched.

I'd agree, and thre are 160's you can use if you really want to, like Woodleighs.

 

[Hardstalk]

Went with a box of off the shelf 140's for the smith (buddy) to shoot and evaluate the barrel. He says he has a ton of 130's that once the problems are fixed he wants to play with for custom loads. He sent a pic of the trigger guard he started playing with yesterday. Im excited to shoot again. I haven't shot a rifle since 2010.

 

[philw]

The pre 64 have alot of value. Glad youve still got it.

If this is a pre-64 it would be worth trying to salvage the barrel if nothing else for resale value. I thought he said it was a '65 though.

 

[Hardstalk]

Correct. Its a 65

 

[philw]

Oops, sorry, didn't notice that "he" was you. To answer your question, it's an action I would modify at will. Make it into what you want.

 

[Hardstalk]

Just under 6lbs with the new stock. Still alot of shaving to do.

 

[2rocky]

What are you going to do to modify the Bolt handle so it doesn't hit the Scope?

My Fathers pre -64 had some "Carving" done to make it work...

 

[Hardstalk]

I dont recall it having that issue. Ill have to see how the new u/l base ring combo we ordered clears.

 

[Hardstalk]

Comin along nicely. Have some bolt work to do. Relap the rings. Buld some loads. And order some turrets.

 

[Justin Crossley]

That thing is looking really good!

 

[tstowater]

You are making me jealous. For some reason or another, I've always wanted a 264WM or a 6.5x284. Just haven't pulled the trigger. Curious on how it shoots and what load you end up using. The Berger VLD's have seemed to be a favorite for the 6.5 shooters. Nice job on the gun.... I bet your dad will like it.

 

[Hardstalk]

You are making me jealous. For some reason or another, I've always wanted a 264WM or a 6.5x284. Just haven't pulled the trigger. Curious on how it shoots and what load you end up using. The Berger VLD's have seemed to be a favorite for the 6.5 shooters. Nice job on the gun.... I bet your dad will like it.

I think were going with 140's the buddy who is helping me build it shoot 1000 yrd match with a creedmore. He is excited to start building the loads. Im not really expecting perfection out of the gun. It will look good and shoot great but wont be sharing holes out in paper too far out. Its the original barrel and for some reason a while back we couldnt get it shooting good to save our ass. Thats mainly why it was retired. But after running a barrel scope down it and checking everything possible we cant find a solid reason. Could have been loose rings or a bad scope not real sure.

 

[AZ Vince]

I'm following this closely as I have a M70 .300 Win Mag that I'm considering having rebarrelled to a .264 WM.

 

[Hardstalk]

Bolts done. Load testing begins as soon as we find some brass.

 

[2rocky]

I think that new bolt handle angle will be just the ticket. I notice a lot of the new bolt action rifles favor that big End.

What is the name of that finish?

 

[Hardstalk]

Im not sure of the name of the actual color. The smith gave me a pallet and I chose a color. Its a cerrakote finish but I am unsure of the color name.