Winchester's Model 70 Super Grade - Part 2

The more time spent with the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade and the 264 Winchester Magnum, the easier it is to find an appreciation for the combination amongst the crop of 6.5mm, 0.264″ cartridges.

Large and moderate capacity 0.264″ caliber cartridges were not new, even in 1958 when the 264 Winchester Magnum was introduced. There were at least a half dozen metric cartridges like the 6.5x61mm Mauser and the 85 grain capacity 6.5x68mm RWS of the 1930s that put 140 grain bullets into the 2,900 fps MV range.

Prior to 1958, wildcatters engineered the belted 6.5 Gibbs, 260 Apex and 6.5-06. In more modern times, there have been 6.5mm wildcat efforts such as the 264 Hawk, 6.5 STW and 6.5mm Leopard and factory cartridges like the 260 Remington, the 6.5-284 Norma and 6.5 Creedmoor. In fact, there are currently more than 56 commercial and military 6.5mm cartridges in service.

Routinely 0.264″ 140 grain bullets exceed a BC of 0.600, something that isn’t the case with 0.243″, 0.257″ or 0.277″ bullets and something that only occurs in at the heavy end of the bullet weight spectrum with 0.284″ and 0.308″ bullets. The 140 grain 0.264″ bullet is light enough to be driven to a high velocity by the 264 WinchesterMagnum’s case capacity and slick enough to retain it’s velocity and kinetic energy over a very long distance. The 264 Winchester Magnum, loaded with a 140 grain 0.633 BC Berger bullet to a muzzle velocity of 3,150 fps, will still be traveling 1,800 fps at 1,000 yards and carrying half a ton of kinetic energy. At more typical flat land hunting distances, point blank range is approximately 318 yards with a + ordinate of only 2.5″ and the 140 grain bullet carries a ton of kinetic energy out to 400 yards.

Personally, I don’t care for light bullet loading the 264 Winchester Magnum, as there isn’t a lot to gain.  A 100 grain bullet may start out at an eye popping 3,700 fps, but few bullets can handle impact velocity inside 100 yards and, at 200 yards, the 140 grain bullet launched at 3,150 fps is traveling faster and with nearly twice the level of kinetic energy. The 140 grain bullet’s gain over the 100 grain bullet is near exponential beyond 200 yards. Pictured, right, a Speer 100 grain Varminter and Hornady 140 grain SST.

The first 90 days scenario…

The momentum, or lack of momentum, immediately following a product’s announcement determines its longer term success or failure. Much more so than an accumulated track record. Unfortunately, introduction of the 264 Winchester Magnum was met with negative press, based mostly on conjecture, cartridge misapplication and the round’s ability to tax component technology. Yes, the 264 Winchester Magnum can shoot out a barrel faster than a 30-06 Springfield. Yes, it is too much for hundred round days of light bullet varmint hunting. Yes, there are clearly better smokeless powder and bullet selections today then when the cartridge was first introduced.

With a Real Guns Barrel Burner Index of 19.3, the 264 Winchester Magnum is bracketed by the 7mm Ultra Mag at 25.2, the 257 Weatherby Magnum at 20.9, the 270 WSM at 18.5 and the 7mm Remington Magnum at 18.0. It is a substantially overbore capacity case, but not much more so than other smallish bore magnum cartridges. I’ve put over 3,000 rounds through a 257 Weatherby without measureable loss of accuracy and I could not see why a shorter barrel life would be expected of the 264 Winchester Magnum. Does that sound like short barrel life? In context, 3,000 rounds is the equivalent of  approximately 30 years of use in a big game hunting rifle’s life. A 264 Winchester Magnum’s barrel can live a long life if it isn’t fed a steady diet of 3,800 fps varmint loads and routinely shot until its barrel glows red.

Winchester lists the 264 Winchester as suitable for thin skinned game, notably deer and black bear. However, every reloading manual indicates game such as elk and moose are easily within the round’s capability. For the slower and heavier bullet crowd, Hornady, Norma, Sierra, and Woodleigh produce bullets up to 160 grains that deliver exceptional penetration. Unfortunately, to keep bullet length short enough to stabilize with standard rifling twist rates, these heavy for bore bullets have a blunt ogive, which means a low B.C.. Beyond a couple hundred yards they are outperformed by 140 grain bullets. Inside 200 yards they can paper punch a moose or break large bones.

Five inexpensive but worthy bullets…

	Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity,  pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may easily be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 5%,  and developed following safe handloading practices as represented in established reloading manuals produced by component manufacturers. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.   Cartridge: 264 Winchester Magnum   Firearm: Winchester Model 70 Super grade   Max COL: 3.340″   Bullet Diameter: 0.264″   Primer: CCI 250   Barrel length: 26″   Reloading Dies: Lee Precision   Max case length: 2.500″   Group: Distance 100 yards – Three shots
COL and Capacity					Load Data & Performance
Bullet Type	Bullet Weight	C.O.L. Inches	Case Grains Water		Powder	Charge Grains	Muzzle Velocity FPS	Muzzle Energy Ft/Lbs	Group Inches
Sierra Varminter HP 1710	100	3.150	78.2		Hybrid 100V	65.0	3545	2791	1.1
Sierra Varminter HP 1710	100	3.150	78.2		H414	66.0	3640	2941	0.7
Sierra Varminter HP 1710	100	3.150	78.2		IMR7828SSC	72.0	3704	3047	0.9
Sierra Pro Hunter SP 1720	120	3.340	78.7		H4831SC	68.0	3350	2990	0.9
Sierra Pro Hunter SP 1720	120	3.340	78.7		H1000	73.0	3431	3138	0.6
Sierra Pro Hunter SP 1720	120	3.340	78.7		IMR7828*	68.0	3445	3162	0.9
Nosler Partition 16320	125	3.340	77.3		RL25	70.0	3353	3120	0.8
Nosler Partition 16320	125	3.340	77.3		H1000	72.0	3344	3103	1.1
Nosler Partition 16320	125	3.340	77.3		RS Magnum	73.0	3368	3149	1.0
Prvi SPBT**	139	3.340	77.0		RL25	68.0	3170	3102	1.1
Prvi SPBT**	139	3.340	77.0		H1000	70.0	3168	3097	1.0
Prvi SPBT**	139	3.340	77.0		RS Magnum	71.0	3193	3147	1.2
Hornady SST 26302	140	3.210	74.6		RL25	65.0	3131	3048	1.0
Hornady SST 26302	140	3.210	74.6		H1000	67.0	3129	3044	0.8
Hornady SST 26302	140	3.210	74.6		IMR7828*	63.0	3153	3090	0.8
*Not SSC  ** Good  low cost bullets for target practice.

Bullets I did not have time to develop into finished loads, but wish I did have… Berger Hunting 130 and 140 grain VLD, Norma Oryx 156 grain and Woodleigh 160 grain Protected Point. All show promise, just couldn’t get the powder right by the project cut off date. Next time.

OK, so where is the Winchester Model 70 in all of this?

Always close at hand. If there is any company capturing the essence of a classic bolt action rifle, it is Winchester. The rifle feels right, it shoots straight and it is something to show off at the range. In the world of slightly fancy production rifles, the Winchester is a standout in fit and finish and at half the price of products like the Kimber Super America or a Nosler Model 48 Legacy.

The Model 70 Super Grade’s slight increase in heft over the Featherweight model, and 26″ barrel length, give the 264 Winchester manners. Recoil is managed well, report is down a bit from the typical crack and roar of a 264 Win Mag, which combine to make it easier to shoot the rifle with accuracy. I’m sure there is a good deal more potential in the combination as neither bullet or powder selection was optimal, but good enough to get a feel for the combination.

The rifle can be configured, and ammunition loaded for extreme range hunting. It can also be set up with a little less glass and loaded with full up 140 grain ammo for 100 yard hunting. While 3,150 fps is a good head of steam for a 140 grain bullet, it is not so high as to cause a problem finding good bullets. Beautiful rifle, excellent cartridge, great combination. For more information on the Model 70 Super Grade and other Winchester firearms, you might stop by www.WinchesterGuns.com.

Winchester’s Model 70 Super Grade – Part 1
Winchester’s Model 70 Super Grade – Part 2