Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Loading 264 LBC

What is the largest grain bullet you have loaded in a 264 LBC? I have a Grendel II on order as part of a barrel buy over on www.msrhunt.com and its very similar to the 264 LBC. I want to try loading to mag length (PRI mag) with the 140gr Partition with LEVER or CFE223 to see whats possible. Wonder what others have achieved.

A 140gr bullet is pretty much defeating the purpose of the Grendel in my opinion. Even if you can get it to mag length you will be compressing loads.

My book doesn't have load data for the Partition. But it does for the Lupua Naturalis COAL: 2.260, Hodgdon H4895 start 26.0gr max 26.4gr Velocity 2240fps, Hodgdon Varget start 27.0gr max 27.8gr Velocity 2220fps.

I wouldn't be happy with those velocitys in a Grendel.

Naw the 140gr Sierra Game King(SBT) is 1.262in and the 140gr Partition is 1.29in and are both shorter than the 120gr Barnes TTSX at 1.322in which is typically loaded to 2.23in. They are also actually shorter than the 129gr SST which measures at 1.329in. So with loading a 140gr loading to mag length 2.3in with a PRI mag i don't think they'll take up anymore case capacity than commonly loaded bullets for the Grendel and in some cases less case capacity.

I wouldn't either but thats a Grendel with the compound throat which restricts the length you can load the bullet to.

Maybe not, I have not tried. But why would you want such a heavy bullet compared to the available power? To me just doesn't make sense. I shoot 120gr and 123gr in my Grendel and 139gr and 140gr in my Creedmoor.

If i can get 2430fps from a 140gr partition with a BC of .490 its got an effective hunting range of 400 yards at sea level. Thats all i need. Why use a 123gr SST on game when i could use a 140gr partition? Better penetration, better expansion, more energy on target, better sectional density and more weight retention.

I have not had anything live to tell about taking a SST, AMAX, or Scenar in the 120gr to 123gr range bullets. I can't imagine a properly placed bullet of 120gr to 123gr not working on medium to small game animals.

You may find the load data you are looking for in the book 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbook Vol II. I have not gotten around to order Vol II yet.

Yeah i'v got it and it will give me somewhere to start but the bullets aren't loaded as far out in the case because of the restrictive compound throat and chamber length. Thats why i wanted to see what 264 LBC loaders have tried. I know what a 6.5 Grendel can do. Glshooter is getting 2750fps with his 264 LBC loaded to 2.295in behing 32.5gr of CFE223. No SAAMI grendel with the compound throat can load a 123gr SST to 2.295in.

You may want to look at Nosler's 129gr Long Range Accubond. Performance range of 1300-3100 fps. Better expansion farther at Grendel speeds.

When the 264 Nosler LRA comes out i will definitely give it a try in the Grendel II but its going to take up a lot more case capacity than the 140gr Partition.

I'm using bwild97's load data from the Grendel reloading guide Vol 2 as a reference with CFE223 and LEVER. He loads long in his Grendel as long as he can anyways. Then using the shooters noted velocity estimator http://shootersnotes.com/Velinfo.php and its predicting that i should get my target velocity of 2435fps. Of course i won't really know until i get the barrel and test to see if thats realistic without pressure signs. Encouraging no the less though.

I am interested in hearing how it works out for you.

Will do probably still a month out with the barrel.

Here's Bwild97's load data. Pay special attention to his COAL's that he's able to load to with his factory ER Shaw barrel. Most Grendel loaders can't replicate his loaded because they can't replicate his COAL.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...dUt3eGExTUpwa%20mc&usp=sharing#gid=0

Thanks for the link.

Always work up your own loads specific to your rifle. I have a 20" .264 LBC and can get no where near 32g+ of LVR behind a 123 scenars. I pierced primers w/30.9 and a CCI #450 primer, the same load was easier on primers when I didn't use magnum primers.2.265" coal

Right try loading farther in the case out to 2.285-2.29. With the COAL your using your pretty hot. My ASC mag allows out to 2.289in. The LBC allows you to load longer than the Grendel guys take advantage of that. Your COAL 2.265 is more of a SAAMI grendel COAL.

Here's a pic of a PRI mag with a Grendel follower installed with a 140gr Partition loaded to 2.3in.



Here's a pic of how deep a 140gr Partition is loaded to at 2.3in COAL.



For reference a 123gr SST loaded to SAAMI COAL of 2.245in.



Maxium COAL for the 140gr Partition has been measured at 140gr. Nosler Partition OAL= 2.302 for the Grendel II chamber. As you can see the powder will not be compressed.