Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Work ups with R-33 and 264 win mag observations.

In an attempt to get a feel for R-33 in the 264 win mag, I loaded several bullets with progressively more powder and watched for pressure signs. The down side is that I goofed up and loaded a mixture of different brass in the process, before realizing the screw up. I weighed the brass in an attempt to have some sense of what was going on...

Here's my data.
1. Hornady 129 Interbond, fed 215 mag primer, various brass, R-33 Powder
73gr, nos 212 gr brass, 3152 fps
74gr, nos 232 gr brass, 3189 fps
75gr, nos 232 gr brass, 3189 fps
76gr, win 235 gr brass, 3228 fps
76.5gr nos 212 gr brass, 3244 fps
77gr, win 235 gr brass, 3333fps
77.5gr, win 235 gr brass, 3341 fps
78gr, nos 212 gr brass, 3308 fps

2. Berger 140 VLD HUNTING, Fed 215 mag primer, misc brass, R-33 Powder
73gr, 235gr win brass, 3058 fps
74gr, 240gr RP brass, 3115 fps
75gr, 235 win brass, 3144fps
76gr, 235gr win brass, 3205
76.5gr, 235gr win brass, 3252 (easy bolt lift)
77gr, 235gr win brass, 3244 fps.
77.5gr, 212gr nos brass, 3174. (Easy bolt lift, but lighter brass)
(For the heavier brass, I would choose to limit 76 grains for a safe max)

3. Nosler 140 accubond, CCI mag primer, assorted brass, R-33.
72 gr, 235gr win brass, 3037 fps
73 gr, 235gr win brass, 3093 fps
74 gr, 235gr, win brass, 3137 fps
75gr, 212gr Nos brass, 3159 fps
76gr, 235 win brass (pulled-didn't want to go up 2 grains at a time with the heavier brass)

4. Berger 140 VLD Hunting, Primer ??? , 212 gr Nosler brass (lighter Nos brass) , R-33
72gr, 212gr Nos Brass, 2956 fps
73gr, 212gr Nos brass, 3009 fps
74gr, 212gr Nos brass, 3037 fps
75gr, 212gr Nos brass, 3100 fps
76gr, 212gr Nos Brass, 3159 fps
(No ejector marks, bolt stiffness and primer edges not flattened in this work up load).

One thing that seemed consistent was that the lighter brass (212gr nosler) gave slightly less velocity with the same load.
3300 with the 129 accubond seems like a screaming sub 600 yard hunting load. Next up....shooting for groups with consistent brass
Just FYI...

Tagging in. Interested to see where this goes.

I'm watching this closely myself. All I have is WW brass, may need to get some Nosler.

emailed Alliant regarding 33 and the 264. They said they don't have anything worked up.

The RL-33 I have must be Magic.

RL-33 has given me top velocities with the 140 class bullets in the .264 Winchester, and I've tried just about every applicable powder. US-869, WC-872, Retumbo, RL-25, and about 4 others....

72 grains makes a 139 Scenar move along at 3400 fps according to Ballistic AE drops...

That extra weight in the WW cases may be in the design/construction of the head of the case. Not a bad thing. Section case to find out. I'd be interested in seeing where that extra weight is myself (?)

Speeds look real good across the board. I did really well with RL25 and Nosler brass along with CCI250's. They topped at 3180 with 140 BT's and 3200 on the nose with 140 AB's. Haven't had a chance to try the RL33 yet, but it looks really good.

What's your accuracy with the HIB 129? I love the MV's I'm getting with Re-33, but I cannot get that bullet to shoot in my M70 Super Grade.

RC it must be magic!!!

My load of 79 gr yielded 3150 fps with the 129 AB. 26" bbl ruger #1

My barrel length is 26" as well (Douglas barrel) ... Just FYI

My observation/comment is that I get the same speeds with the 140 NAB with 5 grains less powder. I've come the the conclusion that I have a fast/tight barrel. US869 + 139 Scenar is the accuracy king for me with the 139/140 class bullet.

Has anyone tried the N570? There is a guy on another forum that is going to experiment with it so I am watching it closely to see how it goes. It is suppose to be a magnum slow burn rate powder but the manufacturer does not list the 264WM in there reload data.

Here is some information I found on the 264WM. Looking at the N570 data in this chart it appears to be close performance wise to the old H570. With 71gr of the old H570 the 160gr PPSN is 3095fps from my 30" barrel. N570 is a grain less for the same fps.

http://www.realguns.com/loads/264winmag.htm

New RL 33, 264 win mag data from another work up trip to the range.
#1 nos 212gr brass, nos140 acubnd seconds, CCI MAG prmr, 73gr R33- 3016fps
#2 win 235gr brass, nos 140 acubnd seconds, CCI mag prm, 74gr R33- 3144fps
# 3 win 235gr brass, nos 140 acubnd seconds, CCI mag prm, 75gr R33- 3205fps
#4 win 235gr brass, nos 140 acubnd seconds, CCI mag prm, 75.5gr R33-3212fps
#5 nos 232gr brass, nos 140 acubnd seconds, CCI mag prm, 76gr R33- 3228fps
#6 win235gr brass, nos 140acubnd seconds, CCI mag prm, 76.5 R33- 3284 fps
#7 win235gr brass, nos 140acbnd seconds, CCI mag prm, 77gr R33-3316 fps
#8 win235gr brass, nos 140gr acubn secnds, CCI mag prm, 77.3 gr R33–3333fps

I noticed a bit more smoke starting at 76.5 grains. 74,75,75.5 went in almost the same hole. Shot one was 2" high. Adjusted the scope and 4 of the next seven went in .5" group at 100 yards. Brass from #4 on, had a very narrow short "sheer" mark on the edge of the brass. Never did get the classic round ejector mark. # 8 round did start to have a slight crater in the primer mark. #8 had slight bolt stiffness. I think I will shoot for groups at longer range with 74-75.5 grains powder and see what she does. Preliminary group looks like it has a lot of potential for accuracy. 4 of seven went into dead center grouping.

Here are pics of the brass. Rounds 1-6

Rounds 5-8

Some type of mark on edge of brass...Note under the #4 in "264"

That is some very interesting data. It is nice to see the new powders providing the velocities in the 264 which we imagined when we had the chamber cut.

I have had a can of '33 sitting on the shelf for over a year now. But time has been tight and Magnum is driving my 130 AB's to 3300 fps with superior accuracy.

I may try magnum or magpro next, just for the heck of it.

Haven't shot it for groups yet. But I hope my gun likes em.

Found my "huckleberry" load. 140 accubond, 75 gr R33, 3175 fps, cci mag primer, 212 gr nosler brass. 75.5 gr had same impact spot w 3190 fps.
Sub 1/2" at 100 yards.

How fast is it moving along according to a chronograph?