Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting .264 Win Mag for elk

Can you provide feedback on the ABLR’s performance on these game animals? Penetration, pass-throughs, bone breaking, exit wound details, etc.

The elk took two to put down for good. Dang thing just didn't understand he was dead and heavy brush was all around him. First shot passed completely through both shoulders and exited leaving a hole about the size of a half dollar. He dropped in his tracks, then stood back up facing away. I was taught as long as they're standing, put another round in. Second shot entered the right ham and through the 'near' shoulder. Found that bullet in the meat on that side when boning it out. It weighed 59 grains.
Everything else was complete pass through leaving quarter to fifty cent sized exits. Other than the elk, all were one-shot and done.
I also use the AB in a couple of 25-06's, a 243 and a 30-40 Krag (in development).

Have been shooting the 264 mag since 1964. Still have my Rem 700 264 ( 23 1/2" stainless Bbl. ) bought new in 1964 & still shoots great.. Since the Barnes "X" came out & now the TSX the 120gr has been my bullet of choice. When used in any of our 6.5's it gives complete penetration. The 264 mag with one of the ultra slow powders will drive the Barnes 120gr TSX at 3450 to 3500fps from a 26" Bbl. 3400+ from a 24" Bbl. It will drive this 120gr TSX bullet completely thru an elk even at an acute angle. Used to use the Nosler 140gr partition at 3200+ but have found the Barnes 120gr TSX will out penetrate it. A tough deep penetrating bullet properly placed will always bring an elk down.

If a 150 gr. c&c with a 308 or 06, bullet will do the job what makes anyone think a 140 gr. bullet (especially in premium) in 6.5 won't? The only elk I have taken was at about 150 yards with a .260, using 140 gr. Corelokt. DRT. Bang flop. Went down so fast I didn't see it go down - and there ain't a lot of recoil there!

The .264WM will do fine.

I was looking for one for long range caribou hunting in 1974 who I came on a fancy grained RU77V in .25-06........Kicking myself yet for selling that thing off a few years later. Didn't think it was "enough gun" for moose, but I've gotten less stupid since..... allegedly.

I have a Lipsey #1 in 264WM (26")& I will start working up a load this summer with the 120TTSX, don't expect a powder charge weight but what powders have you tried to get 3500fps? I have a good bit of H1000, Retumbo, RL 26 & 33.

Please understand the info I giving you here is safe in my rifles. You should always start low & work up. All loads are with the CCI LR mag primer & Barnes 120gr TSX bullet.a proven elk killer.
"Ireco 85" a now discontinued powder of which I have 8 lbs. 72grs = 3514fps in my rifles 26" Bbl. ( If we were closer I'd share a couple lbs with you ) .
"Vihtavuori 24N41 also a discontinued powder ( might maybe be some around ) 74grs = 3456 fps.
"Reloader 33" readily available. 76grs= 3468 fps.
"Vihtavuori 20N29" also a super slow powder I wanted to try but as yet have not. Main reason it only comes in 8lbs container.
Hope this to be helpful to you. Feel free to PM me if you wish more info.

is It a model 70 super grade or a sako pre-Garcia you are going to use?

I have shot 10 or 11 Elk with a 264 Win Mag. Also around 30 Mule Deer, It kills them dead!!! I also shot a Leopard and a Mid Asian Ibex with it. I shot the Leopard with 140 Partitions but the 120 Barns TTSX is my go to bullet.

Thanks, yes I work up with caution, thanks

Nomo, all of those powders you listed will work. Which one, only your rifle will tell you. Mine likes the 142's and RL 33.

As an added thought. You probably are aware but for those reading this post that have never used bullets like the Barnes TSX/TTSX may not be aware. . As stated by Barnes you should start with these bullets seated .050 off the lands . Some where between .030 & .070 off the lands is where you will most likely find your rifles accuracy sweet spot. On my several 6.5 rifles my accuracy sweet spot has been between .030 & .020 off the lands. If you don't see the accuracy you like try changing the seating depth +/- by no more than .010 at a time. Some times as little a change as .005 can make a significant difference. I have seen some rifles that love the extra long jump of .070 off the lands. Be patient & take your time.

I think there are only about 5 respondents that have personal experience with the .264 WIn Mag. The rest offered anecdotes about other cartridges or their buddies’ successes. No doubt the .264 is a capable elk cartridge, just not widely used; backing up my original assertion. Happy Trails

So what, The OP was obviously interested enough. Yeah, your post is vindicated. Good for you.

That really makes be laugh.

If the 6.5 Creed is more than good for elk, then the 264 WM is waaaaaaaaay more than good.

MM

My experience w/ 264 Win Mag. One bull.

Berger VLD @ 496 yds. Did not penetrate opposite side ribcage.

Earlier my 1st shot skipped off ribcage. Angle was too acute. Prolly could have happened with any caliber. Knocked the bull off his feet and left a heck of a bruise below the hide.

Tough crowd....

Roger that MM.

as a hunter ,reloaded and a gun dealer I always point out to people interested in a accurate flat shooting cartridges I tell them 264 win.mag,270 weatherby mag or a 257 weatherby mag because all 3 are great cartridges and have a lot less recoil that the bigger magnums. all 3 cartridges hit like lightning I myself own all 3 of them too my favorite 2 are a 257 weatherby mag and 264 win. mag . when I was a kid and poor I always wanted a 264 win. mag well now I have 2 both in pre-64 model 70 Winchesters !

The .264 mag & 6.5's in general are gaining in popularity rapidly. The 6.5 has cut considerably into the sales of so called main stream cartridges of the past. For 125 years 6.5's have been taking all manner of game world wide including moose in Scandinavia. !20 years ago"Karamojo Bell" ( Walter Dalrymple Maitland ) took numerous elephant's & over 400 head of every type of African plains game with the 6.5MS using 160gr solids & 159gr RSN bullets at barely 2300fps. Tough bullets, deep penetration. He averaged 1 1/2 shots per animal. That means a considerable amount of the game was taken with "1" shot. Also no scope, open sights only. Now think about the advanced powders & bullets available to the hunter of today like the Barnes TSX/TTSX. The rest of the world has know about the ability of the 6.5 for over a century while the US hunter is just recently understanding it's capability. The 264 mag. is a superb hard hitting flat shooting cartridge with reasonable recoil. Those who prefer the traditional cartridges are having a difficult time seeing their favorite cartridges being over shadowed by the 6.5. which is why they attack it. Attacking the 264 shows just how much popularity it is gaining. You see Winchester producing several versions of their rifles in the 264 mag. A new stainless feather weight M70 in 264 will be available this fall. . If the demand were not there it would not be produced. Remington also producing the 264. Whether you prefer the 6.5CM/260 Rem, to 26 Nosler the 6.5 is showing it self to be an outstanding cal.capable of taking mice to heavy game just by changing the bullet. Try one your self & understand.

Took my 6.5-06 AI on one elk hunt but didn't tag out. Carried 160 Woodleigh PP over H1000. They shoot really well. My gun is twisted 1:8. May use it this fall again.