Quick Answer
The .264 Winchester Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1958 by Winchester Repeating Arms, designed for hunting large and dangerous game. It was the first commercially available cartridge to utilize a 6.5mm bullet. The .264 Winchester Magnum is known for its long-range accuracy and high ballistic coefficients.
History and Design
The .264 Winchester Magnum was developed by Winchester in an effort to create a versatile cartridge that could handle a variety of hunting applications, from large deer to elk and even bears. The cartridge’s design is based on the .300 Winchester Magnum case, necked down to accept a 6.5mm bullet. This resulted in a cartridge with a 2.049-inch overall length and a 64-grain minimum case capacity. The .264 Winchester Magnum initially loaded with a 130-grain bullet at 2,900 feet per second and a 140-grain bullet at 2,800 feet per second.
Legacy and Performance
The .264 Winchester Magnum has seen widespread use in hunting and target shooting due to its excellent ballistic characteristics. Its flat trajectory, high ballistic coefficient, and moderate recoil make it a popular choice for hunting in dense cover and at longer ranges. In the early 2000s, the .264 Winchester Magnum saw a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the success of long-range shooting and hunting. Modern loadings often push the .264 Winchester Magnum to 3,000 feet per second or more, making it even more effective on large and elusive game.
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