Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Testing RL 26 in the 280 Remington

Bob I reflect sometimes....How far have we come?

A lot seems like refinements rather than quantum leaps forward.

Yeah, and I'm making the full circle and coming back. LOL....

SU:

63g MRP runs 140s at 3160 in my AI and 64 nets me 3200fps (24"). This particular rifle efficiently matches Nosler book speeds.

fwiw, the difference betwixt MRP & RL 22 has been, for me, as much the batch as fps in the 280 & 280AI over time. A 3.5-4g case capacity difference betwixt two current samples--50fps seems about right.

Interesting powder info below. Hoping to run some 26 under 160's loaded out a bit in the 280 (which dang near translates into an AI at the doctrinal OAL).

Alliant 23,26

Maybe RL 26 gives the same speeds but at a lesser pressure.

They sound wonderful but so far getting them locally has not been possible. That's what we had as a problem with MRP years ago,so eventually I gave up on MRP. Inconsistent availability..

I hope these two powders don't suffer the same fate. No matter how great they are, they aren't worth much if you can't get them.

Yeah, it does. Some lab results would be nice prior to buying a can, but hey. Thinking maybe, it could replace RL25's slot nicely, here anyway.

Question, please:

With that 140g load, was the case full? How much more room w/o compressing?

Fired cases, in a Norma case the powder comes up just before the neck, at the top of the shoulder.

In a Winchester case there is just a bit more room.

I would consider them a full case without compressing.


Both powders, MRP and 26 look very similar.


RL 26 is impossible to find now. It was abundant around here a few months ago.

Interesting thread, Bob, & nice to see info from people that I think are reliable.

I've used RL-22 & MRP interchangeably for years in both the 280 & 270, both in multiple guns.

In the 280, with 140 Partitions or BT's I've never been able to make myself go over 61 gr. for around 3050 FPS.

With 150's, I've stopped at 59.5 gr for around 2950'ish.

Your velocities with the 160 gr. bullets & RL-26 makes about everything else a moot point.

I've not tried any '26 yet but guess I'll have to give in but I've got a fair amount of MRP & '22 on hand...........both work too well to just dump them.

MM

MM,

Thanks for your input,

The 160's are really showing some promise.


Here is a load I shot this evening shooting the Berger 168 Classic Hunter.

Berger 168 Classic Hunter
RL 26 -- 58.5 grains
2,917
2,909

in my 7x64 i am loading 140BT's @ 59gr of RL22 for the same sort of speeds Montana Man is getting with his 150's, i have gone to 60gr but my bolt was a little stiff so i went back to 59gr, the 7x64 and .280 are meant to be interchangeable with load data so i will be watching this thread closely

i can only load to max COAL of 84.5mm due to magazine limitations so heavier than 150's don't interest me, the RL26 loads posted on here are quite exciting if i can get it in Aus, will have to wait till i get to the city again to chase some up

O_R Good luck on finding 26 powder. I'm down to just a few more loads and I'm out.

Thanks for the 140g info SU

160s are looking like a good match.

Barns 145 LRX
RL 26 -- 61.5
3,031
3,003

Asked them about the AI - no data. Curious about the 145lrx for it. How much over the standard 280 can you safely load the AI?

Checked the only reliable store to have Alliant powder and all they have is RL 10, 15 and 22

if i order it will be 9 months waiting

bugger

Just got two 1 pounders at my local Sportsmans Warehouse. Don't know where to start though...

fwiw...

Grab the Nosler #7 manual. Try a few loads and check your rifle's behavior (and your handloading skills) against the book's results,
then let your comparative velocity be your guide to RL26.

IMHO, you cannot rely on anecdotal velocity results from other handloaders or someones else's rifle's pressure signs. Forget that, rifles vary too much.

Trust me, an AI not showing pressure signs does not mean you running safely. While the 280 AI has the potential for getting the most out of a factory produced "standard" case--if you are running past the book you are on your own...

The 280, OTOH, has always been loaded to lower pressures and book loads leave money on the table, giving guys a lot to argue over...:)

Interesting. I have RE26 on hand and am looking for a powder to use with high BC bullets (in particular 175 grain Accubond Long Range) in my custom 26" barreled Remington 700. I don't think Nosler has RE 26 listed. Other powders I'm looking at are: H4831sc, H1000, Re22, and finally H4350 - which are the appropriate powders that I have on hand. It's too cold for testing right now though and I don't have the stamina/drive that MD has for cold weather testing (It's f---ing cold out right now). I plan on using the selected load in various temperatures and desire a low fowling load with high accuracy.

With 26 a good chrono is a must does not show traditional pressure signs. My 280 shoots great with RL 26 and 162 GR Horn A Max so so with 150 gr. I have a lot of RL 26 when it works it is exceptional in certain cartridges not all. Berger has a little data with RL 26.

Trying to get the Nosler LR AB to shoot has been frustrating I gave up! Easier to get a standard bullet to shoot then try it. Especially when trying a new powder to the rifle to many variables. If you get the N LRAB to shoot let us know please.

It's too cold for an old man (And I'm not a writer) to sit at a shooting bench and test -- Below zero - wind chill -40F and lower. Supposed to warm up and each day is closer to Spring.

I'm looking for an accurate high BC load/bullet combination and temp change resistant is a must. I'll have the chrono out there. High velocity would be nice, but within 150 fps of tops is fine.

My shooting bench is right where wind can be nasty. Maybe I can do something about that this summer.