Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters John, did you cold weather test RL26?

Mule Deer - 08/16/16 you began a very interesting thread about Reloader 26 with 150's in the 270 Winchester. In one of your entries you mentioned testing for temp sensitivity. Have you been able to do so? I'd be interested in your results. I have access to the Adirondacks but I'll not consider going out when it's -20 or colder. Greatly appreciate your rifle expertise and your willingness to share it here.

Thanks
Jim

Yes, I did. My .270 load didn't lose any velocity at 0 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 65-80 degree temperatures, and in fact it gained a little, though not enough to change POI at 100 yards.

This of course is great news. I've yet to achieve the same precision with R26 that I usually get with H4831 but I'm not giving up on that front yet.

Thanks Mule Deer.
Having just traded my 300WSM for a Kimber Montana in 270 Win I'm looking at bullet/powder combinations for what I hunt. I tend to lean on that John Barsness fellow for his commentary. This 270 will be used primarily for NY Whitetail and Newfoundland Moose. A 150 something at 3000+ will be my moose load. Suggestions?

Thanks
Jim

In my experience it's hard to beat the 150 Nosler Partition for those animals, and anything in between.

Have you tried mag primers?

DF

I have. I use them exclusively in my 340 which really rolls with R26. I've found lower SDs with 215Ms over 210Ms in my 7SAUM but haven't found the accuracy I've seen with other powders. Not poor accuracy mind you, but not to the potential of the guns. Not complaining, just stating I have more tinkering to do. I haven't seen the guys flock to it in competitive disciplines either but time will tell.

DF

Are you suggesting mag primers for the 270 Win.?

Just asking.

Some powders like mag primers, some do better with std.

Never know till you try'em.

Magnum and some ball powders seem to perform better with mag primers, even in std. cases. Not sure about RL-26. I have some, just haven't tried it.

DF

DF

I have a few hundred mag primers that could use a case to house them. I'm now wondering if someone who has tried them in the 270 might speak up? I'm not adverse at all to try them but this wheel probably has been ridden. Would be good to hear about the experience.

Thanks
Jim

Jim,

RL-26 is a short stick, not a ball powder. Generally those ignite well with std. primers in a .270 sized round. The mag. vs. std. primer suggestion was just another variable that I would test, trying for optimal performance.

You don't know until you check it out.

DF

I used the same Federal 210's that Alliant lists in their .270 data for RL-26, and the results have been so good (both at 0 and 70 degrees) that I haven't tried any others.