In R-26. Tried some for the first time today in the .243 and 7 SAUM. I beat Nosler's maximum listed velocity for the 95 grain Ballistic tip in the .243 by 60 fps with outstanding accuracy and zero pressure signs, and beat their maximum for 150s in the SAUM by 50 fps using a 23" barrel, again with excellent accuracy and no pressure signs.

smoke, I'm fixin' to start my load workup with those 95 and 105's that you mentioned in another thread. I would be very interested in what loads you find best with these two bullets if you don't mind. I never would have thought of R26 I'll admit.

I picked up a pound of R26 to try in my 280AI

JG, I didn't shoot 105s, but I had my best accuracy with 95 NBTs and 46 grains with a Fed 210 and Lapua brass, a little over 3200 with a 24" barrel. It shot really well.

Edited to add, that was a 23" barrel, not 24".

In the 270, I definitely found it would better its nearest competitor with 150's by 50 fps+

I wonder how this powder would work in a 260 Rem.?

Thanks

I've about decided to load all my 280 AI brass with RL-26 and 160 gr Accubonds, can't see what in the conus that bullet wont handle.

Hammerdown,

RL-26 is too slow for the .260.

I'm a believer also.

Absolutely nothin!

Good to hear! I'd been looking for months for the stuff and grabbed 2 lbs from Cabela's recently. I'm really hoping it will beat H4831SC with 150 Partitions in my Win FW. I've been using 57g and just getting ~2800. Would love to get 2900 or so and not be over book max like I am with 4831.

I also have an accurate 95g BT load worked up with H4350 for my 243. Some extra velocity would just be a bonus in this rifle!

I'm gonna try it in the 280 AI next. In the meantime, Fotis ran quickload on the 280 AI and 150 grain bullets, you can find it here if you're interested:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11662881/2

FWIW, in the SAUM the quickload data says 64 grains of R-26 is approaching the max load, so I loaded up a few rounds at 62, 63, and 64. Seems to me that I reached maximum at 63 grains, based on the chronograph, that load shot 3150 fps out of a 23" barrel with no pressure signs.

I had best accuracy at 62 grains and 3100 fps.

appreciate the research...particularly on the 7 AI/Saum

I may have to try some

The Monkees;... 1967.

I have a couple pounds of it. Thinking about it for the .300 RUM & 190 ABLR

Written by Neil Diamond

Mr. Mule Deer how would it work in the 25/06 for 100 or 125 gr. bullets? Thank you for your time. Cheers NC

What would be a good starting point with RL26 in a 7 SAUM with 160 grain Accubonds?

"I thought love was only true in fairy tales ..."

The latest data I see on Bergers web site shows reloader 26 as the fastest powder in the 260 rem with their 135 classic hunter and 140 elite hunter.

I don't know if this is based on some quickload mapping. But the velocities are impressive.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/reloading-data/

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

And how did you determine that pressure sign were not present?

I can only speak to 105s with H4350. 41 grains right at 3000 fps with excellent accuracy.You could go upa couple of grains if needed. stopped there because I found the sweet spot.I haven't used R 26.

scottishkat,

Thanks for that Berger link.

It's puzzling to me how a case full of 26 with 150's in the .270 Winchester can produce similar velocities to a case full of 26 and 135's in the .260. But now guess I'll have to try it!

I'm glad to see you guys are coming around.

I brought this up last summer and was close to be hanged in the town square. It really is the real deal. It single handedly changed my thinking on the 270. I've always liked the 270 but it didn't push 150s as fast as I wanted. It does now. Its tough to beat a 150 at 3050 in a 6.5 lb rifle with recoil that doesn't beat the crap out of you. Re 26 will obviously push similar weight bullets faster in similar size and bigger cases but you start running into recoil tolerances - at least I do.

I'm curious what the 280 AI find pushing 160s. Please keep us posted.

It is one I will be trying. If it shoots well and gives the velocity others have received, I will switch to it in my fwt.

After reading all the hoopla I had to give it a try. My 270 shot really nice groups with 150 Hot Cors and RL26. But I was afraid that bullet wouldn't hold together when shooting elk at close range with all that speed.

Partitions to the rescue! 150 Partitions and RL26 make a perfect combination in 270 Win.

Thanks. I cannot find H4350 so I'm gonna try the new IMR4451 that MD and others are so high on.

How compressed is that 260/135 load at 105% case fill?

I believe Quickload is how Berger arrives at a lot of its data... but I've been wrong before.

Just tried out a new MagnetoSpeed chronograph, 60 grains of RL26, Nosler ABLR 150gr in my pre 64 270 with 24" barrel. 3045 fps in Fed brass and 3032 fps in Win brass. Only two 3 shot groups tried. The Federal brass was 1/2" and the Win brass was 1 1/8" group. The MagnetoSpeed didn't seem to hurt accuracy. Small sample group but these loads were still under max charge. I am impressed!

Bill

By pressure signs I mean the usual obvious signs that we all look for. Taking into account the chronographed velocities vs. max. velocities from reloading data.

Like hard bolt lift, ridges around the firing pin indentations in the primer, flattened primers, and especially ejector slot marks on the case head. Having run a couple other powders up to maximum velocities (from reloading data), in this rifle with this brass, I know that the brass will show slight ejector marks when I push max. velocities.

For example, at 3100 fps with this same bullet and IMR 7977, I get slight ejector slot marks. Just enough to barely make out when I hold them up in the sunlight. I don't get those at 3100 with R-26.

Now where have I heard that before?

Thanks Smokepole, I was looking for 3K with the 160 AB's and the most accuracy possible from my Montana, may get a custom dial or CDS on my Leupold 3.5-10 if a good load is set.

I was hoping someone else would take a stab at this but here's how I'd figure it.

I think 62 grains was about the top end of the range with a 150 Scenar. So if I was starting over from scratch with the 150 Scenar I'd load up a few rounds each at 60, 61, and 62.

The 160 is about 7% heavier than the 150, and the Scenar has a longer boat tail and longer ogive than the regular Accubond so the Accubond's bearing surface is longer than the Scenar's which means more pressure with the same amount of powder.

So with that and other unknowns, I'd bump the 7% up to 10% and drop down 10% from the starting charge (60 grains) for the 150, and load a few at 54, 55, and 56 to start.

At least that's what I'd do. Either that or find someone to run quickload for you.

I found it puzzling as well when I saw this posted the first time. Looks good in all the 6.5's as well CM and 284 included.
Been a big 260 man sine early 2000. When I first saw post about RL 26 I said to slow as well.

Berger data just confirmed what I had heard from others. read your post about RL 26 looks like its worth a try. I have some to try if you're still shooting 260 I would be interested to hear back.

In any case good luck and shoot straight

Bob

I've used 26 in my 6.5 Swede with 120 Northforks and 130 Accubonds and Scirrocos. I've gotten great speed out of them both and good accuracy.

A buddy just picked up a 6.5x47 Lapua, he tried 4451 and wasn't getting very far speed wise with. After I mentioned trying 26 just to see if he could get enough in the case he worked up to about 2900 with 130 Bergers. Said it was a little crunchy but it worked. I would have never thought it would work well, but it did.

Well, I managed to snag the last three canisters of R-26 off The shelf at Whittaker Guns so we'll give it a go in the 280 and maybe the 6.5 Creedmoor...

Would someone be willing to run that through Quickload for me?

Any thoughts on R-26 in heavy than average - for me anyway- caliber bullets in a 22" M70 7x57, or mebbe a 7mm-08 in 150gr & 160-62gr er's?, Both are a new to me calibers I'm just getting started in and planned to replace my 260 with the 7-08 and pair it up with the 7x57 I just got couple weeks ago . Gonna try it for sure in a M70 24" 270 in 150's...if I can find any down here in East Texas.
Ron

I have been thinking of trying the 143 gr Hornady ELD-X in my .260. As the 130 gr Bergers and 130 gr JLK's I have used make big exit holes in the antelope. I usually use RE-17 with them. I will start with RE -26 with the Hornady bullet. Velocity has never been an Issue with my .260 as the Barrel is a nice smooth 30"Kreiger........

[quote=gunner500

I've about decided to load all my 280 AI brass with RL-26 and 160 gr Accubonds, can't see what in the conus that bullet wont handle.[/quote]


After really poor performances by that bullet, two years in a row on two different moose I'd look for a better bullet. I've had good luck with other Accubonds, but that one does weird stuff.

This is what QL shows for it. I have been seeing RL26 using a little less charge weight to attain the predicted speed in a few cartridges, but it looks fairly possible. 2800 with a 160 would be A-OK..

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 160, Nosler PART SP 16327
Useable Case Capaci: 52.348 grain H2O = 3.399 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.909% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-09.1 96 50.00 2534 2282 40332 11469 97.1 1.336
-08.2 97 50.50 2564 2336 41716 11581 97.5 1.314
-07.3 98 51.00 2594 2391 43153 11687 97.9 1.293
-06.4 99 51.50 2625 2447 44648 11786 98.3 1.273
-05.5 100 52.00 2655 2504 46203 11879 98.6 1.252
-04.5 101 52.50 2685 2561 47824 11965 98.9 1.232
-03.6 102 53.00 2715 2618 49508 12044 99.2 1.212
-02.7 103 53.50 2745 2677 51267 12116 99.4 1.193 ! Near Maximum !
-01.8 104 54.00 2775 2735 53099 12180 99.6 1.173 ! Near Maximum !
-00.9 105 54.50 2805 2795 55009 12237 99.8 1.154 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 106 55.00 2835 2855 57001 12286 99.9 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
+00.9 107 55.50 2864 2915 59080 12327 100.0 1.117 ! Near Maximum !
+01.8 108 56.00 2894 2976 61251 12360 100.0 1.099 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.7 109 56.50 2924 3037 63521 12386 100.0 1.081 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.6 110 57.00 2954 3099 65893 12409 100.0 1.064 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.5 111 57.50 2983 3162 68374 12431 100.0 1.047 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 106 55.00 2985 3166 72592 11660 100.0 1.034 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 106 55.00 2609 2417 44590 12188 94.3 1.269

Cartridge : 7 mm Rem SA Ultra Mag
Bullet : .284, 160, Nosler AccuBond 54932
Useable Case Capaci: 62.964 grain H2O = 4.088 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.820 inch = 71.63 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.801% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-08.0 92 57.39 2754 2694 43318 11530 99.6 1.389
-07.2 93 57.89 2779 2744 44592 11592 99.7 1.370
-06.4 94 58.39 2805 2795 45913 11649 99.8 1.352
-05.6 94 58.89 2830 2846 47275 11702 99.9 1.334
-04.8 95 59.39 2856 2898 48683 11748 100.0 1.316
-04.0 96 59.89 2881 2949 50138 11790 100.0 1.298
-03.2 97 60.39 2906 3001 51645 11826 100.0 1.281
-02.4 98 60.89 2932 3053 53201 11861 100.0 1.264
-01.6 98 61.39 2957 3106 54811 11895 100.0 1.247
-00.8 99 61.89 2982 3158 56478 11929 100.0 1.230 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 100 62.39 3006 3211 58202 11962 100.0 1.214 ! Near Maximum !
+00.8 101 62.89 3031 3264 59988 11994 100.0 1.198 ! Near Maximum !
+01.6 102 63.39 3056 3317 61836 12025 100.0 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
+02.4 102 63.89 3080 3371 63750 12056 100.0 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
+03.2 103 64.39 3105 3425 65734 12086 100.0 1.151 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 104 64.89 3129 3479 67780 12115 100.0 1.136 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 100 62.39 3139 3501 73680 11431 100.0 1.110 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 62.39 2800 2786 45033 12328 97.7 1.353


That's what my edition puts it at for reference.

Thank you very much.

Well shucks, that is two rifles I need to try RE-26 in . My old ruger 77 can take an OAL of 3.200" Pretty easy so there will be room for less compression. 200 fps over my current loads would be nothing to just forget about........

I saw the same thing. Fotis ran QL for me with the 7 SAUM and a 150 grain bullet and I was getting over 150 fps more than what QL predicted for the given charge weight.

So I'd be careful with the loads that are "approaching maximum" and I'd be willing to bet that you get to the listed velocities (and pressures) with a few grains less R-26 than QL would indicate. At least in the 7 SAUM.

I don't use QL nearly as much as I used to, but have generally found the predicted velocities much more indicative of potential top loads than either charges or (especially!) pressures.

I just put 48 grs. of Reloder 26 in a .260 case. (Fireformed Remington Brass) and it seems there is still plenty of room for bullet. I am exxcited to get ahold of some hornadys now and try to work up good loads.....

Does RL26 have any utility in the .30-06? Maybe with heavier bullets 180/190 and above?

With 208's, it should produce top velocities. I got over 2700 fps with my rifle's 22" barrel. But RL17 matched it in that instance, and it took 8-9 grains less powder.

Seems like RL26 picks up where 17 leaves off in slightly more "overbore" or slightly higher capacity cartridges than people found 17 to be a "miracle powder" for a few years ago. My buddy and I found it to produce top velocities in his Swift and my .243, as well as with the heaviest bullets in my 30-06 and .338 WM. The .338 pushed a 300 accubond to a bit over 2500 with a 22.5" barrel. And like RL17, it seems that it has a certain applications in which it especially shines.