Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles R26 in the 25-06 with a 117-120gr bullet

I can't find much data. Anyone have any luck with this combo?

I've never tried R26 but there's a couple threads in the bullet test section on the Nosler forums where someone has used R26 with a couple different bullets. You may have to go through the list and open the thread because it may not be in the title.
https://forum.nosler.com/viewforum.php?f=46

Haven't used R26. I personally have good luck with imr4350 in all my 1/4 bores with 100gr and up projectiles. Load a box up and give it a try.

tried RL26 with the 110 grn ELDX. Good velocity but accuracy just ok. I've had excellent results with Retumbo for 110 - 117 grain bullets. I get tiny groups with the 110 Accubond at 3175 fps with Retumbo.

My wife's Tikka 25-06 loves RL-22 with 117 or 115 Nosler Ballistic Tips. Not sure of MV but it is not a slouch and 3/4 inch groups. Don't remember the load.

If you do not get good groups with 26, change primers several times. Get ready for a shock.

I tried 26 with 115 NBT worked well limited tests. PM for data

As I recall, the data I’ve seen for RL26 didn’t match up very well velocity-wise with the old RL22 recipe I have, and which shoots very well in my rifle . But I haven’t tried RL26 in a 25-06 either.

Kinda the same with 7mm RM.

I finally got speed out of my 7 mag once I tried RL26. Couldn’t break 3000 FPS with RL22. Was just under 3200 with 26.

115 Gr NBT with RL 26 over 3200 FPS around 1.1" very limited test Ruger 77 Hawkeye 24"

Cartridge : .25-06 Rem.
Bullet : .257, 117, Hornady BTSP 2552
Useable Case Capaci: 60.973 grain H2O = 3.959 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.250 inch = 82.55 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 2.0% 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

-20.0 77 46.40 2500 1624 28745 11222 94.1 1.595
-18.0 79 47.56 2568 1713 30828 11568 95.5 1.555
-16.0 81 48.72 2636 1805 33074 11889 96.6 1.516
-14.0 83 49.88 2704 1899 35497 12183 97.6 1.477
-12.0 84 51.04 2772 1996 38116 12448 98.5 1.434
-10.0 86 52.20 2839 2094 40945 12680 99.1 1.387
-08.0 88 53.36 2907 2195 44005 12879 99.6 1.340
-06.0 90 54.52 2973 2296 47318 13042 99.9 1.296
-04.0 92 55.68 3039 2399 50906 13167 100.0 1.254
-02.0 94 56.84 3104 2503 54752 13270 100.0 1.213
+00.0 96 58.00 3168 2608 58878 13368 100.0 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 98 59.16 3232 2713 63318 13461 100.0 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 100 60.32 3295 2820 68101 13551 100.0 1.100 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 102 61.48 3357 2928 73259 13635 100.0 1.065 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 104 62.64 3419 3038 78827 13714 100.0 1.032 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 106 63.80 3481 3148 84847 13788 100.0 0.999 !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 96 58.00 3308 2843 73558 12835 100.0 1.073 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 96 58.00 2953 2266 45314 13734 97.9 1.311

What bullet weight?

Ended up using 150 TTSX,
tried 150 sciroccos, nos 150 bt. Struggled with reloads getting any kind of speed or groups. but Could get the factory 150 core lokts to run the advertised 3100 and group. Finally tried RL 26 and the 150 TTSX with 67 gr .080 off the lands worked. I want to try some heavier bullets soon as the weather breaks.

I think I am at 59.5 with the Hornaday 117s this may be too hot but my 25-06 has a long throat. Have not run them over the chrono yet. I would just run them up to 3,200 fps and stop there. Quickload has the wrong burn rate for R26 so be careful using that data.