Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL26 in 7mm08?

I see that it’s doing well in 243 with heavier bullets. Does anyone have experience loading it with 160s? I’m hoping it might might get me to 2700fps with accubonds. Any thoughts. I’ve got plenty of bullets and powder.

Only way to know for sure is to try it.

I don't load for a 7mm08 but RL -26 seems awful slow for that cartridge. I think the application in 243 is useful only because of the bore Dia and where you increase from .244 to .284 naturally it's going to indicate a faster powder.

I'm not saying don't try it, but don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out like you hope.

Haven’t tried it, but agree with above comment that it seems too slow. 6.5 Staball is producing outstanding velocities with 162’s in my 7-08.

Sounds like RL 26 is good in overbore and magnums. I see data for 260 rem and 270 win. Not sure the 7mm08 is overbore enough. Not seeing any data causes me to question it.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

I like Big Game in my 7-08, RL-26 in bigger rounds like my 7RM.

DF

Overbore, and even better in overbore and cartridges that operate at ~65k psi. But it doesn't stop a lot of folks from pouring it into every cartridge they can find........

Among the biggest beneficiaries of RL-26 is the 270W and the 7RM. I do burn it in 243's and a 243AI with 100g and 103g bullets.

I'm thinking R-16, 17, or 19 is the burn range you're after.

Yes, I believe RL26 may be a boondoggle. However, with the success folks are having in 243 and 6.5 cm/260, it’s hard to imagine it not being an option (I have lots of RL 26 and 22 but no 16, 17 or 19). I may end up also trying H4350, H4831, W760, or IMR4350.

Where are you? I can't find RL 26 ANYWHERE! I'll trade!!

I’d say R26 is too slow. Even H4350 is on the slow side for this application.

50 gns for 2700+ with a 150gn bullet in a 20" bbl.

105% fill estimate 56k, powder is way to slow for application.

I think it's easier to find moondust or unicorn tears, than a can of RL26.

I've been wanting to find some for over a year for the 280AI, and have yet to see a grain of it for sale.

my recipe for 7-08 uses IMR 4350 and 150 gr Ballistic Tips at about 2686fps, fwiw.

Agree.

Pharmseller got me using BG in my 7-08 and I'm sold. Burn rate is about optimal, IMO. It's a bit faster than H-4350, way faster than RL-26.

Seems to work for him and it works for me. Good velocity, good accuracy. I do use Mag Primers, mostly Fed 215's....

DF

I get low to mid 2700's with R17 and 154 SP's from a 20" M7. I save my 26 for the 243's.

elkaddict,

Your right about people stuffing lots of cartridges with RL26. When you compare same case sizes (243 vs 7mm08) the powder burn rate is determined by bore size and bullet weight. As you decrease bore size the powder burn speed will need to be slower.

Then as you increase in bore diameter to your 7mm08 it neccesates a faster burning powder because your powder gasses will expand faster. When you increase the bullet weight for any given cartridge it means you need to slow down the powder you use, but too much of a good thing is possible because of the powder is too slow (like RL 26) all the powder will not burn inside your barrel resulting in ridiculously slow velocity and lots of powder fouling. The accuracy might even be there but the velocity is going to be severely lacking.

As case size increases with the same bullet weight, your powder choice needs to slow down again. (280AckImp, 7mm mag)

You mentioned trying 4350, and 4831. I can almost guarantee that 4831 will also be too slow for any bullet weights, 4350 would be the slowest ideal powder for the 7mm08. The best burn rate for the 7mm08 would likely be Ramshot BigGame, Varget, Reloder 15, 4064, or any of the 4350s for your heavies.

Maybe try locally trading a pound of your 26 for something you don't have that way you could try something different in your 7mm08.

H-4350 has 160 Grandslams going 2650 in 22" barrels for me. That's as hard as I want to lean on it. May go a little faster with bullets that have less bearing surface.
No experience with Big game yet, but I just scored some, so that will be in the plans this coming year when the weather gets nice.

I'm not sure you could get enough H4831 in the case under a 160.

This is a correct statement. However, RL 26 load data is one of the two most "best kept" secrets in the hand loading world. The other? Scenar bullets.

That's because no one can actually find any to buy and try

Damn right I did.




P

Pharmseller has been extraordinarily helpful with me as well:). I’ve struggled with getting Big Game to work with either magnum or standard primers. It is possible I’m fighting a defective scope…but Im not prepared to call that official (Im getting 3-4” horizontally strung groups) and 4 different COAL have not helped. Because my shooting opportunities will be few and far between until spring, I’m contemplating other options based upon available components (I’ve got more 160 accubonds than I’m likely to shoot in my STW given it’s second or third string status in my frequented hunting ares). As always, I’m grateful for all the knowledge/advice so freely shared on this sight. I remain intrigued by the RL 26 and heavier bullets given success that others are having in similar capacity cases.

FWIW, some QL data posted on the Nosler forum suggest there is some hope for this boondoggle. It reports 162g Hornady BTHP AT 2800+ out of a 22” tube, and <60,000psi. I’m not sure how the bearing surface of a 160 accubond compares to the 162g pill.