Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting The new 26 Nosler

Why would you not trust your gunsmith?

Check out Nosler's load data on line.

Also, there are a couple of good articles by JB on the 26.

Generally, my best loads have been with 869 and 872.

DF

You must not have read the post jwp475. The load he uses for the 140 Accubond is 2.5g more than the Nosler reloading max for the 129g. The 'smith is a very good friend of mine but he likes to hot rod. A very respected gun writer that posts on the 'fire said that load is insane. My son made the original post using my user ID.

Hodgdons's 2015 Annual Reloading magazine has a bunch of loads for the 26 Nosler

http://www.ammoland.com/2014/12/hodgdon-2015-reloading-manual/#axzz3PThUQeIg

Tag

Old post, new info.

Check out the 2015 Hodgdon Annual Manual of Reloading for new 26 Nos load data. The author, Steve Gash, puts the 26 thru the ringer. His conclusion: Hodgdon US-869 powder is the best choice overall for this round. He didn't use WC-872. In my experience, 869 and 872 run neck and neck for the best 26 Nos. powders.

His most accurate load was with the Hornady 120 gr. GMX, .39" three shot 100 yd. groups. He went from 5 shot to 3 shot groups due to barrel heat, I use 3 shot groups for the same reason. 89 gr. 869 produced 3,451 fps with the 120 GMX.

My 26 loves the 120 E-Tip, a very similar bullet to the 120 GMX, both gilding metal/mono-metal projectiles.

The author says to use the free bore and not try to load long or touch the lands. He likes .050" jump with the GMX and TSX, .040" jump with other bullets. My gun shoots half MOA with 120 E-Tips at 3,450 fps. at factory COAL. I just got some 127 gr. LRX's to try and will pick up some 120 GMX's.

With such a hyper-velocity round and its affinity for these lighter weight mono-metals, these may prove to be good bullet choices for general use. From what I've seen, 120 gr. mono-metal bullets reign devastation on critters about the same as heavier Partitions, Accubonds, etc. I can't tell a difference. And there is confidence that a mono-metal isn't going to blow up at high speed, it'll stay together and punch deep.

Also, the fast 8 twist really spins these bullets. Some on the Fire have postulated that the fast twist along with fast velocity helps explain the tissue damage we're seeing with mono-metals.

I've never been a mono-metal fan, per se. But with the 26 Nosler, I think I'm a convert...

Very long range shooting may be another matter, although these mono-metal bullets have pretty good B.C.'s. There is always a trade off between weight and velocity. I'll see how the 127 LRX performs, as it has a pretty decent B.C. Some advocate 150-160 Matrix, etc. for the 26 Nos. I haven't tried those, but they're not going to be moving that fast compared to the E-Tip, GMX, LRX, etc. Whether higher B.C.'s will compensate for slower velocity at extreme range is a question I can't answer. I'll defer to dedicated LR shooters to solve that one.

DF

DF: Good post...interesting!

I think the 26 Nosler is growing on me.

That's the exact statement from my hunting buddy who has the other 26 Nos. we built last year. He likes the way it knocks the snot out of critters. And, we haven't gotten into LR shooting, just our usual local WT and hog hunting, most shots under 200 yds.

I think he'll really smile when he lines up on a Pronghorn. Last year he knocked one down at 450 yds with his .270 Sendaro, holding daylight between his duplex and the goat. The 26 should do at 500 yds. what his .270 does at 400 yds. He'll like that for sure. Won't need quite as much daylight...

I may get him into turrets one of these days. One step at a time...

DF

Swamplord,

A little off topic but I am wondering how does the quality of the Matrix 6.5 mm bullets stack up against say Bergers and Lapua Scenars? I am thinking about building a 6.5 SAUM for F-class throated for some of the heavy Matrix bullets or other heavy match grade bullets.

Thanks
wade

Just started doing pressure build up today with the 26 Nosler and 160 grain Matrix. Worked up from 80gr US869 at 2870fps up to 89.5gr at 3182fps with no signs of pressure yet. 26 inch Krieger barrel on a rem action.

Try a 120 gr in a 270 Winchester . Now what the big thing they both shoot 3400 to 3500 for the 270 so why a 260

LOL!

I think this is a true statement.

Just got my 26 nosler built. I plan is to use 127 LRX with US869 powder, since most say it the powder for the 26 nosler. Any good nodes to work around with US 869?

Mine is a year old, I guess it's not new anymore.

Interesting read all. Thank you.

869 is a good one for the 26. Mine shoots 120 TTSX and E-Tips more accurately than the 127 LRX, although they’ll go near MOA.

My latest load is the new 156 EOL over Vv 170. It’s not as slow burning as 869, is a high energy powder, probably harder on barrels. But it’s the velocity champ with that bullet. No blood yet, but it’s ready.

872 Vulcan pull down powder is cheap and about a wash for 869, loads, velocities, etc., at least my jug. Jeff Barlett sells it. He says there can be significant lot to lot variation. Maybe I lucked up. At $55 for an 8# jug, not a bad deal.

https://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

DF

Old threads never die.

Nope.

Just get better.

DF