Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 26 Nosler with 160 Matrix

Has anybody ran a 160 thru a Nosler yet? What velocities are you getting? We are thinking 3250 would make a great combo...not sure if it's possible tho. Might have to go with a 6.5/338 RUM Improved instead...

With the 129 running at 3,350 or so with the best accuracy loads, 3,400 max, I don't see how one could get 3,250 or even close with a 160.

Check on line for Nosler's load data for the 26. Ramshot Magnum was the most accurate powder and 80 gr. the most accurate 129 load.

DF

I see slowing it down as a good thing in a number of ways and the BC on that 160 will more than make up for the speed loss as it gets out there at longer ranges. A .685 BC (vs. the .561 in the ABLR) is nothing to sneeze at.

How fast do you guestimate the 26 will push a 160?

DF

Did some checking at Load Data.

The fastest 160 gr. velocities for the .264 WM are as follow:

68 gr. H-570 at 2,960 fps.
74 gr. H-870 at 2,947 fps.

So, it would seem the 26 Nosler could push a 160 gr. bullet over 3,000 fps.

DF

This is a 6.5 Badger. I had the reamer done up awhile back and it is currently being tested in a 30" McGowen barrel. A new 8 twist 6.5x47 Lapua barrel rechambered. Minimum body taper, 40 degree shoulder, with what I thought was the proper amount of free bore.

It's currently launching the 160gr Matrix at 3450 with US869 powder. The 6.5 Badger will only need 33.15 MOA to reach 1500 yards from a 100 yard zero.

Here's a link to a post by the gentlemen that has began testing the cartridge.

6.5 Badger testing.

Fire formed 6.5 Badger (Left) and the parent case .338 Ultra (Right).



The COAL with a 160gr Matrix fits a standard ultra mag Rem700 mag box.

Cartridge pictured in a Rem700 factory ultra mag box. A extended Wyatt's next to it for comparison.

Like throwin' a Cummin's in a quad... holy smoke...

W

Blackhole Weaponry is spinning me up a 26", 8 twist 3P polygonal barrel right now. I'll send them the reamer by the end of the week. I'm going to see if I can get the same velocity as the 30" McGowen out of the Blacjhole 26" Polygonal. Seeing in my experience the poly is faster than the conventional in most cases.

adam32,

I've been handloading and shooting the 26 Nosler for t past couple of weeks, from a Nosler rifle. Tried the 156 Norma Oryx yesterday, which isn't a very long-range bullet but was the only heavyweight 6.5mm I had on hand. Anything over 3000 fps was too much, even with US869.

The 160 Matrix might develop a little less pressure than the Oryx, but it won't get anywhere near 3250.

Buddy of mine is running the 129 gr Accubond in the new Nosler 26 he had built. I'm pretty sure he is running 81 grains of Retumbo. He said his clocked at just a tad over 3400 fps on his chronograph. He said he hasn't had time to load any H-1000 yet, but the accuracy was less than a half inch at 100 yards and 5 inches at a 1000 yards with Retumbo on a calm day.

I'm waiting to see how his works out, before I build one. Dang that Nosler brass he bought is HIGH !

Yeah, the brass is pricey--but also really good. The stuff I have is extremely consistent in every way, neck thickness, weight, etc.

Does it seem soft to you, John? The Nosler 300 ultra brass I have tried was pretty soft and had less capacity than Remington.

I bet if you gave the Matrix folks a call, they'd send you a some 160's to try.

If one can squeeze mid 2,900's out of a .264 WM with 160's, the 26 should run a solid 3K or better. That would be a cool LR load, one would think...

No pressure...!!

Just a subtle hint...

DF

BWalker,

No, it's not particularly soft. I have had ejector-hole marks show up on a few cases, but only when I tried to push things--as, for instance, with a charge of 82.0 grains of Ramshot Magnum with the 130-grain AccuBond.

This is the max Nosler lists with the 129 ABLR, and gets right around the 3400 fps in Nosler's data, but apparently the 130 AB produces higher pressures. The velocity was around 3475, and all the cases firedshowed a very faint ejector-hole mark. My bet is dropped the charge back a grain or two will work fine.

Dirtfarmer,

I ran the numbers for the 129 ABLR versus the 160 Matrix, using Bryan Litz's ballistic program. The 129 was given an MV of 3400 and the 160 an MV of 3000.

Aside from accuracy, the major factor for LR hunting is wind-drift, since it's the most unpredictable factor. Out to 800 yards wind-drift was virtually identical with the two loads, and even at 1000 the difference was only around 4 inches. Time-of-flight is also shorter for the 129 out to at least 800 yards, which gives game less time to move before the bullet gets there.

Not all that many years ago, hunters who wanted an open-country loads were mostly fixated on muzzle velocity. Now they seem to be fixated on the highest-BC bullet possible, when it may not really gain much. Muzzle velocity still counts for something, and a heavier, higher-BC bullet's advantages may not show up until 1000 yards or more.

I know some hunters regularly kill all sorts of stuff at 1000+, but most don't.

I'm not a 1,000 yd. hunter, 4-500 yds. is a long shot for me.

It seems that Nosler built the 26 around their 129 ABLR bullet, and that may be the optimal projectile for this round.

Seeing how the 129 ABLR stacks up against heavier bullets is an interesting study in ballistics. I look forward to reading your report. I think there are a bunch of donor actions sitting around waiting for info and data to evolve. Until one gets into the long bullets, a std. mag. action should be fine. I'm interested in how a std. box mag. can be tweaked to get three rounds down. The rest should be a straight forward barrel swap.

DF

Actually, quite a few people are starting to believe bullets of around 130 grains are optimum for longer-range hunting with 6.5's of any size. Wind-drift isn't any different than with a 140+ of the same profile, and trajectory is flatter. The trajectory factor isn't as important as it used to be, but with ballistic reticles it definitely helps, and even fewer clicks aren't a bad thing, especially in scopes of limited adjustment range.

Mule Deer, what has been your impression so far? I'm curious how the nosler 26 handles, and if you think it will do significant meat damage due to high velocities.

I've battled with the BC vr. muzzle velocity issue for a bit. Finally decided that BC wins even at ranges less than 1000.

I've proved it to myself as well

When we look at ballistics charts comparing wind drift, we are assuming the wind is a constant Xmph, when in reality, its velocity is not constant and neither is its direction.

I believe we need to look at BC as the ability not only to resist wind, but changes including velocity and direction of the wind as well.

Long and short of it is that the .300 Winchester Magnum/230 Berger OTM combination has been pretty successful of late against every other combination purposely built to win Long Range matches.

Sakohunter264,

The rifle itself is pretty handy, despite the medium-contour 26" barrel. For the testing I mounted a fairly heavy scope, a 10x40 Leupold Mark 4, mostly because it's dead-reliable and the adjustments dead-nuts, the reason I've used it for a lot of rifle testing over the past several years. It's also in Seekins rings, which are fairly heavy. As a result, right now the rifle weighs 9-1/4 pounds, but if I were to use it for hunting the scope would probably be a 6x36 Leupold in Talley Lignhtweights, which would bring it down to right around 8 pounds.

Yeah, it will damage some meat, but more will depend on the bullet and range than sheer high velocity. I've used the .257 Weatherby quite a bit with various bullets at 3300 to 3550, and unless you use a very frangible bullet at "woods" ranges, it doesn't damage any more meat than typical big game rounds.

Interesting ballistic puzzle, BC vs. velocity. The evolving data benefits rifle shooters of all types, not just LR shooters. I for one appreciate the work and effort that goes Into figuring it out. I thank you, JB and others for sharing.

DF

JB,

Has anyone determined the easiest way to modify a std box mag to get three 26 Nosler rounds down. I think two down would be the max unaltered.

DF

I have no idea.

Probably a wider-than-standard box would do it. Personally, if rebarreling a 700 (or whatever) I wouldn't care if the magazine held two or three rounds.

I hadn't thought about settling for just two down, but why not.

After all, a charging pronghorn or WT isn't likely to be a pressing issue...

So, as Hillary says, "What difference does it make"?

Probably not that much in the greater scope of things...

DF

This is the key that many fail to consider- a wind drift advantage is not just a sheer magnitude advantage given a standardized and constant 10 mph full-value wind condition. The major benefit to a lower drift bullet, is the insensitivity and inelasticity of that bullet in changing wind conditions, and the tolerance of that bullet to shoot through incorrect wind calls without being affected as much as a bullet with a lower BC.

Yeah, I would think that if it's possible to shoot the 160 Matrix VLD with a BC of .685 at 3300 it would be tough to beat

I think you'd be smokin' that round if you got to 3,300 with Matrix 160's...

Nosler is barely getting 3,300 with 140's and those aren't the accuracy loads.

DF

According to my calculations, to get 3300 with a 26" barreled 6.5mm the case would have to hold at least 120 grains of powder. (The Nosler case holds 93, filled to the mouth, and about 90 with a 129-grain bullet seated.) Unless, of course, somebody leaned on the pressures pretty hard, as many do.

A 30" barrel would probably add 120 fps, but let's be generous and say 150. Then case capacity would only have to be around 108 grains, and if you loaded to 75,000 psi it could be dropped a little further. Most of the handloads for the 7mm STW worked up by handloaders were 70,000+ when Remington tested them (the reason factory loads have never been near as fast), so it could be done.

My guess case and barrel life would be pretty short.

I hit over 3300 with the 140's in the .264 WM with RL-33. Have you tried it yet in the 26?

RL-33 is too fast for 140's in the 26. The best powder for 140's is US869.

How long is your .264 barrel?

Not John, obviously, but Nosler maxed out their 129 ABLR at 3,363 with 82 gr. of RL-33.

DF

And they don't even list RL-33 with 140's, apparently because slower powders did better, such as RL-50.

26" barrel

Do you have any WC-872? It's slower than US-869 and I bet will drive the 160's FAST. Accuracy and Temperature stability may not be tops though.

The US-869 acted much faster in the .264 than the RL-33. Interesting how powders act differently in different chamberings.

No, don't have any WC-872, and I wouldn't waste time "estimating" pressures with it either, since no U.S. magazines will run articles including handloads that "appear safe." Or at least they haven't since Layne Simpson developed with 7mm STW, and it turned out the minimum pressure of his handloads was around 70,000 psi and some were close to 75,000.

Tthat's pretty typical of pressure-guessing, which is based primarily on brass deformation. Depending on hardness, cartridge brass often won't deform at 75,000 psi, and because today's custom rifles (and even many factory rifles) are built to such good tolerances, hard bolt lift often doesn't occur until pressures are above 75,000.

Powders often swap burn rates in different applications, but I did do a little experimenting with RL-33 and 140's, even though Nosler only lists data for the 129's. It was very accurate (as it was with the 129's) but top velocities were far behind US869, and also were well behind Ramshot Magnum with 129's.

However, I had something other than the standard pressure-guessing indicators of bolt-lift, ejector-hole marks, etc. to use to check pressure: the velocities of Nosler's pressure-tested loads, plus the head expansion of new brass after firing with those pressure-tested loads. When either velocities or brass expansion went higher, ejector-hole marks showed up on the case heads.

And they had Norma 217 (MRP-2 equivalent, reportedly) out performing RL-50 with 140's and it's a faster powder.

DF

Before Nosler published their data, I did a bunch of powder comparisons with published data, just to see where they might fall in the 26. It was interesting, and far from reassuring, especially how often 50BMG and US869 swap burning rate in different applications.

Which is why I always get a kick out of handloaders claiming one burn-rate chart is more accurate than another.

Heck, if it's in print, it's gotta be right...

Shore nuff, if it's off the "innanet" and has a major bullet/powder company logo at the top...

DF

And, that's probably more accurate than the grains of water case capacity data floating around the "innanet"...

DF

I've been reading this daily guys, just been busy getting ready for a competition tomorrow. My buddy chambered up a 26 Nosler last week and it's off getting a Melonite treatment then he will start running the 160's...

Will be interested in hearing his results.

You should be able to reach 3200 with the 160.With my 264WM 30" Shilen 1 in 8 twist barrel using 71gr of the old H570 powder my 3 shot average is 3095fps with the Woodleigh 160gr PPSN with one of the 3 at 3120fps. RL33 should do the job. I have loaded 3 with 73gr H570 to test also as soon as the rain and wind quit which seems to be a daily thing this year.

Nosler should have went farther with the 26 as it is to close to the 264WM in performance. This is one that is clearly on the right track.

RL-33 doesn't seem to be as effective in the larger 26 case, especially with heavier bullets. It's going to be interesting, seeing how this round shakes out. I think it has lots of potential.

I guess it's not "overbore" if one can find slow enough powder...

DF

With the 6.5 Prometheus I get 3500 fps with the 160 gr Matrix VLD and 160 gr Woodleigh Weldcore bullets using 100 gr of US869

I doubt the 26 Nosler can even get that with 140 gr bullets

How is the accuracy on the 160 gr bullets? Will the 6.5 Pro cartridges loaded with the 160gr bullet work in a standard 30-06 action?

Swamplord,

You're right--unless a 26 Nosler had a very long barrel. In a 26" it can get around 3300 with a 140 at 65,000 psi.

Of course, if somebody wants to load it up to where they think it ought to be....

I've been playing with the 26 Nosler and the 160 matrix. Rifle 26" barrel and has been melonited. Look like the top end will be real close to 3175 and still have good brass life. Now if this is possible in a non treated barrel? I don't know. Will have more in depth data over the weekend with the 150&160 matrix.

Final results and thoughts of the 26 Nosler and melonite.
As I said before the 160 topped out around 3150. I worked up loads with the 150 and h50bmg that topped out at 3275 with 3/4" groups at 100yds. As far as melonite goes, I'm not impressed at all. With exactly 80rds fired through my barrel, I cleaned and bore scoped it. The first 5" in front of the chambered is so badly fire cracked that it looks like it has 3000 rds fired through it. Only thing I can think of is that the high temps of the melonite process annealed the barrel and made it soft. Long story short is I will not be having any of my rifles melonited and the 26 Nosler is now a 338 edge that's gonna be hitting the mile range within the week.

Ryan only getting 80 rounds thru his barrel isn't a one off thing. I've now read multiple people getting less then 200 rounds out of a 26 Nosler. Any thoughts on why? My thought is the powder column/shoulder angle somehow pushes all the heat directly into the first few inches of chamber instead of farther down the barrel and "spreading it out". I really don't know tho.

That is not my experience. So far I've shot around 150 rounds and there's barely a hint of erosion at the very corner of the bore at the front edge of the chamber, a long way from the lands. The rifle also puts 5 rounds (not three) into much less than an inch with its favored loads.

Obviously JB your are not loading it to it's potential then!!!!!!!!

I know this is an old thread, but I've been debating whether or not to put together a 26 the last few months with the hopes I could shove the 160gr Matrix at or above 3150FPS.

I currently shoot a 6.5 Sherman (280 Rem with a shoulder shoved 1/4'' forward, shoulder angle of 40*, case is blown out). With this cartridge I can push the 150gr Matrix at 3180FPS in my 24'' Bartlein 5r barrel and the rifle gets 1/2 MOA accuracy using RL33 and keeps 5 rounds under 1/4 MOA at 100 yards with 50BMG scooting at just under 3060FPS.

I would have thought the Nosler would have the ability to push them a little faster, but it appears the case must not be terribly efficient even though it's so much larger.

Does anyone have any updates on the 26 or is 3000FPS still considered MAX for the 160gr Matrix?

I'd bet if you loaded the 26 to the same pressure as your Sherman, there would be a pretty decent gain..

There's SAAMI pressure, then there's "Fire pressure"...

DF

I've been using 869 and 872 powder in my 26. To me, those two outperform anything else by a fairly good margin.

I haven't tried the 150 or 160 Matrix. I'm having too much fun zapping critters with 120 E-Tips at 3,450. I have some 127 LRX's to try at 3,575 fps (91 gr. 869). They seem to run faster than E-Tips, probably less friction due to less bearing surface.

If I was going to push the heavier bullets, and I may before too long, I think I'd be leaning on 872 pretty hard. It's the slowest powder I have and should be optimal for heavier bullets.

DF


Edited to add, the Matrix 160 has a of B.C. of .685 and probably won't run that much over 3,000 fps, even with "Fire pressure"...

The new 142 Accubond Longrange has a B.C. of .719. The 26 Nos. will for sure push that bullet faster than the 160 VLD Matrix. The 140 AB Nosler data tops out at 3,300 fps. The longer, sleeker 142 ABLR may have more bearing surface and may not shoot quite that fast. I'm thinking 3,250 or so. If the B.C.'s are solid and Nosler hasn't inflated theirs, it seems the 142 ABLR should out perform the 160 Matrix.

Found this on Nosler website, data for their 26 Nos factory 142 ABLR ammo:


26 Nosler


BRAND: TGA | BULLET STYLE: ABLR
PART #: 60122 | COUNT: 20 | MSRP:
BULLET WEIGHT: 142 | BBL TWIST RQMT: "
FOR USE: Deer Sized Game | LEAD-FREE: N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yards / Muzzle Velocity(FPS) Energy(FT-LBS) Drop In Inches(100YD) Zero Drop In Inches(200YD) Zero
MUZ: 3,300 2443 -1.5 -1.5
100: 3162 3151 0 1
200: 3023 2882 -2 0
300: 2889 2635 -7.8 -4.8
400: 2759 2401 -17.8 -13.8
500: 2633 2186 -32.3 -27.4
600: 2511 1987 -51.9 -46
700: 2391 1803 -77 -70.1
800: 2275 1632 -108.3 -100.3

I ran Hornady Ballistics data comparing the 160 Matrix VLD against the 142 ABLR. The 142 ABLR beats the 160 Matrix by a bunch. If I want to shoot 160's, I'll go 7mm.

The 127 LRX and 129 ABLR run neck and neck.

DF

"INTENSE" little burners you men are playing with here DF, they should all be good killers of light to heavy-ish game, and here I am plying my spare time trying to learn to shoot a Sharps rifle long range, I'm trying to follow Sharpsguy and he's WAAAYY out front.

Yeah, sorta other end of the spectrum.

I've seen the buffs you guys have been zapping with those big ole cannons...

Meat in the freezer, either way...

DF

10-4, near or far is the game.

Yep, those ole cannons will whack'em way out yonder. Just ask Chief Quanah Parker at Adobe Walls, about that Injun next to him who took a dive off his horse, courtesy of a slug from Billy Dixon's big fifty Sharps...

The 26 Nos would have been next to useless in that setting. With today's ordinance, you'd need a Chris Kyle type shooter with a .338 Lapua or similar to reproduce what ole Billy did nearly 150 years ago...

Yeah, those old guns are uber cool...

DF

LOL, I'll always have a soft spot reserved for the 300 Win Mag regardless of what I'm currently learning to shoot, it "IS" that special to me.

Yep, I can appreciate that.

Not much a good reloader can't do with the ole .300 WM.

With the right .300 WM set up, that Injun at Adobe Walls may be in trouble all over again...

DF

210 gr ABLR at 3K fps with a good man on the trigger says he would.

I'd like to see hard intel showing that the claimed BC on that 142 ABLR is accurate. I have my doubts.

I had the same concern. B.C. of .719 seems pretty ambitious with the 160 VLD Matrix at .685.

So, I guess we'll have to see over time with actual range experience if that value holds up or if it is eventually downsized a bit.

DF

Maybe they waited till one of the hot summer days to try that bullet. I don't see how it has enough sectional density, no matter how sleek, to get to .719.

Until Nosler can put 129 and 142 ABLR's on dealers shelves and in our hands, those B.C. numbers are just theoretical. So, far, the 129's are on B.O., long overdue. The 142's are just available in photos, not even something one can B.O.

In the meantime, we'll shoot what we can find.

From the 160 gr., 26 Nos data I've seen, I don't think I'm going to order any. They're just too slow for my use, mayby OK for paper punching and steel clanging. Right now, I'm focusing on the 127 LRX at 3,575 fps. I had a great hunting season with 120 E-Tips at 3,450. The faster, flatter LRX's may be even mo better than E-Tips. Only a Loony would understand such stuff...

DF

Mi comprendo...grin...

Dirt farmer have you been shooting the 127gr LRX??? What load are you using and what velocities are you getting my rifle is finally done and I was going to load the LRX from 88gr-95gr of 869 not sure yet what coal yet

Welcome to the fire, Sheepaholic. What rifle did you get? Is it a factory or custom?

My rifle is a full custom built by corlanes in Dawson creek b.c. it's a defiance action McMillan hunters edge stock and benchmark barrel

Just wondering what is too slow on the 160gr matrix bullet? It should be faster than my 264WM and I am getting 3261fps with the Woodleigh 160gr PPSN.

I have a batch of 127 LRX's loaded and ready to go, would be reporting results had I not gotten rained out this weekend.

Jetbrook has more 26 Nos experience than I have. He and I have PM'ed back and forth. He loaded 127 LRX's with 91 gr. 869, clocked at 3,575 fps. He had some loads over 3,600 fps, but said his accuracy node was at 91 gr. IIRC, he was reporting sub half inch hundred yard groups with that combo.

120 E-Tips max out at 3,450 fps., and Nosler cautions that starting loads should be used with E-Tips. It seems to me (WAG) that Barnes mono's with their driving bands, have less friction/resistance than solid shank E-Tips, probably the same for GMX's. Even though the latter two are made of softer, more malleable gilding metal, it seems solid copper mono's with driving bands can be driven faster.

Mono-metals love to jump, sometimes a good bit. The 26 Nos has some freebore like Wby. For example, factory 120 E-Tips with a 3.34" COAL jump .123" in my gun (std. SAAMI chamber), shooting half MOA.

I loaded my LRX's to crimp in the top ring, giving a COAL of 3.510". That's a bit longer than factory 3.34", but my rifle has a full 3.6" mag box and will tolerate any reasonable COAL. This LRX load will be jumping .10", so we'll see if that's enough. If it needs more, I'll seat them deaper and won't crimp. I know, I know, I don't need to crimp'em, but it does look nice...

Jetbrook reported good performance on hogs with Scenar 136L's, but like me, came to the conclusion that mono's may be the ticket in the 26. This LRX has a pretty decent B.C. and nothing in its class seems to match its speed. Heavier, slower bullets with higher B.C.'s may be the ticket for LR targets, but this combo seems better suited for the type hunting I'm doing.

IMO, US-869 and WC-872 are THE powders for the 26, beating out all other slow burners in most applications. 872 is reportedly slower, but I can't tell much difference. 872 is a pulldown 20mm vulcan surplus powder, 869 is current mfg.

That's a synopsis of where I am with this round, although not quite finished working with it.

DF

Pictures...?

DF

It would seem mathmatically predictable that at equal pressures, the larger case would out perform the samller one.

So far, I've not seen 160 VLD, 26 Nos data that impresses me.

Time will tell as more and more Loonies tackle this round.

Maybe we haven't yet gotten into real "Fire" pressures...

DF


ed. for spelling/typo

Here is a new wildcat that GA precision will be building for the developer.
Re: 6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My apologies for the delay in responding, my day job as construction superintendent has me occupied and there are times when I do not visit LRH for a while, the reason why I indicated that the FB Wildcat Cartridges page is best to contact me,

As it stands at this point in time I have successfully reached 3500 fps with the 160 gr Matrix bullets coated with WS2 tunsten disulfide powder using 100 gr of US869, I also use a bore prep with WS2 to coat the bore for enhancing heat deflection to delay torching the throat/lead..... I have 400 rounds down the Brux barrel with no sign of fire cracking yet, In my opinion this cartridge is not as bad as the 26 Nosler on barrels, but still to early to tell, maybe Brux just makes a helluva barrel ?

I have also just received 3 boxes of the 150 gr Matrix VLD's and 1 box of the 142 gr bullets from Marshal @ Matrix Bullets ! gonna run them in incremental charges to establish a known velocity table for these bullets as I have with the 160's ....

BTW .... Marshal is awesome !!! he crammed an extra 42 bullets into the box of 142's for free, sez it was the end of a production run and gave them to me ! Thank you !

The reamer has only been used twice so far, I had an extra barrel all done up ready to shoot and taken off, it's an 8 twist 30" Bartlein, keep in mind that all velocities obtained so far were with a 26" Brux and the 30" may show some fps gain .

PM me the smiths info where I can expedite the reamer to, I can also send you 3 fireformed cases that you can use for creating loading dies from,

I have read some stuff on the 6.5 Pro. Man, that thing is a hammer...

I'm interested in data as they are produced. Gotta be noisy...

I shot a hog last fall with the 26 at around 100 yds., my hunting bud was at another food plot 5-600 yds. or so thru the woods. He texted, "Sounded like a cannon." I texted back, "It was"...

6.5 Pro is mo worser that the 26...

With the right loads the 6.5 Pro should be something else at extreme ranges.

DF

I have a 1917 enfield 30-06 and was wanting to build the 6.5 Pro on it but when I contacted GA Precision they won't use my gun and are only building on the Rem 700 action.

Yeah, I guess if a smith is set up for 700's, why tackle an Enfield. Those big action should work great for a big round if you can find a smith that wants to work with them. Not all want to work with Mausers, either.

IIRC, I read something about Swamplord getting head stamped 6.5 Pro brass produced commercially. What's the latest with that?

DF

It may be Norma that he was talking to on that one.

Dirt Farmer did you shoot the 127gr yet?

Not yet.

Got rained out last weekend, will turkey hunt this weekend, off to NW AR the following weekend for Easter with my son and his family.

Plan to have lunch with gunner500 in Heavener, OK Friday on the way up. My wife is currious about meeting someone I've never met for lunch. She doesn't understand Fire stuff...

So, one of these days I'll get around to checking out that load. I have a lot of hope for the 127 LRX at 3,575 fps. But, that's Jetbrooks data.

Will post my results.

DF

Dirtfarmer,

That's smokin'. What is the water capacity of that cartridge?

93 gr. H20.

DF

Thanks, Dirtfarmer.

Checking some numbers.

The 6.5 Pro has 102.9 gr. H2O case capacity vs. 93 gr. for the 26 Nos. That's a 9.9 gr. premium over the 26, or 10.6% more case capacity.

With JB's rule of 4, I can't figure the difference between 140 gr. bullets at 3,300 fps. vs. 3,700 fps. That's 400 fps spread, way more than calculated.

So, the 30" vs. 26" tube, WS2 coating and pressure must be contributing quite a bit.

DF

Well, I am delighted to read these numbers. Fired cases from my son-in-law's 6.5RUMLN hold 109 grains of water! He likes speed so I loaded up several Barnes TTSX 120's. Since I have no idea when mine will be in my hands, I will have to play with his. His barrel is 28" while mine is only 26". They were cut at the same time so comparing velocities should be interesting

I do believe the Norma brass is thicker than the Remington brass. I like to get at least five loads from one case, so I may not get the velocity the 6.5Pro achieves.

SMACK
I don't have any knowledge and experience like you obviously have, but have a question. What difference if any would a gain
twist barrel in say 12 to 8 do? Thanks for your time. Cheers NC

Who makes a gain twist 6.5 tube?

DF


Edited to say I checked on line and several make gain twist, including Bartlein. I would like to hear from those using them and what advantages they're seeing.

102.9 gr h20 case capacity is an estimate by Ammo Guide, actual verified case h20 capacity is right at 105.0 gr ..... (if that makes any difference)

I like the new 26 Nosler case and considered building one but it only shines with 130 - gr bullets as designed .....
and with the lightweight bullets and ultra short neck it's an acetylene torch on the bbl,

I'd push that shoulder down for a longer neck and improve the body a bit to get the case capacity back and throat it for seating heavy long bullets properly in a long action (Rem 700)
speed up the 150 gr and 160 gr Matrix VLD's and cool things happen ....

the Nosler case gets better as you neck it up to the caliber range ..... looks pretty good in 338 , long action length of course , get that bullet out of the case and use that space for a boiler room .....

I'm thinking the 127 LRX at 3,575 fps may be about optimal in the 26. Will need to see how they shoot and clock'em to confirm the data reported by another 26 shooter.

DF

Shot the 26 Nos yesterday.

I loaded 127 LRX's with 91 gr. 869 per another 26 shooter/Fire contributor. He reported 3,575 fps and great groups. My chrono wasn't picking up all data, probably due to sunlight, but seemed pretty consistent with the ones it did read.

The 127 LRX load was clocked at around 3,350 or so, about the same as my 130 NAB and 120 E-Tip loads. Of the three, the E-Tip shot the tightest 400 yd. group, around 3". The others were slightly over 4", still pretty good.

So, right now, the 120 E-Tip is still the champ, and I will continue working this project.

DF

Any new updates???
I plan to shoot mine again next week gonna try to keep it around 3400 with the 127gr lrx's

My latest 26 Nos range session had the 120 TAC-X at 3,450 or so grouping 2"+ at 400 yds, almost half MOA. It edged the 120 E-Tip at around 3" and the 127 LRX, essentially MOA. I loaded some recently acquired 129 ABLR's, but they were over MOA at 400.

Now, that's a limited sampling and more data needs to be accumulated. I was using WC-872 which seems to be about the same as US-869. I get close to the same speed with identical loads, can't tell them apart.

Let us know what you learn.

DF

I just had a full custom 26 nobler built with a 26" rock creek 8 twist.

90 grains of reloader 33
cci primer
140 berger hybrid
MV 3392 fps
ES in the single didgits
2" groups at 600 yards
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87 grains of reloader 33
cci primer
160 matrix vld
MV 3281 fps
ES ?
2 1/4" group at 600 yards

just reviving this thread to see where everyone is at.
im currently trying
143gr eld-x
vihtavuori 20n29
Frederal 215m
3200fps
.418" group at 200 yards i think i got lucky (consistently under 1/2 moa)
still want to try some rl33 but its so hard to get in canada
i may just call it a day with the load ive got

I don't think you're gonna like RL-33 as well as Vv 20n29. The 26 thrives on ultra slow, Vulcan type powders, such as 869, 872, etc.

There is a BIG jump in performance, those compared to the usual slow burners like Retumbo, Magnum, Mag Pro, etc. I'm not even impressed with H-50bmg.

I've not tried 20n29, but have had excellent results with 869 and 872, can't tell any difference between those two. Similar charges produce similar velocities and accuracy.

Another good bullet choice is the 120 gr. E-Tip or 120 gr. TTSX, haven't yet tried the GMX. Those shoot half MOA (2" or so at 400 yds.) out of my gun (M700/Shilen #2) at 3,450 fps. MV. Terminal performance on critters is spectacular. I can't tell any terminal performance difference between those loads and 140 gr. NAB's/NPT's at 3,200 fps. Your ELD-X should be similar.

I find the 26 to be very easy to work with as long as I stick with ultra slow powders.

DF

Looks like RL-33 is working for you.

What's your pressure looking like, slick case heads, ejector imprints, etc.?

RL-33, reportedly is sorta like RL-17, smoother pressure curve, less pressure sign. With '17 it is said, once you actually see pressure signs, you're way over.

DF