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.

If you can get 2800 out of a 160 with a 22” barrel let me know.




P

I have had great success with H-380 and 140's in both my 7-08's. Been told that H-380 is temp sensitive but have not seen it affect accuracy or speed in my hunting situations- Canada to Texas.

I like BigGame for the 7-08

Use the 26 in cartridges it shines in first and save it for that 26 is to hard to replace, I use it in known loads because of that.

I thought I’d report back on this boondoggle. In my T3X, I easily reached 2800 with 160 SGKs…with no signs of pressure whatsoever. Unfortunately, I could never get the the rifle to shoot <1”. Interestingly, groups all strung horizontally….

This gun has been a bit picky. It won’t shoot flat base bullets (partitions or 139g SP) into less than 3”, but it has shot several 1 hole groups with 140g BTs with AB close behind using Big Game.

I’m not giving up on the RL26….and 160s….but I’m out of time for further experimentation this year. RL26 has proven very interesting to me. Across several rifles (270wsm, 30-06, 340wby and 7mm-08), it produces excellent velocity with adequate to good accuracy but not top notch accuracy. It does appear to burn dirtier than many powders.

Next spring, I’ll finish testing the 160SGKs. It may be I simply haven’t hit the right combination of COAL and powder charge yet. I may also give some 160 ABs a try now that they are finally available again.

I did a lot of experimenting with various powders and 160-grain GameKings in my last 7mm-08, a tang-safety Ruger 77 with a 22" Douglas barrel. The best powder charge was 47.0 grains of Ramshot Hunter for 2674 fps, and three shots around .8", using either a Federal 215 or CCI 250.

I heard the 215 was made for the Weatherby loads ?

It's just a magnum primer. Usually preferred with ball powders regardless of magnum or non magnum cases.

This is true when they first came out.

Given what everyone has already said about it not being a suitable powder, I'm interested to see how long this goes on before realizing they're right

Keep using anything but Big Game, leaves more for me.





P

Shhhhh!

I tried some Hunter as well with the 162 ELD's and CCI250's.

Worked decently across the board, even in the restricted Montana magazine.

What kind of velocity did Hunter give you?

I am just a tick under 2700. I need to get out and verify it for sure, but the single shot was 2680'ish if I remember correct. I'll post up when I get back out to check em.

I’d give 6.5 Staball a try under any 160ish bullet in the 7-08. It works well with the 162 ELDM in mine.

my best groups and velocities was with H414 shot very consistent for me.