I'm looking for data using RL26 in a T3 (24" barrel) 7mm Rem Mag with 162 ELDX and 160 NAB. Anyone have experience with this combo?





P

Take a look here Pharm.. Pretty good data right from the book.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...ight=160&shellid=73&bulletid=185

Is the Speer bullet a substitute for the Accubond?





P

no but it gives you a reference

Ran some RE 26 in the 26" factory 7 Rem Mag with 160 Accubonds today.

New Fed Brass, Rem 9 1/2 Mag Primers, .040 off the lands at 3.325" COAL.

RE26 VEL
64gr - 2820
65gr - 2873
66gr - 2912
67gr - 2955
67.5gr - 2974

I only shot two shots of each... and accuracy showed a lot of promise. I stopped at 67.5 because that's all I had loaded up, extraction was smooth and primers at 67.5 look no different from those at 64 grains.... I think there's still room to run. I'll load a few more up to 69 or so and see if/where we top out.

I'll be very interested in your results.





P

Got some loaded up myself to schedule a time to try and chronograph...

Thank you for this posting, co-incidentally I am working on similar loads. Reliable data for RL26 is not easy to find right now. Earlier this year I worked up a load with RL 25 and 162 ELD-X. The best result for my rifle (Browning X-bolt 26") was
69.0gr of RL 25 .018 off the lands at 3031fps. Of course, RL25 and RL26 aren't the same thing. but they seem to be pretty close in burn rate.

Dogshooter, you are making me feel like I'm on the right track because I just loaded a ladder from 64.0gr. to 68.5gr. of RL26 with accubond 160gr.

It may be a week or so before I can get to the range, but if it's still relevent after I do I will post my results.

My 8 twist Brux likes 180 gr. VLDs over RL-25.

I'm anxious to see what RL-26 will do with the 175 NPT and 180 VLD.

DF

One guy on Reloadersnest was running 69 gr. RL-26 with CCI 250's, pushing a 160 gr. HPBT at 3,090 fps. He wrote that 73 gr. Retumbo gave the same velocity. I was thinking RL-26 was slower than Retumbo. According to that, probably not. These are not certified loads, so proceed accordingly.

DF

Shot more of them today....

67.5 - 2981
68 - 3011
68.5 - 3038
69 - 3057 ** Sticky Lift **

At 68.5 the recoil got nocitably more sporty, and blast seemed to border on obnoxious. At 69 extraction was a little sticky... but this gun gets a little sticky on occasion with some factory loads. I think a guy could land anywhere between 3000 and 3100 if he leaned on RE26 a little.... just like he could with RE25, 7828, H1000, etc.

In the end, I settled on the 67.5 grain load, the extra 50fps isn't worth the additional strain on brass (and shooter). I ran it out to 560 today, drops were dead nuts using the advertised .531 BC, and 2 MOA sized rocks were in big trouble this afternoon. I'll load up the rest of the box, and I may or may not tinker with the seating depth a little.... but for now, I think I'm gonna call it good and worry about finding a bull and a big rutted-up mule deer buck to put in front of it this fall.

The test rig: 26" Stainless 700 in an MPI stock, 3-9 Leupold Mark AR (Duplex) in low Talleys (bedded)... 8lb 2oz all up...

Checking up on RL-26, it may actually be faster than RL-25.

Alliant claim it falls somewhere between RL-22 and RL-33. That's a lot of territory, big gap.

I guess we'll sort it out over time.

DF

I loaded two each 162 ELDX and 160 NAB at 68, 68.5, and 69 grains. I'll try to get to them this afternoon. All bullets loaded to 3.290".

I know two shots each isn't much, but it should give me a better idea. Magnetospeed Sport.







P

160 AB results, speed only:

68 gr 3007, second cartridge wouldn't chamber. Hmmm.

68.5 gr, 3039, 3042, ave 3040.5, ES 3

69 gr 3056, 3060, ave 3058, ES 4

The primers looked great for 68 and 68.5, a touch flowy with 69. I'm going to load some 68.5 and chase accuracy. Temp is around 78 but I'm n the shade.

ELDX next.






P

162 ELDX results, speed only:

68 gr 3036, 3030, ave 3033, ES 6

68.5 gr, 3058, 3077, ave 3067, ES 19 (dang)

69 gr 3092, 3108, ave 3100, ES 16

Primers look good, a friend with much more experience is coming over, I'll have him examine the primers. I know primers are a poor indicator of pressure. No bolt lift or extraction issues at all.





P

My best load for 7MM mag was or is 73.0gr of Retumbo with 160gr Accubond. 3042fps in my Vanguard. Next best load with same Hornady cases and federal 215M primers is Norma
MRP at 67gr. for 3046fps. third best load is RL26 68.5 gr at 3106fps Winchester cases and WLRM primers. I got lower SD with WLRM primers and more FPS. Accuracy was
third best. A little over a inch at 100 yards the other 2 were under a inch.

7mm Rem. Magnum Hornady 162 gr A Max Federal 3.29 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 69.1 3,051 -

I would say based on Alliants data [above] you are in good shape.

I have some 168 grain Accubond bullets. 26" barrel Rem 700.

I have quite a bit of Re: 26, 3 lb H1000, ~ 5 lb H4831sc.
+ faster powders.

Other bullets on hand - 162 gr Horn & 150 gr Partitions & 150 gr combined tech. 154 gr Hornady Interlicks, & some no-name seconds 160 gr bullets - has bullets 284 160 spitz by on the box but the bullets are not boat tails and the do weigh 160 gr

My son-in-law wants something more power than his 270.

I offered other cartridges but he wants the 7mm.

My point of view is if more power is requested, there's little reason to go lower than 150 grain.

So, I'm thinking Re 26 and first the Accubond then the 162 grain Horn. Then the 150 grain bullets.

Questions
No. 1 : those Accubonds are quite long, stability issues??
No. 2 : Re 26 best of my powders for 150 to 168 grain?

Thanks for the above information and the links and any positive replies.

Additional info 160 grain bullet - 68 grains Re 26 - Fed 215 primers - ok in my Ruger 77, a little warm in this 700.

Range results:

I ran a seating depth test, 162 ELDX, 69.0 gr., three shots each at 6 different OAL. I got .539" at 2.644", no pressure signs.

I loaded an identical test for my brother, he shot .3" at 2.665".

Not bad.






P

My long throated 7Mag seems to like RL26 behind a 175 partition. Just finished loading up a batch for WY Elk/Mule Deer.

Best load?

DF

66gr. but of course my rig is long throated so I'd work up. that's pushing about 3014fps in my rig.

That's pretty fast for a 175 NPT, maybe that long throat turns it into a "mini Wby"...

DF

Nosler claims 2970 with RL22, so based on data from Aliant and Nosler it seemed within range, especially overlapping the Whizzum speeds with a 175 being slightly faster. Primers are looking good as well.

Dale

Good info, Dale.

Thanks.

DF

I have a long-throat 7MM Rem Mag that shoots 175 g. partitions at close to 3,000 fps with IMR7828SSC. My stock of IMR7828 is nearly gone and happen to have several pounds of RL26, so this thread is of great interest to me.

Reloder 26 has been the powder I have been using the most lately. The initial PR confused the burning rate question but for small to medium size cases 243 to 30-06 it is very close to MRP and 7828. In larger cases WSM and belted magnums it is closer to R25. In my 270 WSM the charge weight is the same for R25 and 26 but usually R25 is slower. Any 160-180 grain 7mm load is a stone cold killer at close to 3000 fps. I almost am willing to give up my 300 mags. but not quite ready to do that yet. Getting the same or higher velocity as my old H870 loads and the cleaner burning and no copper fowling is a big plus. Formerly cleaned every 20 rounds or so with H870 and now I think I could go a 100 with R26.

Have your tried Dyna Bore Coat?

If not, I'm thinking you'd get even more rounds between cleaning with a DBC treated barrel, and the clean up would be easier and faster.

DF

The 68.5 grains of Reloader 26 WW cases 215 primers 150 grain combined Tech 700 26" barrel Leupold VX-2 3x9 set at 9 power.

1/2" 3 shot groups

68 grains Reloader 26 WW case, 215 primers 154 grain Interlocks, 700 26" barrel

3/4" 3 shot groups

My chronograph is tits up - no velocity recording.


My son-in-law gets this rifle.

Pharm, is this with your Tikka t3x superlite? I need to start working up some good loads for my new rifle. I don't know much about the ELDX, is that a match grade bullet, or are you going to hunt with it??? Thanks buddy..

My brother has a Superlite, I have a T3. The ELDX is a hunting bullet, the ELDM is a match bullet.






P

I got 2840 out of the 180 ELD in my 26" factory 700 using 65 grains of RE26.... I loaded up three at a pretty standard 180 VLD load to see if they'd stabilize in the factory tube..... they certainly did, and shot under 3/4".

Gonna load up a dozen more and stretch them out a little.

It dose...I`ve both cartridges, the 7 RM is throated to match the free bore in my Wby. Both have 26 inch tubes..7RM is factory take off bought from a "fire" member. Using the 162 ELD-M and RL-25, the cronie says 3190fps. Velocity matches balistic drop numbers to 600. The Wby is 25fps slower with the same powder charge and a PAC-NOR 9 twist barrel.

I was hoping the latest Handloader would have some RE 26 loads. Why is it that there's so little published data on the RE 26?

It's darn cold today. I have some 71 grains Magnum behind 168 ABLR bullets. I'd like to see more published RE 26 loads!

Your 67.5 gr, load went with my hunting bud with 160 NAB's to Africa for a very successful PG hunt. Mostly one shot kills, that load and rifle, a vintage SS 7RM Sendero, got lots of complements, in fact one hunter borrowed it for a 300+ yd. one shot kill.

In that gun this load shot half inch at a hundred, 3" at 400.

Thanks for saving me a bunch of time, working up a load...

DF

ln my 7RM I got 2915 fps from 67.0 gr RL26 and 180 ELD-Ms, CCI250, Hornady brass, 26" Criterion. 2.697" BTO, and about 0.030" jump.

My 69 grain load under a 162 eldx is now responsible for 4 elk, one shot each. I’m done messing around.



P

I found good speed and accuracy first with H1000 and 180 Scenars. Now with 67 grains of RL26 and 180 scenars in my son's rig. CCI mag primers. Good stuff. They killed stuff very well.

I called Alliant and Hornady recently about this exact combo recently.

As a max, the gave me 69.1 grains at 3051 fps - 7 RM, 24" barrel, Re 26 and the 162 ELDX.

Work your way up - I made 3050 w/ 67.5 grains.

I'm curious about Re26 and the 175 ELDX's with Re26 and a 7 RM. Anyone have a max safe velocity for that combo? Neither Alliant nor Hornady could help with that.

I used R26 with the 160 and R33 with the 175. 26" barrel. Had 3100 and 3020, respectively.

I use 68.5 grains of R26 with the 160 accubonds and cci 250. getting right about 3020

Whatever you do if you use RL 26 buy a bunch of the same lot---if you can find it. Worked up a load fro my 6.5 PRC and the next lot blew a primer and rocketed the 143 ELDX at 3170 fps!!!! The previous lot was giving me 3030 fps and under 1/2" at 100 yards. Lot to lot variation is terrible at least in my experience. I went back to RL 25.

When I found RE 26, I bought 10 lb and now it seems few writers want to write about it???

150 ttsx over 67.0 gr of RL26 gave me 3170 FPS and the best group of anything I’ve tried out my 26” Boone &Crocket 700 Remington

Bump to the top for some new RL26 info. I loaded up 3 each of 66.5, 67, 67.5 and 68gr behind a 160 NAB. W-W Super brass and Fed 215 primers. See where I’ll be. I’m expecting 2950-3000 or close. Tried H1000 yesterday and my rifle wouldn’t shoot these under 1”. Tried H1000 and 180 Scenars and same result, 1” no better. . RL26 and 180 Scenars shoot consistently at 1/2” or better with 66gr RL26 at 2940fps.


Roy

I had same result with 1 - 7 mag vrs another same bullet with both 180 Berger. 1 liked H1000 other no better than an 1"" with H1000 untill I switched to RL26.
Don't be afraid to try different primers also.
P.M sent.

My favorite load in my 7mm RM's

7 mm RM, 700 BDL, 140 grain, Nosler PT, 72 grains RE 26, 0.38 MOA
7 mm RM, 77 Tang, 140 grain Nosler PT, 72 grains RE 26, 0.66 MOA

Here we go these loads are hot in my Vanguard 7mm Mag Reduce before you try.

1. RL23 66gr 160gr Accubond 215M primer Hornady case3.300 OAL 3070 FPS SD 8.2 Most accurate of bunch.

2. RL26 68.5gr 160gr TBBT 215M Hornady case 3128 FPS SD 11.3 3,300 OAL a little less accurate in my rifles.

3 Norma MRP 67gr 160gr TBBT 215M Hornady Case 3.290 OAL 3078 FPS SD13.5 Very Accurate.

4 MagPro 70.5gr 160gr TBBT Hornady case 3.290 OAL 3004 FPS SD 4.7 Very accurate My old Model 70 super grade likes this load, don,t know

H1000 gave 3057 FPS and Retumbo gave 3070 FPS Both accurate.

All these loads a HOT back off to start. Got my Moose with the H1000 and the TBBT, complete penatration at 240 yards but used my Vanguard. with 2X10X42 Zeiss Conquest HD4.

In earlier post I was using different components. That Retumbo load was with a old model 70 with 3000 Rounds thru it.

Reloader 26 works great in the 7mag.I really like the 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer.It really puts them down quick.The 160gr Accubond is a good bullet too,but being bonded,it tends to have just a little smaller wound channel than the Ballistic Tip.I've got 100% exits with both bullets.I use Remington brass,WLRM primers for my loads.I normally load with Reloader 22 before I tried Reloader 26.With Reloader 22 I use 66.0grs for the 160gr Accubond and 67.5grs for the 150gr Ballistic Tips.My Reloader 26 loads are 67.5grs with the 160gr Accubond.Only load I tried and it grouped really well and 69.0grs with the 150gr Ballistic Tip.I did go as high as 70.0grs without issues,but settled with the 69.0gr load.

Here is how 67.5grs of Reloader 26 did with the 160gr Accubond.I think is was around 3070fps.

What’s your barrel length?

My fav 7RM load. That load did very well with good bud in Africa. Great PG combo.

DF

Back when I hunted bean fields with a 7mm mag. I used Reloader 22 with a 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic tip 5 shot average velocity was 3325 fps....I worked up a 160 gr. Nosler Partition load with Hogden 1000 that averaged a little over 3200 fps...both loads would shoot 5 shot 1" groups to the same point of impact. The gun shot best set up 10 thousands off the rifling with a Stoney Point and I used a Forstner with a Micro seater top.
The gun was a 1960's 3 lug Sako action with a 24" Shilen Air gauge barrel topped with Schmidt and Bender 2.5x10-56mm in a Browns Precision Kevlar stock....the gun was built by a gunsmith in Colorado I think his name was Sutton.

I could do worse.

You should like the speed too

If we had more RL-26 this thread would be longer.
I wish y'all the best with this powder and your rifles.

Spring bear season is just around the corner.