Where did it all go?? Looking for an 8lb jug but I can't even find 1lb, even online....

If anybody knows a place selling it shoot me a PM.

Thanks,
Andy

Sportsman’s Wharehouse in Columbia SC has 1 lb’ers. Doubt that helps you though.

Got my 8 pounder from Powder Valley. But it was last Fall, IIRC.

DF

Found this.Looks like it could become available soon,but a lot of hoarding may happen when it does. https://forum.snipershide.com/threads/reloader-26.6932051/

Bummer

Not what your looking for but I would go ahead and pre-order some but you might also check out R23. It has decent velocities and fits most R22 applications well. It is more temperature stable than R26, it might even be one of the most stable powders with no major changes in velocity. I think the intial hype for R26 overshadowed R23 to some extent.

Same here

I was able to pick up a pound from Sportsmans Warehouse in Phoenix. I called them several times and they told me when they were getting their shipments in and when to call back. The guys working the counter were very helpful.

In what rounds do you get best performance with RL-26?

DF

7mm with 160 Accubonds and 6.5 creed with 140 Accubonds.

Both shoot really well with good velocity.

I'm getting low:



I know I know the old saying goes:

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem"

[quote=alaska_lanche]I'm getting low:


I hate you.... 🤣🤣

My 6.5-284 shoots 140 VLD's at 3K psi with RL-17. I'm thinking about using RL-26 in that round with 147 ELD-M.

Of course, the 7RM with 160's.

DF

How’s the accuracy at 10 feet?

Not sure.

It's half MOA at 100 yds out of the 26" Krieger barrel, so probably pretty tight...

DF

I see what you're saying. Make that 3K fps. I'm sure the psi is more than 3K.

My bad...

DF

I tend to hate spell check also.😀

i am on the FFL dealer list for my back orders of Reloader 26,its just hard to get for now .dang it !

It's these hoarders...

And then, the audacity to show pictures and brag about it...

Ha!...

I don't have but a couple of pound jugs and an 8 pounder.

I had enough class to NOT post pictures while you guys went without...

Just wouldn't be right, don't ya know...

DF

I've had an 8 pounder on BO at Powder valley for awhile now, they received a very small order in early March that didn't fill all the BO's and said it may be a bit of a wait till the next shipment!

Dammit Lanche....you could let a bit of that RL 26 get North of the range.

The newer powders have made much of my older powder supply obsolete and much of it
will be going by the way.

RL26 for heavier bullets in my hunting rifles.
RL16 in the Creedmoors [6 & 6.5] and lighter bullet hunting rifles.
Varget in 22-250 heavier bullet rifles and 9.3x62

Not much else in needed at my house.

My good bud is building a .416 Rem from a M-70 .264 donor.

I'm going to be reloading for him. My old lots of 3031, 4064, etc, will work great in that round. So, may be a good use for stores of older powders replaced by the new wonder powders.

DF

No help but has anyone compared VV N565 to R26? It is double based but not the same technology as the Nitro Chemie powders. Since VV N165 is such a standout in the 280 AI this one might be as well and worth a try in the 7RM along with N570 for heavy bullets.

Vv 570 is such a coarse stick power, it won't work in a powder measure, like my Uniflow. I had to remove the drop tube, drop load in a scale pan, weigh, adjust charge and then pour in a case using a funnel. They say it's hard on barrels, being double based and burning hot. QL shows it as top performer in a number of bottle neck rounds.

May not be worth the effort, IMO. I have some, don't look to get any more.

DF

I honestly haven't bought any RL-26 in over a year. Once I got to where I felt stocked up I left all the 8 and 1 pounders on the shelf after that....wasn't easy but I resisted.

I use RL-26 in nearly all my rifles now from 300 WSM, 6.5 CM, 22-250 (heavy bullets in the 3000 WSM, 6.5 CM and 22-250 all do extremely well with accuracy and velcoity with RL-26 for me). Only keep 2000-MR on hand for the 308s. And sold off 20 pounds of RL-17 and down to just a few pounds left of that for my bros 30-06 and my dads 325 WSM.

I just read that Reloder 26 is being reworked for better temperature stability, hence the lull in availability. I don’t know if it’s true, but...

DF, Have you tried IMR Enduron 8133 as a substitute?

Nope.

Does anyone have experience with it?

DF

I’ve had 8 lbs of 8133 in my cart for a month. I’ve been waiting for a few other powders to come back in stock before finalizing the order. Apparently, Hodgton is pushing 8133 as a replacement for Retumbo and saying not to expect anymore Retumbo for the rest of the year. Several guys in the 6.5 4S, 6.5 PRC group are using it and report that it burns clean, burns slower than H1000, runs cool and delivers velocities similar to RL26. Case capacity can be an issue with the PRC depending on how deep you seat.

I believe John Barsness has some experience as well.

I believe it regarding RL26. I never see it anymore, and I sure need some. Been experimenting with RL16/147 ELDM combos since RL 26 is so scarce. I'd sure be interested in hearing what shooters of 8133 have to say as well. That 147/R26 combo is super sweet in my CTR.

My reloading room for my bees!

I've only tried it in my 7mag with 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.I liked the accuracy and velocity.
3187fps with 69.0grs
3220fps with 70.0grs

How about 2820 fps from a 22" 7mm-08 using 162 Hornady bt's?

Using it in 240, 257, 270, 7mm, 300 weatherbies. And 6.5 creed, 22-250 with heavies etc etc etc

Yup

Looks like it's working for you.

Is it slower than RL-26? About where does it fit on the burn chart?

Sometimes RL-25 can be slower than RL-26. I've used both, prefer '26.

DF

Rl25 is indeed slower than 26, like 22 is slower than 23

IMR 8133 is slower, way slower than all of the above.

Talk to me about your recipe. I’m only getting 2790 with 150 eldx and Big Game.



P

Work up to 52 gr of RL 26.

Will be compressed! Start at 48 gr.

My rifle is a model 70 Featherweight 22" tube. Bullet 162 Hornady SPBT. Win 120 cap.

A 175 at 3425! Should be good for deer. Ha

Yup not too bad with a .508 BC at sea level.

Did one hell of a job on these 2 elk last year. 255 and 385 yards. 5x7 and 6x7.

Fotis,I bet the whole world shakes a bit from the blast of that rifle.

My rifles are Tikkas, 22.4” barrels. I can load really long so maybe I can avoid compression.

I use WLRM for most loads, what’s a Win 120?





P

Recently worked up a load for my .280 Rem., with 60.0 gr. of RL 26 and a Hornady 150 gr. ELD-X bullet. Very accurate, and MV of 3020 fps out of a 22" barrel.

That it does my friend.

win 120 is the standard win caps

Got it. I know them as WLR.

I’ll give your recipe a try, starting low. I’m not trying to turn my -08 into a .280 but it would be nice to use the same bullet as I load for my 7 Rem Mag.

One less thing to worry about.






P

Tag.

I agree with this. For hunters, RL26 is tricky. Super high energy, but super unstable with temperature. RL23 is very fast in many of the same applications, and extremely temp stable.

If you don't want RL-23, you generally want RL-16 or Retumbo.

I’ve got a jug of RL25 on hand that I was thinking about trying in the 6.5 PRC under 147ELDM’s. I’ll be in TX next month hunting free range Axis. Will loads developed at 60° be stable if it gets hot in TX?

I am wondering if RL-26 comes temp instability on the high end. Given we rarely see above 80 degrees ever in Alaska and if its a 70 degree day during hunting season its a blessing So I've never witnessed this temp instability.

My velocity seems consistent when I shoot at distance 70 degrees and even at -50F. Maybe the issues arise when it temps near triple digits? Is that when you're experiencing your issues with temp? I'm just not seeing the random velocity or pressure spikes that some elude to.

"Experiencing" is a strong word when it comes to ol' Llama...

Where do you get "super unstable with temp" for '26. I've read it wasn't the best, nor the worst, overall not that bad.

DF

.[/quote]

I am wondering if RL-26 comes temp instability on the high end. Given we rarely see above 80 degrees ever in Alaska and if its a 70 degree day during hunting season its a blessing So I've never witnessed this temp instability.


[/quote]

R26 is very stable in the 0-70 degree range but at 80-100+ degrees it can spike upwards of 150 fps. this in a 6.5x55. This didn't throw the load POI off much but pressure was too high. I have not tested it enough to see if it is still linear or just makes a big jump at higher temperatures. I just dropped back half to two grains (depending on case size) and things were fine without too much real velocity loss in moderate temperatures. It is still more stable than R22 & R25 across the board but it is that spike that is a concern.

All of them are in the don't leave your ammo on the dash board during the summer category.

For me....I have not seen any temp instability with 26

Must be at the high end of temps, because it’s done reasonable on the low end in the few tests I’ve done.

Teljano, how volatile is RL25. Is it even worth messing with in my 6.5 PRC? I wouldn’t even be considering it if I could get RL26 or N565. I’ve got plenty of H1000, but wasn’t seeing the best accuracy or velocity w/o pressure. The local reloading supply has a bunch of RL25 and by dust on the jugs, he looks to have had it for a while. I grabbed a 5lb. jug in a tizzy trying to get a load worked up prior to the Hog Hunt, but haven’t tried it.

25 sucks got 150’ swings.
In a 338rum and the 7mmrm were similar.

I may have some 26 in the powder safe if it’s impossible to get king.

I am wondering if RL-26 comes temp instability on the high end. Given we rarely see above 80 degrees ever in Alaska and if its a 70 degree day during hunting season its a blessing So I've never witnessed this temp instability.


[/quote]

R26 is very stable in the 0-70 degree range but at 80-100+ degrees it can spike upwards of 150 fps. this in a 6.5x55. This didn't throw the load POI off much but pressure was too high. I have not tested it enough to see if it is still linear or just makes a big jump at higher temperatures. I just dropped back half to two grains (depending on case size) and things were fine without too much real velocity loss in moderate temperatures. It is still more stable than R22 & R25 across the board but it is that spike that is a concern.

All of them are in the don't leave your ammo on the dash board during the summer category.
[/quote]

Good thing I live in an a cooler climate then and also explains why I've never seen the issues with it other have apparently had.

Kingston - R25 will generate higher velocities than R26 in some cartridges. The 257 Weatherby is one. I use it in the 270 WSM and it is unusual as it loads the same as R26 at 69 grains for both with 140s. Alliant lists this as OK but no other data is a match between R25 & R26. For my typical hunting temperature range of 15-75 degrees the stability has not been a major issue at moderate ranges for either load.

Am loading 7RM ammo for my bud, headed for Africa in August. I want to use RL-26 with 160 NAB's. Will also try Fed 160 TBT's.

I've not seen temp instability with '26, but have not shot it in very hot climates.

Question, is that enough of a concern that I need to look at other powders, knowing it does get pretty hot in Africa?

Would appreciate opinions on that. I also have H-4831, 7828, H-1000, Retumbo, MagPro, etc. However, I like data I'm seeing, 160's in the 7RM with RL-26.

DF

If it's not peaky in Louisiana May-June, I don't see it being peaky anywhere. Shoot it and see?

Good advice, Will do.

I like ‘26 data with 160’s in the 7RM. Bud likes NAB’s and I’ve seen what 160’s at around 3K fps can do.

Look at JGRaiders African PG safari thread. He was shooting 160 NAB’s out of a 7RM. Did pretty well for him.

DF

I remember seeing JGRaider's write ups as pretty favorable. While it's not Africa, my father and I have had good results on local game with the 160NAB at 2,900-3,000fps. He managed to stop one in a big TX deer, but that's the only one that didn't pass through, and I shot some large pigs with that bullet.

7RM, I assume?

Pet load?

DF

One was a 24" 7mmRM with RL22 for 3,000fps and the other was a 22" 7mmSAUM with RL17 for 2,900fps. The RL22 load is not what I'd run again, if starting over, due to the temp sensitivity, but I only hunt it in the fall/winter. I'll likely move to RL26 sometime soon, as I bought a keg of it last year. Just tough to ditch a load that shoots well when you have a few more pounds of powder to burn up. My particular rifle has a long, Weatherby-ish throat and takes powder charges above book max to make typical speeds.

RL-23 is temp stable, said to be a near sub for '22. I have a big jug of MRP, claimed by some to be a more refined version of RL-22. I doubt it's as temp stable as '23.

Failed to mention I also have couple pounds of Canadian Enduron 7977. I've not tried it. It's in that general burn rate and may work well in the 7RM. Enduron powders are temp stable, about as good as the Australian Extreme series.

DF

Since my RL22 loads were mentioned, thought I'd clarify. Those loads will run 3020" when loaded and shot in 20-70* temps that I hunt in around here and in the TX Panhandle. I've never had any issues with POI shifts, POA shifts, etc. I've never done any temp sensitivity tests since I've not had any of these mentioned shifts. One year I took 160's loaded with Retumbo @ 3100'....no problems at all. I know you know this, but August in Africa is mid Winter, and temps are very, very similar year round to West Texas.....dry and warmish. 160AB's and the 7RM is a great combo.

Thanks, JG.

I'm going to send my bud a link to your Africa thread.

DF

As we mentioned in another thread,I'm also a fan of the 160 grain Accubond at a muzzle velocity of around 3000 fps. I have used it and a couple of other 160 grain bullets on everything from antelope to elk with very good results.

Hard to see how you could go wrong with it.

I have 10 lbs of RL 26.

With so many wanting it and us looking like hoaders, I admit I have about that much...



DF

I have 1/4lb left..........thanks for the support.

I can load the load,

May need to get you to shoot the groups...

DF

What can I say, JG....

Reloder28 and I are here for ya...

If it wasn't so far to your neck of the woods, I'd share...

DF

I have 10.1 lbs of RL26. LOL

All this gloating... You guys with your scads of RL26 are terrible!

Well, you could have rounded it off...



DF

JG's too modest. I'll post the link...

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8855404/1

DF

Agreed!!!

DF,
Africa is a big place. It can get pretty darn hot in certain areas even in mid winter. Also, I see the application of RL26 to get the absolute most velocity out of a cartridge which is typically not needed in most African hunting especially with the 7RM. When you are half way around the world, you want something that is tried and true and dead reliable, not a new load.

How would you fuel the 7RM with 160's for that application?

DF

In the 7mag with 160gr Accubonds,I am loading 66.0grs of Reloader-22 in several rifles.You can load around 1.5-2.0grs of Reloader -26 higher than you do with Reloader-22.I have some loaded with 67.5 and 68.0grs of Reloader-26 to test,just haven't made it back to the range yet.I bet the velocities and accuracy will be very good.

I see where JGRaider used Retumbo with his Africa 7RM/160 NAB loads.

Worked for him and he was pushing that bullet nearly 3,100 fps.

DF

That's right DF. The other times I used 66.5g RL22 with the same results. I've also culled numerous aoudad with this load. There's not much to dislike about it IME.

I don't have any experience with the 7RM but a little in Africa (Tanz and SA). Typical shots are about 100 yards or less with some areas/animals offering longer shots. My longest was 350 yards on a wildebeest with my 375 H&H and 350gr bullets at 2400fps MV everything else was 125yards of less.So even with rainbow ballistics, longer shots are doable.
The point I was trying to make is that even for a long shot on wildebeest or gemsbok the 7RM at anywhere north of 3000fps is more than enough and the last thing you want is to be way out in the bush with a load that locks up your bolt and end up using a borrowed rifle.
If you can't work up the load at or over the expected temps, err on the mild side. YMMV

Similar experience in Africa. Was using the 7RM with Barnes X, and Noslers Partitions with a max load of H870. Temperatures would range from freezing to about 80 degrees each day. I had no issues with the unstable H870 as the loads were worked up in hot weather. The magnum primers may have helped on the cool weather end.

I’m thinking RL-26 should be more temp stable than RL-22 or H-870, even though it may not be THE most temp stable powder out there. If those two worked OK, ‘26 should do fine.

I’m going to proceed with developing 7RM loads, 160 NAB over RL-26 for African PG.

Will report.

DF

That should work. The max charge varies from about 66-69 grains for the 160s but I could not find a specific load for the Accubond. I am loading this much in the WSM with 140s so it must be the SAAM pressure levels that keep the 7RM at lower charge weights. This is probably a good thing for widely varying temperatures. If I am shooting in temps much above 80 degrees I will try to keep the ammo in a cooler if I have one.

It's right in line with most double base non-stabilized powders. Depending on the application it generally clocks in at over 2 ft/s per degree of instability which is enough to take a load outside of a velocity node with only a 10-20 degree variation from the temperature it was developed at.

Well designed temp stabilized powders like the Alliant RL16/23/ARCOMP series or the more recent Hodgdon Extreme powders can stay on the same velocity node over a 100+ degree swing.

Laffin........

Seems we have everything but data.

DF

My thoughts and limited experience with RL26 is very favorable. LB flings stuff against the wall in hopes some of it sticks.

So what's another 100 fps worth? I seem to recall a few gun rag writers suggesting zero which matches my experience? In fact some write that a 7-08, 7x57, 270, 280, 30-06... lose their distinguish in the field.

I compared my 7mm Rem Mag 162 eldx load with a hypothetical load using the same bullet out of my 7mm-08. The difference in muzzle velocity was 174 FPS, which turned into 150 yards. The 7mm-08 load at 200 yards has a similar velocity to the 7mm Rem Mag load at 350, etc.





P

Yup. I use RL26 in various rifles, including my competition rifle, and have chrono’d and used it in all sorts of weather conditions, and velocity and dope have never varied more than a few feet per second in total.

In contrast, this sounds like first hand data and observation...

I'll go with Jordan...

DF

I have a pound of unopened RL 26, I don't dare use it for fear of never finding it again!!!!

Won't do you any good in that bottle...

DF

Just genuflect your loaded rounds in front of the R26 canister and they will have increased mojo.

H1000 works just as well.....

that being said... I have like 10 to 12 pounds of it...

one 8 lb keg and then singles...

picked it all up when it was being sold for like $22 a pound at Sportsman's Warehouse...
the 8 pounder was like $125 or so....

stocked up mainly due to the price....

this was after sending 3 pounds of it to one of my campfire buddies...

My experience with RL-26 is the same as Jordan's: Very consistent velocities, accuracy and POI in a wide range of temperatures, from below zero Fahrenheit to above 90.

Am also a great admirer (and user) of H1000, again because of actually testing it in a wide range of field conditions for accuracy and veloicity.
But 26 can get a little more zip out of certain cartridge/bullet combinations, due to being double-based.

Like Jordan, I tend to pick powders by actually testing them in rifles at various temperatures, instead of guessing.

Well, if you remove all conjecture & subjectivity, what’s left to dicker over?

Good point, haa

I think what some or most of what I was seeing at 90 plus degrees is that I had a too hot load to begin with. They ejected fine only had slightly flattened primers (yes voodoo) it is just the velocity I was getting was in the Bob Hagel range for the 6.6x55.

What a surprise.......Llama Bob has no clue what he's talking about, once again.

You noticed...

DF

Tejano,

I knew the editor of one of the magazines Bob Hagel wrote for regularly, and he said more than one of Hagel's rifles ended up with chamber expanded so much the barrels had to be replaced.... :-)

Yeah, but look how much fun he had...

DF

Guys Powder valley has reloader 26 in 1 pounders instock, 429 as of this post............good luck!

Thank You!

213 left

Finally!!! Thanks guys!

Powder Valley website now shows "out of stock."

429 one-pound bottles sold in less than 24 hours. I wonder when more will be available.