Based on this limited initial test, RL-26 works really well.

Alliant's maximum listed loads for different 150-grain bullets vary from 60.2 to 60.8 grains, with ALL muzzle velocities above 3000 fps from a 24" test barrel. I decided to start with the Hornady Interlock Spire Point, partly because they're usually very accurate, and partly because I have a bunch. I loaded up one round with 59.0 grains, then four each with 60.0, 61.0 and 62.0, guessing the bullets would have to be pulled from the 62.0 loads.

The test rifle was my O'Connor Commemorative Model 70 Featherweight with a 22" barrel. It's been very accurate ever since the first 100-yard group was fired two years ago.

The 59.0 grain load chronographed 2936, and I could have lifted the bolt handle with my little finger. In fact, there wasn't any hint of excess pressure with any of the loads, and all the fired cases looked identical.

The average velocities from the other powder charges:
60--2949
61--3011
62--3084

The chronograph was set up 15 feet from the muzzle, and another 15 fps would result in a close approximation of muzzle velocity.

I only fired 3-shot groups with 60 and 61 grains, due to adjusting the scope between groups. Those groups measured .45 and .76 inch. The 4-shot group with 62 grains measured 1.15 inches, but was strung horizontally, probably due to the quartering headwind kicking up a little. The first three shots were under 3/4 inch.

I used brand-new Winchester brass and CCI 200 primers. Next I'm going to see how 26 does with 150 Partitions, with fired brass.

This Matches my experience. May be the best powder in .270 with 150s.

Yeah, it's looking pretty good! Will also test it in real cold, probably in 2-3 months, to see about Alliant's claims.

And I just reloaded 100 cases with RL-22 and the 150 partition for hunting this winter.

Oh well, may try it next year, another 175 fps can't be a bad thing provided accuracy is there in my rifle.

Thanks Mule Deer.

My primary .270 shoots small groups with 59.5 and 150 NPTs. Just under 3000.

Thanks for the report Mule Deer. Sounds like it's worth a try.

Any application in the 243 win?

I run '25 in my 243AI w/105's. I'll try '26 when I get low on '25.

David,

Alliant lists max loads at around 3200 fps with 100-grain bullets in the .243, and one 105-grain load close to 3100.

JB, thanks a ton for the info. I look forward to your 150gr. partition testing with this powder. I've decided to only use this bullet in my 270.

Been using 26 in the 243 with 90 Accubonds. Runs around 3200 really easy. Accuracy has been excellent as well. Might be more speed but it just shoots excellent as is.

Sounds great. I'm hoping to pick up some RE 26. It's nice when someone works up loads and gets one started in right direction.

(One problem though your 270 topics are not as much fun to razz😝)

Yeah, we know he's not gay. Ingwe on the other hand. I have some serious doubts...

I gotta ask--any info on temp sensitivity of Reloder 26?


Casey

IIRC, Jon Sundra said something to the effect that there was nothing in America that a 150-gr bullet at 3100 fps couldn't take care of. He of course was speaking of the 280 or his 7mm JRS; not the 270. But the 270 is right in that wheel house.

The 270 has always been good and seems like the others with the mono bullets and more powders is getting better. I'm actually surprised it isn't more popular than it is.

I tried RL26 in my 280AI with 168 Berger VLD's. Berger listed max at just under 62 grains. I hit pressure signs at 60gr. Got 2858fps avg. at 59.5gr. with a 24" barrel. 60gr. was 2882 fps.

I bet it will work with 130's as well. I say that because i used RL25 a few years back running similar tests with 130's in the 270. From the 22" barrel of a M70 Classic I was getting 3200 fps with no issues I could see. I used the Barnes Manual listed max of 65 gr and the "blue" Barnes bullet.

My understanding is that RL26 is the newer rendition of RL25 without the temp sensitivity.

A 150 gr 7mm bullet at over 3050 fps. Isn't that a 280 AI?

It works really well in my 270 WSM with 150 PTs as well. Accurate and it's running right at 3200 in my rifle.





At first glance it seems pretty darned good. Little more dense that R25 as well.

John,

In the same application, how would you rate it versus Ramshot Magnum aka Sp12?

Thank You!

I found RE26 at Brownells. Placed an order this morning.

Anxious to try in several cartridges, including the 270 . Should be good in a 300 WM and 7mm RM too, I'd think.

chamois,

In my experience, Magnum's enough slower-burning that the .270 Winchester tends to run out of powder room before similar results can be obtained, even though Magnum's a spherical powder.

A spherical powder halfway between Hunter and Magnum in burn-rate might be perfect for 150's in the .270, but the people at Western are having enough problems getting the Belgians to make enough Ramshot powder already!

Plus, the primary reason for RL-26 wasn't to come up with a perfect powder for 150-grain bullets in the .270 Winchester. Instead it was supposed to be a more temperature resistant powder than 22 or 25, and just happens to work really well with 150's in the .270. But a look at the other published data for RL-26 doesn't show any startling velocity increases in other applications, except perhaps the .243 Winchester with 100+ grain bullets.

Thank you sir!

Dang....a 150NBT at 3,100fps from a 22" 270Win is a potent and flat shooting deer load if I ever saw one. A 250yd zero barely cuts a 2.5" mid-range rise and falls 3" below point of aim at 300yds.

How do you think it will do with 130's? Or should I look at R23? The rifle is very fast & accurate with R22

Bob, Sundra was no doubt referencing his 7mm JRS which was his version of the 280 AI.

My point being if 26 and a 150-gr .277 bullet is a match made in heaven, the 270 is right there in that same realm.

I use RL-26 in my .25/06 (100 gr NBT),.270 Win (150 gr NP) and .300 Wby (180 gr NP).

Say what?

Yes, it is and quite sufficient.

Magic Powder?

3100ish with 150s in the Win is strong. Your not helping 7RM vs 270Win debates

Yeah, it's darn near perfect. 😃

Don't worry, I'm sure RL26 and other new powders are equally excellent in the 7RM

And I don't even have one!

Guess I'm going to have to call around and find some. Just got in a PV order and didn't even think of it. If 26 works well in 270, it should be perfect in 7RM. I have 5 270s and 3 7RMs, so definitely need to give some a try.

Thanks for the timely information. I have some RL26 in hand and another 270 on the way. 150 g. partitions are what I plan on using in the new to me Kimber 84L Montana behind some RL26. I am looking forward to your further testing.

So is the RL26 only good for 150 grain bullets in the 270? I currently have some 140 grain Bergers and some 140 grain Barnes TSX to try. Oh, and some Accubonds, also 140 grain. Would it be possible to safely surpass 3100 fps with RL26? All I ever use is H4831 but I'm willing to try something more "modern."

Indeed it is. Been using RL26 since last winter and matched with 162gr A-Max and CCI 250 primer in my 7mm WSM, it does very good things...

Alliant doesn't list any RL-26 loads for bullets under 150 grains for the .270. It might be too slow-burning to get enough in the case for decent velocities with lighter bullets, but they also don't list any loads for Reloder 23 with bullets less than 150 grains.

I tried 26 with some other 150-grain bullets this morning. 61 grains with Partitions is a little warm, judging from the muzzle velocity of close to 3100 fps, so I'm going to back it down to 60, but it was about right with 150-grain Long Range AccuBond.

John,

Thirty years ago,a friend and I loaded enough IMR 4350 to get 3000 fps from the 23.6 inch barrels of our Steyr rifles with both 150 Hornadys and 150 Partitions. We actally got our data from a second edition Hornady manual.

By the next edition,the data was revised downward,and I got nervous after a while and stopped loading with the old(probably not pressure tested data).

The reason that I bring it up is that the 150 grain Hornady interlocks and Nosler Partition were very pure death rays on everything we shot. A buddy once used a single partition to break all three shoulders of two bull elk. The Hornadys just electrocuted deer.

So thanks for new data to sanely recreate our old loads.

John,
Have you tried IMR 7977 in the 270 with 150's?

Interestingly I too shot Re26 in my 270 with 150 NPT this past weekend. It shot as advertised and I hit 3000 with 60 grains lit by a WLR. It shot decent in my 24" Kimber but H1000 shoots better and runs 2950 with the NPT.

I've also tried 7977 with the same components. It too will reach close to 3000 with a 150. In my rifle it wasn't as accurate as H1000 or H4831.

I really like the new Enduron powders. I've shot them all in various cartridges - they give advertised velocity and some have been very accurate. I'm hopeful they live up to their temp insensitivity billing. I've been almost exclusively using Hodgdon Extreme for the past 5-6 years. It's good to have a few choices now.

I wonder if R26 shines in a 280AI

That's what I'm wondering too. I bet it does, but Alliant hasn't tested it in the .280 AI.

Are you busy tomorrow?

Damn, that's intriguing. Is that with a 24" barrel? Next time I see some at the LGS, I'm snagging some..

22"

Damn, that's right up my alley with my fwt. Thanks John..

Bwinters
What is your data with H1000 and the 150 partition?

John,
Have you tried 7977?

Yeah, and get just about the same velocity as with H4831SC.

John,
Thanks for responding.
Best stock up on R26.

Book marked for when I get some RL 26 !

Berger has tested RL23 and RL26. They provided me with the min/max load data for the 168 VLD. Their max load for rl 26 was too hot for my rifle.

What are you seeing in the 25 and 300 Wby with it?

Haven't tried it with the 300 Wby yet but it's fairly speedy with 100 grain Nosler ETips.






Still working a little on seating depth but it looks pretty good so far in my opinion.

Speaking of which, does anyone know where there is any R26 in stock?

How did those long range Accubonds group??

Very well, enough that further testing is definitely in order. They may end up being THE bullet used in this rifle.

Fwiw....Quickload shows R26 producing highest velocities in many bottleneck cartridge/heavy bullet combos. If it proves to also be more temp stable than 22 and 25 with comparable accuracy, we all win.

LGS has it in stock. I downloaded the Alliant manual today and looks like this stuff is the beans for the .270 and .243. Making the run tomorrow.

In the .25/06 it's getting 3340 fps from a 24" barrel. The .300 Wby with a 26" barrel it's getting 3216 fps.

Don't remember the accuracy with the above loads,but they're good enough for me,if that helps.

I have a couple pounds of R26, and a fussy .300 Wby, so may be time to try it

Anyone tried RL23 for similar applications?

That's pretty righteously impressive.

I've used MRP/RL-22 forever in my 270's with 150 Partitions forever, & those go 2900-2950'ish from 22" barrels so that's a genuine improvement.

MM

Hey Rin - 61.0 with a WLR seated 0.020" off. Gets ~ 2950 and a shade over 1 MOA with 5 shots at 100.

I just looked at my Re26 targets again. They are 1.2" and 2997 for 3 shots and 61.0 in a 24" brl. I'll probably try 61.5 and 62.0 to see what happens to my group. I ran the numbers today on that load and a 7RM with 160 at 3000. There ain't enough difference between them to say anything. They are same-same. Plus my 270 doesn't recoil like any of my 7 mags. It may be going elk hunting this fall........

Hi John,

Looking forward to your NPT results. Two questions:

1. How far off lands and grooves will/are you running the 150 NPT?

2. Thoughts on using the CCI 200 for cold weather use? Ive always develped my loads with WLR primers especially when I'm torching 55-60 grains powder. I'm curious on your thoughts on the subject.

Thanks.

Unfortunately my order from Brownells RE26 emptied their inventory. (4lb)

FWIW, the Alliant data uses F210s.

Not John, but this is my take on your questions:

1. .020"

2. NO problems with CCI 200's in cold weather ever.

As soon as I find some here I got to give RL 26 a try, with those kind of results are too good not too and I like the 150's and 160's anyway. Looks like they have a winner with that powder.

I saw that as well. My 'non-hot' loads use Fed 210. I've found the WLR tends to give me better groups than Fed 210 in 06 based cases - but I do like to know what others are finding. Although I've been handloading for close to 40 years, I've learned more here on the Fire over the past 10 years than the previous 30 trying to figure it out on my own. I ask rather mundane questions at times because the collective experience is better than my single data point. I'd rather ask than wonder.

It seems like it is one of those magic combinations that sometimes just happen.

The reason for asking is that I have had very good accuracy with Sp12 and the loads published in your book for 130gr and 140gr bullets, but the speed was not there. I now want to develop a load for the 150gr ABLR for a future hunt and had to decide whether to start working with Sp12 or try to lay my hands on some R26, if I find it!

Thank you very much!

I've sworn off thr WLRs for now. No doubt they've fixed the problem with them, but it's likely that there are still a bunch out there that may have issues, especially since they have not, so far as I know, issued a formal recall to get them off the shelves. Seems short-sighted to me, but it's their business.

Something interesting to me in the data was that the top load for Sierra 150 GKBTs was lower that for both NPs and Speer GSs which should have longer bearing surfaces. Hard alloy in the GKs?

Pappy

What is your issue with WLR?

RL26 has been really good for me in the 270 WSM, 7 WSM, 338 Win with 225 PTs, 35 Newton with 250 PTs, 243 Win with the 90 AB, 25-06 with the 100 ET and the 7mm MSM and 150 ET.

Great speeds across the board. What I've noticed though is that like a few other slow burning powders it doesn't strut its stuff till I hit the upper loads. It was really apparent with the 338 and 35 Newton but man, once it gets there it has been really decent.

You must have missed the "Great Pitted Bolt Face Scandal" raging here not long ago. Defective primer cups allowed gas to escape at the corners of the cups and erode little holes in rifles' bolt faces. Winchester/Olin replaced some primers, reimbursed customers for others, and paid for repairs. Long, dull, story. Search back a bit if you want to know more; it's pretty complicated.

Thanks. I've been using them a long time -- cheap and work ok. I have not had that issue. I'll be looking for it.
I buy most brands of primers, BTW. Just was unaware of the WLR issue. Thanks again.

I pitted the first rifle I had with 'experimental' loads. Using Win 760 with Win 760BR load data and the like. Totally my issue not the primers.

chamois,

What is Sp12?

Mule Deer,

SNPE Vectan Sp12 is the same powder as Ramshot Magnum but in a different package.

Both are made by the same manufacturer, PB Clermont from Belgium, who markets it itself under the PCL 517 label.

In Europe it is easily found over the counter, while the Ramshot line is very seldom seen.

Other analogies are:

Big Game = Sp11 = PCL 511
TAC = Sp7
Hunter = = PCL 518

chamois

Thanks for the info. I knew it sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place the powder!

Score! Got me a jug, along with a box of the 150gr Hornadys.

Found H110 in another store, which also had, (drum roll please) Unique and Bullseye.

My results much the same, looks to be a perfect powder for the 270 Win pushing a 150 grainer.

I started up with the 150 LRAB & RL 26 in my 25" Benchmark re-barreled Ruger M-77

Impressive to say the least, worked up to a safe 3150+ fps & sub 1 MOA for 3 shots. Staying within Allients loading data.

Reference this thread if interested.



http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10629078/1


41

Funny how every once in a while a new powder hits the sweet spot for a particular cartridge. The advancements are incremental these days.

That has been my experiance so far with a pair of 270's and 150 gr NBT's and NPt's.

It seems to burn a bit cleaner than H4831--especially in those fouling mutha's of a 243 ......


Casey

What's impressive, and helpful to me is that the Alliant manual has data for a number of different bullets of the same weight with the same powder. With RL26 they have data for four 150gr .270 bullets and three 100gr .243. With component supplies (and prices) being what they are nowadays, that's a big deal.

Yep. for a while, Alliant was only showing loads with Speer bullets, Speer of course being another division of their parent company. Good to see them using other bullets

Can't find a teaspoon of 26 anywhere in a 250 mile radius of home base. I do have some 25, which I know is similar to 26, just not as temperature sensitive. Is it close enough to use the 26 data with no problems? Close enough to reasonably expect the same results?

There's no RL25 data for the standard .270WCF listed in the latest manual at all. There is some for RL23, but at a quick glance it looks to be several grains down. The manual is a free PDF file. Best download it and see for yourself.

Well, my first effort with the Ruger #1-A on the bags sure looks promising with the one and only bottle of RL26 I've ever seen. I had some old Hornady 150s around, not even sure if they're Interlocks or not, but they sure bucked well....much more than 140 BTSPs with H4831, so I would assume they're moving along. And they print higher as well ..... and in tiny little clusters predominantly, something I never knew whether this rifle actually had in it. (It's kind of a storied little rifle, but fortunately the bore was not scarred in the process....note, I did not say barrel ) Anyway, thanks, John, for the head's-up on the powder/bullet combo. I may load a few with 140s just to satisfy my curiosity when I refill the empties.

I'm looking forward to trying 26... no one I could find has it around here yet.

Barnes had it in Manual #3. Listed 65 gr max of RL25 with 130 gr XLC for 3299. I got 3200 from a 22" M70 Classic barrel.

I also worked up loads with Partitions in 130-150 hr bullets but cannot remember details except the powder worked very well in the 270.

I would not hesitate to use it in the 270 at all.

Dang, that's smokin'!

Given that the longest shot I've taken on a deer in the last 20 years was maybe 125 yards, my interest in pushing for more speed might be a little silly, but a boy's got to get his fun someplace.

I tried some 150 partitions and RL26 today. Used WW brass, CCI 200 primers, 60.5 gr of RL26. Tried in 3 different rifles. Velocity ran from just over 3000 fps to 3060 fps in the different rifles. Two rifles grouped well. the other did not.
I'll be loading another box of these soon.

With all the new powders on the market, I say you have to consider the long term availability. Just about the time you develop a load, some new press for gun control hits the news and starts the hoarding mentality up all over again.

This is true.

RL_26 had become my new everyday powder for the open country streamlined 150. Going to definitely have to replace the old rock hard red recoil pad on the M77.

Like RL_17 with 130 TTSX for speed goats

And IMR 4831 with Nosler 160 Partition for timber.

But then I'm OCD & picky too boot!


41

Ditto on the 160s, but I push them with a couple of jugs of Supreme 780 I was lucky enough to find before they pulled the plug on it. Both the doe I shot and the big 10-point my son shot last year just FOD (Fell Over Dead, DRT is passé and bang-flop sounds too much like a description of old-man sex). What attracted me to the 780 is that even the starting load shows good velocity. I've got enough to last me and maybe my son too when the loads I gave him run out.

IF real life tests hold up to Alliants claims, RL 16 looks to be the answer with 130s. 3100-3200 with temp stability and copper fouling resistance to boot.

Shot the .300 Weatherby today with a couple loads of R23 and R26., both under 180gr Accubonds

At least in my rifle, with these lots of powder, there isn't a heck of a lot of difference in burn rate. 82gr of R23 ran about 3180 fps, and 85gr of R26 went about 3280, with one reading at 3303...which may be a touch on the warm side. Both were sparked by Federal 215M's.

Starting from a stone cold barrel, the first shot from the R26 load was right where I wanted it. The next two went about 4 inches higher

Let it cool off for an hour and repeated it with the R23 loads and it put 3 in an inch, and held zero nicely. Think I'm gonna tweak the powder charge a little and see if they tighten a little more. I'd be content with something real accurate in the low 3200's...

And next year, send to Pacnor for a new barrel

You guys test it out on the AI yet?

Anyone have the Litz G1 BC for the .277 150 gr partition?

When did Winchester axe the 780?

I still have some. Made a few good loads with it too.

I wonder how this powder would work with the various 140gr bullets that are available. Thoughts?

Not sure. I don't think it was ever in the powder description section of the Hodgdon book, and now the load data is gone as well. I liked the looks of the data for the 160s and when I saw some 780 at an LGS, I bought a pound. After I tried it, I went back and got another can. I've never seen it for sale elsewhere, even online.

I'm sure the 150s will be just as good, but I just like the look of the carts loaded with those blunt 160s; kinda old-timey compared to all the plastic-tipped mono-metal ICBMs people like to throw these days.

Picked up 3lbs of RL26 today. Any suggested loads for 150 LRAB in the 280 Rem?

Going to try RL-26 in my 270 today. Taking it elk hunting in two weeks. 150 grain North Forks.

Years back I used the 270, 160 NP successfully on 3-4 moose.

What would the RL26 do for velocity with the 160NP?

I have been wanting to find out but RL 26 seems to be a bit tough to find around here. IMR 7977 gets over 2800 easily fps from a 23" barrel, maybe RL 26 could get to 2900 fps. Will probably still end up trying it but am perfectly happy with IMR 7977 which is easy to find here. Really like the 160 gr PT so far too.........

Don't know, I'm so pleased with my IMR 4831 loading & that big semi-spitzer not going to mess with it. Getting 2800 fps and quite accurate.

41

Gerry,

I'm getting 2750 from a 22" barrel with the 170 Berger Elite Hunter bullet and 7977. That's just the top load I've tried too, though it seemed like a reasonable velocity.

Good info to have, I don't have the magazine room in my Sako for that bullet probably.

While I have your ear so to speak how do you like the 150 gr Ballistic Tip? I shot some deer last week with it and came away impressed, the 150 gr BT hits in the same place as the 160 gr Partition. I think those two could probably handle anything in this country easily.

The 170 fits in the standard-length magazine of my Model 70 Classic. It's a ways from the lands but still shoots well.

I haven't used the 150 Ballistic Tip but a good friend of mine has, the guy who goes by Shrapnel on the Campfire. He likes it a lot and has killed a bunch of game with it, including several elk.

Thanks I may end up trying those Berger's after all then one day.

The only real advantage they have is less wind drift at longer ranges, so it depends on how far you shoot. Up close they kill stuff but don't penetrate like Partitions!

I can find all the 7977 and RL25 I want but two major LGS had no RL26 which seems strange. I tried today.....no go. No RL23 either.

So I guess i am going to pick up on the 7977. There seems to be plenty of that to go around.

I was browsing the 2015 Hodgdon book today and 7977 seems to run neck and neck with 780 for most purposes, and a little ahead here and there. They seem to have gotten a lot of load date together as well. All that and copper killer and temp stability too. If there's no more RL 26 at the LGS next time, maybe I'll pick some up.

With all the slow burners out there now, no wonder they let 780 slide.

Pappy I never got around to 780. I think I was maybe spooked by early experiences with 760.

That, and the stuff was never really abundant in my area either.

Gerry, I've used the 270/150 NBT combo on elk. Only a cow, but she was a fairly big one. 120 yards, through both lungs and exited. I'd not hesitate to use it on anything here in Montana.

Bob,

Along with converting all my former H4350 loads to IMR4451 (which has gone very well so far), I'm also doing some of the same thing with H4831 and IMR7977. For the same reason, too--when H4831 becomes available, it's briefly and erratically, though not as much as H4350. Meanwhile 7977 has been pretty much constantly available since it was introduced, especially on Internet sites.

7977 not only works well in the .270 Winchester but various magnums from the .257 Weatherby to 7mm Remington to just about any .300 from the WSM to Wby. It's also one of the best powders in the .280 Ackley Improved, just in case you decide to upgrade from the .270 one of these days. :-)

Honestly, I practice to about 400 yards or so, around here it is hard to even see that far most of the time

I remember people on this site using it on bigger animals and being happy. It sure does seem to kill deer well without excessive meat damage so far.

I'm a little "gun shy" about all this new powder. I keep thinking that they produced a giant stockpile before it was introduced and when that runs out, these new ones will be just as sporadic as everything else.

Otherwise, I'd switch too. But I figure about the time I get some loads worked up, it will disappear.

At least with 4350 and 4831, you know that at some point, it will be back in stock.

No, they didn't produce one big batch. I've purchased and used several different lots of all three original Enduron powders--4166, 4451 and 7977--and they've all been easily available since shortly after their introduction three years ago, far more so than the Extremes. Which is how I've purchased several different lots.

Part of the reason is they're being produced in Canada, instead of on the other side of the largest ocean in the world, that has been making IMR powders for many years now. You might as well be afraid of not being able to get IMR4895 or IMR4350.

Good. I'll have to try some then.

Ok, I haven't read all 6 pages, but is there any mention that these new powders will be replacing H4350 or H4831SC?

That depends on how much you value a little more velocity vs re-doing load workup.

John I already have an upgrade over the 270....it's called a 7 Rem Mag.

The IMR Data shows the 280 AI delivering less velocity at more pressure than the 7 RM,albeit with 7 gr more powder to which I say "So what?" . More pressure and less velocity doesn't sound like any bargain to me....

Case capacity wins again!

Guess that's why I never "got" the 280AI thing,and likely never will. Just mention that in passing since i don't want to stir those 280 AI guys up....tough crowd.

I will try R26 when I am up and about this fall
It does seem to serve the .270 win really well.There isn't really an upgrade from it in my opinion...it is the golden child unless the 7mm rem mag or the AI work out of a 22 "barrel.C'mon..150 grain partition @3000 fps+ is superb for elk...and the brass lasts forever!Cheers

I shot some 150 partitions over 60.5 gr of RL26 (chrono'd 3040 fps) at 200 and 300 yards today. I was happy with how they shot. There was some cross wind today, and the 150's seem to "buck the wind" a little better than .30 cal 180 partitions (chrono'd 2750 fps) from my .30-06.

I looked at Nosler ballistic data for these loads and their 400 yd energy numbers are about the same. I think this might be a good .270 load even for elk.

I tried RL 26 with the LR Accubombs today in a 270WSM.Started out with 62.6 grains ended up with 67.6 grains.The more powder,the better it shot.66.6 grains yielded a .363 3 shot group at 100 yards.At 67.6 the group opened up to .795.Too Sunny today to chrono.That was in a Tikka T3 lite ,24" barrel.I tried some 150 grain LR Accubombs in my Forbes 24B 270.I was using RL 23.Shot nice patterns.Max loads of RL 22 I Think 56 grains and 140 Bergers and no group over .650 and three about 325.Freaking insane.I am going to try the RL 26 with both the 140 Bergers and the 150 LRAB`s next.Huntz

My overriding concern is that the two H's will still be available. Unless forced to, I'm done chasing a little velocity. The old stuff worked fine for 25+ years.

In the 270WSM I ran the 140 grain Accubonds up to 69 grains of R26 which is the same load I use with R25. No idea if I am over pressure but there are no indications of it. Initial velocity and accuracy mimicked the R25 load at 3,200 fps. I will stop there or back down some before I load a bunch. This is the only case where R26 matched R25. In other cases all the other loads were less than the R25 max loads but with similar or higher velocities.

bigwhoop,

When Jack O'Connor started using H4831 in the .270 it was all about "chasing velocity," even though handloaders had to take his word (and that of the loading manuals) back then. The truth was that the original mil-surp powder Bruce Hodgdon eventually called H4831 didn't get much more velocity out of the .270 than IMR4350, which had already been around for close to a decade.

The other side of it is that before cheap chronographs appeared, many people thought they were chasing velocity but were mistaken. I bought my first .243 Winchester in 1974, and since it was the exact same model Speer used in their manual, and I used exactly the same load, I assumed the muzzle velocity of my handloads was right around 3000 fps. Bought my first chronograph five years later and found my handloads weren't quite getting 2800 fps.

A friend (another gun writer) had the same experience with his 7mm Remington Magnum. After buying a chronograph he found he'd been using what was essentially a warmly-loaded 7x57 for many years. Since he lived in a heavily timbered part of Montana, where big game was almost never shot over 200 yards, it didn't make any difference to the deer, black bears and elk his "magnum" killed.

Actually, I'm surprised some people don't claim they still use Cordite, since it worked fine in the 1890's.

And sometimes factory loads weren't up to snuff, either. Pre-chrono I used some 120gr .25-06 factory loads as a reference when loading for my first deer rifle. They worked, but I had some funky results. A few years later I bought a chrono and learned the factory loads were only doing 2750 fps.

Actually, if you read any modern murder/mystery novels you will find that the scent of cordite is still in the air.

It's one of my pet peeves about novelist/writers who claim to know something about firearms.

Well all I meant was that I probably won't be jumping to something new for 125+/- fps. My buddy and I shoot thru each others chronies to verify speeds. My supply of cordite ran out in the 80's so I was forced to switch to H4831SC.

You can make your own cordite. Get with the program!

Roger that on the slow ball powder, have 1/2 a jug of WW 785 around, but the .300 Roy likes it with 180 grain Grand Slams.

That whippy 26" Krieger is so picky!


41

Perhaps soon....

It does. That's all I'll say since there's no published data.

The case with the larger capacity always wins if all things are equal.

This is a combo I am going to have to try in my boys' rifles, once I can find some R26.

This started it all!

If I knew my shots were always going to be under 300 yards I would hunt specifically with my 280's and never look for more. However, I know different so I prefer the comfort of my 300 WSM when needed.

I am loaded up for this season with 168 Hunting VLD's and RL26 in my 280AI. Berger will send you load data. I would not start at their max. I am getting 2920 fps. and good accuracy out of a 24" barrel. Thrilled with this hunting load.

I am feeling comfortable on deer to at least 500y with a 280AI. Look at the numbers with a 168 VLD Berger @ 2900fps. Let me say I am comfortable with the killing potential. I would have to have perfect rest and wind conditions to be comfortable with pulling the trigger at 500y. No one ever mentions pulling a shot at long distance. I do understand that a 300wsm would have more oomph on a less than perfect shot.

Pull a bad shot with a 300 magnum on a buck and you are not much better off than if you do it with a 280AI or anything similar. You have problems either way. The 300 does not buy you much of anything.

Hmm.. I had hoped it would do 3100 fps in a 24" 280AI.

I have a 168 gr load with 4831sc that averages just over 3k fps now.

It doesn't buy you much but more than a Mashburn Super!

dt: Its surprising that none of them really do. 7mm Mags not much different.

With well placed shots a 300 magnum is a vicious killer.

That is smoking fast from a 24" barrel. I may have a slow barrel but do not think that I can get to 3000 fps with rl 26 much less 4821sc with the 168vld. I do find that Berger VLD bullets can be pushed faster than other bullets of similar or slightly less weight.

Lots of RL26 at the Tanner Gun Show in Denver this weekend.

A 8" twist and a 165 gran Matrix .277 bullet would be nice with Reloder 26 in the 270 win

Will this powder work the same with lower grain, but same length bullets?

For instance, will it work with the Barnes 129 gr LRX (about same length as an avg. 150 gr. cup/core)? If so, would you expect higher velocity than 3200 FPS from a 24" barrel?

I dunno, but Alliant doesn't list RL-26 data for any bullet lighter than 150 grains.

My guess, however, is that it wouldn't provide any more velocity with lighter bullets, at least in most rifles, because not enough powder could be crammed into the case. I went up to 62 grains in my rifle with 150's, which is close too all that will fit in a .270 case and still seat a 150 Partition.

So what about the 160 grain Nosler partition?Has anyone tried this .270 win ,rl 26 combination?

Slightly off topic but wondering if you've tried RL-26 in the 270 weatherby John?
I have some to try but haven't loaded anything up yet. I contacted Alliant for some data but haven't heard back. The standard 270 closes the gap to almost a stiff breeze with the 150s. I am hoping it will bump a little more performance out the the weatherby to still pull away from the 270 win.

I very much doubt RL-26 is slow-burning enough to bump velocity up in the .270 Weatherby.

Maybe RL-33 will work in the 270 Wby.

I think it would certainly be worth a try as it works well in the 270 WSM and the 7RM. I would split the difference between the two for an approximate load. WSM holds 75 grains of water and the 270 WM around 83 about a 10% difference. I would not exceed 7RM charges even though the .270WM is loaded to higher pressure. With the free bore you won't see any pressure indications until you are way up there with R26.

You'd definitely see an increase in velocity by working up loads by "pressure signs," rather than using pressure-tested data. But that would apply any powder in the same general burn-rate range, since traditional pressure indicators don't usually show up until around 70,000 PSI.

This proves JB right again on the last two posts. Had brainlag and forgot there was published data.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...;type=1&powderid=40&cartridge=65

Respectable velocities but nothing much above factory and some like the 150 grain which barely edges out the 270 Win. loads.

yeah I forgot there is some data for the RL26 and 270 weatherby on alliants site. Not anything remarkable because like John said the burn rate is faster than I assumed which was thinking it was as slow or slower than RL25. IMR 7977 might be a good choice with no manufacturer's data for it as well as RL33 with out any data published for it either.

It sounds like imr7977 is real close to H1000. Not sure how RL33 lands in the spectrum.

No idea on 7977 but R33 should work as it does in the .257WM and .264 Win. It is closer to Retumbo than H1000.

R26 is almost the same as 7828 and the old slower lots of MRP.
R26 gives me about 60 fps more in the 7RM than my old H870 load with 160s.

I had picked up a pound of RL26 a while ago and finally got out to out to try it in a TikkaT3 (22" barrel"). Velocity results are similar to others.

65deg
150 partition, RP brass, CCI 200, RL26
60 gr: 2937, 2936, 2933 - 1.21"
60.5gr: 2975, 2975, 2977 - 1.24"
61gr : 2999, 3004, 2998 -1.22

I was impress withed how consistent velocity was shot to shot. Usual load is 57gr h4831sc at 2820fps with .8 MOA groups. Going to play with seating depths to see if I can get RL26 under 1". Pretty good velocity improvement but now I have to wait for a cold day for additional testing

I did some more shooting yesterday with RL26 / 270 Win / 150 NP's / 22.5" bbl'd Kimber 84L MT

I went to a deeper seating depth (.050" off lands rather than .020") and groups shrunk nicely.

58.5 RL26 / WW Brass / Fed 210M / 2,991 fps / 1.160" 3 shot group with two close and one out.
59.0 RL26 / WW Brass / Fed 210M / 3,016 fps / .530" 3 shot group.

I'll keep playing with it and will also try it with 150 NBT's which this rifle really likes.

Dang, that sounds pretty good. Especially in the way you have your rifle set up, that is an excellent combo.

I'd have no problem with your second load running 3000, and a .53" group. Simply great! I really need to play with mine...

Ok after seeing all these great results using Rl 26 in a 270 I had to try it in my 270 Gibbs with a 25 inch barrel. Starting at 60 grains here were my results with the nosler long range accubond.
60 grains 2805fps
61 grains 2875fps
62 grains 2945fps
63 grains 3012fps
64 grains 3085fps
All loads showed no sign of pressure and primer pockets were still tight. I'm thinking I'll try 65 grains which should be over 3100fps. If it shoots well it sounds like a great load.

Mule Deer, would RL-26 be of any use in a 7x57 with heavy bullets?

Thanks, Ron

It might work. A lot would depend a lot on how far out the bullets could be seated; many 7x57's have the traditional long throat, and if the magazine's also long enough it would probably do pretty well with 160-175's.

Thanks Brad, that's promising. Filing for reference.

IF I can find some Rl 26, I'll do some testing this Winter/Spring depending IF/WHEN I find it.

Jerry

tag

Has anyone tried RL-26 and the 160 gr NP in the .270 Winchester?

Wow. Very interesting thread. Been considering another rifle in .270 Win. and this "tilted the scales" in favor, for sure.

I have a batch loaded up if it ever gets above zero and quits snowing I will get out and test them.

Same here!

It'll probably be April before I can get a chance to chronograph my loads but they do group well.

60 Grs RL26 under 160NP......020 off lands.

JB- forgive me if anyone has mentioned, not read every posts here, but it might appear 26 might show gain over 22 in a Swede with 140s. Any change you still have one and/or worked with it in the Swede?

Impressive speeds in a 22" - I dropped a CO Mulie near 300 yds, 150 PT went frontal just to the side of the throat, nearly exited, he want about 30-40 yds. 24" bbl - had 52/IMR4350, another half grain more was hot in this rifle.

2850 was MV, so no doubt H4831 would net another 100-150 potentially but R26 puts you in 7RM territory.

I was wondering if the Swede might benefit, possibly the SA 6.5 as well, like your 260.

I ran some 26 in my Swede with 120 Northforks and 130 Scirocco and Accubonds. The 130's were in the 2975 range and I never pushed them beyond that.

The same rifle does about 2750'ish with 7828SSC and 140 Accubonds. I plan to try a little 26 to see what happens.

65BR,

I haven't tried 26 in the 6.5x55 but probably will when I get some "spare time," which has been scarce lately!

I'm going to go all the way out to the end of the limb & make a real SWAG that it's highly likely that any thing that '22 works well in will likely benefit from '26.

MM

I thought that 26 was a temp-stable replacement for RL25? Or do I have that wrong?
I used to run RL22 in my M70 6.5X55 and it did well with 140gr partitions. I am curious to see what 26 will do also.

Seems like it fits in the case like 22 and has the speed of 25.. I knows that's a generality but it's what I've seen so far.

R26 does have something in common with.... 26 cal

MM - I think in smaller bore applications where you are looking for a slow powder, your thoughts mirror mine. Should be applications in 24-26 cal I would feel, 308 or so sized parent brass rounds and larger capacity.

Thanks JB and others, it seems to be worth a try.

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet or not, but Berger shows Reloader 26 with their 140 grain Classic Hunter. Max load 61.5 grains, velocity of 3195. That's with a 26 inch barrel.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/270-Win-140gr.pdf

I settled on 58.0 grains of RL-26,Fed 210 Match primer and 160 gr NP. From the 22" barrel it's averaging 2850 fps. Accuracy is under an inch.

With 59.0 grains it averaged 2910 fps,but accuracy was ok.

That 160 is good medicine

Thanks for that data, sounds like one heck of a load. I'll work some up after I shoot all my IMR 4831_ CCI 250_ 160 NP loads, probley should chrono my old loads in the new 25" bbl. 1st.



41

Finally we have a slight break in the weather allowing me to get to the range for a session with my buddies crono....then the snows came!

Kimber Mountain Ascent 270 Winchester
Nosler Brass
210M primers
60 grs Reloder 26
160 NP

3022 fps
3016 fps
3046 fps
3028 AVG

<1" group fired after

FY.....59 grs Reloder 17,
110 TTSX

3516 fps
3522 fps
3532 fps
3523 avg

.670 group fired after.

That's a fair bit faster than I'm running the 160 gr Partition using IMR 7977. Got to find some RL 26 soon..........

I will be ordering a browning x-bolt stalker long range with a 26 inch barrel (270 win) hopefully next week. So far I haven't been able to find any RL 26 locally, but am sure it will show up sooner rather than later. I am really looking forward to trying it out in a 26 inch tube.

Thanks everyone for posting all of this info on your experiences with RL 26. I was perfectly content, until I read this thread.

gundog

I got nothing other than to say I haven't been paying much attention to the newer powders, but the RL26/270 combo is interesting to say the least.

Thanks for posting.

There have been mountains of deer killed by 130gr .270 loads at 3000-3100 fps. Now we can run 150's at the same speed, sounds pretty good to me.

Shot some R26 yesterday in the .300 RUM, had good results though the chrono was fussy. Worth some more development.

I have NIB 270, still wrapped in plastic that I might break free.

Gee, a 150 grain bullet at 3,000 fps. Sounds like a 30-06!

You really think they're the same?

Wonder what R26 would do in a 30-06 with a 180/200 grain pill?

Great thread. My local store has some 26, I think I'll pick some up and try the 150 Partitions I have lying around.

Except it's 3000 fps with significantly higher BC and Sd.........

Casey

My thought is it still too slow burning for that application--'cause I already considered it!

Of course, it may end up working just fine..........


Casey

I can tell you that you can get enough 26 into a 300 SAUM case to make 180s go 2900+ fps, 190s also.

I'm curious what it will do in the 300 WSM which has a Bore-Volume/Case-Capacity Ratio about like the 270. My 300 WSM easily reaches 3,030 fps with a 180 and stellar accuracy. Will be interesting to see if RL26 can surpass that.

It has surprised me in quite a few cartridges so far. If you can get enough in there I have no doubt it'll make speed..

Funny how that concept is lost on so many people...

Yep, but a lot of hunters (even handloaders) are obsessed with muzzle velocity, just as if it was still 1900 and smokeless powder was the new kid on the block. That was reasonably valid when almost all hunting rifles had iron sights and 200 yards (often guessed as 300-400) was considered a pretty long shot, but things have changed a little since then. :-)

Those 160's are great bullets and over 3K is nice to get.

But, I would bet the longer shank of the bullet is creating higher pressures for you to get that kind of speed.

I'm not seeing any indications but I intend to back off a bit for safety.

Here,s a few recent loads of mine with RL26,RL23 And Norma
MRP in 270 Win.
Weatherby Vanguard S2 270 Winchester

RL26 61.5gr 130gr TTSX WLR primer Win case 3.300 OAL
3209fps Average

RL23 59.0 140gr. Accubond CCI250 primer Win case
3.340OAL 3131fps Average

Norma MRP 60.2gr 140gr Accubond WLR primer win case
3.340OAL 3160fps Average

RL26 61.5gr 140gr Accubond WLR primer Win Case
3.340OAL 3153fps Average


RL26 60.6gr 150gr Nosler Partition WLRM primer Win
cases 3.340OAL 3051fps Average





Winchester Model 70 257 Roberts

RL26 48.5gr 115gr Nosler Partition CCI 250 primer
Win. Case 2.280OAL 3138fps Average

RL23 47.7gr 110gr Accubond CCI 250 Mag primer
Win case 2.840OAL 3120fps Average

Guntruck50,
You're getting great speeds, how was the accuracy?

For sure. Those look like excellent loads across the board.

I tried 61 to 63 grains of RL26 behind Nosler 180AB, 180PT and 180BT. The 63 grain load gave me 2940 fps so the powder is fast in my 24" barrel but groups were bad. Rifle shoots these same bullets well under MOA with H4350.

I,m still trying to figure that out. I used Norma
MRP to get my Elk, This year, 59.2gr with 150gr partitions.
About 2981 Average. I,m going to use 140gr Accubonds next
year. the 130gr TTSX best load is with RL17 54.5gr at
3208fps, I,m going to back off to 54.0gr. The RL23 load
for 140gr Accubonds was the most accurate. Have several
other powders that shoot good with the 140gr Accubonds.
For deer next year I,ll probably us the RL23,if not
that It will be MRP. I,m still working on the RL26.

R26 in the .300 RUM is also pretty phenomenal. Shooting a MRC X2, with 180 Accubonds, velocities are very high, and it shoots bugholes. The 190gr Accubond Long Range needs some more tuning, but still it did 1", and made high velocities.

Where'd you find data for the .300 RUM?

I did some testing back in Dec 2014

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9517549/Re:_New_RL23,___RL26_in_the_6.#Post9517549

Love the 160s, even at 2800 or so. Of three deer taken so far, two good bucks and a doe, two were literal DRTs and the other went about 50 yards. 150s are no doubt just as good, but the 160s have that retro-badass look to them, like some fancy Euro-ammo.

I started with Reloader 22 max loads, which in this rifle is 87gr for 180gr Accubonds.

Tag

Yup they have the look, that sinister semi-spitzer thing going on. I have a few boxes of the NP 160, 2 pounds of RL26 & some new 270 Winchester brass....

Looks like I found my winter project.


41

Resurrecting this year old thread because I finally have something to contribute.

Went to the range today and dragged out the chronograph.

Chronograph set 12' from muzzle. Kimber 84L 24" barrel

All loads were COAL 3.300" which is about .030" off the lands.

1 round to verify previous testing, this is my previous load for 150 grain Partitions.
Win 1x brass WLRP 56.5 grains H4831 150gr Partition 2805fps
The Hodgdon max load for H4831 and a HDY SP is 55.7 grains , so I am over that by almost a full grain.

Nos 0x brass WLRP 59 grains IMR 7977 150gr Partition 2805fps
2805fps

Nos 0x brass WLRP 60 grains IMR 7977 150gr Partition 2885fps
2879fps

Nos 0x brass WLRP 61 grains IMR 7977 150gr Partition 2953fps
2938fps
The Hodgdon max load for IMR7977 with a 150gr HDY SP is 60.8 grains, I rounded up to 61 grains.

Rem 1x brass Fed 210 60 grains RL26 150gr Partition 3081fps
3090fps
Alliant's website shows a max of 60.8 grains of RE26 with a 150 Partition. I had some old Remington brass already sized and primed with Fed 210 primers so I just went with it. I had 3 rounds loaded, but after seeing the first 2 readings I stopped. Thought I may have inadvertently overdosed the powder. Just pulled the bullet on the unfired round and weighed the powder, 60 grains exactly. Looks like RE26 is indeed the magic powder for 150s in the 270. It was a little breezy to do accuracy testing, but all 9 rounds shot into a little over 2" at 100 yards.

Looks like the modern 270 no longer needs 130 grain bullets or 4831 powder.

Bob

Alliant shows about 3020fps with a 24' bbl and the 150gr NPt. Even though you haven't exceeded the max listed powder charge, I'd be a bit leery of 3080+ fps............

That's why a chrono is our best pressure testing device.........

And yes, it seems RL26 has taken one of the original "magnum" cartridges a big step further.

I am getting 3040 fps. with a 22" barrel and it is my hunting load/ 150 gr NP

I am getting 3040 fps. with a 22" barrel and it is my hunting load/ 150 gr NP

rschmelzle,
Great post.
I am intrigued by RL26 + 150 gr bullet combo. Recently shot some in a pair of rifles and got exceptional accuracy in both. Had some minor surgery on my shooting cheek the next day, so have yet to put them over the chronograph. Seeing lots of reports indicating great velocity and accuracy.
In my experience, Remington 270 brass has slightly less capacity than other brands.

I've finally got through all the pages and couldn't find what I was looking for, but someone made reference with no results. Has rl26 been tested with the 338wm and 225 grain projectiles?

Has anyone tested the 280rem with 150 grain bullets and rl26?

If the powder works so well in the 243, does it make the 6mm Rem an even better thing?

Thanks

It works with a 257 Roberts with 110gr and 115gr bullets. It works with 270 Win with 140gr and 150gr bullets.
and in 7MM mag with 154gr and 160 gr bullets. It likes heavier bullets in all calibers I have tried it in. I,m
sure it will work in lots of other Calibers with heavy bullets.

I'm running 50grn of R26 in Hdy Brass under 95NPTs for 3240fps avg out of a 24" bbl(6 Rem). I'd say it works well in the cart, but not far better than the 243 as I'm getting 3185fps with R26 and 95NPTs in a 22" bbl 243.

That's impressive speed! What's your charge in the 243? What brass and primer?

HuntnShoot, It was 48.0gn R26, WW case FLS w/ .002 bump, WLR, 95NPT, and IIRC .005 jump. I fired a 4 shot group with avg MV of 3185.5fps while working loads in the new 6 Rem. It was around .7moa IIRC. Not a bad load at all and worth revisiting. My accuracy load in that 243 with 95NPTs is 41.0gn R17, WW FLS case, WLR for 3106 avg which matches my reticle.

Have a nice day,

loder

Thanks for the detailed info. I have several hundred of the 95's but have yet to work up a load for them. I've been shooting Hornady bthp 105's with 47 gr of 26 in WW brass and 210M. It is near the top for pressure, and is the most accurate load I've shot in that rifle, a 24" BDL. Don't recall the exact speed average, but it about 3025. Have you run any 105's in your 243?

I sure haven't. I picked up that gun earlier this year(SS Lam T3 from EO) thinking it would be a good rig for my boy when he gets older. It shoots so well, I'm going to take it on some hunts this year. I've tried 90 & 95NBTs, 95 & 100 NPTs, and 90 S2s in it thus far. Picked up a couple boxes of 80TTSX as well, but yet to run them. Everything has shot fairly well except for the S2s, but that's no surprise. I did work up a load with the 100NPTs and they shot well, but the 95s edged them out. BTW with 47R26 under the 100NPTs it was doing 3090, which I thought was pretty good in the 22" bbl. Not sure how the twist in it would do with the 105s, but there's only one way to find out.

Decided to run the 95NPTs for now:

I am looking to try some in my 7MM Rem. Prolly start using R 25 data behind the 175 ABLR.


Will start trying it after hunting season. Right now using H1000 for 2900 with good accuracy.

LC

Why don't we start new discussions for calibers outside of this topic? Seems it'd be easier for all of us.

Well it seems I no longer need a 7MM RM anymore! I just need to find some RL26.

Has anyone tried the 150 grain Hornady ELD's with RL26?

I guess I was mistaken in thinking there was a 150 gr ELD. How about the 145 gr. ELD-X

Just the 150 ABLR and 26. Haven’t messed with the 145 ELD X much.

Please quit discussing R26 in the 270/150. I can’t find any.

Natchez has both the 1 lb and 8 lbs in stock:

https://www.natchezss.com/alliant-powder-reloader-26-powder-8-lbs.html
https://www.natchezss.com/alliant-powder-reloader-26-powder-1-lbs.html

Ha! Come on over Rick, it is all over Virginia!

I have tried R26 with 145 ELDX. TERRIBLE!!!
Kidding.
No actually same as with 150’s.

Would 60 gr's of RL26 be about the right load?

With the 150 Nosler ABLR I’m using 61 grains of 26 in Federal cases.

Got 3003fps with 65gr of RL26 Sunday in my 30/06 using 165gr Ballistic Tips 215M primer Win case 3.280 OAL. Seemed to be very accurate also.

Nice read.

Bump.

I stopped at 60gr. in my 270, but it has a 22" tube:



Pretty good accuracy from the old girl too....

I'm thinking about Moose medicine. Anyone tried the 270 160NPT with the RL26?

That was the 22" and change Tikka" barrel. My 70 Fwt is doing excellent with 130 Tipped TBBC's as well. 3150 seems to be a snap with that set up and accuracy seems pretty decent from my initial try.

Rug3, I'd bet 26 and 160 Partitions will scoot buddy. I have some on the shelf, but haven't tried them yet in my 270 Win. They were screamers though in my 270 WSM.

Rug3, I'd bet 26 and 160 Partitions will scoot buddy. I have some on the shelf, but haven't tried them yet in my 270 Win. They were screamers though in my 270 WSM.


Do Tell
My son has a 270WSM and would be highly interested in loads, velocity, accuracy especially for the 160 NBT.

So is it time to put a 25" barrel on a .270 Winny and see how fast it and RL26 would throw Barnes 140 grain TTSX bullets? Does this mean Jack O'Connor would like it?

I think some of you are just looking for a "valid" reason to have a .270 and if I lived in America I would want one!

160NP over 60grs RL26 = 3003 in 24"rel

it is real good with 140's in 7rem mag, and 100s and 95s in .243

John,

did you test the powder in colder conditions?

Phil

Yes. In my .270 it actually produced a little higher velocity at 0 Fahrenheit than at 70. Point of impact and accuracy were unchanged.

for 1AKShooter

I have a Win pre 64 model 70 with a Lother Walther 25" barrel. No experience with the Barnes bullet but get the following results with the 145 ELDX and RL26;

59 grains 3072 fps
59.5 grains 3095 fps
60 grains 3119 fps

All with Winchester brass and Fed 210 primers. Still working on accuracy and COAL.

Bill

So is RL-26 still the magic pixie dust for the .270? this stray followed me home.

It's magic pixie dust in a few cartridges. In most it doesn't get any more velocity than other powders.

Of course, if there's no pressure-tested loading data ANY powder can be magic. One of the reasons Reloder 17 acquired such a magic reputation at first is Alliant released it before much data was available, so handloaders got to "work up" loads the old-fashioned way, by adding powder until the rifle/case showed signs of stress, then backing the load down "a little."

Anyone try it with 150 TTSX? Barnes calls for a 1/8t, curious if it gives enough boost in velocity to work with a 1/10.

If not, how about R17 with a 115 TTSX. Mono mandated Cali hell.

Anyone tested using the Barnes LRX bullet yet? Either in the .277 (270 win.) or the 175gr LRX in .300 Win. Mag.?

I posted this elsewhere a few weeks ago.

I shot my new Krieger 1-9 with a starting load of 56 grains and had very stiff bolt lift. Used 150 ABLR seated 70 off lands in a chamber with a long throat...about 3.48” oal. So there was plenty of net capacity. Speer list 56.8 as max in their newest data. Temp was 98 degrees. I was surprised. Waiting for some 80 degree weather. That last 100fps is not worth any loss of reliability. Am good with 2900 and good accuracy.

Will try 60 of 7977 next. If I can get 2900-2925 with good accuracy I am good to go.

Have used 160 NP’s as well as old 150 Hornady RN bullets. Am convinced that blunt bullets are “more impactful” on game. Wish Nosler made some 150 solid base bonded bullets for .277. Just great for everything inside 250 yards, which means most everything.

What a thread... I do miss Bob.

Same dose got 2930fps from a 22" .270. I feel its a good one to work up for 'cold weather". So far, it just hasn't shown any real accuracy in several calibers from 80 deg and up. I am using 73gr of R23/300WM/175 LRX for 3080fps. Intersting, so far, I haven't found good accuracy in my 24" .270/129 LRX and R16. I'm leaving it for now and trying out some old standbys. I don't want to shoot the barrel out of this thing chasing a dream, ha.

*

I also saw the 80+ degree pressure spikes. What I have not tested enough yet to know is if you drop down say 1.5 grains will the accuracy hold in hot weather or will it still get wonky? In some loads if you have to reduce them 1-2 grains then whatever velocity advantage R26 has may go out the window.

Will keep the ammo with the beer until I work up some R16 & R23 loads.

I've not seen any RL26 spikes at 80F for loads worked up at 50F or so. Haven't shot them at 90F+ or left them out baking in the sun though. I don't generally even want to shoot in those conditions.

Tag

Fascinating Thread, John. Thanks.

Ahead of the forthcoming 6.8 WESTERN... and the flurry of new bullets to follow...

Am lookin' into a .270 WCF Bbl., 24"/1:8 twist, specifically to shoot these:



...a long way.

Along w/ the 160 gr. Partition, think that RL-26/CCI-200 will make it work.

What would be your thoughts on a .270 Win. AI for this application, assuming the Bbl. maker has the reamer?




GR

I have experienced quite a bit of lot to lot variation with RL26. As has been mentioned in the past with newer powders it's not uncommon.

The current lot of RL26 I'm using is running about 70 fps less in a 270 with 150 NPt's than previous lots.

I'm hoping the 8 lb jug I have will do a bit better.......

Of course with RL26 currently unobtainium it may be a moot point. Last time I talked to Alliant they didn't know when it would be available again......

.030 extra BC over the 150 ABLR isn't enough gain for the velocity you're going to lose via the extra 15gn of projectile weight.

I've posted this on other 270Win/150gn threads but, FWIW:

1:8 Lilja 3-groove Kimber Montana dupe contour @ 22" in 270Win gives me 3050fps w/60.5gn of '26 @ OAL of 3.335 in Rem brass, 150ABLR projectile.

Interesting and good to know - I recently picked up some of the 165 ABLR to shoot in a 1:9 Fieldcraft. With 58 gr RE26, I'm getting 2930 fps with the 165 and 60 gr RE26 gives 3120 with the 150 ABLR in the 24" barreled Fieldcraft. Both shoot about the same (5/8 - 3/4 MOA) but it sounds like the 150 may be the better choice...

Agree - especially w/ the .270 WCF case.

The 1:8 twist helps, as I hear the 150's are having some stability problems w/ 1:10 twist at .270 WCF velocities..

Really waitin' for Nosler to make a 170 gr. Partition.

8>)




GR

Been following this thread for a while and finally got the time to cook up my own loads for a new Sauer 100 270 Win. topped with a Leupold VX-3i LRP 30mm 4.5-14x 50mm w/ TMR Reticle. Took me a bit to get to know the scope, my first mil scope.

61 grains of RL26 under a Nosler Accubond LR is giving me 1/2 groups at 100. Sadly, I do not yet own a chrono (should I even admit

But this setup will be my 1st day gun here in PA in a week and a half. Of course, in PA, the definition of long range is not what it is out west!! Especially considering my 1st day stand has the longest opportunity at around 120. But I do hope to get out the second week for a doe in my neighbors field.