Reloder 26

dok7mm said:
I'm going to try it, but putting it off until temperatures drop back to at least 60-70*. Going to do 142s and 150s in both 6.5-284s. I am very happy with Retumbo and 140 HVLDs, but the 150 matrix should do it all.
Click to expand...
dok, up to what temperature have you tested Retumbo ? I need to work up a load for a 125 grain Hammer for my 6.5x284 that is stable a little over 100F. Retumbo is probably too slow but I have RUM loads using it so I'm curious. I was going to try H1000, H4350, & Varget.
 
Wedgy, just checked my log and I worked up that load in Feb. Temp was 44*. Re-tested @ 73* the following week. Velocity was up by 4 fps @ average of 2973 and es-6 fps. This was in new barrel with 92 rds thru it. Sorry, haven't got around to trying it at high temps. Load was 58.0 grs and lightly compressed. Got same speed with 55.0 gr. RL-26 es-9.
 
you guys are getting better temp stability from RL26 than me . I put all my gear in the truck the night before so everything is at that temp . one day I shot at 48*F on another day I shot at 70*F . the difference in my velocity averages between these two days is 13FPS with 22*F difference . so just about 1/2 FPS per degree is what I'm seeing in this rifle , ammo combo .
 
jimbires said:
you guys are getting better temp stability from RL26 than me . I put all my gear in the truck the night before so everything is at that temp . one day I shot at 48*F on another day I shot at 70*F . the difference in my velocity averages between these two days is 13FPS with 22*F difference . so just about 1/2 FPS per degree is what I'm seeing in this rifle , ammo combo .
Click to expand...
Jim, I was referring to Retumbo on that data. I am also seeing more variation in rl-26, mostly above 80*. Just didn't want to confuse you, that was Wedgy asking about Retumbo.
 
Wedgy said:
dok, up to what temperature have you tested Retumbo ? I need to work up a load for a 125 grain Hammer for my 6.5x284 that is stable a little over 100F. Retumbo is probably too slow but I have RUM loads using it so I'm curious. I was going to try H1000, H4350, & Varget.
Click to expand...

I load the 124gr Hammer Hunter for my 6.5-284 Norma. Tried a few powders (RL 26, N 165, IMR4350) since I wasn't getting the results I wanted. Found H4831 to be the best. I achieved a sube moa load a little over 3200 fps with 55.0gr of powder. But I hit a velocity "flat spot" below 55.0gr. At 53.0 & 54.0 I got the same velocity of 3155 fps, so I split the difference and made my final load 53.5 gr. Nice ragged 5 hole group.
RL26 & Retumbo work great with the 140gr bullets, especially 140gr AB/BT and 143gr ELDX
 
Has anyone noticed if 26 is a dirty powder? I have heard that some people got false pressure because of the carbon build up with RL33.
 
Rhovee said:
Has anyone noticed if 26 is a dirty powder? I have heard that some people got false pressure because of the carbon build up with RL33.
Click to expand...

I haven't noticed any. I have fired probably 200 rounds since I last cleaned, and my accuracy is still sub 1/2 MOA and no pressure signs showing up. just my experience.
 
Rhovee said:
Has anyone noticed if 26 is a dirty powder? I have heard that some people got false pressure because of the carbon build up with RL33.
Click to expand...



I haven't seen any problems with RL26 being dirty .

a few years ago I was getting false pressure signs on my 338 lapua using RL33 . I kept backing off on the powder charge trying to get the pressure down . as I was doing this RL33 got to be very dirty . just a couple shots and my bbl was very dirty , about like a muzzleloader . after I got things figured out , and brought the pressure up to where it belongs , my dirty powder problem went away . RL33 is just as clean burning as any other powder I use . low pressure loads will cause the powder to burn dirty .
 
I shoot the 178 ELD-X outta my 300 win mag. The most accurate load I've found with great velocity is as follows: Hornady brass, Winchester WLRM primer, RL26 @76.5gn (3.5gn off max recommended load) COAL of 3.330, MVavg of 3203fps. Groups @ .5 with a 5 shots @200yd. No pressure signs, clean burn my rifle likes this load anyway. I live in an area of huge temperature variations and there has been no issues with the powder whether temp is 28F or 85F. This load is very consistent for me .
 
First off, ow. That SOB is a kicker!

R26 results, Magnetospeed Sporter, two shots each, three charge weights, 3.290" OAL.

160 AB:
68 gr 3007, second shell wouldn't chamber, I blame Antifa

68.5 gr, 3039, 3042, avg 3040, es 3

69 gr, 3056, 3060, avg 3058, es 4

162 ELDX
68 gr 3036, 3030, avg 3033, es 6

68.5, 3058, 3077, avg 3067, es 19

69 gr, 3092, 3108, avg 3100, es 16

No sticky bolt lift or extraction issues with any charge. I'm going to examine the cases for extractor marks right after I find the rest of my fillings.




P
 
I've been watching results on here for a while, during which time I've been doing my own testing with my 24" 260ai.

I previously tried 4831 sc, H4350 and IMR 4451 and couldn't find a combination that would get over 2835 before running in to pressure, most being right around 2800. I eventually bought Quick Load and saw RL26 was listed as the fastest powder and started doing some searching online, thats when I found this thread.

Using 140 HVLD I'm able to get 2948 without pressure and 143 ELDX is producing 2910 at the accuracy node. My goal doing this build was to get the 140 class bullets over 2900 and up until using RL26 I was pretty disappointed in the speeds I was seeing. Accuracy nodes are producing SD of 5-6 and ES of 2-16.

I'm in the Houston area and our temps have been 95+ with high humidity over the past couple of months. In fact, I went out to shoot today and the head index was 105! As far as temp stability I haven't shot in lows going to highs like some have, but I have noticed pressure signs and erratic velocities if I let the round sit in the chamber for more than 2-3 breaths. Going from the rounds sitting in the AC of the truck to sitting on the shooting bench I don't really notice much noticeable change in velocity from the first to last round fired.

For the foreseeable future I think I'll be sticking with RL 26. I'm getting the speeds I was hoping for and accuracy has been between 0.4-0.5 MOA (may mess with the seating depth a bit to see if I can tighten it up some) but that's about what I've come to expect out of this rifle.
 

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