26 nosler 156 Berger

[brotherbear67]

I've been trying to reach Berger for their data but haven't been successful yet.

Anyone running this combo yet?

Looking for rl33, viht n570, retumbo, rl26, h1000, imr7977, imr 8133...I figure one of those will deliver top velocity.

From Berger - N570 Start 74.5 Max 78.3
I started at 74.5 and saw pressure at 75.5. Gave 3248 fps but nasty pressure, cratered primer, ejector marks. 74.5 gave 3213 fps. I'm 2.952 to Ogive and 0.025 off lands.
Im trying 20N29 tonight.
20N29 Start 85.0 Max 89.3
RL33 start 78.0 max 82.1
Got these numbers 2 weeks ago from Berger Tech.

 

[ZReed85]

Thank you!

From Berger - N570 Start 74.5 Max 78.3
I started at 74.5 and saw pressure at 75.5. Gave 3248 fps but nasty pressure, cratered primer, ejector marks. 74.5 gave 3213 fps. I'm 2.952 to Ogive and 0.025 off lands.
Im trying 20N29 tonight.
20N29 Start 85.0 Max 89.3
RL33 start 78.0 max 82.1
Got these numbers 2 weeks ago from Berger Tech.

 

[bdcoon]

I've been working on the same load work-up for my 26 Nosler since I received my Berger 156 EOLs. I spoke to a Berger tech a couple of weeks ago and he was very helpful. He suggested a COAL of 3.385 (which equates to approximately 2.6900 when measured with my Hornady bullet comparator). Here's a list of potential powders with their respective charges and velocities (per Berger):

1. RL33: 78.0 (2935) - 82.1 (3098)
2. RL50: 81.0 (2917) - 85.3 (3090)
3. H1000: 70.5 (2880) - 74.4 (3026)
4. Retumbo: 73.5 (2916) - 77.2 (3046)
5. US869: 82.5 (2882) - 86.6 (3043)
6. H50BMG: 79.0 (2898) - 82.9 (3061)
7. IMR7977: 69.5 (2823) - 73.0 (2956)
8. Norma217: 73.5 (2918) - 77.1 (3048)
9. N170: 73.5 (2860) - 77.1 (2997)
10. N570: 74.5 (2960) - 78.3 (3114)
11. 20N29: 85.0 (2876) - 89.3 (3048)
12. 24N41: 78.5 (2892) - 82.5 (3053)

I hope this helps.

 

[ZReed85]

Thank you!

 

[bdcoon]

For what it's worth, I have found a load with my set-up that looks promising.

I first ran an OCW ladder test with Retumbo at 100 yards with nine different charges. I started at 73.5 grains and went up in .5 grain increments to 77.5 (which is .3 grains higher than the max load suggested by Berger - I did get a light ejector mark on the brass at this charge, but nothing that caused me concern). I was waiting in between shots any where from 3 to 5 minutes (was being cautious not to over heat my barrel).

The clear winner in this ladder test was 77.0 grains of Retumbo with a COAL of 3.385 (or approximately 2.690 when measured with my Hornady bullet comparator from the ogive). I was also using CCI 250 primers. You can see from the posted pic I shot about a .75 moa group with this load.

From here, I ran another ladder test with varying seating depth charges which I will post next.

 

[codyadams]

The velocities from the 26 Nosler are kind of underwhelming....in a 26" 7.5 twist .264 win mag using basic federal brass and the 156 Bergers, I didn't have any pressure signs until 69 grains of Retumbo, going 3172 fps, still no bolt lift increase or cratered primers, just a very faint ejector mark, then at 70 grains had first signs of light increase in bolt lift and a more obvious ejector mark, still no cratered primer, going 3226. I would say max with this brass was around 3150 fps or so, I wouldn't be surprised to see 3200 with good ADG brass without pressure signs. Not knocking the 26 nosler, I'm just surprised is all....

Perhaps it's the short OAL? In this SAAMI spec .264 wm, I am .020" off the lands at 3.400" OAL, and it is a significantly shorter cartridge than the 26 nosler to have a longer OAL. If you are close to the lands at 3.385", that is a short throat!! I would bet the 26 nosler would gain substantially from a proper throat for this bullet, I would think a proper OAL would be closer to 3.7" or so, that bullet has to be way down in the powder column, the bearing surface of the 156 in the .264 wm seated at 3.400" is all the way down at the body/shoulder junction, I have considered throating the .264 better for this bullet.

 

[bdcoon]

The velocities from the 26 Nosler are kind of underwhelming....in a 26" 7.5 twist .264 win mag using basic federal brass and the 156 Bergers, I didn't have any pressure signs until 69 grains of Retumbo, going 3172 fps, still no bolt lift increase or cratered primers, just a very faint ejector mark, then at 70 grains had first signs of light increase in bolt lift and a more obvious ejector mark, still no cratered primer, going 3226. I would say max with this brass was around 3150 fps or so, I wouldn't be surprised to see 3200 with good ADG brass without pressure signs. Not knocking the 26 nosler, I'm just surprised is all....

Perhaps it's the short OAL? In this SAAMI spec .264 wm, I am .020" off the lands at 3.400" OAL, and it is a significantly shorter cartridge than the 26 nosler to have a longer OAL. If you are close to the lands at 3.385", that is a short throat!! I would bet the 26 nosler would gain substantially from a proper throat for this bullet, I would think a proper OAL would be closer to 3.7" or so, that bullet has to be way down in the powder column, the bearing surface of the 156 in the .264 wm seated at 3.400" is all the way down at the body/shoulder junction, I have considered throating the .264 better for this bullet.

I haven't measured my velocities yet, but I'm suspecting I'll see better velocities than Berger is suggesting. My 26 Nosler has a 26 inch Proof carbon tube with an OAL of approximately 3.521, and I came off the lands .011 and dropped from there when I ran my last ladder test. I'll post more details in another post below.

 

[bdcoon]

I followed my charge ladder test, with a bullet seating depth ladder test. As I mentioned above I settled on 77.0 grains of Retumbo. I have an OAL of approximately 3.521 when I touch the lands with the Berger 156 EOLs.

So, I came off the lands .011 and loaded the first bullet with a COAL of 3.510, which was 2.814 when measured with my Hornady bullet comparator from the ogive. I then followed Eric Stecker's recommendation of seating each subsequent bullet .04 inches deeper. The following were the bullet seating depths I loaded for (with the second number being the measurement from the ogive): 1. 3.510 (2.814); 2. 3.470 (2.774); 3. 3.430 (2.734); 4. 3.390 (2.694); and 5. I put this one in the middle of the first and fourth depths 3.450 (2.754).

I ran this ladder test in the same manner that I ran my OCW test, but taking a shot approximately 5 to 7 minutes apart (again being cautious to avoid barrel overheating). In most cases a guy would be safe taking a shot every 3 minutes or so.

The 3.510 (2.814) performed the best followed by the 3.450 (2.754). As you can see by the pic of the 3.510 (2.814) my vertical dispersion was minimal, and the group was tightened up to about a .4 to .5 MOA. Like all of my rifles this is a hunting rig first, so I'm quite comfortable with these results as a finished product.

However, if someone wanted to attempt to further tighten up this group they could make minimal adjustments to the seating depth and/or the powder charge and run subsequent ladder tests.

Now that I have found my load I will be heading out again with the LabRadar to see what I'm getting for velocity with this load work-up. I will post results when I have them.

Overall I'm pleased with the initial results of how the 26 Nosler is performing with the Berger 156 EOLs. I've heard the 26 Nosler can be finicky so finding a load that mine seems to like with around 50 pills down the tube makes me happy. I hope this is helpful for any others who are attempting to find a load for their 26 Nosler.

 

[ZReed85]

The velocities from the 26 Nosler are kind of underwhelming....in a 26" 7.5 twist .264 win mag using basic federal brass and the 156 Bergers, I didn't have any pressure signs until 69 grains of Retumbo, going 3172 fps, still no bolt lift increase or cratered primers, just a very faint ejector mark, then at 70 grains had first signs of light increase in bolt lift and a more obvious ejector mark, still no cratered primer, going 3226. I would say max with this brass was around 3150 fps or so, I wouldn't be surprised to see 3200 with good ADG brass without pressure signs. Not knocking the 26 nosler, I'm just surprised is all....

Perhaps it's the short OAL? In this SAAMI spec .264 wm, I am .020" off the lands at 3.400" OAL, and it is a significantly shorter cartridge than the 26 nosler to have a longer OAL. If you are close to the lands at 3.385", that is a short throat!! I would bet the 26 nosler would gain substantially from a proper throat for this bullet, I would think a proper OAL would be closer to 3.7" or so, that bullet has to be way down in the powder column, the bearing surface of the 156 in the .264 wm seated at 3.400" is all the way down at the body/shoulder junction, I have considered throating the .264 better for this bullet.

You are correct. My Smith with a properly throated reamer confirmed velocity of over 3300fps and no pressure with the 156

 

[brotherbear67]

I found quite the opposite, I saw pressure at starting loads for 570 and 20N29, cored primers, cupped/cratered primers, bright ejector marks, broke a trigger even. Velocity at starting loads exceeded the quoted velocities at max recommended loads. I switched primers, went to virgin brass, seated further off lands. This was after throating the chamber for these bullets. Finally broke down and went to gunsmith...gauge pin down the barrel and I'm roughly a thou tight....so be cautious when working up a load with these heavies in the 26. The pressure curve is fast. Good luck, hope you guys have better luck than I did.

 

[Longtooth32]

I followed my charge ladder test, with a bullet seating depth ladder test. As I mentioned above I settled on 77.0 grains of Retumbo. I have an OAL of approximately 3.521 when I touch the lands with the Berger 156 EOLs.

So, I came off the lands .011 and loaded the first bullet with a COAL of 3.510, which was 2.814 when measured with my Hornady bullet comparator from the ogive. I then followed Eric Stecker's recommendation of seating each subsequent bullet .04 inches deeper. The following were the bullet seating depths I loaded for (with the second number being the measurement from the ogive): 1. 3.510 (2.814); 2. 3.470 (2.774); 3. 3.430 (2.734); 4. 3.390 (2.694); and 5. I put this one in the middle of the first and fourth depths 3.450 (2.754).

I ran this ladder test in the same manner that I ran my OCW test, but taking a shot approximately 5 to 7 minutes apart (again being cautious to avoid barrel overheating). In most cases a guy would be safe taking a shot every 3 minutes or so.

The 3.510 (2.814) performed the best followed by the 3.450 (2.754). As you can see by the pic of the 3.510 (2.814) my vertical dispersion was minimal, and the group was tightened up to about a .4 to .5 MOA. Like all of my rifles this is a hunting rig first, so I'm quite comfortable with these results as a finished product.

However, if someone wanted to attempt to further tighten up this group they could make minimal adjustments to the seating depth and/or the powder charge and run subsequent ladder tests.

Now that I have found my load I will be heading out again with the LabRadar to see what I'm getting for velocity with this load work-up. I will post results when I have them.

Overall I'm pleased with the initial results of how the 26 Nosler is performing with the Berger 156 EOLs. I've heard the 26 Nosler can be finicky so finding a load that mine seems to like with around 50 pills down the tube makes me happy. I hope this is helpful for any others who are attempting to find a load for their 26 Nosler.

Nothing that I can add to this thread...except this is the first time I have seen someone use the same target as me...

A 6.5/257 Wby over 3400fps pushing a 150gr Sierra...28", 1-8 twist...I biffed one...

Have a bunch of 160 Matrix and just got my Berger 156gr...may be a fun Fall...too hot to shoot right now...

 

[codyadams]

You are correct. My Smith with a properly throated reamer confirmed velocity of over 3300fps and no pressure with the 156

That sounds more better!!! Ha ha.

I found quite the opposite, I saw pressure at starting loads for 570 and 20N29, cored primers, cupped/cratered primers, bright ejector marks, broke a trigger even. Velocity at starting loads exceeded the quoted velocities at max recommended loads. I switched primers, went to virgin brass, seated further off lands. This was after throating the chamber for these bullets. Finally broke down and went to gunsmith...gauge pin down the barrel and I'm roughly a thou tight....so be cautious when working up a load with these heavies in the 26. The pressure curve is fast. Good luck, hope you guys have better luck than I did.

Man that really sucks!! Seems like working with extreme overbore cartridges, one has to be very careful, things that you would get away with in say a .260, will cause serious issues in a 6.5 burning 80+ grains of powder. The most overbore thing

 

[ZReed85]

I followed my charge ladder test, with a bullet seating depth ladder test. As I mentioned above I settled on 77.0 grains of Retumbo. I have an OAL of approximately 3.521 when I touch the lands with the Berger 156 EOLs.

So, I came off the lands .011 and loaded the first bullet with a COAL of 3.510, which was 2.814 when measured with my Hornady bullet comparator from the ogive. I then followed Eric Stecker's recommendation of seating each subsequent bullet .04 inches deeper. The following were the bullet seating depths I loaded for (with the second number being the measurement from the ogive): 1. 3.510 (2.814); 2. 3.470 (2.774); 3. 3.430 (2.734); 4. 3.390 (2.694); and 5. I put this one in the middle of the first and fourth depths 3.450 (2.754).

I ran this ladder test in the same manner that I ran my OCW test, but taking a shot approximately 5 to 7 minutes apart (again being cautious to avoid barrel overheating). In most cases a guy would be safe taking a shot every 3 minutes or so.

The 3.510 (2.814) performed the best followed by the 3.450 (2.754). As you can see by the pic of the 3.510 (2.814) my vertical dispersion was minimal, and the group was tightened up to about a .4 to .5 MOA. Like all of my rifles this is a hunting rig first, so I'm quite comfortable with these results as a finished product.

However, if someone wanted to attempt to further tighten up this group they could make minimal adjustments to the seating depth and/or the powder charge and run subsequent ladder tests.

Now that I have found my load I will be heading out again with the LabRadar to see what I'm getting for velocity with this load work-up. I will post results when I have them.

Overall I'm pleased with the initial results of how the 26 Nosler is performing with the Berger 156 EOLs. I've heard the 26 Nosler can be finicky so finding a load that mine seems to like with around 50 pills down the tube makes me happy. I hope this is helpful for any others who are attempting to find a load for their 26 Nosler.

Did you get a chance to check the velocity yet?

 

[lilharcher]

Checking velocities today w/ my 26 Nosler, 156 elite at 3.520" OAL, with is .020" off the lands in my camber. Starting with 75.0gr of N570 and working up in .3 increments. Showed promise at last range session.