Reloader 26 replacement?

skookum

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So i am one of many who are falling victim to the RL26 addiction and now, the shortage and I am looking at a different powder. From data i have seen on an unrelated post it showed that H1000 and Retumbo were right in the same wheelhouse on burn rate. Does this sound accurate?

I am loading for my 300 WSM and 215gr Bergers. With RL26 I can get 2840fps with an ES of 19. Has anyone used H1000 or Retumbo in a WSM? I have had a decent amount of success with 7828ssc, it just produced slower velocities but may just go back to that. I'm getting a little tired of the constant wild goose chase for RL26.
 
Retumbo has produced high velocity in my 264 mag with 140gr class bullets. Give it a try in you 300. I believe with your heavy bullet & the larger expansion ratio of the 30 cal it will perform for you. Also Hodgon US 869.
 
Yeah, I don't want fairy dust. Think I'll give the new IMR Powders like 7977 or 8133 a look. I've been seeing guys using H1000 for the 6.5 PRC with success so that's a good indication that it may just work in the WSM, I just haven't seen much of anyone using it in the 300. My concern is it might be a little too slow for that case.
 
RL26 is/was my go to for the 6.5 PRC. It just works so well. Stock is getting low, cant find any anywhere. So, started workups with RL22 and RL25. IMR7828 will be next; all with the 147ELDm. 1st workup found great accuracy with RL22, although velocity was lower. RL25, velocity was close, accuracy was not. Using powders I have right now..... 7828 is next up on the block. Rumors circulating about saying RL26 is coming; yawn; been hearing this for the last 3 months….
 
If your 300wsm isnt throated long then you wont be able to get enough powder in the case with the slow powders like Retumbo/8133/etc. I would probably try R-23 if I couldnt get R-26. Its suppose to be more temp stable than 26 too. My WSM is throated long (just under 3.2 oal) and I lose velocity with H-1000 compared to R-26. I get 2960fps with a 26" barrel using R-26. Another option might be N-565 but I think its like the N-570 fairy dust powder now too.
 
Hornady lists retumbo as the only powder to match 26 in their 6.5PRC data

That's what made me curious. It's the same parent case and it's shorter, I would think retumbo would work. Is it because the chamber for the PRC is throated longer that the retumbo works for the PRC but not in the WSM?
 
Its based off the 375 Ruger not the 404 Jeffery like the 300wsm. The powder capacity to bore ratio on a 300wsm is lower compared to a 6.5prc so not all powders work the same. Even with mine long throated its still 6grs less R-26 compared to a 300wm.
 
If your 300wsm isnt throated long then you wont be able to get enough powder in the case with the slow powders like Retumbo/8133/etc. I would probably try R-23 if I couldnt get R-26. Its suppose to be more temp stable than 26 too. My WSM is throated long (just under 3.2 oal) and I lose velocity with H-1000 compared to R-26. I get 2960fps with a 26" barrel using R-26. Another option might be N-565 but I think its like the N-570 fairy dust powder now too.
Reloder 23 is MORE bulky than RL26. Believe it or not.
 
Its faster powder though so you use less. I'd have to put it in Quickloads to see how they compare. I've run 71.5grs of 26 at 3100fps in mine but its hard on cases. Its all going to depend on his capacity if he has a short throat.
 

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