Reloder 26

[brentc]

FWIW - 89gr of RE26 shoots bugholes in my 338RUM with 250gr Bergers or Accubonds. Velocity is 3,000 ft/sec.

My Lapua burns 92 grains for 250s and 87 for 300s and also, bugholes.

 

[5RWill]

Finally got around to doing some actual load development for dad's 6.5 SAUM. We switched from the Elite Hunters to 143gr ELD-X. I ran them 10 thou off the lands from 58.5-60gr of RL26. 58.5gr and 59gr groups were okay, probably could've been a lot better but it's hard for me to jump right back into shooting and calm down and do well. Velocities out of the 23" tube were as follows.
58.5gr - 3007fps average SD - 17.9
59.0gr - 3011fps average SD - 15.5
59.5gr - 3029fps average SD - 4.2
60.0gr - 3059fps average SD - 4.2

60gr produced some ejector marks though so did 61gr of h1000 and did 58.5. Primers seem fine, bolt lift was fine. I've got some of the latest brass as backup as these 60pcs i have are 50pcs of the second gen and 10 of the first IIRC. They're holding up thus far though without issue. I've got everything written down to see how the velocity changes next winter. Hopefully not too much as i was shooting for 3050. Gun has 120rds on it though so i'm expecting it to speed up at some point.

Group was looking more promising but i'm not the best shot to begin with especially after a months absence and it being a magnum, so i'll happily take it.

 

[waspocrew]

FWIW - 89gr of RE26 shoots bugholes in my 338RUM with 250gr Bergers or Accubonds. Velocity is 3,000 ft/sec.

That's what I like to hear! RL-26 works great with a 140 VLD in my 6.5 Sherman. I'll be adding a 338 RUM to the mix soon and want to push the 250's up there.

 

[5RWill]

To update just shot RL26 in 86F velocity didn't really shift at all. Nearly a 20F swing from when i last shot these loads. I did have some pressure signs but mainly after the 2nd or third shot and the chamber/barrel had significantly warmed up due to the omega and it being a 6.5 SAUM

 

[Shootin4fun]

I got in some of the Hornady brass, it was about the same weight just a bit heavier and the cases varied 5 gr. total so I decided to stick with the Nosler. I got a 6" drop tube that allowed me to get the 49 grains of RL26 in without pushing the bullet back out. I didn't think I would be able to shoot the 48.5 and 49 grain charges because I thought I may see signs of pressure. From 46 to the 49 they all ejected fine no sticking cases and the primers and brass all look the same from the lowest to the highest, primers were tight and no marks on the head stamp. From what I saw I will try working around the 48 grain load up and down a few tenths as well as try seating depths. I think I can get ES and SD down some with better case prep. and my Digital Scale was not as accurate as the new 1010 I got. After getting it set up properly it is very easy to see plenty of movement with only one kernel of the RL26. The 49 grain load would make a great 100 to 600 yard hunter.

I may get some of the Lapua brass some day and check out loads with it.

First, thanks to all for posting detailed notes and results.
Just got some RL26...Made in Switzerland of all places!
Plan on starting out with 135gr Berger Classic Hunters.
Have no drop tube but I seat these at 2.575, .020 off the lands. Bergers do well at that length for me. 6.5CM.

I have not done controlled experiments, but isn't it true that a low ES SD load can be at a bad harmonic node for a given barrel? Or do we just find a good ES SD load and adjust seating depth?

Now that I have a Magneto I am much more confident in my data. I do have good grouping loads at both very good ES/SD charges and at poor ES/SD charges. Conversely at 100 yards I have excellent grouping with ES/SD in the teens loads.

We have debated for a long time which to focus on first, ES/SD or depth. I can see the argument for each but lean towards developing a low ES/SD load first so we're safe regarding drop at longer distances. But I can also see where a good stat load might be at a bad harmonic node.

Which should be my priority? I ask this after decades of reloading. (and duh, I'm just now getting into annealing) Live and learn!

 

[Shootin4fun]

In the .243 Win Federal brass Fed 210M I ran up to 48.0 grains of RL26 at 3420fps with the Berger 105's.

Wow, that's blazing! I've kept my 243 around 2940 with 43.2 gr of IMR4831, 100gr Hornadys. I've taken it up to 3090, but brass doesn't go beyond 3 - 4 firings before pockets are done. At the lower load it's .3MOA out to 350 yards and I get 8-10 firings.

 

[Shootin4fun]

Tried the GM215M primers in my 6.5 Creed using RL26 and HBN coated bullets.
The 130 ELD-M bullets seemed to like the Mag primers, ES dropped into the single digits with good groups at 100.
The 143 ELD-X bullets ES opened up, strange they would shoot several almost ditto on velocity and then one would be 15 - 20 fps up or down. Worked up and down the loads that worked out for the BR2 primers, and tried seating shorter and longer by .010" still the same thing. Groups were between .300" and .470" CTC at 100 yards. Velocities were checked with Magnetospeed Sporter.
My sweet spot with 143 ELD-X was 48 gr of RL26 @ 2990-3000 fps, with HBN coating had to come up .5 gr to match non coated, with mag primers it jumped back up so I reduced .5 gr back to 48 gr to match velocity. Tried from 47 - 48.5 gr at .5 gr jumps always same result with mag primers.
Still too early to make a solid conclusion with my set up but it appears the lighter bullet gets a gain from faster ignition were as the heavier does not need it.
The 130's shoot best at the 3000 fps mark as well and I will be testing the new JLK 130 VLDs with both the BR2s and GM215M primers.

I accidentally load a batch of 6.5 CM, 130 Berger VLDH, and got 100+fps greater velocity than standard LR primers. Don't feel I need to go that way right now. Have a lot of GM210Ms on hand. The mag primers are for my 7RM.

 

[Shootin4fun]

I chrono'd a few yesterday in my 270 win rifles. I used Sierra 150 grain Gamekiings and Hornady 150 grain sst's. 61.5 grains produced 3050 fps average on both and there is still room in the case for more powder...easy to eject the Hornady brass,no cratering.These speeds are from a 22"barrel. I also ran 61 grains behind the Hornady 130 gr GMX and got 2995 out of a 19" tube...absolutley no pressure signs..I will try 61.5 and 62 today in this rifle. The 130 GMX is the same length as the 150 SST

Liking this. Been using 4350 with Barnes 130s which gives me only 2900. Will try 26 in that one too.

 

[Shootin4fun]

Could one of you fellas with quickload tell me the correct way to check water capacity of my cases and run my load? It seems like 3220 should be out of reach for a basic 7mm Remington Magnum but I just don't see the signs. I'd like to know if this is safe, or are my brass and primers just too hard to use the classic pressure indicators.

What weight bullet?? I was getting 3200 with Barnes 140s with 62.9 IMR4831. Curiously, Barnes lowered their max from 63.0 to 61.0 about the time it got hot and I started blowing primers and ejector pin springs. Then the following year they lowered it again. I had a hard time believing my notes and memory but luckily had printed out their recommended loads and saw in writing the change. Called them. Lawyers.

 

[Shootin4fun]

What weight bullet?? I was getting 3200 with Barnes 140s with 62.9 IMR4831. Curiously, Barnes lowered their max from 63.0 to 61.0 about the time it got hot and I started blowing primers and ejector pin springs. Then the following year they lowered it again. I had a hard time believing my notes and memory but luckily had printed out their recommended loads and saw in writing the change. Called them. Lawyers.

PS- Barnes 120 TTSX go out at 3490, woohoo!

 

[Shootin4fun]

I ran some RL 26 in my 270 wby McWhorter with 129lrx and I'm getting 3485 fps. That should do the trick on what ever it hits.

I'd say! Barnes drills them through and through and expands well over 2K fps.

 

[Shootin4fun]

Ran up to 49 grains in my 6.5 Creedmoor tonight and retested my 48 grain load that shot so well.
48 grains- 2945 fps .339 5 shots

49 grains-3014 .331 3 shots

49 grains is about all I'm getting in as it's halfway up the neck. Still no pressure hit as far as sticky bolt and ejector marks.View attachment 78584 View attachment 78583

What bullet?? I'm about to load my first batch of Berger 135s with 26 in 6.5 CM. Wondering if it will make me abandon 4350.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

What bullet?? I'm about to load my first batch of Berger 135s with 26 in 6.5 CM. Wondering if it will make me abandon 4350.

140 hornady eld-m

 

[Rhovee]

Got a good load worked up in a 300 win mag today. 78 grains Reloader 26. 3100 FPS with 200 grain eldx