Reloader 26

[bowfishn]

Ok I got a chance to get to the range today to check out a few loads using RL26 and Hornady 143 ELDX bullets in my 6.5 Creedmoor.
26" barrel Nosler brass BR2 Primers 2.890"OAL
I tested with a Magnetospeed installed. Three shot groups.

46gr. 2872 fps average vel. ES 13 SD 6.5
46.5gr 2908 fps average vel. ES 6 SD 3
47gr 2939 fps average vel. ES 10 SD 5.5
47.5gr 2954 fps average vel. ES 11 SD 5.85
48gr 2999 fps average vel. ES 12 SD 6.6
48.5gr 3029 fps average vel. ES 13 SD 6.65
49gr 3054 fps average vel. ES 19 SD 9.6 *
*this load was compressed I had to use a drop tube to get all the powder in.

48grs had best group of .216"ctc 49gr was not too bad at .567"ctc
group average center showed same point of impact from 47.5 gr. to 49 gr.
I am going to work on loads up and down from 48 gr. and try longer and shorter COAL.
No sign of pressure observed and when I popped the primers from the 48.5 and 49 gr loads they were just as tight as the lightest load.
I will do all the rest of my load work up without the Magnetospeed installed and check velocity after I have arrived at the most accurate load.
Then I move on to distance.
Also I have 200 of the Nosler Accubond Long Range 142 gr bullets coming in to check out with RL26.

Did a little more testing with RL26 using 143 ELD-X bullets, this time treated withy HBN. It took about .5 gr more powder to equal velocities but I worked it around the test I had done that showed 48 gr to give me 2999 fps.
Using HBN the results were, 48.4 gr Coal of 2.890" 5 shots @ 100 yards .490" ctc including the shot I pulled, av vel 2986 fps ES of 10 SD of 4.5
48.5 gr Coal of 2.885" 5 shots @ 100 yards ..376" ctc av vel 2990 fps ES of 10 SD of 5


The 142 ABLR did not work out for me in my set up, I only got one load at 47 gr that was some what OK. Just over 2900 fps
I did try some 130 ELD-M bullets with and without HBN I found that again with the HBN it took about .5 grains more of the RL26 to equal uncoated bullet velocities.
according to my 5 shot groups at 100 it seemed to like between 47 to 48 grains of RL26 at around the 3000 fps mark, with low ES and SD shot.
I have one more 130 grain bullet to test when they come in JLK 130 VLDs, we will see how they work out. I would like to see them at closer to the 3100 fps but between 3000 and 3050 will still reach out if I can get the ES and SD down with tight groups.

first 2 pictures 5 shots each 143 ELDX at 100
3rd pic is 142 ALBR 3 shots at 100
last 2 pics 130 gr ELD-M 5 shot groups at 100