Reloader 26

[ttexastom]

anyone have reloader 26 and 280 ackley experience, is 26 better than 22

[keeki]

26 is alot slower than 22. 23 would be more comparable with 22

[Zero333]

Check out reloadersnest.

I see there are a few RL-26 loads listed, and to my surprise they aren't even with the heavy bullets !

http://reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=126

Go to the bottom of that link and you'll see 3 RL-26 loads.

[bowfishn]

Not sure which is better but QL shows:
RL26 with a 175 gr Hornady eld-x at 61.1 gr for a 100% case fill and 62,478 psi for pressure and vel of 2913.
RL22 with a 175 gr Hornady eld-x at 59.2 gr at 103% fill 62,736 psi for pressure and vel of 2870.
RL23 with a 175 gr Hornady eld-x at 58.6 gr at 105.4% fill 62,509 PSI for pressure and Vel of 2828. (RL23 is one of their new Temp Stable Powders)
All out of a 24" barrel, again it is just QL data, COAL of 3.330 and case H2O capacity of 74 gr.

[schnyd112]

I have seen a lot of people going from h4831 to rl26 in everything from .260 ai to 300 wm. They are getting better speeds, but most are using 24"+ barrels. I have not read anything specifically with a .280, but I imagine it is worth a shot. I have 1# that I am going to run through a 300 wm, but we are early on in load development and it is my dads gun so he is doing most of the shooting.

[squirrel_slayer]

once I get my .260 up I plan on giving it a try (long action build so seated long roughly same useable capacity as a .260ai at short action mag length). I've read that it has a very high load density so you can fit a shit ton in the case. also reading that its not as bad as the older reloders with temp sensitivity.

i'm thinking it will yield more velocity and possibly more barrel life. kind of like what people are doing with the 6.5 saum 4s with H1000. their using slower powders in longer barrels to keep pressure down and doubling barrel life in the process.

[ttexastom]

Thank you for the replies

[jdlouie]

Reloader 26 is the powder for the 280 & 280AI. More velocity than RE22. You`ll be glad you switched.

[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.

[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

[bearcatrp]

I had good luck with RL-17 and 143 gr ELD for my creedmoor. Might want to give that a try. RL-17 primary use is for magnums. Worked better than H3450 for me when I had a 6.5 creedmoor.

[bowfishn]

I have plenty of the same LOT of RL26 and it is working real well, I have run the numbers on RL17 and I am not willing to loose 80 fps with the 143 as long as I can get good SD and groups at the speeds I am getting. So won't be trying RL17 at this time.
I will be playing with COAL and I have some GM215M primers to try, I should be able to close up the groups and reduce SD if all goes well.
Using the G7 BC for the 143 ELD-X it will require 70" MOA for 1 mile and for the 130 ELD-M it will require 80" MOA for 1 mile.
I know real world may require more but I can do up to 84" at 30 power and 90" at 20 power with my set up.
That's not bad for a 6.5 Creedmoor.
I am hoping the 130 JLK VLDs will allow me to gain a bit in velocity and still have low ES and SD with good groups. We will see.

[bearcatrp]

Am surprised RL-26 works better being a slower powder. How long of barrel do you have? One thing I look for in reloading is finding powders that use less to get the same results. Was looking at your data on the 178 ELD. I use 43.9 gr a varget to get 2710 fps. About 2 gr above max published data from hornady. Your data looks to be dangerous above 2800 fps for the 178 ELD. Have read some folks loading close to 45 gr of varget. To much for me. I had to back off to where I am at due to flattened primers and case swipes. But would like to here more if you have it.

[bowfishn]

26" Barrel, RL26 works great in cartridges like 6.5 Creed or other 6.5 with similar case fills, 243 gets an extra 100 fps with it as well.
Take for example the 280ai, the loads are based on QL, there is a 280 win load listed at Berger bullets Max of 56.4 gr RL26 with Coal of 3.367" using the Berger 175 gr Elite hunter with vel of 2773 fps, QL shows same load producing 2778 fps and the 175 ELD-X getting 2826. So I would say that QL is probably close as well with their data on a case with 6 grain greater Capacity.
Are you talking about 178 ELD .308 bullets? If you are using 43.9 gr of Varget it is getting towards or over max depending on your Case and COAL.
RL26 would be way to slow for a .308 case and 178 gr bullet.

[bearcatrp]

Yeah, 308. I load them at 2.810. I know I am pushing the limits. Tried putting them close to the lands but it looks like a shot gun blast.

[bowfishn]

RL26 in a 308 does not do much, I ran the numbers and you would be better of using a sling shot than RL26. Your Varget seems to be a good choice.

[squirrel_slayer]

bowfishn thanks for your data. as soon as I get a chance to bed my .260 into it's new stock that's the first powder I'm going to try.

I'm curious as to how the 215m's will work out. I was thinking along the same lines but will likely try the 210's first.

I'm going to running mine through a 28" lothar walther .260 with 140gr nosler RDF's. hopefully this will get me out to a mile, that's the whole idea behind it at least. long action .260 to be a poor man's steel banger. if not i'll try a 300WM next throated for the 225 eld-m.

[bowfishn]

bowfishn thanks for your data. as soon as I get a chance to bed my .260 into it's new stock that's the first powder I'm going to try.

I'm curious as to how the 215m's will work out. I was thinking along the same lines but will likely try the 210's first.

I'm going to running mine through a 28" lothar walther .260 with 140gr nosler RDF's. hopefully this will get me out to a mile, that's the whole idea behind it at least. long action .260 to be a poor man's steel banger. if not i'll try a 300WM next throated for the 225 eld-m.

I take it the 215 and 210 are in a 308 you might already have.
I will run the numbers for you if that is the case.
I don't see any reason you won't be able to get to a mile with the 260 Rem using 140 class bullets, as long as your scope has the adjustment.
Mine worked out that with the Bushnell ET4305 using 2 piece mounts and Burris Signature rings with inserts - .010 + .010 giving me 20moa. It actually with my set up when sighted in at 100 yards I have 75 moa up adjustment and 6 inches using the mildots in the scope 6" on 30 power, 12" on 20 power and 18" on 10 power. So i have a total of 81" moa at 100 yards, with the 143 ELD-X at 2990 - 2999 fps it should do the mile with 71 moa according to the G7 BC.

[bearcatrp]

Was scratching my head when he stated 210's and 215's pills and talking about 260 caliber. For a minute I thought something new.

[squirrel_slayer]

I take it the 215 and 210 are in a 308 you might already have.
I will run the numbers for you if that is the case.
I don't see any reason you won't be able to get to a mile with the 260 Rem using 140 class bullets, as long as your scope has the adjustment.
Mine worked out that with the Bushnell ET4305 using 2 piece mounts and Burris Signature rings with inserts - .010 + .010 giving me 20moa. It actually with my set up when sighted in at 100 yards I have 75 moa up adjustment and 6 inches using the mildots in the scope 6" on 30 power, 12" on 20 power and 18" on 10 power. So i have a total of 81" moa at 100 yards, with the 143 ELD-X at 2990 - 2999 fps it should do the mile with 71 moa according to the G7 BC.

sorry my bad federal 215M primers and 210m primers.

I haven't checked how much verticle I have with this scope yet. I am running a 20 moa base. I know I have alot in the reticle push come to shove if I dial back the magnification.

[bowfishn]

sorry my bad federal 215M primers and 210m primers.

I haven't checked how much verticle I have with this scope yet. I am running a 20 moa base. I know I have alot in the reticle push come to shove if I dial back the magnification.

Ok, got it.

[bowfishn]

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.
Anyone else try these primers with RL26?

[squirrel_slayer]

thanks for the update bowfishn! so I take it the br2's are performing better than the 210m's?

are you keeping 3000 ft/sec as you cap or are you running into pressure if you go higher? either way man those are some impressive velocities from such a small case. I need to quit bs'ing and bed my .260 and get out there. the only place I found RE26 got me for $42 after tax for the 1lb. probably the most I've spend on a lb of powder ever!

[bowfishn]

thanks for the update bowfishn! so I take it the br2's are performing better than the 210m's?

are you keeping 3000 ft/sec as you cap or are you running into pressure if you go higher? either way man those are some impressive velocities from such a small case. I need to quit bs'ing and bed my .260 and get out there. the only place I found RE26 got me for $42 after tax for the 1lb. probably the most I've spend on a lb of powder ever!

They are the GM215M that are mag match primers, I haven't been able to find any of the GM210M large rifle match, so I din't know how they will work.
Yes the 3000 fps is where the pressures are peaking at just under max so for the 143 gr bullets that is it, I had shot at 3054 fps with no visible signs of pressure but QL showed it to be at around the 70K mark for that velocity. As was pointed out to me and I believe is correct is visible signs don't show until in the 70K range that is why it is called pressure signs or signs of over pressure. Between the 2990 and 3000 seems to be the sweet spot for my rifle with that bullet as well, if it was above that I would not be able to use the load. I am on my 6th loading with my brass and primers are still tight.
I just got in some of the JLK 130 VLDs I loaded up some with HBN coating 5 each from 47.5 - 49 gr of RL26 BR2 primers and 5 each from 47.5 - 48.5 with GM215M mag primers. Will test them out when I can.
By the way I started weighing the JLKs and after weighing 50 at 130.2 gr and only 2 that weighed 130.1 gr I stopped weighing them and just decided to load them. The loaded bullets all had the same length using the Hornady comparator and weighed out in the groups of 5 there wasn't even a tenth gr difference in the loaded cartridge, I thought that was odd considering all the variables.

[squirrel_slayer]

Impressive! I missread. I thought you started with 210m's and switched to the 215m's but now I see it was br2 to 215m. I haven't gotten hard core enough to sort bullets or brass yet. but with my goal to reach a mile i'm sure it will be in my future.