Anybody using RL26 yet?

S

Six Pack

New member
Looks like it will add 100+fps to several calibers such as 300WM. It also looks like it will push 150's as fast as 130's in a 270. BUT.....how accurate is it?
 
.....how accurate is it?
Click to expand...

My experimentation has shown very good accuracy. On par with anything else I have tried and a smidgeon more velocity and no pressure signs.

It is a staple in my powder bin now.
 
I would use it in my 270 Winchester. But first, I have to feel the need for it. I still have Norma N-205 powder that runs 150 grainers to 3,000 fps with excellent accuracy. Some of those Reloder powders are pretty expensive. If I see it for a screaming deal at a gunshow, I will probably try it. I still have Norma MRP that I haven't found the time to try out yet. It does seem that, at the present time, we are living in a powder-rich environment. So many powders; so little time; whatever shall we do?
 
I finally found some R-26 couple weeks ago. I've got the loading data for 270 from Alliant site and it been nice if they had data for more than 3-150gr bullet. The 270Wby data they tested 130gr,140,150.

There is little data in Hornady new manual using R-26. I'm going to try in one of the 30-06.
 
I use RL 26 in my 7mm Rem Mag with 150gr Nosler ABLR, 160gr Sierra's, 162gr Hornady ELDX.

I believe more accurate than RL25, not too much difference in velocity.

I also use RL26 in the wife's 243 Win with 100gr Sierra SPBT, 105gr Hornady match bullets.
Start loads shoot 8" higher than any factory rounds i've found.
 
Don't have any experience with rl26. But do with rl23. 23&26 have a decopper fouling additive and are temperature insensitive. I'm loading 23 for a 300 win mag and developed the load when it was 30 degrees. Chronod them at 30 degrees and velocity was 2916 chrond them again yesterday at 80 degrees and got 2916
 
98 220swift,

Velocity wise i find it fairly close to RL25. Like I had mentioned before, I get better consistent accuracy with it.
Lazzeroni recommended RL22 over RL25 because of this.

According to Hornady, their 105gr Match aren't supposed to stabilize out of the wife's Rossi. Have no issues with them out to 500 yards thus far.

Also brought the accuracy potential of my Savage 111, 7mm Rem Mag into something much more acceptable with heavier bullets, at further distances.
As I said before, RL25 gave velocity, RL22 gave accuracy. Get both with RL26.

I recently started using it in the Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts with the 120gr. Sierra HPBT Game Kings. Really like it for this also.
 
So far I've tried R-26 in a 284 using 160gr AB and 162gr ELD-X. The work up loads groups using 160gr AB was little smaller than my go to load. I'm using little more powder and I'll chronograph them next trip. I got QL on that rifle and 30-06.
 
Old Roper,

Keep me posted on your results.

I ordered a barrel from E.R. Shaw the other week for 284 Win. for my Interarms Whitworth.

Hoping to use the 150gr. ABLR, but the 160gr. Sierra Game King is not out of the question.

My 162gr. ELDX, 168gr. Berger VLD Hunting I'm saving for the Rem Mag.
 
std7mag, My quick load may not help you. The 284 is build long action COAL 3.220" and 27" barrel and 160gr should be around 3000fps.
 
As a follow up to my testing with RL 26 in my 300 WM, all loads to max produced about the same 2 1/2" to 4" groups. It also smoked like I was using Unique and seemed fairly dirty on cleaning. I spoke with Alliant and was told it is "SOMEWHAT" temperature insensitive...literally told that "sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't". From what I gathered, it is more insensitive to cold than heat but no promises. Also, I did not see any less copper coming out of the barrel on cleaning. Seemed about the same as everything else. It may produce a little more velocity but I didn't chronograph it based on the above results.

So, all things considered, Ol' Six Pack's going to pass on this one. Looks like I'm settling in on using Magnum as it produced above factory velocity well below max and groups about 1".
 
This is all very interesting. This shows you what different powders will do with different bullets in different rifles of different calibers.
I can't imagine getting better accuracy out of my Sako Finnbear 270 Win, let alone much better MV than using H4831sc and the Hornady 150gr Interlock.
Avg MV is 2900 fps over the screens. But, I have not tried RL26 yet.
As to RL22, good accuracy, just not in COLD temps. A bit of loss in MV and a change of POI. RL26 huh? Well, may have to see.
 
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