26 Nosler

[6pt-sika]

Well I just went in up to my chin !
Just bought a 1980-1995 Remington 700BDL in 7mm REM MAG . Gun appears to be in very nice shape woodwise and blueing wise !
Right after I knew I won the rifle I went on Midway and got a Shilen #4 stainless barrel blank in 6.5mm with a 1:8 twist as well as a 26 Nosler reamer and gauges !
And of course a couple boxes of JACKETED projectiles for the gun !
I am hoping to use the Berger 130 VLD Match Hunting bullet as I've already had good luck on deer using it ina couple 6.5-06's as well as a couple 264 Win Mag's !

[.45colt]

Smart move 6pt, nearly all of the big game in the north American continent have adapted to measly little rounds as the 7mag, and can easily out run it's slow moving slugs. the 26 will reach out and drop them before they can even twitch. ....... . Jim

[6pt-sika]

Well wise acre I sold my 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag #1B's in the last month !

[wolfdog]

1 in 8 twist? That will really be spinning them 130 grain bullets.

[6pt-sika]

1 in 8 twist? That will really be spinning them 130 grain bullets.

That's what Nosler is putting in their rifles for the cartridge . I have a 1:9 in my 6.5-06 and it does fine with 130's and 140's . But if I ever have to rebarrel the 6.5-06 I'll more then likely make it a 1:8 as well .

[6pt-sika]

The people I thought I had bought the nice older 700BDL from emailed me that they sold the rifle in their store after I had bid and the auction was still going ! So I moved quickly and did a deal with a dealer in Ohio for what looks to be a decent 700ADL synthetic in 300 Win Mag . I'll hopefully have it in hand by Thursday as they have our FFL and funds already .

[6pt-sika]

And if I get the rifle Thursday the barrel will get pulled the same day !

[BenT]

Keep us posted on the project. Better stock up on powder to feed those cases.

[6pt-sika]

Keep us posted on the project. Better stock up on powder to feed those cases.

I plan on using US-869 in this rifle and already have several pounds on hand . Actually I've had the powder , new dies and new cases for almost a year .

I suspect a pound of powder will make between 75-80 loads . That's at about 88 grains per case .

When I had the 7mm Ultra Mag with H-870 I was loading something like 105 grains per cartridge .

With my buddies 505 Gibbs if my memory serves I'm loading 130 grains of RL-22 with each Barnes 525 grain bullet .

This 26 Nosler cartridge is supposed to have a barrel life of about 750-900 rounds in a carbon steel barrel shooting it in a normal fashion . I think with the stainless barrel and a little common sense I just might be able to add 200 or so rounds to the max cartridge count before the throat is toast .

I believe I should be able to get a load worked up and finalized with about 100-150 rounds . And that would leave me something like 600-850 more shots . Each year there after figure 10 rounds to check sight in and maybe 5 more to kill 3-5 deer , so to be fair lets say 20 rounds a year after the initial year . So even at the low shot count of 600 remaining that should give me thirty years of service before the barrels toast and in thirty years I'll be 84 and probably be about done deer hunting or atleast slowed down dramatically !

You know I've owned a number of rifles over the years that were supposed to be barrel/throat burners !
Had several 220 Swifts and one was 30+ years old when I bought it and it still shot 5 shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards . Had several 264 Win Mags that shot great one in the same era as the previousely mentioned 220 Swift and again that old rifle shot 3/4" 3 shot groups at 100 yards all day long if you et the barrel cool after every three shots . Heard some people bad mouth the 25-06 as a barrel burner I had half a dozen rifles for this cartridge that were tack drivers and no problems with throat erosion . Had a 7mm STW that wasn't as hard on the barrel as some liked to say , 7mm Ultra Mag etc etc etc .

[6pt-sika]

About a week ago the notion of a barrel break on this gun entered my head . When I had the 7mm Ultra Mag I didn't really see any need for a break nor have I ever wanted one on a 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag . However a couple friends have then on 300 Win Mags and they are veritable ***** cats !

I have half a notion to finish the barrel at 26 3/4" threaded on the end for a break and fitted . And after awhile if I don't like it cut the threads off and crown it at 26" as I originally intended .

[6pt-sika]

Just got in some of the pieces !

The Shilen stainless barrel , the reamer , the gauges and a couple boxes of projectiles !



Already had the dies and brass on hand !

[6pt-sika]

Got the 26 Nosler together today !

Still need to have the barrel engraved with the caliber designation . And swap out the J Lock bolt shroud .





Mounted a Leupold 6.5-20x40mm on top for load work and have the trigger at about 1 1/4 pounds for paper work . After I get the load done I'll move the trigger back to about 2 1/4 pounds and mount a Leupold 4.5-14x .

[wolfdog]

Looking good! Reminds me I need to get some loaded for the .264 and the 6.5 x 55s. Season is getting closer.

[FOTIS]

Might want to wait!!!!


http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-sh ... -cartridge

[6pt-sika]

Looking good! Reminds me I need to get some loaded for the .264 and the 6.5 x 55s. Season is getting closer.

I have about a month to get a load straight for this one , finally decide on the load for my new to me Remington Model 7 in 260 REM and resight in my circa 1967 Marlin 444 with one load and check POI for 4 other loads with that sight in . The 444 was sighted in but I decided to swap scopes the other night .

[6pt-sika]

Might want to wait!!!!


http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-sh ... -cartridge

The 6.5-300 Weatherby is nothing new . That cartridge has been around since the early 70's atleast . The 1000 yard boys in Pennsylvania were using it and the 7mm-300 Weatherby for their matches . Now that's not to say I wouldn't like to try it as well . But I suspect my next rifle is going to be a Savage Model 12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor or a custom build Remington 700 with a varmint weight barrel in 6.5x47 Lapua .

[6pt-sika]

Looks like I'll have this thing ready with ammo loaded for trial Monday morning weather permitting .

I'll only use US-869 powder but the Hornady 129SST to get it on paper then the Berger 130 VLD Hunting Match bullet for actual use .

Hope I don't fire this bad boy more then 18 shots Monday !

I'll try charges of 89 , 90 , 91 and 92 grains of US-869 with the Berger bullet .

[AJMD429]

And after awhile if I don't like it cut the threads off and crown it at 26" as I originally intended .

If you don't want the brake just get a well finished thread protector and crown it.

[6pt-sika]

And after awhile if I don't like it cut the threads off and crown it at 26" as I originally intended .

If you don't want the brake just get a well finished thread protector and crown it.

Didn't thread it .

[6pt-sika]

Just finished loading for the 26 Nosler for the first test ride in the AM !

Loaded ten with the Hornady 129 SST and 88 grains of US-869

three with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting and 88 grains US-869

three with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting and 89 grains US-869

three with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting and 90 grains US-869

three with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting and 91 grains US-869

three with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting and 91.5 grains of US-869

[6pt-sika]

Shot the rifle 24 times today !

9 rounds of Hornady 129 SST with 88 grains of US-869 , didn't run this one over the Chrony it was more for getting the gun on paper etc etc .

3 rounds Berger 130 VLD Hunting with 88 grains US-869 avg velocity 3086 FPS

3 rounds Berger 130 VLD Hunting with 89 grains US-869 avg velocity 3135 FPS

3 rounds Berger 130 VLD Hunting with 90 grains US-869 avg velocity 3172 FPS

3 rounds Berger 130 VLD Hunting with 91 grains US-869 avg velocity 3253 FPS

3 rounds Berger 130 VLD Hunting with 91.5 grains US-869 avg velocity 3222 FPS

Groups weren't terrible but not great either for starting with a brand new barrel . Next time I'll try 91 , 92 and perhaps 93 grains with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting . Also wanna try the Hornady 129 SST and or the Nosler 130 AccuBond . And if I can't get the 130 class bullets to shoot well enough to suit me I'll step up to the 140 grainers although I am not a fan of bullets that heavy in any 6.5mm !

[6pt-sika]

Shot this group with it yesterday !

I didn't wanna go to 140 grainers but this isn't bad as long as it's not a fluke !



I wasn't able to run over the Chrony yesterday to many knucklehaeds at the range .

Hopefully I'll be able to get to the range monday or tuesday morning .

At the moment I'm bedding the gun ahead of the recoil lug under the entire chamber .

[M. M. Wright]

Hey 6 point, looks like you're on to something good!

[6pt-sika]

Hey 6 point, looks like you're on to something good!

Maybe !

The bedding from the other day should be set alright in the AM . So I'll remount the scope and load up some stuff for first thing Monday !

[6pt-sika]

I've shot the 26 Nosler some more since having the bedding done !



My shot count is up to 88 now and I have 15 more loaded to try Monday or Tuesday at the range . Earlier this week I did some shooting and of course tried to get everything across the Chrony .



The Hornady 129 SST pushed with 92 grains of US-869 averaged 3505 FPS and the group was under 3/4 MOA nt a bench gun for sure but not bad either . The Nosler 130 AB and Berger 130 VLD Hunting both pushed with 92 grains were 3450 or better FPS as well and both of these were 3/4 MOA or better .



Finally got the Nosler 140 BT and Hornady 140 SST Chronied with 88 grains of US-869 both of these were between 3250 and 3300 and again both were under 3/4 MOA .



I am hoping Monday or Tuesday to settle on a load then swap scopes and get the bad boy sighted in for dead on at 300 yards which should put me in the 2 1/2" high at 100 yards sight in perspective . All this means is I should be able to hold on the top of the back of a deer at about 440 yards and sink it right in the boiler room !

[6pt-sika]

Midway has Nosler 6.5mm 130 and 140 grain Accubonds on sale at the moment so I already have a few boxes of each on the way for the 26 Nosler and my 6.5-06 !

[6pt-sika]

Blooded the 26 Nosler Saturday afternoon . Sorry to say it wasn't a shot at 250+ yards as the rifle was intended but rather an honest and modest 90 yards with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting bullet and 92 grains of US-869 powder set off with a Federal 215 primer . In my 26" barreled rifle the gun with this loads chronographs an honest 3500 FPS .







I've already checked the POI for the Hornady 129 SST and Nosler 130 AB both pushed with 92 grains of US-869 and they both hit in the 2-2 1/2" high at 100 yards like the Berger . So I'm all ready for the next one I just hope she's a touch further out there .

[wolfdog]

That should have put her down right quick! My 264 with 129 grain SST lays them down at 100 yards and it isn't going anywhere near that fast. Hopefully I will get to push it out there a bit one day, but so far this year I haven't seen anything to shoot at any range.

[earlmck]

That mirrors my game experience with hot 6.5's. I acquired a 264 mag when they were the greatest new thing. Shot the biggest buck I ever got with it that Fall, after packing 10 pounds of rifle plus big scope around for several days. 75 yards away, standing broadside. I had the thought that "gee, I coulda' shot him just fine with the 25/20". I hunted with it another year before trading it off, but never had a long shot.

[6pt-sika]

I've owned four 264 Win Mag rifles over the years . A circa 1960 Model 70 26" that I killed about a dozen deer using the Nosler 120 BT . Then the first of a pair of AccuSort special runs of the Remington 700BDL stainless synthetic also with 26" barrels , I used mostly the Hornady 129 SST in this pair . And finally I had a Ruger #1B 26" and I killed with that one using both the Hornady 129 SST and the Berger 130 VLD Hunting .

Now with that being said I've had rather good luck with the Berger in the 6.5-06 and the 264 Win Mag and now the 26 Nosler . In the 6.5-06 I've had good luck kill wise with the 129 SST and the Nosler 130 AB .

While this deer was at 90 or so yards that's okay . The first time I ever killed with a 7mm Ultra Mag I knocked off a pair at 30-35 yards go figure .

[6pt-sika]

Another today for the 26 Nosler shooting the Hornady 129 SST pushed with 92 grains of US-869 . Sorry to say this one was at 45 yards at the boom of the gun and at 45 yards laying stretched out after the boom of the gun .

[6pt-sika]

Midway had Swift 6.5mm 130 grain Scirrocos on sale a week or so ago and I got a box . Loaded a few the other day with 92 grains of US-869 same as the other 130's I've tried . Took them and some Barnes 130 TSX to the range wanted to check the POI in case I knock one off with the Nosler 130 AB's . Anyway the Barnes is at the same POI as the Nosler 130 AB which is at the same as the Berger 130 VLD and Hornady 129 SST . I then tried 3 of the Swift bullets and they shot a decent group something like 3/4" but maybe 1 1/2-2" high at 100 as compared to the other four that are about 2 1/2" high at 100 yards .

Close enough for government work I suppose and based on the yardage I've been getting when I have this rifle with me a okay !

I field test these last three and I'll lay this gun aside until after season . Then I wanna try some of the 140 grainers at 300 and 400 yards . And then I can start in on them next season .

[6pt-sika]

I reckon the next time we do a powder order I may as well go ahead and get an 8 pounder of US-869 , I'm already well into my third 1 pound can of the stuff