26 Nosler: What do you know about it?

[skiutah02]

My contact at my local LGS (who has served me well) purchased a rifle for himself in this caliber. I believe the rifle is this model: X-Bolt Long Range Hunter Stainless Buckthorn Tan, although it is somewhat unimportant at moment.

He knows that I've had pretty good success in reloading for accuracy and he asked yesterday if I would mind helping him get a good load for his rifle. "Of course" I responded. I've actually never seen this caliber discussed on this forum before. This would be a hunting rifle, but accuracy is fun to achieve in any rifle, right?

Any help before we get going would be appreciated (like potential fire-forming parent cases, good powders to try (Nosler has a good handbook online but personal experience is prefered), bullet preferences). He is a very skilled hunter and did mention deer and elk, but also commented that on his wooded property, the longest shot possible is 300 yds. He and I only chatted briefly about this, but I'd like to be prepared when the conversation gets going about detail.

Anyone with experience reloading for the 26 Nosler??

Drew

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id hate to know I was working up a load for it. I chambered a 28 a few weeks ago- man thats a big case!

 

[Danny1788]

My contact at my local LGS (who has served me well) purchased a rifle for himself in this caliber. I believe the rifle is this model: X-Bolt Long Range Hunter Stainless Buckthorn Tan, although it is somewhat unimportant at moment.

He knows that I've had pretty good success in reloading for accuracy and he asked yesterday if I would mind helping him get a good load for his rifle. "Of course" I responded. I've actually never seen this caliber discussed on this forum before. This would be a hunting rifle, but accuracy is fun to achieve in any rifle, right?

Any help before we get going would be appreciated (like potential fire-forming parent cases, good powders to try (Nosler has a good handbook online but personal experience is prefered), bullet preferences). He is a very skilled hunter and did mention deer and elk, but also commented that on his wooded property, the longest shot possible is 300 yds. He and I only chatted briefly about this, but I'd like to be prepared when the conversation gets going about detail.

Anyone with experience reloading for the 26 Nosler??

Drew

http://www.nosler.com/s/26-Nosler-129gr-Version-72.pdf

 

[13red56]

My gunsmith has built 2 for himself. He runs 130 Bergers and US869 in his.

 

[stansrifles]

Personally it is a waste of a good rifle barrel.
Stan

 

[hogpatrol]

 

[Frankr]

Now that's funny.

I'd opt for magnaflux the bolt lugs.

 

[Slugster]

I just orderd an Xbolt Hells canyon speed in 26 nosler. There is a huge backorder for these. Could be a year before it arrives. Regardless, ill keep you posted.

 

[stacy]

THEY MUST BE BARREL BURNER AS MANY AS THEY ARE F/SALE IN THE CLASSIFIED AND ON SEVERAL OTHER FOURMS !

 

[Phil]

I would think the 26 Nosler would make a great hunting rifle, it should last a long time as one.

I`m considering building a 28 Nosler to launch the 195gr. Berger for long range rock chucks.........


Phil.

 

[XTR]

THEY MUST BE BARREL BURNER AS MANY AS THEY ARE F/SALE IN THE CLASSIFIED AND ON SEVERAL OTHER FOURMS !

I once saw a used Weatherby Mk5 Lasermark in Wby 460 Magnum for sale in Columbia SC. Guess they closed the Buick season in the Piedmont.


Some people need the latest fastest get it, and finally figure out that they don't need a super magnum cartridge for white tails.

 

[effendude]

Drew,
Despite what the Negative Nellies post, the Nosler family of cartridges are an interesting group. Who cares if it is overkill? Dead is dead and it is fun to use something different at times. While I don't have a 26 yet, I do have a 28 and a 30 Nosler that perform well. They are essentially a shortened UltraMag case. Slow powders like Retumbo and Re-33 perform well in mine with 215M primers and Nosler brass. I'd stick with the 140 Hybrid or VLD, as well as the 140 LR Accubond. When Berger releases a heavy 6.5 bullet, like they did in 270 and 7mm, the 26 will be far more popular. Good Luck,
Scott

 

[Grimstod]

Drew,
Despite what the Negative Nellies post, the Nosler family of cartridges are an interesting group. Who cares if it is overkill? Dead is dead and it is fun to use something different at times. While I don't have a 26 yet, I do have a 28 and a 30 Nosler that perform well. They are essentially a shortened UltraMag case. Slow powders like Retumbo and Re-33 perform well in mine with 215M primers and Nosler brass. I'd stick with the 140 Hybrid or VLD, as well as the 140 LR Accubond. When Berger releases a heavy 6.5 bullet, like they did in 270 and 7mm, the 26 will be far more popular. Good Luck,
Scott

The 140VLD berger makes is not exactly light.

 

[Phil]

Bob Cauterucio makes a 155.5gr. 6.5 bullet............


Phil.

 

[skiutah02]

Drew,
Despite what the Negative Nellies post, the Nosler family of cartridges are an interesting group. Who cares if it is overkill? Dead is dead and it is fun to use something different at times. While I don't have a 26 yet, I do have a 28 and a 30 Nosler that perform well. They are essentially a shortened UltraMag case. Slow powders like Retumbo and Re-33 perform well in mine with 215M primers and Nosler brass. I'd stick with the 140 Hybrid or VLD, as well as the 140 LR Accubond. When Berger releases a heavy 6.5 bullet, like they did in 270 and 7mm, the 26 will be far more popular. Good Luck,
Scott

Thanks, Scott. Glad to see this thread rise from the dead. Drew

 

[spclark]

Ryan Pierce is a fan, I'd PM him here if you're looking for end-user reports. He had a pic sent from a customer he was showing around a week ago of a trophy shot @ ~ 700 yards with a 28.

 

[Auto-X Fil]

When Berger releases a heavy 6.5 bullet, like they did in 270 and 7mm, the 26 will be far more popular. Good Luck,
Scott

I've been thinking a 155gr could sit around .350-355 G7 BC. It doesn't do much for the 6.5 Creedmoor or x47 (it would be too long, and velocities would drop down to 2600fps in a 24" tube), but it could put the 6.5-284 (long action) back on the map and be very interesting in the 26 Nosler. As it is, the 28 Nosler is kinda wild with anything but the 195gr - it seems tailor-made for that bullet, though.

I've considered ordering a few from Bob C to get BC data and check out the shape.

 

[rardoin]

Bob C. has a 147 VLD in addition to the 155.

 

[Gunner75]

I was able to be in on the ground floor with the 26 Nosler due to having a close relationship with the man. Barrel burner......damn right it is. With that said it isn't a range round. US869 and 140's are where it was at for me. 3,375fps w/ 26" barrel. Loved it. Passed it on to a good buddy that get's to hunt more than I do and he is stacking em up! He was anti 26 Nosler until I just shipped it to him. No chance in getting that one back now. LOL.
ps I had a few boxes of 129gr ABLR factory ammo that I acquired as well. 3,500fps out of my rifle. I couldn't duplicate that load as I was only getting about 3,420fps with 129gr ABLR bullets in my reloads.

 

[tgoss]

Shooting 28 right now. Tough to get to shoot consistently. Likes Sierra 180 and 168 Barnes LRX (live in Ca. Stuck with lead free).