.260 ackley

[wboggs]

Has anyone tried R26 in this cartridge? I ask because I get 2850 in my standard .260 using an eld 147 in a 30" barrel with very good accuracy.

 

[alphapygmy]

I tried it in my 26" 260AI with 147 ELD. Velocity maxed out at just under 3000 but accuracy wasn't that good and I couldn't get the ES under 35 in a rifle that my usual load had ES under 15. I'd use it for hunting but it would fair poorly against my usual target loads. H4831SC has been the go to powder for all my 260AI's.

 

[wboggs]

Thanks. I'm getting 0.35" 5 shot groups at 100 with the 2850 velocity, sd 11.
Wanted to get a 7.5 twist to.run the heavy bullets around 3000+. Maybe the ackley is not the one. The 6.5 SAUM may be the answer but I have a lot of 260 brass.

 

[skidmarks]

IN my 260 AI with this bullet and powder my load is delivering 2910 with SD of 8 in 26" 8 twist barrel. Under half MOA. Have not taken it past 300 but in 2 weeks will take it to 1100 yards to see how it really shoots.

 

[Fast14riot]

Try RL23 instead. Good velocity with a few less grains of powder than RL26, accuracy is reported as good as H4831 and H4350, with excellent temp stability. Start around 46gr of RL23.

 

[wboggs]

What is temp stability of r26?

 

[rardoin]

What is temp stability of r26?

Reportedly not as good as RL-23..which is excellent (as good as H4831sc from my experience).

 

[wboggs]

Thanks

 

[JLT]

What is temp stability of r26?

I've been using RL-26 in the .260 AI, .243 AI and 6.5-284 Norma for quite some time. I've been shooting in the Northeast (upstate NY) until recently - relocated to East Texas - so my experience with higher ambient temperatures is limited to the mid-to-high 80s F.

I have noticed some sensitivity when the ambient temps start to hit the 85 degrees F. or so and my chronograph data indicates that the ambient temperature effects are linear, albeit in a fairly narrow temperature range. I will certainly get the opportunity to measure the temperature sensitivity characteristics this summer and we'll see if the linearity holds up.

Some have mentioned that RL-26 will begin to misbehave with a hot chamber. No doubt that is true, but I've never sustained a rate of fire high enough to heat a chamber that much, at least not in non-combat situations . . . .

In summary - RL-26 IS sensitive to temperature. It is far less sensitive than your average ball powder, however, and much less sensitive than many single base powders in common use. I use this powder because I can generally find a very accurate load at modest pressures and a bit of adjustment to the charge weights will keep me in the desired velocity range. I would not use this powder to develop a load at the ragged edge of safety just to see how fast I can push a heavy-for-caliber bullet. One might need a mallet to open the bolt on a really HOT day. Or worse. RL-23, however, couldn't care less what the temperature might be. Try working up to just over 47 grains of RL-23 behind a 140 class bullet. 47.3 grains behind a 140 gr. Hybrid delivers an average 3,057 fps in my 28" .260 AI barrel with stellar accuracy.

 

[wboggs]

I've been using RL-26 in the .260 AI, .243 AI and 6.5-284 Norma for quite some time. I've been shooting in the Northeast (upstate NY) until recently - relocated to East Texas - so my experience with higher ambient temperatures is limited to the mid-to-high 80s F.

I have noticed some sensitivity when the ambient temps start to hit the 85 degrees F. or so and my chronograph data indicates that the ambient temperature effects are linear, albeit in a fairly narrow temperature range. I will certainly get the opportunity to measure the temperature sensitivity characteristics this summer and we'll see if the linearity holds up.

Some have mentioned that RL-26 will begin to misbehave with a hot chamber. No doubt that is true, but I've never sustained a rate of fire high enough to heat a chamber that much, at least not in non-combat situations . . . .

In summary - RL-26 IS sensitive to temperature. It is far less sensitive than your average ball powder, however, and much less sensitive than many single base powders in common use. I use this powder because I can generally find a very accurate load at modest pressures and a bit of adjustment to the charge weights will keep me in the desired velocity range. I would not use this powder to develop a load at the ragged edge of safety just to see how fast I can push a heavy-for-caliber bullet. One might need a mallet to open the bolt on a really HOT day. Or worse. RL-23, however, couldn't care less what the temperature might be. Try working up to just over 47 grains of RL-23 behind a 140 class bullet. 47.3 grains behind a 140 gr. Hybrid delivers an average 3,057 fps in my 28" .260 AI barrel with stellar accuracy.

 

[wboggs]

Thanks for your detailed response. I live in the SE and it does get hot. I think I will try some RL23. Top velocity is not my objective. I want a fast load that is accurate and reliable year round.