Starting load for RL26 in a 260?
- Thread starter MachoKing
- Start date
This will be interesting. Just finished a 6x47 Lapua test with RL26 and 115 gr VLD. 42.2 made em go 3065 with SDs consistently in the mid 3s. There were no pressure signs. H4350 had sign before that speed. It's something special. Good luck. It's worth pursuing for sure.
I've actually got a round of Load development with the 143s and RL-26 ready to go I just haven't been able to make it to the range yet to see what they'll do.
However, based on my QuickLoad Data specific to my gun (24" Remington 5-R barrel) and cartridge dimensions (Lapua Brass @ 2.900 COAL), I found a good starting point at 45.5 gr which puts me at roughly 2665 mv @ 47700 psi.
I worked up all the way to 48.2 gr which Quickload estimates to be at around 2900 mv @ 59222 psi. Again these numbers are tailored to my rifle/cartridge info so your numbers may very so please use just as a guide and work up slowly and carefully looking for signs of pressure.
I did however do some testing with the Berger 135 Classic Hunter and RL-26 and was happy with the velocities and SDs it gave me. 48.8 grs (max load) with an SD of 6.8 @ 2923 fps avg. Grouping was okay but was loading to magazine length (2.830") so was mostly around 1" MOA @ 100 yards. Have yet to play with seating depth to see if it will tighten up those groups.
As soon as I get to hit the range to test out the 143s / RL-26 I'll come back with a range report.
Hope this helps.
However, based on my QuickLoad Data specific to my gun (24" Remington 5-R barrel) and cartridge dimensions (Lapua Brass @ 2.900 COAL), I found a good starting point at 45.5 gr which puts me at roughly 2665 mv @ 47700 psi.
I worked up all the way to 48.2 gr which Quickload estimates to be at around 2900 mv @ 59222 psi. Again these numbers are tailored to my rifle/cartridge info so your numbers may very so please use just as a guide and work up slowly and carefully looking for signs of pressure.
I did however do some testing with the Berger 135 Classic Hunter and RL-26 and was happy with the velocities and SDs it gave me. 48.8 grs (max load) with an SD of 6.8 @ 2923 fps avg. Grouping was okay but was loading to magazine length (2.830") so was mostly around 1" MOA @ 100 yards. Have yet to play with seating depth to see if it will tighten up those groups.
As soon as I get to hit the range to test out the 143s / RL-26 I'll come back with a range report.
Hope this helps.
Im following this as im trying to develop a starting load for my .260 with rl-26.
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This is not data that's directly applicable to .260, so bear that in mind right up front, please! I did a quick pressure ladder w/ RL-26 and 147 ELD-M bullets in 6.5CM and Hornady brass. I was looking for a load that could push the 147 harder than I could with 4451 (which tapped out at about 2720 fps in my rifle w/ a 24 in Bartlein barrel before I started seeing pressure signs). I loaded from 46.0-48.6, expecting to find pressure signs in there, but did not. At 48.6gr, I had 2830 fps. (also, that's w/ a CCI 200 primer)
Being that .260 has a larger case capacity (and therefore, you'd normally end up at a heavier charge weight to get the same pressure and velocity), I'd say that Dutch260's QL data seems reasonable.
Being that .260 has a larger case capacity (and therefore, you'd normally end up at a heavier charge weight to get the same pressure and velocity), I'd say that Dutch260's QL data seems reasonable.
I'm developing a load for a Tikka CTR .260 (20"). I'm interested in lighter monometal bullets like Cutting Edge 120 MTH for hunting, and 123 Lapua Scenars for targets. So far with MTH bullets up to 48 gr RL-26, I'm seeing 2849 fps with a tiny SD (5 fps) and very good accuracy. This is with Lapua brass, no pressure signs, so I think I will go up to 49 gr and see what happens.
OK I'll bite
AI/AT 26" .260 barrel by MileHigh
BR-2 primers
Hornady 147gr ELD bullets
Denver CO, temp 53 degrees
Here is what I came up with starting with 46.0gr of R26. Note there were no pressure signs so I kept going and heavier loads were compressed (not too bad):
46.0gr - 2,747-2,776 ES=29, SD 13 Shot 1.1" at 200 yards
46.4gr - 2,742-2,804 ES=17 SD 8 Shot 1/2 MOA (1") at 200 yards
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47.7 gr - 2,822-2,890 ES=68 SD=24 Shot 1" at 200 yards
48.3 gr - 2,880-2939 ES=59 SD=19 Shot 3/4" (3/8 MOA) at 200 yards (getting bolt lift feel, very compressed load)
Disclaimer: YMMV - these numbers are for guidance only and will vary based on your firearm, location and time of year. Perhaps start at 45.0gr R26 just to be safe.
This combo shoots fast and flat and is more than accurate enough for steel out past 1,200 yards, but I don't like the ES numbers when you start to boost up the powder charge. The loads start to get compressed at 48.0 gr and I wonder if this is causing seating variations. Also testing was done in the relatively cool CO winter months ... I will not be surprised if there are pressure signs in the summer or at lower altitude .. will we see. It does shoot steel very well.
AI/AT 26" .260 barrel by MileHigh
BR-2 primers
Hornady 147gr ELD bullets
Denver CO, temp 53 degrees
Here is what I came up with starting with 46.0gr of R26. Note there were no pressure signs so I kept going and heavier loads were compressed (not too bad):
46.0gr - 2,747-2,776 ES=29, SD 13 Shot 1.1" at 200 yards
46.4gr - 2,742-2,804 ES=17 SD 8 Shot 1/2 MOA (1") at 200 yards
.
.
.
47.7 gr - 2,822-2,890 ES=68 SD=24 Shot 1" at 200 yards
48.3 gr - 2,880-2939 ES=59 SD=19 Shot 3/4" (3/8 MOA) at 200 yards (getting bolt lift feel, very compressed load)
Disclaimer: YMMV - these numbers are for guidance only and will vary based on your firearm, location and time of year. Perhaps start at 45.0gr R26 just to be safe.
This combo shoots fast and flat and is more than accurate enough for steel out past 1,200 yards, but I don't like the ES numbers when you start to boost up the powder charge. The loads start to get compressed at 48.0 gr and I wonder if this is causing seating variations. Also testing was done in the relatively cool CO winter months ... I will not be surprised if there are pressure signs in the summer or at lower altitude .. will we see. It does shoot steel very well.
