RL 26 and lighter bullets

[Longcruise]

I'm considering going with a lighter bullet in my 270. Something like a Hammer at 129 gr. The only powder I have on hand is RL 26 which I acquired for use with 150 gr bullets.

I'm wondering what results others may have had using 26 and lighter bullets? My impression is that it's may be too slow for these lighter bullets.

 

[GLTaylor]

It will work for 120gr bullets in my 7 RUM. Don't know about a 270?

 

[Calvin45]

It'll work just fine depending on what your acceptable parameters are. But it does seem like it may be a waste of rl26, which is hard to find, especially given that if I'm not mistaken the hammers prefer faster than typical burn rates (or is that just the absolute hammers only…somebody will chime in about the differences I'm sure).

 

[GLTaylor]

Absolutes need faster powders. Hammer Hunters do well with 26 - depending on the caliber.

 

[Longcruise]

A good point on wasting powder. I originally acquired the 26 for it's performance with heavy bullets in the 150 range. Unfortunately I have not been able to get the 150 bullets that I want. Specifically partitions and ABs.

Today I was in wally world and cruised by the gun counter and there sat 3 boxes of rem 150 gr core lokt so I grabbed all three. Im not a big fan of them but other family members swear by them and put some dents in the elk and antelope populations so it's on with core lokt.

One of my seasons is open now (bear) and elk will be coming up in October so this seems like the best solution in these times of scarcity.

I'll get some RL 16 or 4350 and experiment with the hammers over the winter.

Thanks for the help with this.

 

[jeremy.b]

I ran rl26 under 130 gr bullets and it worked just fine.

It didn't stand way out from imr 7828ssc, rl23 and h4831sc though, similar velocities were reached by all of the above and there is published data for those other powders.

 

[Buckys]

Today I was in wally world and cruised by the gun counter and there sat 3 boxes of rem 150 gr core lokt so I grabbed all three. Im not a big fan of them but other family members swear by them and put some dents in the elk and antelope populations so it's on with core lokt.

I would not shoot something that you're not confident in. But I'm happy to shoot core lokt, interlock, powerpoint, fusion soft core bullets in my 270win when they are the 150gr variety - generally, the MV is low enough that I don't fear that they will blow up too early at close range.

 

[bullet man]

150 gr power points never fail me deer at 50 yards dead right there goes in the size of a nickel comes out the size of a baseball. It knocks them sideways off their feet and they never get up.

 

[littlebighorn]

RL 26 works well in my 6.5x284 with 124g Hammer Hunters. It's not a 270 but similar.

 

[Longcruise]

I want to go with the Hammers but it's really too late in the game for load development for the current season. Seems that 4350 and RL 16 work good with the hammers in 270.

 

[Russell Sonner]

Works great in my 6.5x284 with 120GMX, 123 SST & 143 ELD-X.

 

[Muddyboots]

I will bet RL16 will be better option plus temp stability.

 

[Longcruise]

Hadn't thought about temperature. That's a plus.

 

[BrentM]

I've used rl26 in about everything I shoot 6mm creed, 243, 6.5 creed, 6.5-284, and 6.5 PRC. It has been my go to powder for years and I shoot all year. -10 to mid 90's.