Reloader 26

[JAYgs8163]

I backed the load .020 and added a 1/2 grain of powder and now have 2 of 3 touching at 100. I wish I had read your reply before spending a lot of time and components and got no where. Thanks again!

Good to see your progress. My experience with RL26 is that it's for sure temp sensitive at hotter temps. RL23 offers better temp controls. I ran RL26 in a couple of different rigs but when it's hot in AZ I couldn't rely on it. I still use it but only in more moderate and cooler temps.

 

[FullCurl8]

I create a dummy round by loading a bullet in a sized case,then pulling the bullet and seating it twice.It loosens the neck tension enough that the second time,you seat the bullet long and chamber the round in your rifle,it will allow the bullet to seat back into the case once it touches the lands.Now you will have a dummy round that is your absolute max length to the lands.Then I use the Hornady comparator to determine how far I'm off the lands I am when seating my bullets,using the dummy round as my reference to the lands. length.

For those that have not done this, pulling the ejector and extractor will ensure the process is accurate, the Ejector exerts a fair amount of pressure of rear of case.

 

[MSURunner]

For those that have not done this, pulling the ejector and extractor will ensure the process is accurate, the Ejector exerts a fair amount of pressure of rear of case.

This is true, but wouldn't you want to know where your bullet sits as the rifle is being used? I don't know of many shots fired without the ejector in place... Additionally, you should use a case that has been once fired in your rifle anyways, so as to have the case as snug to the chamber as possible, minimizing the "error". That's my thoughts at least.

 

[c_bass16]

Good to see your progress. My experience with RL26 is that it's for sure temp sensitive at hotter temps. RL23 offers better temp controls. I ran RL26 in a couple of different rigs but when it's hot in AZ I couldn't rely on it. I still use it but only in more moderate and cooler temps.

that's interesting you've had that result.
I use RL26 exclusively in my 25 Creed with 135 Bergers as well as all my SAUM and PRC cartridges, including a 6x284 and a 6.5 Addiction.

all my match rifles are shot in the summer from 75-105 and I haven't seen anything to indicate sensitivity more than what Hornady 4DOF suggests it is.

It's probably the case volume for the powder choice. Small case, minimal sensitivity, large magnum like a 7 Rem Mag...more sensitive.

I like RL33 in my Rem Mag, but it's too slow for anything lighter than 180gr

 

[JAYgs8163]

that's interesting you've had that result.
I use RL26 exclusively in my 25 Creed with 135 Bergers as well as all my SAUM and PRC cartridges, including a 6x284 and a 6.5 Addiction.

all my match rifles are shot in the summer from 75-105 and I haven't seen anything to indicate sensitivity more than what Hornady 4DOF suggests it is.

It's probably the case volume for the powder choice. Small case, minimal sensitivity, large magnum like a 7 Rem Mag...more sensitive.

I like RL33 in my Rem Mag, but it's too slow for anything lighter than 180gr

For me it's not "case volume for powder choice", it's heat! My issues were in both 65 CM and a 65PRC and not a 7mag. Both loads developed in winter months but when summer came along they pressured out. Maybe if I had developed during the hotter weather and then went to cooler weather this wouldn't have happened. I can still run it but not with the velocity gains it's known for.

 

[antleredacres]

My issues were in both 65 CM and a 65PRC and not a 7mag. Both loads developed in winter months but when summer came along they pressured out. Maybe if I had developed during the hotter weather and then went to cooler weather this wouldn't have happened. I can still run it but not with the velocity gains it's known for.

You'd be better off with H1000 with that 160 AB

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Good to see your progress. My experience with RL26 is that it's for sure temp sensitive at hotter temps. RL23 offers better temp controls. I ran RL26 in a couple of different rigs but when it's hot in AZ I couldn't rely on it. I still use it but only in more moderate and cooler temps.

Haven't seen them before are they new pixy dust.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

My ca Mesa just doesn't like re26. I tried it with several bullets. 160ab and 168ablr shoot amazing with h1000 under 10k off lands.

Yeah that RL26 is terrible. Let's meet up and I'll take it off your hands.

 

[JAYgs8163]

You'd be better off with H1000 with that 160 AB

Don't run a 160 AB? Run H1000 but different pills. Sorry to the OP for the derail.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Look at H4350 powder. It's one of the least sensitivity powder available. It's not the fast powder, but it does push the pill down the tube. I have gotten excellent grouping from H4350 powder in several rifles. It's generally my go to powder. The other is I use Fed-210 primers. Loads up to 75.5grs of powder. Mag primer not needed, and I have tried them, but the Fed 210 did a better job.

 

[skipglo]

8" lower, depending on the bullet, would require about a 500fps speed drop. That sounds extreme. I'd wager on something else changed.

X 2

 

[skipglo]

Try an SMK....or any other bullet....or any other powder....why chase this one combination?

 

[FullCurl8]

This is true, but wouldn't you want to know where your bullet sits as the rifle is being used? I don't know of many shots fired without the ejector in place... Additionally, you should use a case that has been once fired in your rifle anyways, so as to have the case as snug to the chamber as possible, minimizing the "error". That's my thoughts at least.

Yes a fired case is best. The reason for pulling the ejector and extractor is so you can feel with great detail when the bullet contacts the rifling. If left in, it exerts pressure on one side and gives false feedback. I have tested with and without and the difference is significant in being able to feel contact. My Hornady OAL tool has not been out of the tool box in years. But there are plenty of ways to skin a cat.

 

[Markga]

This is true, but wouldn't you want to know where your bullet sits as the rifle is being used? I don't know of many shots fired without the ejector in place... Additionally, you should use a case that has been once fired in your rifle anyways, so as to have the case as snug to the chamber as possible, minimizing the "error". That's my thoughts at least.

Sounds pretty reasonable