26 Nosler build is ready for the range

[Engineering101]

Just got the barreled action back from the smith yesterday. I plan to shoot it a bit before I Duracoat the stainless in flat black to match the scope. This is a Sako Finnbear L61R (1970s vintage) that was a 7mm Rem mag but now is a 26 Nosler. It is topped with a Leupold VX6 in 3X to 18X. Barrel is a Krieger 5R, 8.5 twist, #5 contour bull sporter finished at 26 inches with a 3 port Muscle brake. The whole thing weighs in at 10.5 pounds

I'm going to start with the 127 Barnes LRX as I figure it won't fly apart like a Beger might. I loaded some min loads of Magnum (78.0 grains) and there is a lot of room left in the case - QuickLoad says it is 86% full. I'll post my loads, velocities and such when I get something worked up. Should be fun. Hopefully i'll have some barrel life left after I get it to group!

 

[winmagman]

Looking forward to your results. My 26 is still 6 mos or so out, but I've got some Magnum and Re 33 ready to go. Looking forward to some real world numbers to base some loads off of.

Nice looking rifle, and 10.5 isn't to bad to tote around.

Chris

 

[300 ultra]

**** what size diameter brake did you put on it??

 

[Barrelnut]

Very nice. Looking forward to reading how it performs.

 

[mountainman56]

Very nice! I will be watching for your posted numbers. gun)

 

[Len Backus]

Yesterday I shot 140 Bergers in the first LRR rifle in 26 Nosler.

3, 400 fps and they did not come apart. Pressure was just a little high. The accuracy node was around 3, 350 fps. 3/8 to 1/2 inch groups. That was without adjusting seating depths at all.

US869 powder.

 

[Engineering101]

Len,

Looks like the 26 Nosler is starting to hit the streets. I'm interested in what the long range community thinks of it as they get some trigger time. What were your impressions? Fun to shoot?

If I can get 0.5 MOA as your rifle has done I'll be more than satisfied. Also it is good to hear that the Bergers held up at 3,400 fps. That was never an issue in my 260 Rem where they are cruising along at a rather leisurely 2,700 fps.

 

[adam32]

My buddy built one...had it Melonited. Shot it last week, 80 rounds later checked it with a bore scope, severe heat cracking for the first 5 inches. Accuracy was well above MOA as well. It's getting turned into a 7mm rem mag now.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

My buddy built one...had it Melonited. Shot it last week, 80 rounds later checked it with a bore scope, severe heat cracking for the first 5 inches. Accuracy was well above MOA as well. It's getting turned into a 7mm rem mag now.

Hmm, 80 rounds in one session for a hunting rifle.

 

[adam32]

Hmm, 80 rounds in one session for a hunting rifle.

No. That was over a few days. Never shot more then 4 in 4 minutes. He's built over 3000 rifles and has worked for 3 big name builders/tv shows so he knows a thing or two about rifles.