Rl 26 in 6.5-06ai

[BountyHunter]

Anyone running RL 26 in the 6.5-06AI with 140 range bullets?

 

[Trnelson]

There is probably someone out there using R-26 as your asking. That being said, there are certainly several better choices. I've used Retumbo, H4831sc, Norma 217, H1000, and IMR7977 among others in my 6.5/06 rifles over the years.

 

[stx]

There is probably someone out there using R-26 as your asking. That being said, there are certainly several better choices. I've used Retumbo, H4831sc, Norma 217, H1000, and IMR7977 among others in my 6.5/06 rifles over the years.

Just wondering your reasoning concerning better choices? From all I've read, RL26 seems to be working very well in similar size case capacities! It works REAL WELL in my 6.5x284(sub .25" groups at a pressure free 2975fps with 140 VLDs in 24" bbl)....I'm testing it today or next few days in 280ai and 264wm.....and soon in 280 Rem(also going to try RL16 in 280 Rem).

 

[CaptnC]

I run it in my 6.5-06 with great results! Im running it in a 26" barrel. My notes are not in front of me now, but it's around 3000fps.

 

[Trnelson]

Just wondering your reasoning concerning better choices? From all I've read, RL26 seems to be working very well in similar size case capacities! It works REAL WELL in my 6.5x284(sub .25" groups at a pressure free 2975fps with 140 VLDs in 24" bbl)....I'm testing it today or next few days in 280ai and 264wm.....and soon in 280 Rem(also going to try RL16 in 280 Rem).

Good question! Let me start with stating I've had a 6.5/06 or a 6.5/06ai since I had my first 6.5/06 built in 1992.
I generally have had the best results, particularly lower SD, in 6.5/06 with a powder that gives a better case fill. Unlike the 6.5/284, which shares similar capacity to a 6.5/06, the longer and narrower powder column of the 6.5/05 is more sensitivite to case fill ratio. The improved version will have an even lower case fill ratio.
I have had the best (lowest) SD results with the 140g class bullets with powders that are slower than H4831sc. I've been through four 6.5/06 and two 6.5/06ai barrels over the years. All four standard 6.5/06 chambers I've had has shown a better SD than either of the ai chambered barrels I've had. That's probably a topic for another thread though. Maybe that's a fluke. That being said, all of them performed best with something H4831 or slower. Retumbo works great in a 6.5/06 or ai and I jumped on it when it came out. I went through a couple of 8# of Retumbo over the years. I started using Norma 217 in my current 6.5/06 about two years ago simply because it's slower than Retumbo. It showed a slight advantage in case fill, SD, and velocity compared to Retumbo. If I was starting out with a new 6.5/06 or 6.5/06ai today I would give IMR 8133 a real good look.
Best of luck! 6.5/06ai is a hoot!

 

[Colestaton]

I just started working with it in 6.5-06AI with 140 Berger's. Looks very promising. Haven't worked out a load just ran a ladder. RL26 has been phenomenal in my 6.5x284 and 300 WM. Velocity beast and lows ES.

 

[reeldawg]

I use it my 6.5 Sherman with 140 Bergers VLDs. 60.9gns I'm just a tad over 3100fps. I get .2 and .3s when I do my job. I believe the Sherman has about 5% more capacity than the AI.

Jay

 

[dirtytough]

My brother was using Ramshot Magnum in his previous 6.5-06ai and getting a little over 3200fps with Berger 140's. His new one he is using RL 26 with the 147 ELD'm at 3175.

I have one also but haven't tested it much. Hoping to change that this summer. I will be using RL 26 to start with.