RL26 in 260ai, 140 vld

[Tennessee Tater]

Has anyone tried any RL26 in their 260ai? If so, how did it do?
I'm interested in trying this, have searched and haven't located any info on it.
Would like starting load. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

 

[Buckammo]

I have tried it with the 143gr Hornady ELD. I ran out of powder room before I reached a good velocity. If you can seat the bullet out further than I can; you may have better results. I stopped at 47.0 grs and a velocity of 2755fps from my 24" tube. R-23 and H-4350 work much better for me. Again, this was in my cobbled together rig YMMV.
John

 

[Tennessee Tater]

Thanks John, that gives me a starting point. Mine is built on a long action, throated fairly long, 26" tube. Think Ill start at 45 and go from there. Ill post results, may take a while, working 10hr days not much time for shooting.

 

[fishingstockwell]

I haven't loaded for the 260 AI, but I have been using RL 26 in a 6.5x55 sweede, which I believe has similar capacity. I contacted Berger and they gave me a max load of 51.6 grains with the 130 Berger AR. So far RL26 has given me better speed than any other powder. Getting 2850 out of a 20" barrel. IMR 4350 gave me 2800 fps at 47.0 grains, which is about 4 grains over max. Then again, max for the 6.5x55 is based on 46k psi. I think you will like the RL 26. Very good ES and SD. Every .5 gr gave me additional 40 fps. I've also hear that is is fairly temperature stable, with less than .5 fps change per degree. Good luck.

 

[Tennessee Tater]

Thanks fishing, I'm going to start at 45gr, do a ladder test at 400 yds until I see pressure, pick my high node and go from there. My rifle is built on a long action, 26".
I hope to see 2900 out of a 140 vld, probably over optimistic. I'm also loading some up in 7mm wsm. Same barrel length, shooting 162 eld-X. I'll post results, but may be awhile,
Thanks again, I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

 

[Tennessee Tater]

Finally had the opportunity to get to the range yesterday.
Loaded 3 at 45.0, then one each of 45.5 through 48.5.
Shooting 143 eld-X, with .040 jump.
45.0. = 2652 (clean bore)
45.0 - 2600
45.0. - 2599
45.5. - 2615
46.0 - 2657
46.5. - 2734
47.0. - 2760
47.5. - 2774
48.0. - 2816
48.5. - 2844

I thought that I would have seen more velocity, but I still have room, no pressure signs at all, primer edges still rounded.
Going to load some more up, start at 49 and see if I run out of room or hit pressure.
Never saw an accuracy node, barrel is new, total round count is 43. It does shoot 140 hybrids and 45.5 h4831 well (fire forming) but velocity is around 2670. Going to give the rl26 a second try, if velocity doesn't get to 2900, with an accuracy node, I'll run the h4831 up to pressure and see how it groups.