26 Nosler rifle thoughts?

[MtnSquach]

I have a rifle I had custom built about 6 years ago in 26 Nosler. It’s actually a really nice build, but I have not shot it in about 4 years. I had it built to shoot a 127gr Barnes LRX (1:7 I believe)(because I was forced to use lead free in the state I use to live in). While developing a load I tried multiple bullets including eldx, vld’s (130 and 140), ablr, hammer hunters. Never could get it to stabilize with 130+gr bullets. I have been kitchen to rebarrel it to a more modern or common caliber (the 26 never took off like I hoped it would).

1. Anyone have any recommendations on load data before I rebarrel it? It currently has a 26” Lilia barrel.

2. Recommendations on a new caliber if I rebarrel it? It currently has a .540 bolt face.

My goal with this rifle is a do all medium to large game rifle. Elk, deer, pronghorn.

 

[earrow]

28 nosler

 

[glock233]

6.5 PRC is good for killing anything to 1000 yards with heavy bullets. You don’t need heavier unless you looking to shoot longer.

 

[MtnSquach]

6.5 PRC is good for killing anything to 1000 yards with heavy bullets. You don’t need heavier unless you looking to shoot longer.

6.5 PRC was definitely at the top of my list. I currently shoot a 300 PRC for elk (absolutely love it but it’s too much for deer). And I shoot a 6.5 CM for anything from coyote to deer. I’d like a rifle I can shoot anything with.

 

[huntnful]

If you hand load and like a little extra horse power, the 6.5-7 PRC has been good to me.

 

[MtnSquach]

If you hand load and like a little extra horse power, the 6.5-7 PRC has been good to me.

I do hand load. I have been researching 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. I have a 300 PRC and absolutely it.

 

[dgfavor]

I have a rifle I had custom built about 6 years ago in 26 Nosler. It’s actually a really nice build, but I have not shot it in about 4 years. I had it built to shoot a 127gr Barnes LRX (1:7 I believe)(because I was forced to use lead free in the state I use to live in). While developing a load I tried multiple bullets including eldx, vld’s (130 and 140), ablr, hammer hunters. Never could get it to stabilize with 130+gr bullets. I have been kitchen to rebarrel it to a more modern or common caliber (the 26 never took off like I hoped it would).

1. Anyone have any recommendations on load data before I rebarrel it? It currently has a 26” Lilia barrel.

2. Recommendations on a new caliber if I rebarrel it? It currently has a .540 bolt face.

My goal with this rifle is a do all medium to large game rifle. Elk, deer, pronghorn.

Seems strange - that should realistically be capable of shooting any .264 bullet available. Are you seeing keyholing or what with 130+gr? I don't have the 26 Nosler but shoot the 6.5-300 Wby - currently I'm shooting handload 125gr Hammer HHT's but have shot up to 156gr Bergers no problem, lazer beams all of them. Hard for me to imagine a 26 Nosler wouldn't do the same...I mean it's no 6.5-300 but it's no slouch.
Anyway, I'm no help other than to say that just sounds wonky...not right...something amiss...etc.

 

[MtnSquach]

Seems strange - that should realistically be capable of shooting any .264 bullet available. Are you seeing keyholing or what with 130+gr? I don't have the 26 Nosler but shoot the 6.5-300 Wby - currently I'm shooting handload 125gr Hammer HHT's but have shot up to 156gr Bergers no problem, lazer beams all of them. Hard for me to imagine a 26 Nosler wouldn't do the same...I mean it's no 6.5-300 but it's no slouch.
Anyway, I'm no help other than to say that just sounds wonky...not right...something amiss...etc.

The 137gr hammer hunters keyholed. The 143gr Eldx’s fouled really bad (I couldn’t slow them down under 3300 fps with the powder I was using (US869). With the Berger and Nosler ablr I couldn’t get them to shoot under 2moa. The 127gr LRX shot great but I definitely want to shoot a heavier bullet. What powder were you using with the 6.5-300?

 

[a_noob_hunter]

Curious as well. I have a xbolt in 26 nosler. Current loads are us869 with 127 lrx at 3500. Looking at trying h1000, retumbo, or n570 and 147s

 

[MtnSquach]

Curious as well. I have a xbolt in 26 nosler. Current loads are us869 with 127 lrx at 3500. Looking at trying h1000, retumbo, or n570 and 147s

I primarily used US869 for load development. I tried H1000 with Berger and eldx but couldn’t dial it in enough to decide on a load with those bullets. I’d prefer a heavier bullet then the 127gr but was not successful. I had to give up reloading for a few years and have started back up again. It just seems like the 26 Nosler never really took off like the 28

 

[Ringbill27]

I’d switch to 6.8 western.

 

[dgfavor]

The 137gr hammer hunters keyholed. The 143gr Eldx’s fouled really bad (I couldn’t slow them down under 3300 fps with the powder I was using (US869). With the Berger and Nosler ablr I couldn’t get them to shoot under 2moa. The 127gr LRX shot great but I definitely want to shoot a heavier bullet. What powder were you using with the 6.5-300?

I've been using Retumbo. I settled on 86gr which is only getting me just over 3200fps with the 125gr HHTs but sure shoots where it's aimed day after day year round, hot or cold. Gives me a MPBR, calculated for conservative 8" vitals, of 364yds - so brainless point n shoot hunting at ranges I'm taking first shots on game which IMO is the biggest reason to have a 6.5-300 or 26 Nosler. If a guy wants to calculate, dial n shoot there are plenty of kinder, gentler cartridges that still carry plenty of speed and energy to extended ranges - that's not me. If it was, 6.5 PRC with 156gr Bergers would be my choice.

FWIW I looked up the 137gr Hammers and recommends 1:6.5 twist.

 

[K9kodi]

I like the idea of a 28 nosler; 277 fury, if I was going to step away from basic calibers. Call me basic! But when they quit working I’ll start eyeing up the odd ones

 

[dgfavor]

Sitting here drinking coffee and this popped up on my YT feed. Timely - clearly something not right, like you are seeing with your rifle. Do you have suppressor on yours? First thing I'd do with rifle in this vid is pull the suppressor and see if still keyholing.