I've looked at getting a 6.5 caliber for some time and the new 26 Nosler has peaked my curiousity. Nosler claims point blank from 0 to 415 yards if zeroed at 350. Not sure that this is the one, but would be interested in something in the 6.5's: 6.5-284, 6.5-06, 260 Remington, 6.5 SAUM, 264 WM, etc. I would be inclined to use this for deer, sheep, antelope, caribou sized animals. Thoughts???
26 Nosler
- Thread starter tstowater
- Start date
Sam Millard
WKR
How far do you want to shoot? How long do you want the barrel to last?
- Banned
- #3
I crunched some #s on that "415" claim, to see how it compares to my 6.5SAUM launching a 140JLK @ 3100fps.
IIRC, Nosler's claim jives about right, when using a 10" target zone. So, if you aim dead enter on that 10" target, your bullet will strike somewhere vertically within the height of that 10" zone, from 0-415yds. That translates to 5" impact above center at the highest point of trajectory (roughly 175-200yds), and 5" below center at its lowest point. That being, 415yds...
Not a knocking the cartridge, at all...it is a beast, alright. But rather, shedding a bit of light on the marketing hype behind that '415' claim. 10"diameter is a pretty large vital zone to project onto a game animal. Certainly too big for using with regard to a an antelope, or coyote. Anyhoo, if those trajectory #s are desirable to you, and you prefer to use the MBPR style of zeroing a rifle, then zero @ 350yds. Holding dead center on a critter, your bullet will be about 5" high @ 200yds and about 5" low @ 415yds.
IIRC, Nosler's claim jives about right, when using a 10" target zone. So, if you aim dead enter on that 10" target, your bullet will strike somewhere vertically within the height of that 10" zone, from 0-415yds. That translates to 5" impact above center at the highest point of trajectory (roughly 175-200yds), and 5" below center at its lowest point. That being, 415yds...
Not a knocking the cartridge, at all...it is a beast, alright. But rather, shedding a bit of light on the marketing hype behind that '415' claim. 10"diameter is a pretty large vital zone to project onto a game animal. Certainly too big for using with regard to a an antelope, or coyote. Anyhoo, if those trajectory #s are desirable to you, and you prefer to use the MBPR style of zeroing a rifle, then zero @ 350yds. Holding dead center on a critter, your bullet will be about 5" high @ 200yds and about 5" low @ 415yds.
JustOneMoreShot
WKR
Have you been to the 26Nosler.com website?
You can take a look at these tables and see what you think.
http://www.26nosler.com/_media/26Nosler_Comparison-Charts_Low-Res.pdf
The data may be a little skewed because they are using a AccuBond Long Range round with a better BC and comparing it to standard AccuBond bullets with less favorable BC. Also I have heard complaints on the internet people stating that the BC on the AccuBond Long Range is exaggerated. I have some and plan on testing / validating the load at a 700y range that I have access to. Then I will know what the real world BC is coming out of my rifle and not just what the box says.
You can take a look at these tables and see what you think.
http://www.26nosler.com/_media/26Nosler_Comparison-Charts_Low-Res.pdf
The data may be a little skewed because they are using a AccuBond Long Range round with a better BC and comparing it to standard AccuBond bullets with less favorable BC. Also I have heard complaints on the internet people stating that the BC on the AccuBond Long Range is exaggerated. I have some and plan on testing / validating the load at a 700y range that I have access to. Then I will know what the real world BC is coming out of my rifle and not just what the box says.
JustOneMoreShot
WKR
KMD
Excellent point.
In my experience I would rather know my trajectory, dial the scope and hit it where I put the cross hair. The "Max Point Blank Range camp of hunters" seem pretty lazy and less skilled to me. Certainly it is a great advantage to have a really fast bullet. Less drift for windage. But you will certainly pay a price in barrel life. How frequently does a person plan on shooting it? Drag racing engines rarely make it to 100,000 miles! But they are not made for that so as long as you know what you are getting then fine... have fun and go fast! Barrels are not too difficult to replace. If I was making that round in a custom rifle I would have the barrel made so that I could set it back once or maybe even twice.
Excellent point.
In my experience I would rather know my trajectory, dial the scope and hit it where I put the cross hair. The "Max Point Blank Range camp of hunters" seem pretty lazy and less skilled to me. Certainly it is a great advantage to have a really fast bullet. Less drift for windage. But you will certainly pay a price in barrel life. How frequently does a person plan on shooting it? Drag racing engines rarely make it to 100,000 miles! But they are not made for that so as long as you know what you are getting then fine... have fun and go fast! Barrels are not too difficult to replace. If I was making that round in a custom rifle I would have the barrel made so that I could set it back once or maybe even twice.
Sam: I'm thinking 500 to 600 yards. I don't need a missile launcher and that is why I didn't put this on the Long Range forum. I'm not planning on using it for prairie dogs or putting a lot of rounds through the tube. I'm guessing that 1500 rounds is going to be a lot for this load and retain accuracy if you want it loaded hot.
JustOneMoreShot
WKR
Cool. I just wish that Nosler would have been a little more fair with their comparison literature and used the same bullets across the board. They could have put the same 129 ABLR in all the other 6.5 calibers and the 150g ABLR in .277, 150g, 168g, 175g in 7mm, and 190g or 210g in the .308. But I know that the marketing guys likely wanted it to look like a really good difference.
It is funny because I got a 6.5x284 and before I made the purchase I was really concerned that I would shoot out the barrel or that it would be too hard on the barrel to last. Now I don't feel so concerned because the 26Nosler has arrived!
It is funny because I got a 6.5x284 and before I made the purchase I was really concerned that I would shoot out the barrel or that it would be too hard on the barrel to last. Now I don't feel so concerned because the 26Nosler has arrived!
Sam Millard
WKR
Well, if you've seen a lot of my posts, you know I'm a big fan of the plain old 260. I've had several that shot extremely well. The one that gets the most use just passed the 1200 round marker and is still shooting under .5 moa. 140 grain Bergers @ 2800 fps will cleanly kill anything you want to hunt at that range. I just had it out yesterday shooting rocks @ 1025.
Low recoil and blast, high efficiency, and long barrel life.
A 6.5-284 or SAUM would get the nod if I wanted a hot rod...I probably will someday
I will always own a 260, though!
I should be perfectly happy with the 260 as I have read most of your posts on it. Unfortunately, I always wanted a 22-250 instead of a 223, and then a 220 Swift instead of a 22-250, and then a 223WSSM instead of the Swift. The trade-off of speed vs. recoil and barrel life. Is there that much speed? Probably not worth the difference, but that isn't the reason we do things once in the while. If one caliber was perfect, then that is all we would ever need. I've already got a couple 25-06's and a 270 WSM, so I really don't need anything. This is a gap filer only, and I want to fill the gap with some speed. Sometimes I feel like I am splitting hairs.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2012
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- 9,784
Just get the 26 and be the test dummy on barrel life! I kind of want one too
Just get the 26 and be the test dummy on barrel life! I kind of want one too
I don't shoot enough to be the test dummy. I'll leave that to you and Sam as I know you guys need one of these. It does look like fun, but I have two guns already that I need to work on load development. I would use factory on the 26 except I would want to use the VLD's and I don't think Nosler will load those.
Forget the Nosler 26 and build yourself a 6.5-06 Ackley. You can get all the speed that the 26 gets but you can buy brass anywhere.
Mine is pushing the 140 Berger vld's at 3165 fps right now but I can easily get over 3200 fps out of it.
Mine is pushing the 140 Berger vld's at 3165 fps right now but I can easily get over 3200 fps out of it.
Justin: I've been thinking about a 6.5-06AI as an option. Just neck down some 270 brass and blow it out. Nice alternative. Also thinking about a 280 AI as I have a lot of 280 brass not getting used. In either case would use a 700 action.
Mine is on it's way back from Hells Canyon Armory as we speak! I decided to have a brake installed so I can spot my own shots easier.
I'm really excited to get it back so I can get it put back together for Idaho spring bear.
I'm really excited to get it back so I can get it put back together for Idaho spring bear.
I just recently ordered a 6.5 x 284 as my middle gun for game out to 600 Yards or so.
For me that's a long poke and right now I won't push beyond that so I didn't think I needed something that would go further or faster at this point in time. Nosler is using ingenious marketing hype but it remains to be seen if this round will survive the test of time. All caliber selections are a bit of a compromise in my opinion. Do you want to trade barrel life for velocity and reach or do you desire longevity?
Each user will have to decide for themselves if the new Nosler round is for them or not. Me, I'm set with a .338 Win Mag, 30-06, keeping the '06 because it shoots so good, the awaited 6.5 x 284, and later a .204 Ruger as my four gun battery that I've selected. I predict that the 6.5 and the .338 will see the most use with the other calibers being used for more specialized purposes.
Vince
For me that's a long poke and right now I won't push beyond that so I didn't think I needed something that would go further or faster at this point in time. Nosler is using ingenious marketing hype but it remains to be seen if this round will survive the test of time. All caliber selections are a bit of a compromise in my opinion. Do you want to trade barrel life for velocity and reach or do you desire longevity?
Each user will have to decide for themselves if the new Nosler round is for them or not. Me, I'm set with a .338 Win Mag, 30-06, keeping the '06 because it shoots so good, the awaited 6.5 x 284, and later a .204 Ruger as my four gun battery that I've selected. I predict that the 6.5 and the .338 will see the most use with the other calibers being used for more specialized purposes.
Vince
- Banned
- #18
I think Nosler is kinda onto something, as far as a niche market is concerned. For guys who don't shoot alot, and want to dip their toes into the pool of 'hotrod' wildcats, this 26Nosler will be a hit. Especially for those casual shooters with the coin to buy a custom rifle direct from Nosler and pay a premium for factory loaded ammo to feed it. Those with more $$$ than time will find appeal in a 'turn key' setup that offers impressive ballistics...
But for the rest of us 'workin folk' who like to tinker, who reload to offset volume shooting habits, and enjoy wildcatting, the recommendations above (6.5-06AI, 6.5SAUM, 6.5-284, etc.) are still plenty viable alternatives to the 26Nosler. We just have to roll our own ammo, and that ain't such a bad thing, nowadays
Barrels are like tires on a racecar, the harder ya drive, the faster you'll burn 'em out. Thing is, its fun to go faaaaaassst! And that 26Nosler will let just about anyone get behind the wheel and enjoy a speed session. Even 800 rounds on a rifle shot 20-50rds per year is nothing to stress out over. I figure the guys with the coin to drop won't mind, anyhoo...
Interesting cartridge, I bet some sickos will be wildcatting the .26Nosler to some crazy critters!
But for the rest of us 'workin folk' who like to tinker, who reload to offset volume shooting habits, and enjoy wildcatting, the recommendations above (6.5-06AI, 6.5SAUM, 6.5-284, etc.) are still plenty viable alternatives to the 26Nosler. We just have to roll our own ammo, and that ain't such a bad thing, nowadays
Barrels are like tires on a racecar, the harder ya drive, the faster you'll burn 'em out. Thing is, its fun to go faaaaaassst! And that 26Nosler will let just about anyone get behind the wheel and enjoy a speed session. Even 800 rounds on a rifle shot 20-50rds per year is nothing to stress out over. I figure the guys with the coin to drop won't mind, anyhoo...
Interesting cartridge, I bet some sickos will be wildcatting the .26Nosler to some crazy critters!
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