Is Hornady using RL26 in their factory loads?

Ryan Avery

Admin
Staff member
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
8,973
My buddy Nick did a little testing. I thought it was interesting and I hate .284s.

Pulled one of these bullets apart.
C1538151-554B-4434-8E90-7CDBCE24E5E4.jpeg

Side by side with his RL26, sure looks like same to me. The amount he removed from the factory case was 65.40gr

0349089C-5CEA-480D-8CEA-545179C0B6F0.jpeg

Load Data from Hornady with said bullet.

2F927207-A94C-4AC9-9C3B-CA4A45638F33.jpeg

He shot a factory load over the Labradar the velocity was 2954. He then poured his RL26 into the case he pulled the bullet from reseated the bullet and shot 2951fps. The rifle has a 22” barrel.

392A0C0E-3B83-40E7-B407-AB5643BF6CAC.jpeg

I guess that’s where all the RL26 is going. I do find it funny they have use one of the fastest and unstable powders to pump up there numbers. Don’t sell your 7RM just yet.
 
Last edited:
OP
Ryan Avery

Ryan Avery

Admin
Staff member
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
8,973
3692eb6c40e72a0ce252a3bc67ac1662.jpg


7 PRC vs 7 Rem Mag


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

svivian

WKR
Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Messages
3,220
Location
Colorado
I would like to think that’s true but wouldn’t the ammo cost a fair bit more considering it’s availability?
 

Tullis94

WKR
Joined
Jan 9, 2016
Messages
334
Interesting results. Seems like it has to be RL26. I'm personally not all that Interested in the 7 PRC but @Ryan Avery why the .284 hate?
 
OP
Ryan Avery

Ryan Avery

Admin
Staff member
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
8,973
Just discussing never said it wasn’t…. My bad I’ll sit in the corner and let the adults talk
My humor doesn’t translate in text. You can question it all you want that’s what makes this forum great. But that shit is RL26 I’d bet a hundo on it:)
 

svivian

WKR
Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Messages
3,220
Location
Colorado
My humor doesn’t translate in text. You can question it all you want that what makes this forum great. But that shit is RL26 I’d bet a hundo on it:)
Got it 👍🏼 like I said I would like to think it is, because that would make for a quality load in my opinion. Also your testing does seem to confirm that. I was simply surprised considering I would think it would cost more even if they were getting it way cheaper than we can.

Either way cool stuff that you guys could do this and post it.
 

Wrench

WKR
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
6,261
Location
WA
I bought my first 7mm in the last 100 or so rifles. This one was a 7-300roy and I had to because it was in a brown pounder for less than the cost of the stock....and I wanted the parts. I screwed up and shot it....now I'm trying to burn it down.
 

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
2,220
Location
Montana
I think pretty much every reloading article I’ve seen has stated RL26 has shown best performance with it.

I don’t hand load (thank you UM, ha) - why is RL26 a bad thing?
 

Wrench

WKR
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
6,261
Location
WA
RL 26 was my dream powder. It was cheap, and fast. It didn't show pressure signs at speed.

After about 12 pounds down, I found lot to lot variations are HUGE. When it does pressure up, it happens damn near instantly....so if you don't own strain gauges like the rest of the 99.99% of us and rely on signs....you are playing with fire.
 

gerry35

WKR
Joined
Jan 16, 2021
Messages
654
Location
Mara Lake B.C.
Haha. Have to say though I don't use too many of the Alliant powders because the lot to lot variations seem much worse than other brands. Got myself into trouble a couple of times.

I bet the 6.8 Western uses the much more stable Stabal HD ;)
 
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
9,678
I remember this being a thing with the 6.5 and George Gardner either coming out confirming or disputing that the factory powder was/wasn’t RL26.
 
Top