RL26 in 6.5cm...

[Hohn]

Yes, it works. And boy the FPS will show up.

Since you're flying blind on data, I guesstimated (based on online content) a start of ~45gr and worked up to 47 to see what I'd get.

Starline brass, 140 RDFs seated at ~2.883", a .040" jump in my gun (26" bbl). THIS LOAD IS NOT COMPRESSED AND I HAVE CASE CAPACITY TO SPARE.

Opening round, 45.4gr and I'm at 2750fps already. Whoa. Not even a hint of pressure. Brass looks better than my 42gr RL16 loads that are similar speed.


At 47gr, I saw 2900fps flash. No primer cratering. Maybe the tiniest hint of a shiny spot at the ejector. I decided that 2900fps with a 140 is itself a "pressure sign" and I won't explore just how much speed RL26 is capable of. Even though I have case capacity to go to 48 or so.


Once I got above 45.4 where the burn was unstable (SD=32!), the SDs at each 0.4gr interval were 7.3, 15, 10.4, and 16.8

45.8 looks to be a wide velocity node as the 46.2 was almost the same speed AND 45.8 had the nice low SD of 7.

I'm thinking 45.8 might be a good and reasonable-pressure way to get 2800 with a 140 in 6.5 creedmoor.


Now I think I want to explore 147 ELD with RL26 and perhaps a 150smk.


RL26 doesn't just "work", it seems to work pretty well.

H

 

[TheDude8102]

Interesting test! What was the reasoning for this test?

My gut tells me that a slower powder like RL26 will perform better with a heavier bullet while still keeping your pressure down. Hornady 153gr A-Tips are anther bullet to consider.

 

[Hohn]

My reasoning was that I’d been reading up on RL26 and was curious if it could give me more speed AND barrel life for the same pressure.

It has the same tech as RL17 but is more temp stable.

I was lucky enough to acquire some in hopes of going bigger in a PRC. Then I saw testing of impressive speeds in 6.5 creedmoor. If the accuracy is also there it could be a good setup.

 

[TheDude8102]

I had always heard RL17 was temp sensitive so have stuck with H4350. I might have to give RL26 a try, though, I am running a 20" barrel which may not be as good for a slower powder. I have also been wanting to try n555 since seems designed for 6.5 creedmoor.