The 26 Nosler thread

markr · January 23, 2014, 05:13 PM

Any thoughts about this new offering. Flat shooting to 415 yards??

What say ye?

MarkCO · January 23, 2014, 06:02 PM

If you like tossing 6.5s fast enough to need a new barrel every 1K, then you have found your caliber. I put 1500 rounds for target practice and in load development through my .260 before I even fired a shot at game. the 26 Nolser would be shot out at that point. If I need more punch, I am going to a larger bore that will carry the energy I need without trashing the barrel. I know they are hoping people jump on the bandwagon and that the long range shooters will fall in love with it. One path to success might be in loads at 3000 fps that are accurate, and then if the wind is really kicking, pop for the 3400s. Meaning you shoot the majority at the lesser barrel wear level. I am just not sure I see that happening in the LR competition ranks. I think it could end up a niche cartridge for the rich who want a flat plains rifle for a paid trophy hunt but without the time to learn to shoot at long range.

There is a limit for every rig, wether it be range, optics, or barrel life. Pick the one you can live with, for me, no interest at all sans the engineering part of it.

Nathan · January 23, 2014, 06:07 PM

Don't worry, they'll surely put it in a 7lb rifle with a 22" pencil barrel. To improve barrel burning, they'll add 0.1" of freebore and 1:14 twist...

Top that with a Barska 3-9 and tell me what you got!

markr · January 23, 2014, 10:16 PM

It's an interesting concept to say the least. But one thing is sure, it's destined to join the class of "Uber" hard to find, and expensive ammunition........and cases. My advice would be to stock up on as much brass as possible in the begining, to ensure you can stay shooting in the future. There isn't a lot of information out there yet. I was trying to figure out what the parent was, but haven't found it yet short of going through the manual page by page and comparing case dimensions.

Pathfinder45 · January 24, 2014, 12:23 AM

Never heard of it. If it's another attempt like the 264 Winchester Magnum you would be better served with a 270 Winchester. Just what is a 26 Nosler anyway?

markr · January 24, 2014, 10:24 AM

It was just introduced at the SHOT show, so it's brand spanking new. There was an ad for it in the latest American Rifleman. If you google it up you will see an article from Field and stream with all the stats.

It's a 6.5MM bullet going really fast, for a long time.

I can't even find any rifles for sale, or ammunition or components for sale yet.

reynolds357 · January 25, 2014, 05:10 PM

I love to listen to everyone whine about barrel burning. It is not going to be a B.R. rifle, neither is it going to be a plinking rifle. It is a hunting rifle. 800-1000 shots is a lot of hunting. You should be able to easily load develop and build your dope sheet in less than 50 rounds. When you drag it out every season, five shots should be ample plenty to make sure your dope has not changed.

reynolds357 · January 25, 2014, 05:13 PM

A 26 Nosler is a .375 Ruger necked to 6.5mm. Of course Nosler not wanting to give Hornaday any kudos says the parent case is a modified .404 Jeffrey. Modified to the specs of the .375 Ruger that is.

MarkCO · January 25, 2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

You should be able to easily load develop and build your dope sheet in less than 50 rounds. When you drag it out every season, five shots should be ample plenty to make sure your dope has not changed.

Sure, for a .308 or a .243 on deer. This was designed as a long range rig. 50 rounds and 5 shots before the season is fine for a seasoned deer hunter who shoots normal ranges. Minor differences make large changes out at 500+ yards.

jimbob86 · January 25, 2014, 06:54 PM

Quote:

You should be able to easily load develop and build your dope sheet in less than 50 rounds. When you drag it out every season, five shots should be ample plenty to make sure your dope has not changed.

Some of us like to shoot our rifles, year round .... um..... a bit more than that. It takes more than 5 shots annually to develop more than a passing familiarity with one's rig.

reynolds357 · January 26, 2014, 11:18 AM

Mark, I shoot 1000 yard BR. I have shot rifles in matches with less than 30 rounds on them since build. If you can develop a 3" at 1000 yard load in less than 30 rounds, surely you can get a rifle ready to hunt in less than 50. The ballistics software makes building a dope sheet take 1/3rd of the ammo it used to take.
My long range hunting rifles that I most often use are my 7 Rum and my .338 Lapua. Both had 800 yard dope sheets ready in far less than 50 rounds.

I am sure Nosler did not design this cartridge to plink with.

Jim, it does not take a lot of practice with a particular rig to be proficient at shooting it. I rarely shoot my hunting rifles. I shoot my Sniper rifles regularly as well as B.R. rifles. I hardly ever shoot my hunting rifles. I drug my 7WSM out this year. I ran a dry patch down the barrel. I shot 1 shot at 300 yds. as a fouler. I shot another at the same target about 1 hour later. They were less than 1 1/2 inches apart. Rifle is ready to hunt.

MarkCO · January 26, 2014, 01:16 PM

Guess you are willing to take more risk that I am. Plus, I never seem to be able to draw a tag for the unit the range is at.

reynolds357 · January 26, 2014, 04:57 PM

Mark, If I build a dope sheet 100, 200, 300, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800; I only have to do it one time. From that point on, I can pick any distance on that sheet and verify the zero on the rifle has not changed. Ballistic software is so good, I can actually put together an accurate dope sheet by shooting at 100, 400, and 700.

MarkCO · January 26, 2014, 07:09 PM

I am sure you can build a dope sheet for your range. I can too. Regardless, you won't be in my hunting camp (not the same conditions as your range BTW) not having confirmed your charts and then wounding stuff out far and expecting someone else to help you track wounded game.

People who think they can just run the numbers and then kill at long range is just asinine and I am growing very weary of this new type of slob hunter. When you take a shot over a body of water late in the day, or even a dark patch of timber in the middle of a meadow, you have a chart for that correction too? You just pick one wind speed on your charts and don't worry about the cross, and then swirl over a box canyon at sunset? When do you determine that you have run out of energy to kill cleanly vs. just hit?

No need to answer, but hopefully a few will think before they go out and start tossing slugs based off of range charts and think it is easy...far from it.

markr · January 26, 2014, 07:41 PM

I think if I can watch the movie "Shooter" a few times, that's all I need.

reynolds357 · January 26, 2014, 08:26 PM

Mark, the last time I went hunting in Colorado I killed an Elk at 760 yards. One shot, piled up in a heap. It did not run. It did not walk. It did not move. I got off the plane and shot one shot at 400 yards prior to that hunt. That one shot verified that the scope had not been damaged in flight and that the altitude and temperature correction I had made in the dope sheet was correct.

If you understand the principles of shooting and ballistics, you do not have to re-learn it for every rifle you shoot.

Mark, I shall lose sleep at night knowing I am un-worhty to enter your elk camp.

January 23, 2014, 05:13 PM	#1
markr Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: Arsenal of Democracy Posts: 405	The 26 Nosler thread Any thoughts about this new offering. Flat shooting to 415 yards?? What say ye?

January 23, 2014, 06:02 PM	#2
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,362	If you like tossing 6.5s fast enough to need a new barrel every 1K, then you have found your caliber. I put 1500 rounds for target practice and in load development through my .260 before I even fired a shot at game. the 26 Nolser would be shot out at that point. If I need more punch, I am going to a larger bore that will carry the energy I need without trashing the barrel. I know they are hoping people jump on the bandwagon and that the long range shooters will fall in love with it. One path to success might be in loads at 3000 fps that are accurate, and then if the wind is really kicking, pop for the 3400s. Meaning you shoot the majority at the lesser barrel wear level. I am just not sure I see that happening in the LR competition ranks. I think it could end up a niche cartridge for the rich who want a flat plains rifle for a paid trophy hunt but without the time to learn to shoot at long range. There is a limit for every rig, wether it be range, optics, or barrel life. Pick the one you can live with, for me, no interest at all sans the engineering part of it. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

January 23, 2014, 06:07 PM	#3
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,807	Don't worry, they'll surely put it in a 7lb rifle with a 22" pencil barrel. To improve barrel burning, they'll add 0.1" of freebore and 1:14 twist... Top that with a Barska 3-9 and tell me what you got! Last edited by Nathan; January 23, 2014 at 10:03 PM.

January 24, 2014, 12:23 AM	#5
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	26 Nosler? Never heard of it. If it's another attempt like the 264 Winchester Magnum you would be better served with a 270 Winchester. Just what is a 26 Nosler anyway?

January 26, 2014, 11:18 AM	#11
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,187	Mark, I shoot 1000 yard BR. I have shot rifles in matches with less than 30 rounds on them since build. If you can develop a 3" at 1000 yard load in less than 30 rounds, surely you can get a rifle ready to hunt in less than 50. The ballistics software makes building a dope sheet take 1/3rd of the ammo it used to take. My long range hunting rifles that I most often use are my 7 Rum and my .338 Lapua. Both had 800 yard dope sheets ready in far less than 50 rounds. I am sure Nosler did not design this cartridge to plink with. Jim, it does not take a lot of practice with a particular rig to be proficient at shooting it. I rarely shoot my hunting rifles. I shoot my Sniper rifles regularly as well as B.R. rifles. I hardly ever shoot my hunting rifles. I drug my 7WSM out this year. I ran a dry patch down the barrel. I shot 1 shot at 300 yds. as a fouler. I shot another at the same target about 1 hour later. They were less than 1 1/2 inches apart. Rifle is ready to hunt. Last edited by reynolds357; January 26, 2014 at 11:26 AM.

January 23, 2014, 10:16 PM	#4
markr Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: Arsenal of Democracy Posts: 405	It's an interesting concept to say the least. But one thing is sure, it's destined to join the class of "Uber" hard to find, and expensive ammunition........and cases. My advice would be to stock up on as much brass as possible in the begining, to ensure you can stay shooting in the future. There isn't a lot of information out there yet. I was trying to figure out what the parent was, but haven't found it yet short of going through the manual page by page and comparing case dimensions.

January 24, 2014, 10:24 AM	#6
markr Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: Arsenal of Democracy Posts: 405	It was just introduced at the SHOT show, so it's brand spanking new. There was an ad for it in the latest American Rifleman. If you google it up you will see an article from Field and stream with all the stats. It's a 6.5MM bullet going really fast, for a long time. I can't even find any rifles for sale, or ammunition or components for sale yet.

January 25, 2014, 05:10 PM	#7
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,187	I love to listen to everyone whine about barrel burning. It is not going to be a B.R. rifle, neither is it going to be a plinking rifle. It is a hunting rifle. 800-1000 shots is a lot of hunting. You should be able to easily load develop and build your dope sheet in less than 50 rounds. When you drag it out every season, five shots should be ample plenty to make sure your dope has not changed.

January 25, 2014, 05:13 PM	#8
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,187	A 26 Nosler is a .375 Ruger necked to 6.5mm. Of course Nosler not wanting to give Hornaday any kudos says the parent case is a modified .404 Jeffrey. Modified to the specs of the .375 Ruger that is.

January 26, 2014, 01:16 PM	#12
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,362	Guess you are willing to take more risk that I am. Plus, I never seem to be able to draw a tag for the unit the range is at. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

January 26, 2014, 04:57 PM	#13
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,187	Mark, If I build a dope sheet 100, 200, 300, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800; I only have to do it one time. From that point on, I can pick any distance on that sheet and verify the zero on the rifle has not changed. Ballistic software is so good, I can actually put together an accurate dope sheet by shooting at 100, 400, and 700.

January 26, 2014, 07:09 PM	#14
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,362	I am sure you can build a dope sheet for your range. I can too. Regardless, you won't be in my hunting camp (not the same conditions as your range BTW) not having confirmed your charts and then wounding stuff out far and expecting someone else to help you track wounded game. People who think they can just run the numbers and then kill at long range is just asinine and I am growing very weary of this new type of slob hunter. When you take a shot over a body of water late in the day, or even a dark patch of timber in the middle of a meadow, you have a chart for that correction too? You just pick one wind speed on your charts and don't worry about the cross, and then swirl over a box canyon at sunset? When do you determine that you have run out of energy to kill cleanly vs. just hit? No need to answer, but hopefully a few will think before they go out and start tossing slugs based off of range charts and think it is easy...far from it. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

January 26, 2014, 07:41 PM	#15
markr Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: Arsenal of Democracy Posts: 405	I think if I can watch the movie "Shooter" a few times, that's all I need.

January 26, 2014, 08:26 PM	#16
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,187	Mark, the last time I went hunting in Colorado I killed an Elk at 760 yards. One shot, piled up in a heap. It did not run. It did not walk. It did not move. I got off the plane and shot one shot at 400 yards prior to that hunt. That one shot verified that the scope had not been damaged in flight and that the altitude and temperature correction I had made in the dope sheet was correct. If you understand the principles of shooting and ballistics, you do not have to re-learn it for every rifle you shoot. Mark, I shall lose sleep at night knowing I am un-worhty to enter your elk camp. Last edited by reynolds357; January 26, 2014 at 09:20 PM.