Unveiling of the 26 Nosler!

[rbros]

The 160 Matrix's shoot just as well as the 7mm's and the 270's.  Been running them at 3156 out of my 264WM with sub 1/2moa accuracy.  Still need to do a little more testing, but the BC is pretty close. 

Still on the fence with the 26 Nosler.  Will be interesting to see what handloaders can get out of it. 

[Biggerhammer]

It just seems like its awful close to the 6.5 WSM in velocity but with quite a bit more case capacity. I had a reamer done for a 6.5-.338 Ultra Magnum 40%. I haven't chambered anything with it yet but in hind sight it's past the point of diminishing returns. Once you get past that certain point your burning allot of powder for little velocity gain, allot more heat and wear on a barrel.

I like the idea of a factory rifle being chambered in such a cartridge without having to go the custom route.

[mountainman]

The 26 Nosler has been accepted by SAAMI

[Biggerhammer]

Which is good, it gives the guys that don't handload and purchase factory rifles access to performance us wildcatters have been accustom to for years.

[superdown]

It just seems like its awful close to the 6.5 WSM in velocity but with quite a bit more case capacity. I had a reamer done for a 6.5-.338 Ultra Magnum 40%. I haven't chambered anything with it yet but in hind sight it's past the point of diminishing returns. Once you get past that certain point your burning allot of powder for little velocity gain, allot more heat and wear on a barrel.

I like the idea of a factory rifle being chambered in such a cartridge without having to go the custom route.

What does the 40% mean?

[Biggerhammer]

It just seems like its awful close to the 6.5 WSM in velocity but with quite a bit more case capacity. I had a reamer done for a 6.5-.338 Ultra Magnum 40%. I haven't chambered anything with it yet but in hind sight it's past the point of diminishing returns. Once you get past that certain point your burning allot of powder for little velocity gain, allot more heat and wear on a barrel.

I like the idea of a factory rifle being chambered in such a cartridge without having to go the custom route.

What does the 40% mean?

Typo 40 degree, as in shoulder.

[Wea300mag]

It sure looks interesting, but at $1600, I'll pass for now.

[superdown]

It just seems like its awful close to the 6.5 WSM in velocity but with quite a bit more case capacity. I had a reamer done for a 6.5-.338 Ultra Magnum 40%. I haven't chambered anything with it yet but in hind sight it's past the point of diminishing returns. Once you get past that certain point your burning allot of powder for little velocity gain, allot more heat and wear on a barrel.

I like the idea of a factory rifle being chambered in such a cartridge without having to go the custom route.

What does the 40% mean?

Typo 40 degree, as in shoulder.

got it

[yorketransport]

It sure looks interesting, but at $1600, I'll pass for now.

While $1600 isn't cheap, that's about what it would cost to build something similar. From start to finish, that's usually what it has cost me to build a gun in a wildcat caliber if quality components are used. Figure $500 for an action (after having it tweaked and tuned), $400 for a barrel (there's a lot of range here from $200-600), $175-200 for a custom reamer and headspace gage, then $400+ for a stock. Tack on another couple hundred if a smith puts it together for you.

I honestly think that they may be a few years late with this round. If this had been out 3 years ago it would have been huge. I feel like more people are using the 7mm for hunting now and the 6.5 sees more use as a target round. This seems a bit over the top as a dedicated long range "plinker" and a little on the light side for a long range hunter.

Andrew

[Biggerhammer]

1600.00 will get you a long ways in the custom dept if you've been around the block.

[yorketransport]

1600.00 will get you a long ways in the custom dept if you've been around the block.

Or it will get you nowhere if you start with action like a Bat or Barnard! Throw a nitrided Benchmark barrel on there and you're already over $2K.

Maybe I should see if I can build a gun with comparable performance for less than $800.

Andrew

[Biggerhammer]

1600.00 will get you a long ways in the custom dept if you've been around the block.

Or it will get you nowhere if you start with action like a Bat or Barnard! Throw a nitrided Benchmark barrel on there and you're already over $2K.

Maybe I should see if I can build a gun with comparable performance for less than $800.

Andrew

Work your Savage magic Yorke!👍

[Heredoggydoggy]

I still think it's trying to find a niche in an already overcrowded market! 

[yorketransport]

I still think it's trying to find a niche in an already overcrowded market! 

You're absolutely right. That doesn't make it any less interesting though. It's no different than cars though. You can drive a Ford Fiesta, or an Audi R8. They both get you there, one's just a little more fun! Most people settle for something more in the middle though. The 26 Nosler isn't the best option in the 6.5 class, but it's a lot more interesting than a 6.5x53 Rimmed!

Andrew

[Heredoggydoggy]

I still think it's trying to find a niche in an already overcrowded market! 

You're absolutely right. That doesn't make it any less interesting though. It's no different than cars though. You can drive a Ford Fiesta, or an Audi R8. They both get you there, one's just a little more fun! Most people settle for something more in the middle though. The 26 Nosler isn't the best option in the 6.5 class, but it's a lot more interesting than a 6.5x53 Rimmed!

Andrew

If you want one, by all means get it!  Just make sure if you do, to buy up all the ammo you will ever need, just in case it becomes unavailable.  Or find out what case it was based on so you can make your own brass.  Look what happened to the 17 HMR vs. the 17 HM2.  Try finding 17 HM2 ammo...