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Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: MerlinMc on December 30, 2017, 11:11:42 AM


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Title: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: MerlinMc on December 30, 2017, 11:11:42 AM
I have used 26 Nolser factory ammo 142 gr ABLR in Africa on a variety of animals from impala up to animals weighing 750 lbs. It worked really well -- nothing ran far if at all. Also used this cartridge for collecting some small warthogs for camp dinners; was able to make some very precise shots and long distances.

Now, I am getting ready to start hand-loading. What is the latest thinking as to the best loads for Berger 140 gr VLD Hunting Bullets? I have two barrels in 26 Nosler -- one in 26" and the other in 28" length. Most interested in getting everything possible out of the 28". 

From searching this and other forums, it seems like 89.0 grains of US869 powder and WLRM primer was the preferred choice. Any thoughts on what might be better?

Thanks very much.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: CaNINE on December 30, 2017, 03:11:15 PM
You may get more input over at the Long Range Only or the Long Range Hunting sites. Lots of discussion on the 26 Nosler there.

US869 is a good place to start. Also explore H50BMG. The new Berger 155 EOL will be THE bullet for the 26 Nosler.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: MerlinMc on December 31, 2017, 09:13:17 AM
You may get more input over at the Long Range Only or the Long Range Hunting sites. Lots of discussion on the 26 Nosler there.

US869 is a good place to start. Also explore H50BMG. The new Berger 155 EOL will be THE bullet for the 26 Nosler.

Thank you. Appreciate these thoughts.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: Clark33 on December 31, 2017, 09:32:09 AM
Don't over look Retumbo, a lot of guys have had good success with it and the 140s as well.  That and its a bit more temp stable than the US896
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: b23 on December 31, 2017, 11:22:58 AM
I've used a lot of US869 in other calibers and I'm probably one of the few that actually likes it but something I've learned with using it is if I'm not seating bullets close or on the lands, it will give me some pretty crazy extreme spreads but if I load on or close to the lands it's a whole different story.  I mostly shoot Berger bullets which typically shoot best when they are seated close or touching so the two work for me but if I couldn't seat them close to touching I'd probably look for a different powder to use than US869.

RL33 and Vihtavuori N570 would both be good powder choices as well and like was already mentioned, with as much horsepower the 26 Nosler has, the new 155 Berger and other heavy for caliber bullets like it, should work well with this setup.  Provided you have a barrel with enough twist to stabilize them.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: jasnt on December 31, 2017, 06:18:20 PM
In my experience there is not short cuts to acuracey. Start low and work up the load for your riffle. Every single riffle, even same make and model with corisponding serial #'s are going to be different.  What's safe in one could lock up the next one or worse.   I like to fist do some group tests for seating depth then work up the powder charge with a ladder test then fine tune the depth.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: yorketransport on December 31, 2017, 06:34:59 PM
If you don't have the 140 Bergers yet, I'd suggest trying something heavier like the 155 Bergers (if you can get some) or the 160 Matrix. With as much case capacity as the 26 Nosler has, you may as well shoot the heaviest bullet you can find.

You may want to try the Federal 215 primers as well. I had ignition problems trying to ignite 94.0gr of US869 with CCI 250 primers. Switching to the 215s solved all my ignition problems.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 31, 2017, 10:08:03 PM
Totally agree with using Federal 215's.
Title: Re: 26 Nosler -- Latest Thinking on Hand Loads for 140 gr Berger VLD
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 01, 2018, 09:45:51 AM
Recently bought two 1000 primer bricks of the 215M's when they came in to Bass Pro Shops - they ran out of them in hours.
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