26 Nosler

[ajohunter]

Any body see this new cartridge? Looks interesting!

[kwp]

Sounds like a barrel burner.

[Antmo23]

Isn't that the exact same thing they said about the (insert caliber )? Who, besides competitive shooters, has ever burned out a rifle barrel? I'm just curious as to how much i'd have to shoot my 300 WM before id need a new barrel? As for the Nosler 26, sign me up!

[ajohunter]

I remember when I bought my 300 RUM back in 2001. People told me the same thing. Same barrel is still looking good and holding groups to this day. The 26 Nos might be my next rifle!

[pwrguy]

I know of at least one member on this forum that buy's at least 1 barrell per year, and I am sure there are more. To each his own. I personally have only burned 1 completely out, but I do know for a fact that within 50 rounds you can go from 1/2 minute groups to 1-1/2 minute groups and that one of the primary causes of this is fire breathing monsters that quickly errode thoats. It kinda depends on who you are and what your goals are for shooting. If you are the guy that goes out and puts 10 rounds through your rifle to make sure you are still 1 inch high at 100 yards then yes I agree...not an issue for you.

[PRDATR]

http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/46356-26-nosler/

[firstcoueswas80]

95% Of Burning A Barrel Is HOW You Shoot.

[ajohunter]

My 300 is my usual go to rifle and it has gotten a lot of range time. But it is also very well taken care of. The only time my point if impact has changed is when I switch to a different load.

[WampusCat]

pwrguy, is right on the money. Burning out barrels is a very real thing! This new cartridge will certainly have a shorter life span than a one similar to a .308.

 

A barrel "burning out" is really only refering to the throat (where the bullet initially contacts the rifling) being eroded by the intense focusing of hot gases being forced through a cartridge neck. And the resulting loss in accuracy, as the eroded throat progressively gets worse at starting the bullet down the barrel consistently. This process can be speeded up by things like; high pressured, over bore cartridges (big powder capacity to neck diameter ratio), continuing to shoot an extremely hot barrel, or double base powders like RE-17.

 

One thing is for sure. The performance that comes from shooting high ballistic coefficient, heavy for caliber bullets at blistering speed is down right awesome. That performance comes at a price. I wouldnt be surprised if this 26 Nolser started losing its ability to shoot small groups at around 1500 rounds or slightly less.

 

Some folks might shoot a couple boxes a year and take them decades to hit 1500 rounds. Others shooting long range competions would reach 1500 easily in one season. My passion is hunting. Hunting and being able to place a bullet in the vitals at long distances. In preperation to do that, I shoot year round. It may take me one, two, or three years to wear the barrel (throat) out on a blazing fast hunting rifle, but it will. In order to keep my standard of accuracy at any distance up, I would require a new barrel. Or a rechambering to clean up the throat. = more $$$

 

Instead I prefer one of the many consistent cartridges that launch bullets at moderate speeds, subject to less throat erosion. The turrets on a good scope are repeatable and long distance hits can be precisely calculated, eliminating the need for uber-magnums to compensate for range.

 

Hope I didnt high jack the thread. Just wanted to provide a little understanding on the "barrel burner" subject.

 

Bottom Lines-

 

#1 If you don't re-load or shoot a ton and want a rifle you can zero at 300yds and hold on deer size fur all the way out to 450 yds the 26 Nosler will be the ticket. Good luck finding ammo! We are still waiting on these elusive Accubond Long Range bullets they promised a long time ago.

 

#2 The abilities or lack thereof of the person pulling the trigger will far outweigh any perceived advantage of a lightning fast bullet. Practice!

[willhunt4coues]

I practice at least 2 to 3 times a week with my 6.5 Creedmoor and that my friends is why I went with the Creedmoor (long barrel life at 2800 fps). I want to get the most accuracy out of my barrel as possible for the longest amount of time. My rifle I have heard will last 2000 to 3000 rounds from guys that have said how long it took to wear out their ACCURACY. Now if you just want a 4 inch group at 100 yards then by all means this rifle would last me my lifetime. But to me a .210 group at 100 yards and .735 group at 300 yards is what I want to remain at especially for long range. I have looked at this rifle and as fast as it is going I would say around 1000 rounds and your group will start opening up. If you don't mind buying barrels or having pin point accuracy go for it. If you are the guys that sights in his rifle and 6 months from now gets it out right before season and makes sure its on, then after the hunt is done the rifle goes back into the safe then ya it will last you a very long time. But I buy rifle to stretch the limit and shoot. The more I shoot the more confident I am in that shot. I hate spending 4000.00 on a set up and it just sit there. Heck ya get out and shoot that's what the gun is made for.

 

I bought my son a 22-250 2 weeks ago and he has already 100 rounds down the pipe since he heads out to the range with me. He loves shooting at 100, 200, and 300 yards. Since he has shot a lot I can see the more he shoots the more he hits the targets. We don't bench rest shoot unless we develop a load. Most of the time we are plinking steel to help our skills so when it comes time I feel confident that he can finally harvest his first Yote at 7 years old.

 

This rifle will be great for shooting out to 400 to 500 yards with almost no drop. The ballistics of the 6.5 caliber 140 grain are outrageous. Put it this way you would have to shoot a 225 grain .30 caliber bullet or 200 grain .338 caliber bullet to even get close to the ballistics of this round. The 6.5 Creedmoor is still supersonic at 26.00 pressure, 50 degrees at 1500 yards and that's 2800 fps so with this 26 Nosler it should still be super sonic out to 1700 or 1800 yards which is by far an AWESOME long range go getter.

[huntermncb]

If you want performance you will pay with barrel life. I have a rifle getting finished up called 6.5 sin. Ballistically it's quite a bit faster then the 26 nosler but it what I want. A 160 matrix bullet at nearly 3600 sure intrigues me.

[308Nut]

Heck if I thought I could get 1500 consistent rounds out of this, I'd be first in line.

 

If the 6.5x284 won't go 1500 rounds, it's a pipe dream to think that this cartridge will. I flat out baby mine and still hasn't made 800 rounds without taking a total crap. Even after a 1" set back and 1" off the muzzle. Maybe my accuracy standards are too high who knows.

 

Good barrel life isn't everything but for guys that like to practice a lot, this one won't be very appealing.

 

Reading paper ballistics is always more fun than shelling out paper with Benjamin's face printed on it. Which is something you will have to put up with if you spend much time behind a rifle chambered in 26 Noslers.

 

It really sucks to have a 'hummer' barrel only to find out it won't last long enough to enjoy it.

[sjvcon]

Yeah ... it will eat them up ... that is for sure. 6.5-06 AI will be my choice in that caliber ... too bad I've got to fire form the brass (I think?????).

[KeithV]

you definately do

[rcdinaz]

Huntermncb, 6.5 Sin, that sounds fun!

 

I would guess Nosler is focused on the guy who buys it off the shelf, throws some Nosler factory ammo in it, shoots a box or two and is tickled that he has a group under an inch, then takes his cracks at the 300 yd target and giggles with excitement at good results. After that he checks it each season to make sure it is still shooting 10x's and goes hunting. If you think about it that way this rifle will last him 20 years and lots of stories about small to medium size critters meeting their demise.

 

The rest of you accuracy geeks and speed freaks already have a few 6.5's that are close, easy to get sizing dies, bunch of loading info, premium powders, and custom guns. I am guessing the 6.5/06 AI is right there with this caliber in the 140grbullets. For $4K you could have a really sweet stick.

 

I have a 6/284 that shoots 100gr at 3400fps that will be a 6.5/284 by next season. The barrel has plenty of life left after around 500 rounds but it doesn't fit my needs.