26 Nosler

[ctracingraptor]

i just saw a teaser commercial for the 26 Nosler. I was curious and started googling, I was reading chuck hawks review about the significant wind drift for the size and weight of bullet, then i ended up on a field and stream review. Is this bullet only dropping about 5 inches out to 400 yards. Is this normal when compared to other 6.5 calibers, the 26 nosler has my attention. I was already thinking about getting a 6.5 creedmor or a 6.5x284 normal. Anybody else hear anything about this round, or do you think its all promotional and might not stand there test of time.

[lancetkenyon]

Fast FPS, and fast burning barrels. A great LR hunting cartridge, but not for the LR shooter who puts some rounds downrange often.

 

140 VLDs are the way to go, or even the 160 Matrix would rock some game.

[ctracingraptor]

The review says 600-800 rounds before the barrel starts to fall off. Yikes.

[lancetkenyon]

Yeah, that is QUICK.

 

For the 6.5 I am looking at building next year, the 26 Nosler has never crossed my mind. Too short of barrel life.

[willhunt4coues]

If you only use it as a hunting rig it can last forever but knowing that you will want to practice it would not last. I have put around 400 rounds through each of my builds in about 3 months so this gun would only last me 6 or 7 months and it would be gone...LOL.

 

Only the precision part would be gone. If it shoots 1/4 moa at first it may go to 3/4 moa after 800 rounds. If you reload you could slow them down some and make it last 1500 rounds by dropping her 200 to 300 fps.

[STOMP442]

Its mostly hype. Lots of options out there that perform just as well without using nearly as much powder or nearly as hard on barrels. 6.5-06AI, 6.5WSM, 6.5SAUM will all provide the same performance without burning nearly as much powder. Heck even the old 264 win mag is close. Keep in mind also that Noslers commercial is also using Noslers inflated bullet data as well. The 26 is a bad mother no doubt but there are other options out there much better in my opinion.

[lancetkenyon]

6.5 SS, 6.5 4S, 6.5x.284, 6.5 SLR. The last two will be slower, but still a great 6.5 round. Or .260 Ackley, 6.5x55 Ackley, 6.5 Creedmore, 6.5x47L, 6.5x.257 Ackley, etc.

[WampusCat]

6.5 SS, 6.5 4S, 6.5x.284, 6.5 SLR. The last two will be slower, but still a great 6.5 round. Or .260 Ackley, 6.5x55 Ackley, 6.5 Creedmore, 6.5x47L, 6.5x.257 Ackley, etc.

Those first two are the best thing to happen to the 6.5 lately.

 

I'd guess in ten years from now the 26 Nosler will be an elusive creature that pops up now and again in the form of a dusty box of shells on a pawn shop shelf. Too much marketing and not enough utility.

[firstcoueswas80]

I'll still take my 7LRM with a 180 .674 Berger hybrid @ 2950 roughly, over the 26. Shooting rocks and steel in a stiff breeze at 609 was a cake walk.

[STOMP442]

A 140 hybrid at 3100fps which should be easily achieved in the 26 provides nearly identical wind drift numbers as your 7lrm. Were talking within a half inch. The 26 is even 6" flatter to 600. The only thing your 7 does is provide more energy. Rocks and steel would be equally as "cake walk" with the 26 if not more so if higher velocities were to be achieved.

[ctracingraptor]

It sounds like the 26 nosler is just a super hot round, where as similar numbers can be obtained using other 6.5mm's. Ammo for 26 is $60 a box. I guess i was more curious if other 6.5's had similar drops to 500 yards. I know what my 7mm does at 500 and its easy to dial for the drop. I guess the 26 isnt good for the person that like to shoot his rifles often and wants to hunt with them too.

[PRDATR]

Yeah but if you understand the rifle and want something for a purpose other than punching paper every weekend then get one. Sight it in and shoot a box or two of shells through it each year and break it out for the dirty work.

Once it's sighted in you're done.

If you like to shoot a lot then do so with a lesser caliber like a 308. It's a great rifle for an Ibex or Sheep hunter or a Coues guy that needs something that shoots flat. It is designed for a hunter not a shooter, if that makes sense.

[lancetkenyon]

I'll still take my 7LRM with a 180 .674 Berger hybrid @ 2950 roughly, over the 26. Shooting rocks and steel in a stiff breeze at 609 was a cake walk.

Shooting steel and rocks at 609, or 585, or 717, or even out to 848 is easily doable in high winds with the the right weapon, optics, ballistics program, loads, and most importantly shooter. My daughter did just this on Sunday with a .223 launching 69SMKs at 3000fps. Not trying to brag, OK maybe a little, but 600 is the beginning of long range shooting. The 7LRM should do this easily, as should almost any of the 6.5s. The LR game starts getting interesting at 900+, which these cartridges were made to do. A 600 yard shot is nothing to take lightly however. It is a fine accomplishment.

[firstcoueswas80]

A 140 hybrid at 3100fps which should be easily achieved in the 26 provides nearly identical wind drift numbers as your 7lrm. Were talking within a half inch. The 26 is even 6" flatter to 600. The only thing your 7 does is provide more energy. Rocks and steel would be equally as "cake walk" with the 26 if not more so if higher velocities were to be achieved.

And I'll gladly be on my original barrel while the 26 is on God only knows what barrel.

[STOMP442]

This is true, but still doesn't change the fact that the 26 is ballistically identical if not superior to your 7 in everything but energy numbers.