338 winchester & reloder 26

Hi folks, looking for some help with this combo specifically with 225gr ttsx. Anybody out there messed around with rl26 in 338 win mag?

Lack of data around it seems.

Thanks

MuleyCrazy
Welcome to the forum.
The 338 Win Mag shooters will be along shortly and should be able to offer you some assistance.

JD338

Not the TTSX but in the same ballpark... 26 looks really good in the 338 WM. I know I'll be trying it soon.

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler E-Tip 59372
Useable Case Capaci: 72.272 grain H2O = 4.693 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 25.0 inch = 635.0 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 ?

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 92 65.94 2610 3404 40207 9304 99.6 1.430
-09.0 93 66.68 2641 3484 41690 9365 99.7 1.406
-08.0 94 67.41 2671 3564 43231 9420 99.9 1.382
-07.0 95 68.14 2701 3644 44836 9468 100.0 1.360
-06.0 96 68.87 2731 3726 46511 9510 100.0 1.337
-05.0 97 69.61 2761 3808 48258 9545 100.0 1.315
-04.0 98 70.34 2790 3890 50079 9579 100.0 1.293
-03.0 99 71.07 2820 3972 51980 9612 100.0 1.272
-02.0 100 71.80 2849 4056 53963 9644 100.0 1.251
-01.0 101 72.54 2878 4139 56033 9676 100.0 1.231 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 73.27 2907 4223 58200 9706 100.0 1.211 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 103 74.00 2936 4308 60458 9735 100.0 1.191 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 74.74 2965 4393 62828 9764 100.0 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 105 75.47 2994 4479 65304 9791 100.0 1.153 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 106 76.20 3023 4565 67899 9817 100.0 1.134 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 107 76.93 3051 4652 70617 9842 100.0 1.116 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 73.27 2973 4417 65960 9456 100.0 1.157 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 73.27 2824 3985 51309 10007 100.0 1.273

Sort of off topic but IMR 4451 also looks good in the .338 Win Mag.


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Vince, it should work about the same as IMR or H 4350 does. Give or take a little speed but it should be close.

Thanks fellas! I agree it looks like a good powder to try. Was kinda worried about it being too slow but thinking the bulk density high enough that a guy should be able to stick enough in the case to get good results.

I'm gonna give er a go and I'll report back with some results.

Enjoying the forum! Lots of good info to be had here.

Well, fairly disappointed in my results with reloder 26 at least velocity wise.

Loaded 8 rounds with 225gr TTSX over 72.0-76.0gr of Rl26 in 0.5gr increments, seated bullets 0.05" off the lands, CCI250 primers, winchester cases

Velocity was a disappointing 2600-2710 fps in 24" barrel. Slight high pressure signs observed at 76.0grs. Slight ejector marks that you can see but not feel and very slightly flattened primers. Wouldn't want to go much further. Given the apparent burn rate of this powder, I also expected heavier charge before seeing pressure signs. Any insight on that?

Any ideas on why velocity would be so low? At least relative to quickload outputs such as the one above? I don't know what case capacity is on these cases. I expected to see results at least closer to those outputs. I don't use quickload and I don't have a good sense on the accuracy of its predictions.

The loads were resilient and precise though. All eight shots in a group about an inch and a half at 100.

Muley,
Your going to need to do ALOT better than that as Scotty has 35 Whelen loads that breeze my those numbers!!!
Just kidding around the 338 can be a wicked killer and I used one for over 20 years with stellar results.
Sorry to hear it isn't working out with the RL26 powder, don't worry as you are going to be able to sell that powder shortly for double what you paid for it! As it has evaporated out of stock over 99%
Of all the major suppliers and they all told me they can't get an answer when they can get more of it! I just paid a premium to snag 8 lbs of it!
Good luck with the loads, I just ran into the same problem with 414 in my 270.
E

Muley, I have no idea why it would run that slow. I'd think a 76 grain load of the stuff under any 225 would be nearly 2900.. Not sure of the 338 part. Might have to load some up this morning.

Yeah, I think RL 26 is just too slow for the 338 winnie. Plus, I'd be weary of the QL predictions for RL26, I think the default burn rate for that powder needs to be calibrated.

RL 19 and the various 4350 powders would be just about perfect. Maybe 4831.

Here's what I came up with today with RL26 and the 225 PT, CCI250, all stuffed in Nosler cases.







77 looked just like 76.5 as far as shooting. I was very pleased. Plenty of room in the case for more powder and I could probably go up a little. PSI observation seems right in line with QL. RL26 might be excellent in the 338. Seems to get speed about like 19, but with a little less PSI's. I was sorta amazed as I would have never thought it would work so well.

A 225 grain Partition at ~2900 fps? Yeah, that'll work on about anything you encounter. Commendable accuracy.

It should come around. I've got a decent feeling with this one.

SJB358":kew83lix said:

Here's what I came up with today with RL26 and the 225 PT, CCI250, all stuffed in Nosler cases.







77 looked just like 76.5 as far as shooting. I was very pleased. Plenty of room in the case for more powder and I could probably go up a little. PSI observation seems right in line with QL. RL26 might be excellent in the 338. Seems to get speed about like 19, but with a little less PSI's. I was sorta amazed as I would have never thought it would work so well.

Click to expand...

NICE! I'm glad to see it's working for ya. Kinda figured it might be good in 338 winchester. I haven't played around with it any further in my 338. Been playing around with rl17 lately and finally seeing the velocity I've been looking for. Funny how rifles can be fussy like that.

Did load up some Rl 26 in my 270wsm and I am very impressed with the speed and accuracy it generates with that cartridge in that rifle.

Keep us posted on how it works for you.

Will do..

My 270 WSM is up next with some RL26 as well.

I think 26 shows some good promise with 225's and 250's as well. Might even give it a shot in my 35 Newton.

If you guys try a Lee FCD when you load those mono bullets, especially Barnes, you will be pleasantly surprised! I learned this the hard way, and I have managed to keep my "current comb over" the same density! ha I ran into big time frustration with the old XLC Barnes in a 338 Winmag. I didn't crimp back then and I had to drop back to a less dense powder; H4350. Same way in the .340W and the 210XBT. When I had tried the Lee FCD on '06 cases with compressed loads of R22, for example, I hit paydirt. I then had a FCD made up for my 35 WAI ( fireformed Remington Whelen brass came out pretty short) and crimped my existing loads. Same great results even though I didn't add any more powder. Those slick mono bullets need a better bullet pull upon ignition, especially with compressed loads. I myself, and I don't know everything mind you, have never had a problem with compressed loads "after" I started crimping. Before, the compressed powder was "pushing" the bullet out when in storage, ha. My short experience with both R26 and R33 required lots of both to get good accuracy and speed. Again, some guys lay their ears back and get red in the face at the suggestion of crimping, and I understand that. I am just making mention of what worked "for me"...and my remaining existing hairline thanked me! "Give me a head with hair...long beautiful hair..." ha

I ordered one Jim. I think it was on back order. Wanna try it with the 338 :lol:

Trust me on this....your hair and your wife will thank you!

Tried a little more with 26 and the 225's. Nothing really repeated from last time.









I tried some 250's as well. Pretty happy with what came out there.







What I'm seeing with RL26 is it can look like a complete dog till its up near the top end of PSI's. Could be just me or my guns but that's sorta what I'm seeing. I do wanna retry that 250 PT load though... Too good to not try I think.

At 77 grains the load is showing some promise, Scotty.