The 26 Nosler: Guns & Gear|S6

Published on May 26, 2015
Duration: 4:28

This expert review details the 26 Nosler cartridge, Nosler's first SAAMI-approved rifle cartridge. It highlights the cartridge's high velocity, flat trajectory, and superior performance compared to the .264 Winchester Magnum, backed by rigorous chronograph testing. The review also touches on Nosler's product availability and future bullet development.

Quick Summary

The 26 Nosler cartridge is Nosler's first SAAMI-approved rifle cartridge, designed for high velocity and a flat trajectory. It boasts a 93-grain powder capacity and achieves advertised muzzle velocities of 3400 fps with a 129-grain bullet, outperforming the .264 Win Mag in field tests.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introducing the 26 Nosler Cartridge
  2. 00:3026 Nosler Cartridge Features & Ballistics
  3. 00:52Velocity Claims vs. .264 Win Mag
  4. 01:09Nosler Product Availability
  5. 01:42Future Bullet Development for 26 Nosler
  6. 02:07Field Velocity Comparison Setup
  7. 02:15.264 Win Mag Rifle Details
  8. 02:40.264 Win Mag Velocity Test Results
  9. 03:2426 Nosler Velocity Test Results
  10. 04:04Performance Summary and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the 26 Nosler cartridge unique?

The 26 Nosler is Nosler's first SAAMI-approved rifle cartridge, designed for exceptional velocity and a flat trajectory. It features a 93-grain powder capacity and a 1:8 twist rate for optimal bullet stabilization.

How does the 26 Nosler compare in velocity to the .264 Winchester Magnum?

The 26 Nosler significantly outperforms the .264 Winchester Magnum in velocity. Advertised speeds reach 3400 fps with a 129-grain bullet, while field tests showed an average of 3386 fps, compared to the .264 Win Mag's tested average of 3012 fps with a 140-grain bullet.

What are the advertised velocities for the 26 Nosler?

Nosler advertises muzzle velocities of 3400 feet per second (fps) for the 129-grain AccuBond Long Range bullet and 3300 fps for the 140-grain AccuBond bullet, both measured from a 24-inch barrel.

Why does the 26 Nosler have a 1:8 twist rate?

The 1:8 twist rate on 26 Nosler barrels is a deliberate design choice by Nosler to accommodate future, heavier bullets with higher ballistic coefficients. This allows shooters to take full advantage of the cartridge's substantial powder capacity.

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