The New .26 Nosler

by
posted on March 25, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Row of three vertical brass cartridges ammunition rifle ammo

Capitalizing on what is, undoubtedly, the fastest-growing trend in hunting-“long range”-Nosler has developed a new cartridge, the .26 Nosler, that it hopes will excel in the field. The cartridge’s cavernous, non-belted case has a capacity of 93 grs. of water, which is about 12 grs. more than the elder .264 Win. Mag., and significantly more than the 6.5-.284 Norma. In the accompanying image, the cartridges are: (from l. to r.) 6.5-.284 Norma, .264 Win. Mag., and .26 Nosler. The increased propellant capacity enables the .26 Nosler to propel high-ballistic-coefficient 130-gr. bullets, such as the AccuBond, to 3400 f.p.s., resulting in a maximum point blank range of 415 yds. and producing 1,918 ft.-lbs. of energy at that distance. Unlike some long-range cartridges, such as the 7 mm or .300 Rem. Ultra Mag., the .26 Nosler’s 3.340” maximum cartridge overall length (the same as the .30-’06 Sprg. family of cartridges) enables it to be chambered in standard-length actions. Excluding the Nosler Custom Rifle (NCR), the .26 Nosler will be available in any of the company’s semi-custom rifles, and initial factory loads will be offered with the 129-gr. AccuBond Long-Range (LR) or the 140-gr. AccuBond. What’s the likelihood that you’ll try the .26 Nosler? What’s your preferred cartridge for "stretching the distance"?

Latest

Amrifl
Amrifl

The Fight for America’s Rifle

Despite the warning we’ll sue to protect commonly owned AR-type rifles, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed Senate Bill 749, which will make it illegal to sell, purchase, import, manufacture or transfer such firearms starting on July 1. 

Gun of the Week: Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator

The new SPD Predator, an extension of Henry's magazine-fed Lever Action Supreme Rifle design, looks to extract the greatest possible degree of accuracy and precision from a modern lever gun.

The Armed Citizen® May 15, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Politically Incorrect Truth About the Armed Citizen

The Second Amendment doesn’t—and should not be treated as if—it ends at state lines. American citizens need the national reciprocity legislation that is now active in Congress.

Reaching for 1,000: A Study in Long Range Marksmanship

Calculating all the factors that go into a well-placed shot at distance can be a daunting task for those new to long-distance marksmanship, but when it all comes together, the result is gratifying.

ATF Proposes Changes to Form 4473

The ATF proposed a series of changes to form 4473 in May. If approved, the modifications would shave three pages from the paperwork and eliminate a lot of the previous form’s confusing redundancy­, trimming questions for both the purchaser/transferee and FFL.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.