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

Colt’s 1849 London Pocket
Colt’s 1849 London Pocket

I Have This Old Gun: Colt’s 1849 London Pocket

Encouraged by his generally positive reception at the Great Exhibition in 1851, and always anxious to gain elusive government contracts, Colt, in 1853, opened a London factory where he would make a number of revolvers, including his popular 1849 Pocket Model.

Modern Cowboy Gun: The Savage Arms Revel Tactical

Savage Arms jumped back into the lever-action market in 2024 with its rimfire Revel platform, and this year, the company is expanding with a feature-rich Revel Tactical model.

Hunting with a Legend: Sierra’s MatchKing X Bullet

Sierra’s MatchKing is a highly respected target bullet, but for the new trend of long-range hunting, the design needed to offer improved terminal performance. Enter the MatchKing X.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 19, 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.

Review: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline

The new Stoeger carry gun loses nothing—except some weight and girth. This is the Stoeger STR-9 Thinline.

5 Great Products for Your Next Hunt

These five products will help boost your chances at success in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.