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

Gotw Bmr X Steel Web
Gotw Bmr X Steel Web

Gun Of The Week: Bergara BMR-X Steel

In this episode, the American Rifleman staff is on the range with a rimfire rifle that’s designed to excel in competition. This is the Bergara BMR-X Steel, a bolt-action that offers some match-grade features at a price that won’t break the bank.

Robert "Bob" Nosler Passes Away

Robert "Bob" Nosler, chairman of Nosler, Inc., passed away on Sept. 2, 2025, at the age of 79.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 5, 2025

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

MRDS: Zenith’s American-Made Roller-Delayed Rifle For The 21st Century

While the roller-delayed blowback mechanism has proven reliable in platforms like the Heckler & Koch G3, Zenith Firearms has taken this innovative operating system and paired it with a modern, AR-style feature set in its MRDS.

Remington Announces 4th Annual Shoot To Cure Fundraiser

Now in its fourth year, the Shoot to Cure fundraiser is scheduled to take place on September 19 at the historic Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.