Introduced in 2014, the 26 Nosler was the first SAAMI-standardized cartridge to bear the Nosler name, and part of Nosler's growing family of proprietary cartridges that now include 22, 28, 30, and 33 Nosler. The 26 Nosler and all except the 22 Nosler are based on the .404 Jeffery or Remington Ultra Mag case necked down and shortened to fit into a .30-06-length-action. The 26 Nosler is a 6.5mm, bullet diameter .264-inch. Although recently surpassed by the 6.5-.300 Weatherby Magnum, upon introduction the 26 Nosler was the world's fastest 6.5mm cartridge, propelling a 140-grain bullet at 3300 fps, thus greatly exceeding the old .264 Winchester Magnum and the newer 6.5mms such as the .260 Remington, 6.5mm Creedmoor, and 6.5-.284 Norma. The 26 Nosler is overbore capacity, limiting powder selection and barrel life, but it is a flat-shooting and hard-hitting cartridge ideal for mountain game and suitable for elk and moose.
