I love, i really love all these mid range, .257-.284, hunting calibers. Then again, i'm a buck hunter. For deer, the life of me, i can't see why someone feels the need to go bigger.
Anyway, i looked up that Nosler 26, they say that it has the velocity at 400 yds that a 260 Rem has at the muzzle! That's saying something right there but do we really need that kind of down range energy for semi long range Buck hunting?
I suppose if a guy wanted a 1000yd Deer rifle, all things being equal, what starts fast, stays fast, and that much more down range retained energy delivered by the bullet. So yeah, i could see a nitch for the 26 Nosler... but not for me. Part of what i like in the mighty mid calibers, is the bang for the buck, the efficiency, shooting a high BC lower to medium weight bullet, at 31-3300 FPS, without a lot of recoil and muzzle blast.
Seems to me the 26 Nosler might be getting up in the Ultra Mag territory where 30-40 extra grains of powder will get you an extra 200 more FPS.
For me, Marly's choice in the classic .264 Win Mag is a great one! As you know, i'm also a big fan of the mid WSM's, the 270-280 clan, as well as the ol 7mm Rem Mag. To me, these mighty mid's are all a guy could ever need in a deer rifle. To each his own though. Those that want them big boomers are welcome to them! My $.02!
Joey
"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"