What is the Best 28 Nosler Ammo? 🤔
The 28 Nosler is a centerfire, belted, magnum rifle cartridge designed specifically for long-range shooting and hunting. Introduced by Nosler in 2015, it was the latest addition to their line of proprietary cartridges, following the design philosophies of maximum performance and efficiency.
Derived from the 26 cartridges, the 28 is effectively a .284 caliber (7mm) cartridge, boasting impressive ballistics and a broad range of bullet weights suitable for various hunting applications, from deer to larger game like elk and moose. Its design aims to maximize the powder capacity, and it can push a 175-grain bullet at speeds of approximately 3,125 feet per second from a 26-inch barrel. This high velocity, combined with the bullet’s caliber, results in a flat trajectory and exceptional energy downrange, making it suitable for long-distance engagements.
The cartridge quickly gained popularity among long-range shooting enthusiasts and hunters who sought out high-performance ammunition. Though it has a somewhat more niche following compared to some of the other established cartridges, it has established itself as a formidable choice for those desiring significant power, speed, and downrange performance in a standard long-action rifle platform. Its usage primarily revolves around hunting and long-range target shooting. As with any high-performance cartridge, the shooter should be mindful of barrel wear, as the intense velocities and pressures can accelerate barrel erosion.
Benefits 🔥
✅ The 28 Nosler, has garnered attention for its impressive ballistics and versatility, especially among long-range shooters and hunters. One of the primary benefits is its flat trajectory, which is a boon for those aiming at distant targets. This flat-shooting characteristic reduces the need for holdover or scope adjustments, making it easier to hit targets at varying distances.
✅ Additionally, the cartridge offers a high velocity, ensuring rapid target engagement and reduced time of flight. For hunters, this means that the bullet reaches the game faster, providing a better chance of a humane and effective shot.
✅ It also boasts impressive energy retention, ensuring that it delivers sufficient terminal performance even at extended ranges. This combination of speed, energy, and trajectory makes it a formidable choice for both hunting and precision shooting.
Features ⭐
☑️ The 28 Nosler showcases several distinct features that set it apart. Firstly, it’s based on a shortened version of the Remington Ultra Mag case, allowing it to fit in standard-length rifle actions. This design choice means that shooters don’t need specialized or oversized equipment to utilize the cartridge. The cartridge also has a rebated rim, making it compatible with standard .535″ belted magnum bolt faces.
☑️ Another notable feature is its ability to handle long, heavy bullets without compromising the cartridge’s overall length. This ensures optimal bullet seating depth, which can be crucial for achieving consistent accuracy.
☑️ The design also promotes efficient powder burn rates, maximizing performance while maintaining manageable recoil. This efficiency, combined with its compatibility with standard-length actions, makes it a unique and innovative addition to the world of high-performance cartridges.
How to Choose The Best 28 Nosler Ammo? 🛒
🚩 When selecting ammunition for the 28 Nosler, several factors come into play to ensure you get the best performance for your specific needs. The cartridge has gained popularity for its impressive ballistics, making it a favorite among long-range enthusiasts and hunters. However, the right choice of ammunition can vary based on the intended use and personal preferences.
🚩 Firstly, consider the primary purpose of your shooting. If you’re hunting, the type of game you’re pursuing will influence your ammo choice. For a larger game, you might want a bullet that offers deep penetration and controlled expansion. Bullets designed with bonded cores or monolithic construction can be ideal for these scenarios. On the other hand, if you’re targeting smaller games or varmints, rapid expansion might be more critical.
🚩 For those interested in long-range target shooting or competition, consistency and accuracy are paramount. In such cases, you’d want to look for match-grade ammunition. This type of ammo undergoes stricter quality control and is designed to offer minimal shot-to-shot variation. The bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which indicates its aerodynamic efficiency, is also a crucial factor for long-range shooting. Higher ballistic coefficients mean the bullet will retain velocity better over distance and be less affected by wind.
🚩 The rifle you’re using can also influence your ammunition choice. Some rifles might show a preference for certain bullet weights or brands based on their barrel twist rate and other factors. It’s always beneficial to test a variety of ammunition types to determine which one provides the best accuracy and consistency for your firearm.
🚩 While it is a versatile and high-performing cartridge, the best ammunition for it will depend on your intended use, the specific characteristics of your rifle, and your personal preferences. By understanding the nuances of different ammo types and brands, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your shooting experience.
Best 28 Nosler Ammo | 28 Nosler Ammo Review
#1 Hornady Precision Hunter 28 Nosler Ammo 162 Grain
Designed with the avid hunter in mind, this ammunition is tailored to provide unparalleled accuracy and consistency. At its core, the bullet utilizes the patented Heat Shield tip, ensuring top-tier accuracy by resisting aerodynamic heating. This feature ensures that the bullet maintains its shape throughout its trajectory, offering a best-in-class ballistic coefficient.
Manufactured with Norma Precision Brass, the bullet cores are crafted from a lead alloy. This combination ensures that the bullet’s core and jacket remain intact upon impact, resulting in significant expansion and full penetration. It boasts the Heat Shield tip, which is cold-swaged, and when paired with an appropriate groove diameter, it results in a greater energy transfer. This design allows this bullet to achieve impressive velocities with the standard powder charges that Hornady is renowned for.
These bullets are not just about speed; they’re about precision. They are crafted for high accuracy in a match-grade load, ensuring that they deliver explosive terminal performance from the muzzle to the target, even at close ranges.
#2 Nosler Trophy Grade 28 Nosler Ammo 175 Grain
It is designed for the discerning hunter who demands both long-range accuracy and devastating terminal performance. It is a bonded-core bullet that features a polymer tip, a long giving section, and a high-performance boat tail. This combination ensures that the bullet achieves the highest possible ballistic coefficient (B.C.) for its weight and caliber, making it one of the flattest-shooting hunting bullets available.
The AccuBond-LR’s design is not just about long-range performance; it’s about ensuring that the bullet retains its integrity upon impact. The bonding process ensures that the bullet’s core and jacket remain united, delivering deep penetration and controlled expansion. The polymer tip, combined with the long giving section and the boat tail, ensures that the bullet maintains a sleek profile, reducing drag and ensuring a flat trajectory.
Loaded in premium Nosler brass, it is manufactured to exacting standards, ensuring consistent performance shot after shot. With a muzzle velocity of 3125 ft/s and a muzzle energy of 3806 ft-lbs, this ammunition is capable of taking down even the toughest big-game animals.
#3 Nosler Match Grade 28 Nosler Ammo 168 Grain
It is designed with a highly concentric jacket and an ultra-precise lead alloy core. These features, combined with the bullet’s boat tail hollow point design, ensure that the bullet maintains a sleek profile, reducing drag and ensuring a flat trajectory. The result is a bullet that is not only accurate but also consistent, making it ideal for competitive shooting and precision shooting applications.
It is loaded in Nosler Custom Brass, which is known for its consistency and quality. Each case is chamfered, deburred, and inspected to ensure that it meets exacting standards. The brass is boxer primed, making it reloadable, and the ammunition is non-corrosive, ensuring longevity and reliability.
With a muzzle velocity of 3075 ft/s, it is capable of delivering tight groupings at extended ranges.
#4 Nosler 28 Nosler Ammo 185 Grain
The RDF bullet line is designed specifically for long-range competition. These bullets are characterized by their high ballistic coefficients and incredibly small meats. Such features ensure that the bullet experiences reduced drag, leading to a flatter trajectory, especially at extended distances. The result is a bullet that offers consistent precision, making it a favorite among competitive shooters.
This particular ammunition is loaded with the 185-grain Hollow Point Boat Tail bullet, which is known for its accuracy and consistency. The bullet’s boat tail design further reduces drag, ensuring that the bullet maintains its velocity over longer distances. With a muzzle velocity of 2950 ft/s, shooters can expect tight groupings even at extended ranges.
It is loaded in Nosler head-stamped brass, which is renowned for its consistency and quality. Each round undergoes a meticulous inspection process, ensuring that it meets high standards. The brass is also boxer primed, allowing for reloading, and it is non-corrosive, ensuring longevity and reliability.
#5 Nosler 28 Nosler Partition Ammo 160 grain
Manufactured to Nosler’s strict quality standards, it is designed to deliver optimum performance, no matter the hunting environment or game. The ammunition features the renowned Partition bullet, a name that has become legendary among hunters for its dual-core design, ensuring deep penetration and high-weight retention. This design ensures that the bullet delivers a devastating impact, making it ideal for medium to large games.
The cartridge, with its 160-grain weight, is loaded to achieve a muzzle velocity of 3250 ft/s. This high velocity, combined with the bullet’s design, ensures a flat trajectory and reliable terminal performance. The brass casing is of premium quality, ensuring consistent ignition and a smooth cycling experience.
#6 Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting 28 Nosler Ammo 160 grain
Strategically engineered to engage medium-sized games and varmints, it showcases the revered Ballistic Tip bullet. Elegantly distinguished by its aerodynamic polymer tip, this bullet orchestrates swift expansion upon impact. Amplified by its robustly encased base, the design harmonizes controlled expansion with optimal weight retention. The culmination is a bullet that orchestrates a truly impactful penetration, positioning it as the quintessential choice for discerning hunting endeavors.
Featuring a meticulously selected 160-grain bullet, the cartridge exhibits a formidable muzzle velocity of 3200 ft/s and an authoritative muzzle energy of 3637 ft-lbs. These meticulously engineered specifications conspire to ensure an impeccably flat trajectory, endowing hunters with the confidence to master distant targets. Artfully ensconced in premium brass, the ammunition not only guarantees steadfast ignition but also bestows a seamless cycling experience.
Shooter’s Guide: Maximizing 28 Nosler Ammo Performance 📑
➡️ The 28 Nosler cartridge, known for its impressive ballistics, has become a favorite among long-range enthusiasts and hunters. To truly harness its potential and maximize performance, shooters should consider several factors and practices.
➡️ Starting with the rifle itself, a well-maintained and properly set up firearm is crucial. Ensuring that the rifle’s barrel is clean and free from obstructions will promote consistent velocities and accuracy. Regular cleaning, especially after extended shooting sessions, can prevent the buildup of fouling, which can degrade performance over time.
➡️ The choice of optics is equally important. A quality scope with clear glass and reliable adjustments can make a significant difference, especially at longer ranges. Given the cartridge’s long-range capabilities, an optic with a good range of magnification, a reticle suitable for distance shooting, and precise turret adjustments are advisable.
➡️ Handloading or reloading can be a game-changer for those looking to extract every bit of performance from the cartridge. By tailoring loads to a specific rifle, shooters can achieve optimal accuracy and velocity. This involves experimenting with different bullet weights, powder charges, and seating depths. While this process can be time-consuming, the rewards in terms of accuracy and consistency can be substantial.
➡️ Bullet selection, whether for hunting or target shooting, plays a pivotal role. For hunting, it’s essential to choose a bullet that matches the game’s size and offers the desired terminal performance. For target shooting, a bullet with a high ballistic coefficient will retain velocity over distance and be less affected by wind, enhancing long-range accuracy.
➡️ Environmental factors, such as altitude, temperature, and humidity, can influence the cartridge’s ballistics. Modern ballistic calculators, available as smartphone apps or standalone devices, allow shooters to input environmental data and get real-time adjustments for holdover and windage. Utilizing these tools can significantly improve shot placement, especially at extended ranges.
➡️ Lastly, practice is paramount. Familiarity with the cartridge, understanding its recoil, and mastering shooting fundamentals will always be at the heart of maximizing performance. Regular range sessions, coupled with real-world shooting scenarios, will build confidence and proficiency.
➡️ In essence, while it is inherently capable, truly maximizing its performance requires a combination of equipment choices, handloading practices, environmental considerations, and, most importantly, shooter skill and experience.
FAQ 📚
Conclusion 🏁
The 28 Nosler is a formidable cartridge designed for long-range shooting and hunting. Introduced in 2015, it has quickly gained traction among shooting enthusiasts and hunters for its impressive ballistics and versatility. The cartridge is suitable for a variety of hunting applications, from deer to larger game like elk and moose. With its high velocity and energy, it offers a flat trajectory, making it ideal for long-distance engagements.
While it may have a niche following compared to other cartridges, its performance in a standard long-action rifle platform cannot be overlooked. Whether for hunting or long-range target shooting, the 28 Nosler stands out as a top choice for those seeking power and precision. As with any high-performance cartridge, users should be aware of potential barrel wear due to the intense velocities and pressures. ☝️
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I’ve been reloading my own 28 Nosler rounds, and the performance has been great. Does anyone have recommendations for the best powders to use?
✅ Sure, here are some of the best powders for reloading 28 Nosler rounds:
These powders are all capable of producing high velocities and consistent accuracy with a variety of bullets. The best powder for you will depend on your specific rifle and the bullets you are using.
➡️ Here are some additional things to consider when choosing a powder for your rounds:
It is always a good idea to consult a reloading manual or an experienced reloader when choosing a powder for your rounds.
The article mentions the potential for barrel wear due to the 28 Nosler’s intense velocities. I’ve noticed my shots drifting a bit recently. Could this be related?
✅ Yes, it is possible that the barrel wear is causing your shots to drift. The 28 Nosler is a high-velocity cartridge, and this can lead to increased barrel wear. As the barrel wears, the rifling becomes less precise, which can cause the bullets to deviate from their intended path.
➡️ Here are some other things that could be causing your shots to drift:
🎯 If you are concerned about the accuracy of your rifle, it is a good idea to have it inspected by a qualified gunsmith. They can check the barrel for wear and make sure that it is clean and free of obstructions.
➡️ Here are some tips to help you extend the barrel life of your rifle:
👌 By following these tips, you can help to extend the barrel life of your rifle and ensure that it remains accurate for many years to come.
How often would one need to clean their rifle when using the 28 Nosler, given its high performance?
☑️ The frequency with which you need to clean your rifle when using the 28 Nosler will depend on a few factors, including:
⭐ In general, it is a good idea to clean your rifle after each use, especially if you are shooting a lot of rounds. However, if you are only shooting a few rounds, you can get away with cleaning it every few uses.
🔥 If you are using hot loads or shooting rapidly, you will need to clean your rifle more often to prevent carbon build-up and fouling.
➡️ Here is a general guideline for how often to clean your rifle when using it:
💡 It is also a good idea to clean your rifle before you store it for an extended period of time. This will help to prevent rust and corrosion.
➡️ Here are some tips for cleaning your rifle:
❗ It is important to use the correct cleaning solvent and brush for your rifle. Some solvents can be corrosive, so it is important to follow the instructions carefully.
✅ You should also avoid using too much solvent, as this can damage the barrel. By following these tips, you can help to keep your rifles clean and accurate for many years to come.
I’m new to long-range shooting. Would the 28 Nosler be a good starting point, or is it more for experienced shooters?
💪 The 28 Nosler is a powerful cartridge that is capable of long-range accuracy. However, it is also a relatively new cartridge, and there is not as much information available about it as there is for some of the more established cartridges.
🎯 If you are new to long-range shooting, I would recommend starting with a cartridge that is more forgiving, such as the .308 Winchester or the 6.5 Creedmoor. These cartridges are still capable of long-range accuracy, but they are not as demanding as it.
Once you have gained some experience with long-range shooting, you can then consider moving up to it.
➡️ Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of long-range shooting:
🔵 Advantages:
🔴 Disadvantages:
👌 Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use it for long-range shooting is up to you. If you are new to long-range shooting, I would recommend starting with a more forgiving cartridge. However, if you are looking for a cartridge that is capable of extreme long-range accuracy, the 28 Nosler is a good option.
I’m curious about the 28 Nosler’s performance in different weather conditions. How does it fare in extreme cold or heat?
👍 The 28 Nosler is a relatively new cartridge, so there is not as much information available about its performance in extreme weather conditions as there is for some of the more established cartridges. However, based on the information that is available, it should perform well in both extreme cold and heat.
❄️ In cold weather, it may experience some velocity loss, but this loss should be minimal. The cartridge is designed to use high-performance powders that are less affected by cold weather.
🔥 In hot weather, it may experience some pressure increase, but this increase should also be minimal. The cartridge is designed to use high-quality brass that is less likely to expand in hot weather.
✔️ Overall, it should perform well in a variety of weather conditions. However, it is always a good idea to test your ammunition in the specific conditions you will be shooting in to make sure that it performs as expected.
➡️ Here are some tips for shooting in extreme weather conditions:
I’ve tried a few different brands of 28 Nosler ammo, and Nosler’s own brand has consistently given me the best results.
I appreciate the detailed breakdown in this article. As a newbie, it gave me a lot of clarity on what to expect from the 28 Nosler.
The article is spot on about the 28 Nosler’s performance. I took down an elk last season from an impressive distance, and the ammo performed flawlessly.