28 Nosler best powder

[vancewalker007]

Recently purchased a Fierce firearms 28 Nosler . I have 40 rounds down the barrel, did break in exactly as suggested by MFG. Now I'm looking to start load development. This gun will be used for hunting elk out to 800 yards. My goal is to get a good hunting round (168 - 175 grn) shooting 1/2 MOA or less at 3100 fps or greater. I currently have some Nosler 168 ABLR, Hornady 175 ELD-X, and soon some 175 ABLR. For powders I have RL 33, Norma 217 and US869 (retumbo and H1000 are hard to find in my area, no stores have in stock currently). I don't have the time to go perform a ladder test on all the different powders and bullet combination. I'm looking for suggestions on what people are seeing for the best powder for bullets in this weight range. This will be my first attempt at the ladder test to find the best powder charge. Also how will temperature affect a ladder test on these powders? I will be doing this in 30 degree heat range, if I'm hunting in 60 degree range will the load totally change?
Thanks in advance for advice!

You will find IMR7977 is similar in performance to H1000 and IMR8133 is similar to Retumbo. I've used all of them in my 7 LRMs and they all work very good. The slower bulkier powders like 8133 and Retumbo perform better with the heavy for caliber bullets like the 180-195s. I haven't used it but N565 and N570 will likely be good to try. If you have checked them I would weigh some of the ABLRs before trying them for consistency out past 500 yards. I never could get the 175s to shoot good out past 600 without carefully weight sorting them.

 

[7mmTikkaShooter]

You will find IMR7977 is similar in performance to H1000 and IMR8133 is similar to Retumbo. I've used all of them in my 7 LRMs and they all work very good. The slower bulkier powders like 8133 and Retumbo perform better with the heavy for caliber bullets like the 180-195s. I haven't used it but N565 and N570 will likely be good to try. If you have checked them I would weigh some of the ABLRs before trying them for consistency out past 500 yards. I never could get the 175s to shoot good out past 600 without carefully weight sorting them.

I want to chime in on this one too. I've gone through a lot of the 175 NABLR's and I too would recommend weight sorting, but I more importantly check and sort by bearing surfaces or base to ogive and overall length. Especially if using more than one lot number of bullet, or anytime you buy new. I have seen some drastic variations in overall bullet length as well as bearing surface. I'm assuming this is from variations of different molds in the production line etc. I do love the bullet but have been frustrated by some of those inconsistencies. It's possible that issue has been addressed by Nosler. Just a good idea to check before you start chasing your tail in load development.

 

[Detour]

I want to chime in on this one too. I've gone through a lot of the 175 NABLR's and I too would recommend weight sorting, but I more importantly check and sort by bearing surfaces or base to ogive and overall length. Especially if using more than one lot number of bullet, or anytime you buy new. I have seen some drastic variations in overall bullet length as well as bearing surface. I'm assuming this is from variations of different molds in the production line etc. I do love the bullet but have been frustrated by some of those inconsistencies. It's possible that issue has been addressed by Nosler. Just a good idea to check before you start chasing your tail in load development.

Have the 168 ABLR show better results at 600 + yards? Have you tested them as well?

 

[Warrior74]

Have the 168 ABLR show better results at 600 + yards? Have you tested them as well?

Good Detour
Have you tried loading berger 168 gr vld hunting.. just curious... im new at this looking to reload for my 28 nosler as well..

 

[Detour]

Good Detour
Have you tried loading berger 168 gr vld hunting.. just curious... im new at this looking to reload for my 28 nosler as well..

Have not, I don't have any experience with Berger bullets (yet). I have with Nosler and Barnes. I don't know if I'm sold on Berger's technology. I have always liked having two holes in the animal and something more robust to penetrate in case you get into a shoulder. This guns primary use will be on elk. Maybe I should look into Berger a bit more. I'm not sold on any one particular bullet, I do want some thing that will penetrate and get into the boiler room if you accidently get into a should of an elk. Plus accurate with enough energy to take an elk at 750 yards.

 

[Warrior74]

Have not, I don't have any experience with Berger bullets (yet). I have with Nosler and Barnes. I don't know if I'm sold on Berger's technology. I have always liked having two holes in the animal and something more robust to penetrate in case you get into a shoulder. This guns primary use will be on elk. Maybe I should look into Berger a bit more. I'm not sold on any one particular bullet, I do want some thing that will penetrate and get into the boiler room if you accidently get into a should of an elk. Plus accurate with enough energy to take an elk at 750 yards.

Thats fair.
Would you share your reloading data with Nosler & Barnes. I have a Browning max LR 28 nosler with a 1-8 twist. Im shooting Hornady ELD-X factory loads. Only cause this was all a xmas gift from my wife with 3 boxes of hornady ELD-X 162gr..never took it out to hunt yet. Just shot to break in and set in scope....i also got a hornady lock and load press to reload my Ammo...
Thanks

 

[7mmTikkaShooter]

I want to chime in on this one too. I've gone through a lot of the 175 NABLR's and I too would recommend weight sorting, but I more importantly check and sort by bearing surfaces or base to ogive and overall length. Especially if using more than one lot number of bullet, or anytime you buy new. I have seen some drastic variations in overall bullet length as well as bearing surface. I'm assuming this is from variations of different molds in the production line etc. I do love the bullet but have been frustrated by some of those inconsistencies. It's possible that issue has been addressed by Nosler. Just a good idea to check before you start chasing your tail in load development.

Have the 168 ABLR show better results at 600 + yards? Have you tested them as well?

I have not tried the 168's though considered them a few times. Was able to put together some pretty good stuff with the 175's. Sub 1/2 MOA groups, hits on steel past a mile, and fantastic performance on pronghorn and deer from 150-430 yards. There was just too little to gain from spending the funds and barrel life testing the 168's. IMO the 175 seems like a good fit for a 28 Nosler. If that won't perform for you then I guess you could look at the lighter bullet.

 

[vancewalker007]

I want to chime in on this one too. I've gone through a lot of the 175 NABLR's and I too would recommend weight sorting, but I more importantly check and sort by bearing surfaces or base to ogive and overall length. Especially if using more than one lot number of bullet, or anytime you buy new. I have seen some drastic variations in overall bullet length as well as bearing surface. I'm assuming this is from variations of different molds in the production line etc. I do love the bullet but have been frustrated by some of those inconsistencies. It's possible that issue has been addressed by Nosler. Just a good idea to check before you start chasing your tail in load development.

I had heard that deal with the length as well. I guess producing bonded bullets is no easy task. I gave up on them for my 7. Most of my shots are long so Berger performance works great especially on Coues deer.

 

[gjn11]

I've reloaded the 28 Nosler for several friends and had very good results with 88-89 grains of RL 33 with the Berger 175 Elite Hunter.

 

[Lahunter76]

Looking at Nosler says the LRT would be a solid powder, and I just got my 175 ABLRs and Berger 180 VLDs in! Now I just need some brass, want to use ADG but cant find any atm

 

[Kmccord]

Look at Midsouth shooting supply, they have 28 Nosler brass in Nosler and Hornady. The Nosler brass is on sale.

28 Nosler Brass | 28 Nosler Rifle Reloading Brass

Looking for 28 Nosler rifle reloading brass? Make Midsouth Shooters your reloading headquarters and browse our selection of 28 Nosler brass today.

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

 

[jlvandersnick]

.
I have two 28s.
N570 is my first choice with R33 ws a second choice

 

[TX COWDOC]

Looking at Nosler says the LRT would be a solid powder, and I just got my 175 ABLRs and Berger 180 VLDs in! Now I just need some brass, want to use ADG but cant find any atm

LAHunter76: How'd your load development work out on the LRT and 175's?

 

[Louisiana Reloader]

Recently purchased a Fierce firearms 28 Nosler . I have 40 rounds down the barrel, did break in exactly as suggested by MFG. Now I'm looking to start load development. This gun will be used for hunting elk out to 800 yards. My goal is to get a good hunting round (168 - 175 grn) shooting 1/2 MOA or less at 3100 fps or greater. I currently have some Nosler 168 ABLR, Hornady 175 ELD-X, and soon some 175 ABLR. For powders I have RL 33, Norma 217 and US869 (retumbo and H1000 are hard to find in my area, no stores have in stock currently). I don't have the time to go perform a ladder test on all the different powders and bullet combination. I'm looking for suggestions on what people are seeing for the best powder for bullets in this weight range. This will be my first attempt at the ladder test to find the best powder charge. Also how will temperature affect a ladder test on these powders? I will be doing this in 30 degree heat range, if I'm hunting in 60 degree range will the load totally change?
Thanks in advance for advice!

I am getting in late on this post; however I have developed a 28 Nosler load that is working very well in my Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon with 175 gr ELD-X that I would like to share. I have several pounds of H870 (which is just a little faster than US869) and I am loading 95 grs of H870 with the 175gr ELD-X and averaging 3,275fps--which I am very happy with. Average groups are between 1/2 and 3/4 MOA at 100 yards. You can double check; however there are several loads listed for US869 with 175gr that should get you 3,100fps+ and maybe better. Using the following: Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon; 26" bbl 1 in 8 twist; CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum primers, Nosler brass (couldn't find any ADG); 175gr ELD-X; 95.0 grs of H870 averaging 3,275fps; 1/2 -- 3/4 MOA at 100 yards. Hope this helps.