28 Nosler Loads

[JVandy]

I am trying to find the best load for my Ridgeline 28 Nosler. I have completed barrel break in by the book. So far between 162 ELDX, 168 VLD and 175 ABLR I have had the best luck with the 162's (I have only used H1000 with all three). I would prefer the 168's due to showing better kinetic energy at a further distance. I am looking for what may work have worked better for someone else or maybe some insight to what I should try to get the 168's or 175's to group better. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dmagna]

I like re-33 or retumbo in my two 28 nosler rifles. Retumbo is great for hunting because of the temperature stability. Bullet choice for me is based around what type game I am shooting, is it going to be a big game animal like elk or moose then I would use a bonded bullet. Other deer sized game with a soft hide I would use the 162 eldx or the 168.

I will give you a word of advice pick one bullet and don't differ. Your barrel only has a 500-800 round life. Don't do a lot of experiments and combinations. You won't have the life to do it.

 

[Calvin45]

What's your twist rate? If it'll stabilize them and your after a frangible bullet that retains energy the 180 eld match would smoke the ones you've listed so far.

 

[Dmagna]

The ridge line has a 1-9 twist.

 

[Dmagna]

match your bullet to the game you plan on hunting. If you plan on hunting big game use a bonded bullet, medium sized game (deer) use a good hunting bullet. I try not to use bullets that blow up on game but deer are soft and squishy.

 

[JJMoody]

I think you may need to run a seating depth test on the bullet you want to shoot. I may be wrong, but it looks like the one bullet that is shooting the best is the one least sensitive to seating depth. Your 1-9" should run up to 180s just fine. The 168 VLD and the 175 ABLRs should do better when you find your jump. Select your bullet, seating depth test and then powder charge. H1000 is great, Retumbo may be greater. I never tried 33, but some love it. RL 26 was too hard to keep in stock for my taste.

 

[Calvin45]

Imr 8133, 7828, 7977, Hodgdon us869 and from what I'm seeing in other threads vv n570 all show promise in addition to the already mentioned retumbo, rl 26, and rl33 if you're looking to try different powders

 

[Danny1788]

RL33, 180 hybrids, CCI 250 .033" off lands

 

[jgal72]

N570, 180 eldM, Fed215, .005 off lands

 

[Trm82]

I am trying to find the best load for my Ridgeline 28 Nosler. I have completed barrel break in by the book. So far between 162 ELDX, 168 VLD and 175 ABLR I have had the best luck with the 162's (I have only used H1000 with all three). I would prefer the 168's due to showing better kinetic energy at a further distance. I am looking for what may work have worked better for someone else or maybe some insight to what I should try to get the 168's or 175's to group better. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

There barrel break in is a joke !! Waste of time and components ..
I've had 4 ridgelines and just went and shot , no break in. All were 1/2 -3/4 moa guns.

 

[Calvin45]

I'm always a bit skeptical about barrel break in being necessary. I can see how if there's some rough edges or burrs on the crown or in the rifling a couple dozen shots might smooth things out but beyond that...I've never heard of a rifle that shoots legitimately bad groups brand new become a tac driver with age

 

[Rootdoc]

I've been having great luck with Berger 180s. Saw some guys shooting the 195s and they have great BC as well!

 

[Sand Man]

I have a Christensen Long Range Mesa I'm currently doing load development on. It has a 1-9 twist rate. Here is what I've done so far:

This is with RL33 and 195 Bergers @ 500 yards:

180 ELD-M, Retumbo, 76.0 to 79.5 in increments of 0.7gr. 6 shots, 11" of vertical @ 760 yards:

MRP with same ELD-M @ 760 yards. 6 shots, 7.5" of vertical, with 4 loads inside of 2":

#1 on the ladder test with the 195s has me scratching my head, but I like what I see with loads 3-5 with the 195s. So hopefully I end up there around 3150fps. Only time will tell, but I have the ELD-M to fall back on. Although I bought this to run the 195s.

 

[MAD10]

the 162 ELDM @ velocities past 300ish yards in the 28 Nolser is a pretty awesome killer....

BE CAREFUL because inside 250 yards you'll have poor bullet performance due to the fact the bullet velocity is too fast and needs to be traveling a bit slower to perform correctly. Hence why some are going to the 180,195 class bullet in fast 7mm calibers.

Since this is a long range forum I'm assuming you consider long range starting about 600 yard ish and beyond.

A lot of people do not pay attention to what a given bullet design was intended to do or NOT do at certain velocities i.e. "distance"

for example inside 300/400 yards I'd use a partition in a fast 28 Nosler type caliber and a Berger EH or ELDM when I'm going long. Or as mentioned a heavier class bullet 180-195s

how I get around using two bullets is I run a 7mm08 at 2700 fps and use a 162 eldm and don't worry about anything from 200-1000 yards and the eldm performs flawlessly at those velocities.

At rocks and steel I run that set up out to a mile and beyond.

good luck in your choice