28 Nosler Loads

[jmfishin]

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.

175 ELDX with VV N570 3175fps accurate and easily repeatable

 

[elkhunter1104]

When working on a load for the 8133, did you use the data for Retumbo and start from there? I see the burn rates are very close.

Yes. That is what I did. Just started on the low end and worked it up.

 

[elkhunter1104]

And you know this how? Have you bore scoped it? Have you remeasured your COAL since firing 500-600 rounds? im going to put money on it that you have throat erosion and just don't know it. It will not go 1500+ rounds with accuracy..... 800-1000 rounds is what most people have been getting(this is first hand experience from reputable smiths that I know) This is what most 7STW will have for barrel life, and the 28Nosler is almost identical in case capacity..

Yes I have bore scoped it. How else would I know the fire cracking isn't even to the lands yet. I know my length to lands with every bullet in every gun I load. I check it about every 200 rounds. On every gun I load. So yes, I've measured three times now on the 28. The same way I do it every time, with every gun and every bullet I load. It has not changed. I don't care if you believe that or not. Put your money wherever you want. I'm not here to argue with you and I'm not gonna waste any more time doing it. I don't care how many reputable people you talk to about it and I'm not most people. I have one. I shoot it. I load for it. I have a bore scope. I have a caliper. I have nearly 600 rounds down the tube and first hand experience. I've stated how mine is holding up. I've stated how I've care for it and my shooting habits. And I'm almost to where you say it will be done. Ok. The OP asked a question and I stated my findings and opinion.

 

[elkhunter1104]

You WILL NOT GET 1500 RDS out of a 28 Nosler, MAYBE half that if your easy on it.

Ok great. I'll be sure to swap the bbl at 750 rounds then since you "KNOW I WILL NOT GET THAT ".

What I did was state to the OP my actual findings so far on a gun in hand. As I did state in my post, I am easy on it. I'm almost halfway there now with no change in distance to lands with the 180 Eldm and very minimal fire cracking in the throat. I didn't post my comments to the OP to argue with any of you. I posted my first hand findings on the same gun he has. You hope your right, I hope your wrong. We'll see. Either way, it's holding up wonderfully and god willing, will probably kill another bull this year at an extended distance.

 

[Calvin45]

Ok great. I'll be sure to swap the bbl at 750 rounds then since you "KNOW I WILL NOT GET THAT ".

What I did was state to the OP my actual findings so far on a gun in hand. As I did state in my post, I am easy on it. I'm almost halfway there now with no change in distance to lands with the 180 Eldm and very minimal fire cracking in the throat. I didn't post my comments to the OP to argue with any of you. I posted my first hand findings on the same gun he has. You hope your right, I hope your wrong. We'll see. Either way, it's holding up wonderfully and god willing, will probably kill another bull this year at an extended distance.

It must take a fair bit of self restraint to not shoot while the barrel is still hot. I understand that is critical with cartridges like these. While the 28 nosler certainly is higher capacity than the 7mm rem mag, I do fail to see why it would be written in stone that it would always fry a barrel in less than 1000 rounds. Reminds me of what's been said of the 220 swift and .264 win mag over the years. Some truth to it of course, but also as you said earlier, a grain of salt required. If this is indeed what you're experiencing then I don't get what the strong response against your findings is about, almost has a "because I said so" feel to the conversation.

 

[tbrice23]

I would bet the ones that aren't lasting are probably being shot back to back
shots all day long.

I'm with you on that. I have close to 500 rounds with 175gr EOL at 3230 fps. I shoot cold bore shots only and have only lost .010" of lands. Most of which happened during the first 100 rounds as the barrel was being broken in.

 

[.30cal fanatic]

Just did some load devolopment with my first Nosler (2nd is at the shop being bedded).

I went a little different and used 2218 (H50BMG) and got very consistent MV and settled on a load of 90.0gr shooting the 180gr ELD-M. 3060 FPS and This is out of a new 25" barrel Rock Creek so should speed up a touch. No pressure signs. Very consistent and def not pushing too hard.

I think the premature barrel wear stems from hotter loads, time will tell but 3000 FPS is good enough for me.

 

[elkhunter1104]

It must take a fair bit of self restraint to not shoot while the barrel is still hot. I understand that is critical with cartridges like these. While the 28 nosler certainly is higher capacity than the 7mm rem mag, I do fail to see why it would be written in stone that it would always fry a barrel in less than 1000 rounds. Reminds me of what's been said of the 220 swift and .264 win mag over the years. Some truth to it of course, but also as you said earlier, a grain of salt required. If this is indeed what you're experiencing then I don't get what the strong response against your findings is about, almost has a "because I said so" feel to the conversation.

Yes, you are correct, sometimes it is tough to not go ahead and shoot a few shots back to back, but I don't do it. I don't get in a hurry when I load, I don't get in a hurry when I'm testing loads or when I'm just out to shoot for fun. I am especially careful with my high capacity cartridges. I'm the same way when shooting my 26 nosler, 338 Norma, 300 Norma and 300 win mag.

What I stated to the OP is my findings at this point with this rifle. Although he asked for loads, I thought it may help him out to know if he's cautious, like I have been, about the way he goes about shooting it, he don't need to be scared to experiment and have fun with it. It is possible to get more rounds out of it than some people have etched in that stone somewhere.

I don't understand the responses either. Basically called me a lier and an idiot. I'm fine with that. I will just continue to do what I do and try to help anyone on here if there is something I've actually experienced and can help with. I am no pro, but I take what I do serious and put pride in it. I'm pretty new to this forum and have never been a member of any other and only joined to learn and to be able to pass on my findings with things I have actually experienced. Not to tell people I know something very well because other people have told me. I guess you just have to expect that there will be some people that know what you have and haven't done better than you. Even when you are the first hand experience. Thanks for your response man.

 

[elkhunter1104]

I'm with you on that. I have close to 500 rounds with 175gr EOL at 3230 fps. I shoot cold bore shots only and have only lost .010" of lands. Most of which happened during the first 100 rounds as the barrel was being broken in.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one having a great experience with this round. I have seriously not lost any. I'm the same measurement from day one. And I'm measuring with a 7mm insert in my comp with the same calipers I've always used. I do have minimal fire cracking in the throat but it hasn't reached the lands yet. Do you clean regular? Just curious. I clean after every 20-30 rounds. Didn't know if maybe that helps.

 

[tbrice23]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one having a great experience with this round. I have seriously not lost any. I'm the same measurement from day one. And I'm measuring with a 7mm insert in my comp with the same calipers I've always used. I do have minimal fire cracking in the throat but it hasn't reached the lands yet. Do you clean regular? Just curious. I clean after every 20-30 rounds. Didn't know if maybe that helps.

After intial break-in procedure. This barrel has been cleaned evey 80 rounds or so. It likes to have about 20 rounds fired to "stabilize ". This is with a steady diet of RL33.

 

[JVandy]

I use the Nosler 168gr ABLR in both my 28 Nosler and 7mm STW using Retumbo for both have taken four Elk in the past five years the closest was 1,028 yds. Extremely accurate round. I've found all of the ELD Bullets to be very foweling in my 26, 28 Nosler, my 7STW, and 30-378 if you try to get the same velocity as the ABLR. Just my findings!

Rgr, thanks for the input.

 

[JVandy]

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.

1-9 twist.

 

[JVandy]

Lots of great Bullets out there. My 28 shoots the 168 and180 Bergers lights out! The prospect of a close shot had me a bit concerned, so I decided to give the hammer hunters a try. Talked to Steve and opted for the 142s. Developed a legit 1/2 moa load in like 16 shots. Using H1000 I'm at a 3500 FPS muzzle velocity. Rl 26 went over 3600 but was too tough to keep readily stocked. With a 300 yard zero, I don't even have to think about range compensation til after 400. In the Idaho Panhandle, shots can be 3 yards or 1200. I'm very comfortable with this load out to 1000 (min velocity for expansion) under great conditions. Much past 700, I'm more confident with the 180 bergers

JVandy,
I'm on my third 28 Nosler and love the round. I started back when there was no load data. And while I love h1000 would not use it in the 28 Nosler. I found it to be the most accurate powder with the lowest standard deviation of all the powders I used. But found you can't get the full potential out of the 28 Nosler with h1000 and 175 to 180 grain bullets. The issue is you reach the pressure limits too soon before you can take advantage of the Velocity this case can provide. The other thought is the 28 Nosler is best designed to shoot 175 grain or larger bullets. Yes you can shoot the 168 grain bullets but what's the big advantage over a 7 Mag. The bigger bullets just simply give better ballistics. I've used 180 grain Berger vld with sub half minute MOA, the 175 grn Nosler ABLRs and got the tightest three shot groups under three eighths of an inch but I got flyers once in awhile. I now shoot the the Hornady 175 eld-x with a sub half-inch MOA. After trying load development with h1000, I used retumbo, IMR 8133, and reloader 33. I currently use reloader 33 near the top of the recommended load. I would give you my load but it's pretty much near the top of the Nosler reloading manual with the overall cartridge length adjusted to my extended throat. I think the key adjusting your cartridge length to your rifle chamber, taking the max load out of a good reloading manual, backing down three to five grains and came back up and 1/2 grain increments until pressure and velocity was where I thought there was a good balance. With a 26in proof research carbon fiber Barrel with a n8.24 twist, RL88 and Hornady 175 ELD x s I'm getting 3184 fps. Be careful using other people's load recommendations or you may get sticky bolts that require the wooden block to tap on the bolt handle to get the case out, or get a punctured primer so the leaking gas bends your firing pin. Not that I've ever done any of those things. Good luck with you're load development.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[L.Sherm]

Basically called me a lier and an idiot.

First of all I did not call you a liar or idiot.
If you do manage to get close to 1500 rounds you will be the first that I know of or heard of, it certainly isnt the " norm".
Alot of things contribute ot barrel wear and i have got a couple overbores myself i shoot. Theres some good gunsmiths on this Forum who have built quite a few 28 Noslers that come to mind Alex Wheeler, Ryan Pierce and JE Customs can probably agree to that also. I'm not trying to start a pi##### match just stating a fact it definitely is not the Norm to expect 1500 rounds out of a 28.