Rifle build underway

[ColeT96]

I've got a rifle build underway. I posted about scope help the other day. Hopefully it will be done by the end of January. It's going to be:

28 nosler

-24" proof barrel
-Ag composites alpine hunter
-Trigger tech trigger
-Kauger elite hunter action
-Schmidt and bender pmii 5-25x56 scope, will probably have to use a rail to help mount.
-Being throated for 180 bergers

Should I do VLD or hybrids?

I'm hoping to achieve 3100-3150 MV with this load. Any other bullet recommendations?

 

[southpa]

Sounds like an awesome build. Many more with plenty of experience in the 28 will chime in I'm sure. Personally my findings are that the vlds shoot better than the hybirds in anything I own. But I let the barrel tell me that! Why not 3100-3150 with 195.....

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Hammer Hunters! Ha.

What twist is your barrel?

These

.284 Cal-170gr Hammer HHT™ - Hammer Bullets

AT THIS TIME TIPS ARE CONSUMER INSTALLED TIPPING BLOCK INCLUDED WITH EACH ORDER Designed for a minimum twist rate of 1-8", this pure copper lead free Hammer HHT™ will be a great choice for long range hunting with the big 8" twist rifles.

hammerbullets.com

Or these

.284 Cal-172gr Absolute Hammer™ - Hammer Bullets

Our heaviest Absolute Hammer™ for the .284 cal (7mm) at 172gr with the added velocity and consistent ballistic coefficient from the Absolute design, will be outstanding on even the biggest of big game. You should be able to see 3200 fps nicely with your 7mm Remington Magnum. Loading for...

hammerbullets.com

 

[ColeT96]

Sounds like an awesome build. Many more with plenty of experience in the 28 will chime in I'm sure. Personally my findings are that the vlds shoot better than the hybirds in anything I own. But I let the barrel tell me that! Why not 3100-3150 with 195.....

The smith said if he throated for 195s loading for 180s could make it squirly. I'm not sure though. I may tell him to throat for it so the option is there

 

[Northkill]

Running the 147 Apex in my 7 Allen at 3730 fps with Retumbo…and the 160 McGuire a little slower. Both fine performing projos at those velocities. Apex is working at a 160 class aiming for .340 G7…

 

[southpa]

The smith said if he throated for 195s loading for 180s could make it squirly. I'm not sure though. I may tell him to throat for it so the option is there

With the right freebore you can run both. But say you dial it for 195s, I doubt you'll be concerned with 180s...

 

[Rflshootr]

I'd run some ballistics at reasonable velocities and see how much you'd gain/lose between both bullets at the distance you'll be shooting/hunting, both in windage, elevation and velocity. In other words, don't be concerned with the ballistics at a mile out if your max distance is 600 yards. I think you'll find that there will be little difference in a reasonable scenario.
In addition, if you have brass and bullets, seat one of each so the bottom of the bearing surface of the bullet, is at the neck/shoulder junction of the case. Then, compare the 2 base to ogive measurements to see the difference. That number will be very close to how much more you will have to seat the longer bullet in the case to get to the same point of touching the lands in the barrel. You might find it to be insignificant and only taking up a small amount of case volume.
At the same time, you can check your OAL to make sure they will fit the magazine.
So, what I am saying is, if it were me, and I didn't have the need or option to shoot very long distances, I would throat it for the 180's. Then if I decided to shoot something heavier for one reason or another, I would take the slightly less case volume and run with it.
It is much easier to cut the throat deeper in the future, then it is to set the barrel back to make the throat shorter.

Edit: I just ran a couple of numbers comparing base to ogive measurements of the 180 VLDH to the 195 Elite. The difference is .107. That alone could take you past magazine length. I sure would check all of the numbers before you make a final decision.
You haven't really said if this is a hunting rifle or mainly a target rifle. If it is a hunting rifle, I would definitely pick a hunting bullet. The only 180 that Berger has for hunting, is the VLD.
3100-3150 with the heavy bullets, especially the 195, would be stretching it, depending on the powder you pick and what the rifle likes. I would also suggest you look at the load data from Hodgdon which is based off of a 24" barrel just like you are having built.
BTW, MidSouth has the 180VLDH on clearance sale right now. $55.43/box cheap.

 

[captrjc]

I believe that anything less than the 195 in a 28 Nosler is waste of time. The 28 really shines ballistically with the 195's. When you handicap it with lesser projectiles you get 7 Rem mag performance at 28 Nosler prices. Do yourself a favor and throat it for the 195's and don't look back.
I've owned 2 factory 28's and 2 customs. The way the 195's fly is hard to beat.
Truthfully the only ammo I ran in the factory rifles was Nosler with the 175 ABLR.

 

[FEENIX]

The smith said if he throated for 195s loading for 180s could make it squirly. I'm not sure though. I may tell him to throat for it so the option is there

If you have the mag length/COAL clearance to take advantage of what the 195 offers, this would be the route, letting the 28 Nosler shine. Good luck!

 

[std7mag]

Mark & Sam after work make good use of the 195gr Berger EOL for ELR/ULR.

Seems like most of the F-Open and BR shooters prefer the 180gr.

If I were throating for the 180gr, I would choose using the Hybrid bullet. The VLD can be a little picky on seating depth.
The Hybrid is much more forgiving.

 

[V35BTC]

One of my 28 Nos. Reamers I had made to use the Berger 195's with a 3.8" length coal. These work real well loaded just short of that in a DBM. Most rifles I have done are 22" barrels, and we usually see 2970-3000 FPS. With this setup, the 180's and 175's still work well.

 

[Rflshootr]

One of my 28 Nos. Reamers I had made to use the Berger 195's with a 3.8" length coal. These work real well loaded just short of that in a DBM. Most rifles I have done are 22" barrels, and we usually see 2970-3000 FPS. With this setup, the 180's and 175's still work well.

Just for numbers sake, if I counted right, that puts the boat tail/body junction of the bullet about .088 above the neck shoulder junction of the case. Sound about right?
So where does that put you in relation to the lands? Touching?

 

[V35BTC]

Just for numbers sake, if I counted right, that puts the boat tail/body junction of the bullet about .088 above the neck shoulder junction of the case. Sound about right?
So where does that put you in relation to the lands? Touching?

Thats real close, .015" off touch, they shoot good at .055" off as well.

 

[SteveBurton]

As a couple of people have already mentioned, throat it for the 195s and don't look back. I started with the 180 Hybrids in mine, then switched to 195s. There is absolutely no reason to shoot 180s in a custom throated 28N. You should easily get 3100+ with them.