Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Nosler 28 vs 280 Ackley ?

Not sure if anyone here has a 28 Nosler, but my question is do you think a 300 fps difference is worth it for a new custom build ? That is the velocity difference apparently according to Noslers load data.

What do you want to do with rifle?

I just built a 280ai, so I'm bias.

But if I were to build a 28 Nos, I'd build it to push the longer, higher B.C. bullets out there. So it'd have a long throat, 1:8 twist, and I'd have it throated for the 195 Berger.

For me, it wouldn't be about more speed with the same bullets, it'd be about the capability to shoot some of the incredibly hight ballistic coefficient bullets out there.

Not really a question of need for me. I already have a 280 Ackley. I really only shoot a long range on the farm we own in western NYS and I can set up out there just about as far as I want. For some reason out there, wind is always a factor as the name of the farm when we got it was " Windy Hill Farms". I just was wondering how much of a gain would it be to have the extra 300 fps for range and wind conditions. I don't like shooting at game when the wind is kicking at great distances, but maybe the gain would make me rethink it some what.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/ballistics/

Try this but it won't tell the entire story as the 180 and 195 may shoot best at 2,800 - 2,950 fps and the AI can get you close to that velocity with a long barrel.

It will be worth it if you shoot the 180 bergers or better yet the 195 gr Elite hunters, use a Bartlein tube twisted 8-8.5" for the 195's or go 9" for the 180's!

Not worth it for your described situation.

If it really is long-range, then you will need to dial elevation and wind anyway.

If it isn't really long-range, then the extra velocity is rather irrelevant IMO.

In long range hunting or shooting anything you can do to improve the the odds is worth it!

+10

With the BC of the 195 and the extra HP theres a BIG difference...

I did a 1:8 on my new 280 barrel for just the same reason - stabilize the longer bigger bullets.. The LRX says it needs a 1:8.

I've one of the former and three of the latter. For LR, pass the 7 Rem Mag please...

What don't you like about the 28 Nosler ?

Other than the fact that I had to use obscure powders like 217, 869 and RL33, with significantly more recoil, to get a couple clicks difference out to how far I kill critters...not much.

Same/same with the four STWs I've used...

RD if you don't think you need it, you probably don't.

I'd just load a 162 Amax in your 280AI and have at it. It will do anything you might want to do from a 7mm rifle and cartridge.

No doubt there are ballistic advantages to the 28 Nosler with heavy bullets,but at the expense of longer tubes, more powder,noise and recoil etc.

If you want something else to shoot at the farm, hunt with, and run to long range,just get a 6.5 Creedmoor.

This ^^^

As usual, Bob nailed it.

I consider a 280ai a longer range rifle than I need. I am going to load mine with 160+g bullets and never go back to 140's. If I was shooting big critters at long distances, I might consider a 300 RUM. 28 Nosler probably fills the same gap/need. If I lived out west I would probably own one of these. if you pulled a 600yshot, and missed the vitals, it would be nice to have the big bullet still moving fast.

Depending on the type of hunting your planning on doing....
For the Alberta chase .
I'd take a hard look at the 26 Nosler and its flatter shooting bullet.
Over distances that big whitetails can be shot out west or in Canada..

Clicken and dicken will cost you time..
For a clicken and dicken rifle the 180 or 195 in the Nosler will work very well.
But for when time is important. I'd look hard at the 26..
That being said I carried a 280 AI for 9 canada trips and never felt undergunned.
The over bore stuff is harder to tune and harder to keep in tune and fries barrels much sooner than a 280 AI.Kicks more too. More expensive, more wear and tear, tuffer on scopes ears and shoulders..
Depends on how much time and money you want to devote to it...

dave

Dave I was thinking the 28 over the 26 because of barrel wear. You mention barrel wear y opt for the 26 high BCover the 28. Admittedly I am a 284 kinda guy. Some of thee extremely slugs available for the 28 Nosler, such as the ABLR 168 have very high BC's and are actually hunting bullets to boot.

Alot depends on the type of hunt your planning on doing.
Im thinking there not alot of difference in barrel life between the 26 and 28.
I you have the time to admire, glass, laze, and click.
Then the 28 is the way to go.
IF you have seconds to make up your mind and the distances are shorter..
Then the 26 would be flatter shooting for jumping and running type of hunting..
Just depends.
The 280 AI will do both and last longer.
The 7mm WSM will do very well at both as well.
A friend runs a 7mm WSM and 162g AMAXs and does very well.
TO me the down side of the Nosler case is the expense.
STW case will run in 6.5 or 7mm or as I did in 277.
Many different ways to skin the same cat..

dave