Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .28 Nosler Factory velocities

Yesterday we fired the new build, were waiting on the scope, 28 Nosler. Factory 160 gr. AB over the chronie, 5 shots, averaged 3150. 25 inch, 9 twist Pac-Nor. The box advertizes 3300. Not even in the ball park as far as I`m concerned.
What fave you guys found?

Thanks
CP

When I played with a 28 Nosler for a magazine review when the cartridge was first announced, there wasn't any factory ammo available. But the most accurate handload tried, using data provided by Nosler and Norma, was the 160-grain Nosler Partition with 85.0 grains of Norma 217, for 3339 fps from the 26" barreled Nosler rifle.

Have occasionally seen Nosler ammo not get listed velocity in their own rifles. When the 26 Nosler first appeared, the 140 Accubond ammo Nosler sent along with a test rifle got a little over 3200 fps, rather than the listed 3300 fps. I contacted them, saying this wouldn't be too pleasing for somebody buying a rifle. They thanked me for the info and sent some more ammo that got 3298 in my rifle. (The 129 AccuBond Long Range load, on the other hand, always got very close to listed velocity in my rifle--which I ended up buying.)

You might want to contact Nosler, because they might appreciate knowing about your slow ammo. However, I've also found custom barrels will often produce different velocities with factory ammo, especially if the barrel's a different length, though the rifling pattern and reamer can also have an effect. High-capacity rounds like the 28 will often lose 50+ fps per inch in shorter barrels.

Along with those factors, SAAMI specs allow for plus or minus 90 fps from listed muzzle velocities in factory ammo, partly because of all the possible variables I noted.

Am also wondering what "chronie" you used. Ever since Shooting Chronys appeared, people have been using "chrony" as slang for any chronograph, but sometimes it's an actual Shooting Chrony. If so, I wouldn't trust the results.

Good Morning John,...yes indeed using the shooting chonie, a new just recieved in trade with the company. IME, these have given me very good feed back, as using the velocities read matches the ballistic charts I use and shoot very well....within a quarter inch, no. Again, just my experience with the shooting chronie.
I`d read your article, remember reading best accuracy came under max velocity. Accuracy last nite was not an issue, with 4 of the 5 dropping into 3/8 inch, the 5th opening the group to 1/2.
We will be doing more shooting yet, so will keep an eye on it
Thanks

The factory 160 AB averaged 3156 fps from my 26" 28 Nosler. Velocities measured with a ProChono.

Intresting...I did call Nosler today as per MD`s suggestion, talked with Mike and exchanged some info. He could not find the velocity records from that batch of ammo, accuracy records only.
Mike suggests that few chronograph hunting ammo.
Are you happy with your results?

Thanks

I got 3175 FPS avg with the 160gr Accubond factory loads, 26” barrel using a Labradar. Good accuracy though, 3100 fps with the 175gr ABLR factory loads. These were the first rounds fired out of the rifle and I’ve been told the velocity would increase until the barrel had 80-100 rounds through it.

I`ve been told the same thing, a velocity increase with 60-80- rounds down the tube. Must have talked to the same person. I`ll chrony again at the end of this first box. IME, that has not happened with fixed ammo. I consider factory ammo "fixed" cause you can`t change it. I have found that as the barrel/throat wears velocity and pressure drop, and handloading, I can compensate for that ware.
Interesting that the three of us are so close in velocity...hope more folks chime in.

BTB, what is the listed velocity for the 175?

Thanks

3125 fps. I shot up all the factory loads and then used the cases for reloads. I’m getting 3150fps with 180gr Berger VLDs, I’ve reloaded some of those factory cases 5 times with no problem.

Thanks, so the factory 175`s came in close to advertized. Heck, if one is going to shoot factory, right now it looks like the 175 would be the load to go with.
I don`t know if we are going to reload...my Nephews rifle, will be up to him.
Thanks for the info.

John, how does the case capacity of the 28 Nosler compare to that of the 7mm STW?

The velocities mentioned in this thread sound very similar to those I get from my Ruger #1 26 inch in STW.

Looking at a few STW ammo boxes in Cabela`s this wkend made by Nosler with the 160 AB`s, you bet.

Hard to believe no one else has chronied the ,28 Nosler stuff.

I recently decided I wanted to start shooting factory ammunition as I don't have the time I used to for hand loading. After receiving such dismal results in velocity (.243, .25-06, 7mm Rem Mag) I'm back to hand loads. 308 Win gave acceptable results. In my experience most factory loads are a scam in relation to velocity, all variables considered.