Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 27 Nosler vs 28 Nosler

I've got an MRC X3 I am going to rebarrel. Trying to decide between the 27 Nosler and the 28 Nosler. This will be for shooting mono-metal bullets mostly for elk hunting. I have yet to see anyone do a comparison of the two cartridges, no doubt because the 27 Nosler is a very new option at this time. And, I know they are going to be pretty similar, but, still, I have to choose one.

I know the .277 caliber cartridges usually get dinged for "lack of bullet options," but between Barnes (3 different bullets) and Hammer bullets (7 different bullets), there are 10 mono-metal bullet options starting at 85gn and going up to 168gn, which is plenty of selection for me. And, with Nosler coming out with its 27 Nosler cartridge, and Sig with its .277 Fury cartridge, the .277 options are only going to increase.

Of course, the .284 caliber has a huge range of bullet options.

Considering the application, anyone have any thoughts on choosing one over the other?

There are some great 7mm bullets! Certainly no flies on the .270 but that would sway it to the 28 for me.

But you have a strong argument why the 270 market will improve.

For elk, I would go with the 28. Heavier bullets.

I think .277 caliber is going to be the next big thing imo..it will be the next craze similar to the 6.5s..if you get a 27 nosler you will just be getting in ahead of the game

Well whichever you choose it sounds like you will only be one off.

I’d go the 27 Nosler, the 270 WSM is awesome. The Nosler version should be even better.

Only downside to the 27N is lack of high BC bullets to really stretch its legs out. I’m a big 270 fan too FYI

28N will have plenty to choose from if you reload.

I would go with the 28. Not sure of performance gains or losses between the two. I have just always gravitated to the 7mm's over the 270 cartridges.
The 28 Nosler interests me, the 27 not so much.

Look at ammo cost to either buy or reload, whichever you do. The difference is .07 of an inch, the animal in the receiving end will never know that difference.

Thanks for all the input, everyone.

Forgot to mention that I do reload.

I am leaning towards the 27 Nosler, just because it would be fun to play with something so new.

I have shot most of my big game with a 270 Win or a 270 WSM. Ever since Nosler announced that they were coming out with the Nosler 27, I have been thinking I would prefer a Nosler 28. I am thinking of bullet weight and higher B.C. I have shot neither so my opinion may not mean much.

The factory ammo and brass is cheaper for the 28 Nosler. Hornady Outfitter is pretty accurate and its less than its other Nosler cousins. 28 Nosler is a one and done for everything on NA. Recoil isn't bad and it will lay out the ft/lbs of energy as ways.

Google a 270 win - 280 rem comparison and it will tell you all you need to know. If you can't get it done with the 27 nosler, you won't get it done with the 28 nosler.

Re-barrel to the 27 Nosler and go kill elk. The elk won't know that the bullet is .007" smaller than the .284".

I would go 27, but I am a big 270 fan.



At Nosler velocities, no elk is going to stop a mono metal bullet. No matter 27 or 28 caliber.

That is what I was thinking, too.

And, at the same bullet weight, the 27 Nosler will have a slightly higher SD than the equivalent 28 Nosler bullet.

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I would like to see the 27 Nosler in action it is plenty for any Elk that walks. I have killed Elk with several calibers and the ones I shot with my .270 are just as dead as the ones I shot with my .338. I have never used the .270 Weatherby, I have always wanted one, but I believe the Nosler will be on par with that if not faster. The key will be load development and bullets used. I would also be interested to see what loads Nosler develops for it. The 28 Nosler is pretty much the same as a 7mm STW or a RUM, I've owned both and not really overwhelmed with either of them. I can step up to a 30 magnum and do better for the same price in recoil. With the 27 Nosler I think you would really have something different that is better and unique. I would take my .270 Winchester Model 70 loaded with 140 grain Nosler Accubonds on any Elk hunt anywhere but it is not a 1,000. yard Elk rifle it requires skill and a little luck to get in on a Bull where you can make an ethical shot.

I’m not sure there’s any such thing as a 1,000 yard elk rifle, mostly due to shooter skill. If someone had the skill a 338 Lapua or RUM would far surpass any .277 at that distance in effectiveness. Personally the .284 is a better runner, but both are more similar than different in all respects.