.28 nosler load data

[Quackillr]

Just finished up another hunting build. Savage 110 action, shilen select match 1:8 in 28 nos, cdi bottom metal and 3.75 aicip mag, choate tactical stock, 20 moa base, Leupold vx3i LRp. Thinking I am going to use retumbo rather than rl 33 for temperature stability. Coal .015 off is 3.62 with the 195 eol bullets. What kind of starting/max loads are you guys using with retumbo? I have bergers data but with my longer coal I am just wondering how much you guys loading long are going beyond 78.2 and what kind of velocity you are seeing? Obviously components are in short supply, I have 100 brass and 200 195's to get this thing dialed before the Mt season opener . 5 shot group today with a starting load of 75 grs was .75" @ 200. Really excited about that. Ladder test tomorrow 75-79 in .2 dr increments and watch for pressure. Any advise on how to develop loads and save components?

 

[awesymoto]

I have the same issue trying to load developer fast. I am on my 2nd 28 Nosler rifle and 3rd barrel overall. I did this: H1000 max load 78.5 for me so I went 77.3 77.6 77.9 78.2 x4 rounds each all at 0.020" off the lands That's 16 I chrono 1 from each to get an idea of velocity and fps then shoot 3 round group of each powder. I pick the tightest group and just today (new barrel) loaded 0.03" 0.06" 0.09" and 0.12" off the lands in the best powder group. Total you have tried 4 charges and 5 different jump distances. Of course if 0.020" shoots skip the last step! I went from 0.8-0.6 MOA to shooting a 0.2550 MOA JUMPING 0.12 now I load the rest at 0.12 chrono 3 for velocity and then get kestrel calibrated at 500 then out to a grand. The whole deal can take less than 50 shots but unfortunately 3 trips to the range / outdoors

 

[awesymoto]

Yes for those skeptics I know that its not 5 shots but shooting a magnum has kept me from doing this. I found it to be very effective. Without excessive barrel heating, mirage, etc. I extensively track my reloading data and plot it in excel to find trends very quickly for accuracy and ES/SD nodes. I used to burn so many rounds trying to get load developments done but found this is the most effective method for me, it is a blend of the OCW, Berger jump test, and some Scott dude's claimed 10shot load development (which didn't work for me) the issue is you need to break down your data after to see trends that otherwise you would overlook or cast aside as a fluke

 

[Earnhardt]

Awesymoto, how many rounds per barrel are you getting before you need to re-barrel?
Thanks

 

[WildRose]

Just finished up another hunting build. Savage 110 action, shilen select match 1:8 in 28 nos, cdi bottom metal and 3.75 aicip mag, choate tactical stock, 20 moa base, Leupold vx3i LRp. Thinking I am going to use retumbo rather than rl 33 for temperature stability. Coal .015 off is 3.62 with the 195 eol bullets. What kind of starting/max loads are you guys using with retumbo? I have bergers data but with my longer coal I am just wondering how much you guys loading long are going beyond 78.2 and what kind of velocity you are seeing? Obviously components are in short supply, I have 100 brass and 200 195's to get this thing dialed before the Mt season opener . 5 shot group today with a starting load of 75 grs was .75" @ 200. Really excited about that. Ladder test tomorrow 75-79 in .2 dr increments and watch for pressure. Any advise on how to develop loads and save components? View attachment 107678

Try to stay at least a grain or two under recommended max and work down dill you find your most accurate load. From there tweak the seating depth to tighten things up.

This will save you a great deal of time, money, and frustration and greatly extend the life of your components.

If you try to push the max it's going to cost you.

Keep your your shot strings limited to no more than 3 shots in four minutes and let it cool down completely between strings and you will add even more life to your throat and bore.

I've babied 3 7mm STW's to within spitting distance of 2000 rounds or beyond doing this and still have very good throat life remaining.

 

[awesymoto]

Awesymoto, how many rounds per barrel are you getting before you need to re-barrel?
Thanks

I sold my 1st one prior to burning it out but only had 190~ on it. On my current rifle I had 450 rounds down a 24" Bartlein HV profile and shot it like a PRS rifle sometimes firing 10 shot groups. I ran it hot load wise and hard shooting wise shooting fast and sometimes suppressed. It started giving velocity up at 430 rounds and accuracy shortly after that called it at 450. I put on my proof barrel which I'm going to baby. I am hoping for 800 on the proof. Something I noticed is I started chasing the lands a couple thou every 50 rounds on the bartlein so that's a good indication of shooting too fast

 

[Earnhardt]

I sold my 1st one prior to burning it out but only had 190~ on it. On my current rifle I had 450 rounds down a 24" Bartlein HV profile and shot it like a PRS rifle sometimes firing 10 shot groups. I ran it hot load wise and hard shooting wise shooting fast and sometimes suppressed. It started giving velocity up at 430 rounds and accuracy shortly after that called it at 450. I put on my proof barrel which I'm going to baby. I am hoping for 800 on the proof. Something I noticed is I started chasing the lands a couple thou every 50 rounds on the bartlein so that's a good indication of shooting too fast

That's the second 28 Nosler owner I've seen say their barrel lasted 450-600 rounds...
Ok, so when the 28 Nosler is rode hard and put away wet, the barrel life is greatly reduced. (as with any barrel...yes, I know I'm wearing the Captain Obvious hat right now...)
But for a guy like me (who's thinking about building a 28 Nosler) who will not be shooting it in competition, and letting the barrel cool down between shootings the barrel life is greatly increased...

Thanks for the info!

 

[awesymoto]

That's the second 28 Nosler owner I've seen say their barrel lasted 450-600 rounds...
Ok, so when the 28 Nosler is rode hard and put away wet, the barrel life is greatly reduced. (as with any barrel...yes, I know I'm wearing the Captain Obvious hat right now...)
But for a guy like me (who's thinking about building a 28 Nosler) who will not be shooting it in competition, and letting the barrel cool down between shootings the barrel life is greatly increased...

Thanks for the info!

To give you an idea of my first barrel I was running 78.7 g of H1000 Getting 3100 ft./s on a 24 inch barrel with the 175ELDX now I'm getting roughly the same with the ELD ems out of a 26 inch barrel with only 77.6 grains

 

[James Bailey]

Don't know if anyone is interested, but I have a MRC X3 in 28 Nosler and I've found 4 really accurate and fast loads to share for this rifle in case any of you guys have one:
1. 180 Berger Hunting VLD
85 g RL 33, 3.338 COAL, .886 three shot groups, 3148 fps average.
2. 168 Berger Hunting VLD
86 g Retumbo, 3.408 COAL, .671 three shot average, 3392 fps average.
3. 162 Hornady SST
85 g N 217, 3.307 COAL, .214 three shot average, 3349 for average.
4. 150 Nosler/Win BT/CT
90 g RL 33, 3.330 COAL, .217 three shot average, 3250 fps average. (94 g of RL 33 takes you up to just over 3500 but opens up to 1.348 which is a little too fast for practicality. I think you could shorten up to like 3.285 and tighten that group. I just haven't been willing to sacrifice my barrel for it.

 

[WildRose]

Don't know if anyone is interested, but I have a MRC X3 in 28 Nosler and I've found 4 really accurate and fast loads to share for this rifle in case any of you guys have one:
1. 180 Berger Hunting VLD
85 g RL 33, 3.338 COAL, .886 three shot groups, 3148 fps average.
2. 168 Berger Hunting VLD
86 g Retumbo, 3.408 COAL, .671 three shot average, 3392 fps average.
3. 162 Hornady SST
85 g N 217, 3.307 COAL, .214 three shot average, 3349 for average.
4. 150 Nosler/Win BT/CT
90 g RL 33, 3.330 COAL, .217 three shot average, 3250 fps average. (94 g of RL 33 takes you up to just over 3500 but opens up to 1.348 which is a little too fast for practicality. I think you could shorten up to like 3.285 and tighten that group. I just haven't been willing to sacrifice my barrel for it.

How are you liking the X3?

 

[WildRose]

That's the second 28 Nosler owner I've seen say their barrel lasted 450-600 rounds...
Ok, so when the 28 Nosler is rode hard and put away wet, the barrel life is greatly reduced. (as with any barrel...yes, I know I'm wearing the Captain Obvious hat right now...)
But for a guy like me (who's thinking about building a 28 Nosler) who will not be shooting it in competition, and letting the barrel cool down between shootings the barrel life is greatly increased...

Thanks for the info!

Consider nitride to extend it by as much as 50-75%.

 

[sable tireur]

From the first shot down the tube, barrel life is downhill. There is no turning back. You can shoot to enjoy the pleasure of the activity or you can sight it in and then leave it in the safe until next year. I enjoy the process of load development and shooting in general so I might wear out a barrel somewhat faster than most folks. When it's time, I re-barrel and move on, enjoying the process all over again. Higher velocities from bigger cartridges costs more money for components and barrels, there's no way out of this.

Saving barrel life can be an excruciating PIA. But, select a moderate heat generating powder and practice the time delay between shots. The other advice I can offer is to switch cartridges. If you want long barrel life and still be able to enjoy shooting the rifle, switch to the .308 Win. since it's possible to get multiple thousands of shots using this cartridge. If you really have to have the hot rod, run it like a hot rod and enjoy it!

the issue is you need to break down your data after to see trends that otherwise you would overlook or cast aside as a fluke

The unfortunate part of this is that far too many shooters just want to shoot and record keeping is basically a nuisance to them. Some will keep shot counts on each barrel, most don't. Analyzing and plotting data is reserved for those few of us who view the world differently. We examine the minutia and want to make sense of it. Others want to shoot and hunt. There is no right or wrong, simply a different viewpoint.

Regards.

I forgot to add that Nosler has data for this cartridge using H-1000 as their accuracy load. H-1000 is a cool burning powder suited to adding a little control over barrel life. You can also consider as noted Norma 217 and VVN-170. Be aware that when using cooler burning powders, you will see a drop in velocity.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/28-nosler/

 

[James Bailey]

How are you liking the X3?

I really like it. The only complaint I have is that I wish it had a longer magazine box. It's very accurate and handles perfect.

 

[AHoffart]

That's the second 28 Nosler owner I've seen say their barrel lasted 450-600 rounds...
Ok, so when the 28 Nosler is rode hard and put away wet, the barrel life is greatly reduced. (as with any barrel...yes, I know I'm wearing the Captain Obvious hat right now...)
But for a guy like me (who's thinking about building a 28 Nosler) who will not be shooting it in competition, and letting the barrel cool down between shootings the barrel life is greatly increased...

Thanks for the info!

Agree--IF and yes I mean IF, you dont shoot 10 shot groups the 28 Nosler as well as a 300RUM will last longer than you will live.. in my experience..I built a 28N with a Defiance Action, Proof Barrel combo..is shooting great..have used it on elk and deer so far.. Have used a HS Precision in 300RUM since 2001.. great rifle..have taken it to Africa on 6 hunts for plains game...200 Gr A-Frames ..and have used in on dozens of N American game.. mostly elk.. had the barrel scoped last year ..was told the barrel it completely fine.. I don't shoot it a ton ..but between hunts and practice..guessing 40 to 60 rounds min per year... so say only 50 x's 18 years...900 rounds.. and barrel is going well.. was told once after the 3rd shot, each consecutive shot does as much damage as the first 3 combined..not sure if that is true..but guessing it might be close.. heat matters..