Bowman
Yes load development has gone pretty well so far. It occurred to me that some might be interested in an observation or two regards the 28 Nosler so here are a few.
1. This is a power house in a 30-06 length case. I was surprised at how easily it blew past 4,000 ft lbs with no pressure signs. It shoots pretty good there too. Maximum book loads (Nosler #7) for the 7mm RUM top out at 3,890 ft lbs so that right there got my attention. I never did push the 28 to the point I saw pressure signs (maybe later) though I had some loads running 4,086 ft lbs. I figured that they had to be getting near the top but will have to verify that by going up another grain. For some reason I'm not all that worried about doing that any time soon.
2. The case is plenty big - 102.1 grains H2O. There is no need to worry about having to seat the bullet deep to fit in a mag as even then it is a little too empty with most powders. Maybe that is why US869 works well as it fills it better than most.
3. Unlike my 26 Nosler the 28 Nosler is pretty well behaved. The ladder test was nice and orderly. Each step up in quantity of powder got a nice repeatable step up in velocity. My impression is that the 0.284 bore might be the sweet spot for this case. I know when Nosler gets done that there are supposed to be 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 35 and 36 Noslers so time will tell.
4. I like this rifle. Though I have lots of other choices, it will be going hunting for sure this Fall.
