Product #: 503034. Hell, Ive had at least one for 40 years. The .280 Ackley Improved is hot these days, flying about 100 fps behind the 7mm Rem. Publisher, Kevin Steele is with Brett Marquardt from Streamlight Inc. discussing the new Streamlight Pro Tac 2.0, the latest edition in the Pro Tac series. Hunters typically but incorrectly use the best elk calibers to mean cartridge, but Ill use calibers for the sake of this review. Figure another 30 fps velocity increase for every inch of barrel added and a 24-inch launchpad should nudged that 140-grain to 3,240 fps. This is a great site and I love the reviews but there are some inconsistencies. bear a closer comparison. This short-fat, looking remarkably similar to the 6.8 Western, adds around 200 fps to the best Creedmoor speeds, and that lets you shoot the same bullets with less drop, less wind deflection, and more energy on target. On the other side of the caliber scale are the .35 Whelen (.30/06 necked up) and various .375s. because maximum average chamber pressure is 64,000 psi. The cartridge fires a bullet with a diameter of .284 inches or 7mm. The .28 Nosler cartridge is one of the best cartridges for hunting elk as long as controlled-expansion bullets are used. That increased capacity, coupled with modern powders, allows the 27 Nosler to drive bullets faster and flatter than ever before. The 7mm Rem Mag is certainly adequate for any elk, especially with heavier bullets. Personally I find rifle energy a poor measure of killing ability. And realize that after a hunt or choice you might want to choose differently. That 160 grain Nosler Partition bullet is perfect for hunting really big game where it's really important to use a heavy, well constructed projectile. We use cookies to make your experience better. Google a 270 win - 280 rem comparison and it will tell you all you need to know. The "new" .270s (27 Nosler and 6.8 Western), with faster twists and bullets up to 175 grains change the game. Modern 6.5s, whether slow like the Creedmoor or fast like the PRC, are limited to 140-grain bullets, also light for elk-sized animals. By the way, the .277 SIG Fury arose out of SIGs project to build a light, belt-fed .277 machine gun cartridge and rifle for the U.S. military. Any rifle/cartridge adequate for elk at long range is also adequate up close, but my concept of a thick-cover elk rifle uses a heavy, large-diameter bullet, without concern for flat trajectory or extreme velocity. Some of us hunt still-hunt elk in black timber and on brushy lower slopes. These rifle weight/size considerations will influence cartridge size, especially length. Why I believe the actual on target energy is about the same as felt recoil. Commissions are earned for links to Brownell's, Amazon, MidwayUSA, GoHunt, OpticsPlanet, Sportsman's Warehouse, and other retailers. The 225-grain load in an eight-pound rifle should generate about 40.8 ft-lb of recoil energy. The .27 Nosler works with a larger powder reservoir. This was and is one key to the .300 Win. The SIG and Nosler both require fast twist rifling to stabilize those long, high B.C. 2023 Backfire LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. Follow along to see exactly how. So, for an all-around elk-thumper, Ive gone back to the .338. To prevent the risk of a 28 Nosler cartridge being chambered in a 27 Nosler chamber, the shoulder of the 27 Nosler has been moved slightly rearward, lengthening the neck slightly. Most factory loads from a 24-inch barrel are rated 2,960 fps. Believe it or not, with the right bullet, it can hang right with the .300 Win Mag without the recoil. At 800 yards the 28 Nosler carries just over 2000 ft lbs of energy. Are you concerned about barrel life? One of the most popular magnums of all time. Mag. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. It was a 270 wby built on a Fierce Rival long action with a 27 " 1-8 twist benchmark. 28 Nosler is a one and done for everything on NA. Calibers lighter and heavier than the 7mms through .338s can be considered excellent for elk. The .277-inch bore has been definedfor nearly a centuryby the .270 Winchester, and while that cartridge is an undeniable classic, its twist rate limits the bullet weight to 150 grains maximum, with some of the round nosed 160s stabilizing properly in certain circumstances. The 27 Nosler has a long leade for sleek, high BC, long ogive, ABLR and RDF style bullets. Traditional .270s are limited by 1:10 rifling twist to 150-grain bullets. 2500fps and 1600+ft-lb at same distance. The elk offers a huge vital zone. I have tremendous respect for elk. Subscriber Services. With such a rifle, we are expecting a shot at less than 100 yards. No doubt Ive angered all of its fans by comparing it to the old, slow .30-06. Publisher of Petersen's HUNTING magazine, Kevin Steele is at the Steiner Optics booth with Alberto Corbetta to discuss the Predator 4 and Predator 8. With modern loads the .45-70 has 200-yard capability, and no issues about hitting an elk hard enough. A final consideration these days is availability of guns and ammo. I usually shoot 168 grain Nosler ABLR 160 grain Nosler AB bullets. Mag. This review can help with that. Ditto the .416s, 44s, and 45s. The heaviest HH for your twist is the 148gr, but you'd have to watch oal as it is 1.48 inches long. In the other case, it bucked around for about 5 seconds before expiring. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com) Synonymous with quality hunting ammunition, Nosler shakes things up in the .270 world introducing a new caliber - the 27 . All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. What the heck? buried one Winchester magnum and created another. I handled a sample Cross and it felt precise, tight, remarkably adjustable for fit, and impressively light at just 6.5 pounds, only about 1.5 pounds heavier than the ultralight mountain rifles Ive hunted with the past 30 years. In my situation, I think the tradeoffs of recoil are far outweighed by the positive aspects of the cartridge. The Browning X-Bolt Pro I purchased in .28 Nosler weighs a mere 6 pounds, 10 ounces un-scoped. Recoil is stout, but substantially less than any magnum .30. The conventional (and mostly misguided) wisdom is that an elk cartridge should have 1,500 foot pounds of energy at the distance from which you shoot. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Here stands the old warrior with its two newest competitors in the rather small .27-caliber world. The Nosler M48 Carbon Mountain Rifle is reviewed and taken to the range, where we shot and tested several handloads. We have an embarrassment of choices in 7mms, and elk dont like any. Jim. Jim Harmer is a host of the Backfire Youtube channel. So, in open country, a fast 7mm has tremendous appeal. One of the shots put the wildebeest flat on the ground immediately. I see it this way with a bullet of adequate caliber for the game hunted, its bullet performance at expected range that kills and is a good measure of killing abilty. There are dozens of good elk cartridges, with choices depending largely on the distances you intend to shoot, thus dictating the bullet energy you need to project. If you like velocity, the 27 Nosler will fit the bill, as it drives the 150-grain bullets to a muzzle velocity of 3300 fps, and the 165-grain bullets to 3150 fps. The 28 Nosler, on the other hand, was introduced in 2015 and is known for its excellent accuracy and energy retention. Published Feb 26, 2020 3:21 PM EST. As an elk cartridge, the .30-06 still shines. Let me confess that I, too, consider these best caliber articles overdone and quite subjective, but by hashing them over and over, we gain insights. Here was the same basic belted magnum case, but the 7mm threw bullets as heavy as 175 grains. It shoots a svelte .277-caliber 165-grain . Over the decades, millions of deer, elk, sheep, bears and pronghorn have fallen to it, to grace the tables and walls of Americas hunters and add chapters to the American hunting lore. Fear of recoil ruins the best laid plans of mice and men, and thats why choosing the best elk cartridge requires thorough research and honest assessment. No caliber is more uniquely American than the 270. Thats good enough for 3,500 ft-lb muzzle punch. Of the seven chamberings offered in the Premier Highlander, the 300 PRC, 300 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Magnum and 28 Nosler all are up to taking elk. Some shoot faster and hit harder than the .338 Win. However, if I had it to do over, Id get a .300 PRC. However, if I were in the market for a fast 7mm, Id look at one of the new unbelted cartridges designed for these bullets. Publisher Kevin Steele is in the Beretta booth with Logan Killam, the Shotgun Product Manager, to discuss the all new Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey. After those stalwarts comes a blizzard of .30-calibers that claw their way up the power scale. A traditional stock or adjustable? I wouldnt want to use my lightweight rifle in .28 Nosler for a range gun when I want to shoot 50-100 shots for a practice session. You are all set and go forth with complete confidence. Mag., .300 RUM, and .30-378 Wby. Thats not a typo. Think Remington M700s, Savage M110s, Ruger M77s, and even the Browning Autoloading Rifle. Mag., some less. If zeroed three inches high at 100 yards, that slug should drop just 1.7 inches at 300 yards and deflect just 5.7 inches in a 10 mph right angle wind. The 27 Nosler has a long leade for sleek, high BC, long ogive, ABLR and RDF style bullets. More power. Always, the idea is to hit a bull as well as you can, but you want to hit him hard. Elk are a big deal because theyre a big deer, and thus require big elk calibers. throwing similar weight projectiles means youre packing elk medicine. Because of lower pressure and achieving full velocity with less powder, the .30-06 has less felt recoil than a 7mm Remington Magnum. It's extremely flat shooting and drops an incredible amount of energy on target. Mags. And to handle that, the SIG cartridge is built with a stainless steel head. If I can shoot the .28 Nosler without any issues, the vast majority of adult male shooters wont have any issues either. To take advantage of the cartridge's MPBR (+/- 3"), sight-in the .28 Nosler 160 grain factory load to hit 2.39 inches high at 100 yards. Whats not to like? Mag. Hunting elk is hard work. loads top out with 200-grain bullets, 210-, 220-, and 230-grain options are available. One of the most effective elk calibers available. Nearly every elk hunter will care somewhat about the weight of their rifle after a long day of hiking. How much will it cost? Will you be able to find ammo? The Hornady designed the .300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (the .300 PRC) as a precision long-range rifle . bullets coming soon like the 165-grain AccuBond Long Range just announced and the 170-grain Berger EOL Elite Hunter (G1 B.C. Though Nosler offers just two loads, the handloader can take full advantage of the full gamut of component bullets available for the .270 Winchester and others, giving the handloader a bullet range of 130 to 165 grains. With good form, a boat tail 225-grain .338 slug should rate a B.C. 6.5 Creedmoor. Well, the 27 Nosler shoots flatter than the 6.5 PRC, and delivers more energy on target than the 300 Win. The ELD-X is not a deep penetrating bullet, but instead is designed for reliable expansion even at longer distances and slower speeds. I wouldnt say Im especially recoil sensitive, but I dont have an iron shoulder either. The onshore winds had begun to swirl a bit, and I was thoroughly convinced that the hunt was essentially over for that evening. Mag. Nosler, the world's finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, & brass. . of energy over the 270 Win and 600ft./lbs. For starters, it burns more powder. We manufacture Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition and much more. This will be for shooting mono-metal bullets mostly for elk hunting. When it first came out in 1962, it sent the then four-year-old .264 Winchester Magnum into a tailspin. That is, the best of the best for terminating elk without beating up shooters. On much of their marketing material for the cartridge, they call it The New Herd Bull.. Some folks will take any attempt to improve the .270 Winchester as a direct insult, yet I disagree: like the .22-250 Remington and .35 Whelen, an improved twist rate can really change the game altogether, and this is exactly what the 27 Nosler has done. With the Jeffery-based case, youll want to look to powder choices on the slow end of the spectrum. Loaded with a 150gr bullet, the 27 Nosler has an additional 800ft/lbs. With either factory load, the .28 Nosler is well adapted for hunting both Class 2 and Class 3 big game at long range. I do enjoy the videos and your enthusiasm in them. Two of the newest entrants into this category, the .28 Nosler and the .300 PRC. If needed, 27 Nosler brass can be formed from 30 Nosler brass. It will them be 3.0 inches high at 260 yards and 3.0 inches low at about 326 yards. Looking for previous installments of our "Behind the Bullet" series? Yes, the 7mm bullet flies better and can be pushed a bit faster, yet the .30-caliber bullet has more frontal area, dealing a harder initial blow. However, simply not passing through the body is not necessarily a bad thing, and depends highly on the bullet construction. That 165-grain ABLR has a G1 BC of 0.620, offering great performance in even the windiest of conditions, as well as retaining energy and delivering a flat trajectory. If you anticipate hunting big, open country or canyonlands where shots could go long, the .300 and .338 magnums should be on your list. My picks for the best elk hunting calibers are what I consider the best, not the most popular. Ive just shown that its no faster than the .300 Win. If you like your hearing, on the other hand, shooting without a brake will kick hard. This nudges MV (muzzle velocity) to 3,200 fps and increases recoil velocity to almost 18 fps and energy to nearly . Im convinced these new, heavy bullets elevate the .270s performance on larger game: Similar to the 7mms with like bullet weights; and exceeding the capability of any 6.5mm. The 27 Nosler shares the same caliber as the storied .270 Winchester and other .27 caliber rifles. This list of the best cartridges for elk hunting starts with the welterweights and moves up to the heavy hitters. Many argue this about the .28-calibers, too, but the old 7mm Remington Magnum remains, since its inception in 1962, the most popular and effective 7mm elk caliber in the mountains. When Winchester came out with this modification of the .30-06 these was no other 27-caliber cartridge in the world. Recoil isn't bad and it will lay out the ft/lbs of energy as ways. bullets with B.C. In addition to the caliber, Nosler also introduced new 165gr . Despite the age and reputation of the 6.555 Swede cartridge across Europe, the 26-calibers have never been a go to for elk in North America. In fact, thats one of the very best elk bullets out there. I wanted it to be my hunt the world gun that I could use for hunting everything from wild hog and deer up to elk, wildebeest, waterbuck, and other large-bodied game. 27 Nosler 150gr AccuBond Trophy Grade Ammunition, 27 Nosler 165gr AccuBond Long Range Trophy Grade Ammunition. Nosler Trophy Grade Ammunition 27 Nosler 165 Grain AccuBond Long Range Box of 20. Mag. Comparing this with the 160- and 175-grain bullets of the 7mm bore diameter, and it isnt hard to see that advantage of the slightly larger bore diameter. The 7mm family hatched around 1892 with the 7x57mm Mauser and has since grown to fifteen or more. Fireformed case, overflowing to the neck = 98.4 gr/H2O with a 150 AB seated to 3.340 OAL = 89.9 gr/H2O. The tighter the cover, the shorter the rifle. The axis doe was at the head of herd, and DonDonwho despite his initial impressions made an excellent guidesimply nudged with his bristled chin and said Two-fifty. The distance does not matter. .280 Ackley Improved. All Rights Reserved. In these scenarios, shots are likely to be close and fast, and a bugling bull is pumped with adrenaline. Mag. Im not convinced this is a good thing. Nosler has built quite a cartridge family, and it continues to grow. No matter, people are shooting at elk at longer ranges, and todays rifles, optics, and bullets will get there. The .28 Nosler is a cartridge developed by the Nosler Corporation. Backfire LLC owns and operates this website. Old Elmer Keith back in the dark ages of the mid-20th century claimed the .270 Winchester was an adequate coyote round. Zeroed 3.3 inches high at 100 yards, that projectile will drop just two inches at 300 yards, deflect just five inches in a 10 mph right angle wind, and cling to 2,866 ft-lb energy. Its a 3.34-inch magnum cartridge that fits the same standard-length action rifles as the .338 Win. 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. A natural question now is if other gun makers will chamber for the 27 Nosler and .277 SIG Fury. I had a long and happy love affair with the 8mm Rem Mag. (Although a fan of Nosler bullets, I do NOT like the ballistic tips for big game), Trophy Bonded, Hornaday's, Barnes X's, Silvertips and Rem Core-lokts. Quite frankly I was surprised to get that velocity out of the 270 win. Not so long ago, I shot a nice Montana bull from the top of a ridge, down onto a little bench at 350 yards, 180-grain .30-06. Federal Terminal Ascent Hunting Bullet: Field Review, Tested Tough - Modern Zeiss Sports Optics. The energy number does not matter. Mag., .270 WSM, and 27 Nosler step it up a few notches, and the 6.8 Western with its fast twist barrels nudges bullet weights to the upper end of the 7mm line up. Mag., and elk hardly know the difference. Exactly. The .30-06 may not be an extreme range cartridge, but it is capable for the shooting most of us would do. About 1:8 would be my guess. Heft up to a 10-pound rifle and kick will calm to just 32.7 ft-lb. Ive had unsuccessful elk hunts, but Ive never lost a bull, so my choices have worked for me. Even at the 500-yard mark, the 27 Nosler will deliver over 2,100 ft.-lbs. If you were to buy a scope for all around elk hunting/500 yards and in 2.5x8 would be just . Some .30-calibers work best in lever actions, some in short actions, some in full magnum actions. And suddenly, in 2020, were getting two of them. For me, its quite tolerable for shooting up to 30 shots in a practice session and certainly a shot or two for hunting. The 33-caliber has become a crowded family, and all members are more than suitable for elk. Nosler has built quite a cartridge family, and it continues to grow. Its been one of the best selling, popular all-round hunting cartridges in the U.S. Much of its appeal is reasonable recoil, fairly significant muzzle velocity in the 3,000 fps range, mid-sized bullet weights found to be ideal for taking deer-sized game and good enough for some larger stuff with good design and placement. from a .338 Federal should deliver 1,711 f-p energy at 300 yards and drop just nine inches. Mag. So, Nosler, a company rooted in tradition but also with an eye to cutting-edge performance, has now turned its attention to the .277 caliber and brought the loading possibilities into the modern era with the introduction of the 27 Nosler. For general Big Game hunting, caliber and expected bullet performance is how I judge killing ability. Ron Spomer From a distance, it looks like your typical Bobcat. The pieces of the .277 Sig Sauer cartridge are assembled via an internal pressure ring of some kind near the base. A year later, I couldnt be happier with my purchase. 28 Nosler is essentially a shortened version of the 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum (7mm RUM). The muscle car of .277-caliber cartridges is the recent 27 Nosler. That bullet offers the best of all worlds, as it will reliably expand at longer ranges when it has slowed down a bit, yet will hold together at woods distances when velocities remain high . Think it all through carefully before choosing. Shot placement and bullet performance cause quick humane kills. Manufactured by Nosler as part of their Trophy Grade Ammunition lineup and loaded with the legendary Nosler Partition bullet, this is hands down the best 28 Nosler ammo for elk, moose, or bear hunting at shorter ranges. They share a maximum body diameter of 14.0 mm (0.550 in). Not exactly modern, not sizzling, hot or sexy. So, I dont believe any 7mm hits as hard as a .30-caliber. Makes me feel good to see I am within 150 fps of the 27 Nosler. A few more calibers throwing those famous .308 bullets include the .300 Ruger Compact Magnum, .300 SAUM, .300 WSM, .30/308 Norma Mag., .300 H&H, 30 Nosler, .300 Wby. Sticking with the 8-pound rifle, the 26 Nosler pushing a 142-grain bullet 3,200 fps will recoil 16 fps with nearly 32 f-p energy. Will your favorite rifle brand and style be chambered in it? The difference is .07 of an inch, the animal in the receiving end will never know that difference. Is 28 Nosler too much for deer? .662) already on dealer shelves. 27 Nosler sets a new standard. Kevin Steele of Petersen's HUNTING is with Dawn Wehunt of Rock River Arms INC. learning about the new Ascendant platform. AccuBond Long Range or a comparable bullet with its high B.C. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Both new rounds exceed the ballistics of the old one, but do it in different ways. But that doesnt seem to matter. For me, I havent developed any flinching issues and Id prefer to have a gun that I know will shoot incredibly flat with little wind drift at long distances for those cross-canyon elk shots. shinbone # 14865591 05/10/20. Trying to decide between the 27 Nosler and the 28 Nosler. 28 Nosler is a one and done for everything on NA. In local stores, you are unlikely to find anything other than Hornadys Precision Hunter 162-grain ELD-X, or a Noslers 175-grain Trophy Hunter load with an Accubond bullet. The factory ammo and brass is cheaper for the 28 Nosler. For deer and pronghorn, to much gun. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. In both cases, the 163 grain ELD-X bullet did not exit the animals body and used all that energy inside the vitals. Maybe they are still there . Measured in foot pounds of energy, the .28 Nosler is a powerhouse. The 27 Nosler has 32% more case capacity than the .270 Winchester, 22% more than the .270 Winchester Short Magnum and 14% more than the .270 Weatherby. The size of elk also varies. Well whichever you choose it sounds like you will only be one off. Add in the lighter recoil of the .300 Win. But where it deviates from its barrel-diameter brethren is in case capacity. Joined Feb 1, 2016 Messages 82. ), Read Next: The Best New Guns, Ammo, and Hunting Gear from SHOT Show 2020, Nosler representatives couldnt tell me the B.C. Learn More . bullets, weight to weight, have a higher SD for potentially better penetration. Zero both three inches high at 100 yards and at 400 yards they both drop 11.3 inches and deflect about 8.5 inches in that 10 mph breeze. One of the most prominent differences between the two is that the 28 Nosler fires a bullet diameter of 7.2mm or 0.284" while the 300 Win Mag fires the more common 30-caliber or 0.308" diameter bullets. I have just always gravitated to the 7mm's over the 270 cartridges. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In this article, Ill cover the pros and cons Ive found with shooting the .28 Nosler on my recent big game hunting adventures. X-Vision Optics long-range ImpactThermal Scope (TS300) boasts a 640 x 480 thermal sensor that can detect big game well past 3,000 yards.