If you want a 7mm that runs faster than the 7mm Rem Mag, the 28 Nosler is one answer. Its ballistics are built on a big beltless case and heavy, sleek bullets. The Nosler Trophy Grade 160 grain AccuBond lists 3,300 fps and 3,883 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Numbers like that are why the 28 Nosler ballistics story is mostly about reach.
This guide gives you the published muzzle data for the 28 Nosler loads we stock, a plain way to read it and tips on bullet choice. It also covers what to expect in recoil, barrel life and cost per shot.
What Is a 28 Nosler?
Nosler launched the 28 Nosler in 2015. It fires a .284-inch bullet, the same size as the 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm PRC. The case is a beltless magnum with a rebated rim, built off the 26 Nosler. It needs a long action with a magnum bolt face.
What is a 28 Nosler compared to?
Most shooters compare it to the 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum and the 7mm Rem Mag. It holds more powder than the 7mm Rem Mag and runs faster with the same bullet. It sits close to the 7mm RUM in speed. See our 7mm RUM ballistic data guide to compare.
28 Nosler Ballistics Table
These are the makers’ muzzle figures for our 28 Nosler ammo. Loads without published data show n/a.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browning Max Point 28 Nosler 140 Grain Polymer Tip | Polymer tip | 140 | 3,315 | 3,416 | 20-round box |
| Weatherby 28 Nosler Select Plus 150 Grain Scirocco II | Swift Scirocco II bonded polymer tip | 150 | 3,200 | 3,410 | 20-round box |
| Nosler E-Tip 28 Nosler 150 Grain Lead-Free | Nosler E-Tip polymer tip, lead-free | 150 | 3,250 | 3,530 | 20-round box |
| Federal Terminal Ascent 28 Nosler 155 Grain Bonded Tip | Terminal Ascent bonded polymer tip | 155 | 3,200 | 3,524 | 20-round box |
| 28 Nosler AccuBond 160 Grain Nosler Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond bonded polymer tip | 160 | 3,300 | 3,883 | 20-round box |
| Browning Long Range Pro Match 28 Nosler 160 Grain Tipped MatchKing | Sierra Tipped MatchKing polymer tip | 160 | 3,200 | 3,637 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip 28 Nosler 160 Grain Polymer Tip | Nosler Ballistic Tip polymer tip | 160 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
| 28 Nosler Partition 160 Grain Nosler Trophy Grade | Nosler Partition jacketed soft point | 160 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
| Hornady 28 Nosler Precision Hunter 162 Grain ELD-X | Hornady ELD-X polymer tip | 162 | 3,175 | 3,626 | 20-round box |
| Weatherby 28 Nosler Hammer 163 Grain Select Plus Lead-Free | Hammer Custom solid copper hollow point, lead-free | 163 | 3,175 | 3,648 | 20-round box |
| 28 Nosler 168 Grain Nosler Match Grade Custom Competition | Nosler Custom Competition hollow point | 168 | 3,075 | 3,542 | 20-round box |
| 28 Nosler AccuBond Long Range 175 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond Long Range bonded polymer tip | 175 | 3,125 | 3,806 | 20-round box |
| Browning Silver Series 28 Nosler 175 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed soft point | 175 | 3,100 | 3,734 | 20-round box |
| Gunwerks 28 Nosler 180 Grain Berger Hybrid Long Range Hunting | Berger Hybrid hollow point | 180 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
| Nosler RDF 28 Nosler 185 Grain Match Grade | Nosler RDF hollow point | 185 | 2,950 | 3,674 | 20-round box |
| Barnes VOR-TX 28 Nosler 162 Grain TSX Lead-Free | Barnes Triple-Shock X (TSX) solid copper hollow point, lead-free | 162 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
Reading Speed and Energy
Velocity is the bullet’s speed at the muzzle in feet per second. Energy is foot-pounds, a blend of speed and weight. Both come from the maker’s test barrel, often 26 inches for big magnums like this one.
Look at how close the numbers stay as weight goes up. The Browning Max Point 140 grain lists 3,315 fps and 3,416 ft-lbs. The 175 grain AccuBond Long Range lists 3,125 fps and 3,806 ft-lbs. Heavier bullets lose little speed here, so they end up with more energy.
The Nosler RDF 185 grain match load lists 2,950 fps and 3,674 ft-lbs. It is a target bullet. Do not hunt with it.
Muzzle numbers do not show how well a bullet holds speed. That depends on ballistic coefficient. The AccuBond Long Range, ELD-X and Berger Hybrid all have long, sleek shapes made for distance.
Picking a 28 Nosler Load
- Deer and pronghorn at long range: 140 to 162 grain polymer tips that open at long-range speeds. The ELD-X and Ballistic Tip fit here.
- Elk and moose: Bonded or copper bullets. The Federal Terminal Ascent 155 grain lists 3,200 fps and 3,524 ft-lbs. Nosler Partition and AccuBond loads are also built to hold together.
- Lead-free: Nosler E-Tip 150 grain, Weatherby Hammer 163 grain and Barnes TSX 162 grain. Check your state’s rules on bullet type.
- Steel: Match bullets such as the Nosler RDF and Custom Competition, or the Browning Tipped MatchKing load.
Recoil, Barrel Life and Other Trade-Offs
Speed has a price. The 28 Nosler burns a lot of powder, so it kicks harder than a 7mm Rem Mag and heats barrels faster. High-volume shooters see shorter barrel life than with milder 7mm rounds. Ammo also costs more per box.
Barrel length and air also shape real-world 28 Nosler ballistics. A short barrel gives up more speed with a big case. Thin, warm air at high altitude flattens the path. Use a chronograph and a ballistic app with your own rifle’s data before you take long shots.
Shop 28 Nosler Ammo
Browse every load in our 28 Nosler ammo section. Buy enough of one lot for zeroing, practice and the hunt itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 28 Nosler?
The 28 Nosler is a 7mm beltless magnum that Nosler introduced in 2015. It fires a .284-inch bullet from a large case with a rebated rim. It needs a long action with a magnum bolt face. It is built for flat, fast flight at long range on big game.
What is a 28 Nosler compared to?
It is most often compared to the 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum and 7mm Rem Mag. It runs faster than the 7mm Rem Mag with the same bullet weight and sits close to the 7mm RUM. Recoil and powder use are higher than with the 7mm Rem Mag.
What caliber is a 28 Nosler?
It is a 7mm, which means it fires a .284-inch bullet. Nosler named it 28 to point to that .284 bullet size. Use only ammo marked 28 Nosler. Other 7mm rounds are not interchangeable with it.
Is the 28 Nosler good for elk?
Yes. With a bonded or copper bullet in the 150 to 175 grain range, it has plenty of power for elk. The key is a bullet that holds together on bone. Check your state’s rules on cartridges and bullet types for big game before you hunt.
