When Nosler introduced the 28 Nosler in 2015, the reaction from the handloading community was split. Some saw it as a solution in search of a problem — a high-intensity 7mm cartridge when the 7mm Remington Magnum had been doing the job for 50 years. Others recognized it immediately for what it was: the fastest and flattest-shooting 7mm cartridge you can run in a standard-length magnum action, with genuine advantages at extended range in open country.

For hunters chasing elk and mule deer in Eastern Oregon's basins and ridges, the 28 Nosler earns its reputation. Shots past 400 yards are common in this country. Wind is a daily variable. A cartridge that pushes a 175-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range past 3,100 fps — while still fitting in a standard Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 footprint — is legitimately useful, not just a paper exercise.

Handloading the 28 Nosler takes discipline. It's a high-pressure, high-capacity case that rewards careful work and punishes shortcuts. Here's what you need to know.

Understanding the 28 Nosler Case

The 28 Nosler is based on the .404 Jeffery case, the same parent as the 26, 27, 30, 33, and other Nosler proprietary cartridges. It's a rebated rim design with a 35-degree shoulder, a short freebore optimized for long, high-BC 7mm bullets, and a case capacity of approximately 93 grains of water. Maximum average pressure is 65,000 psi.

Brass life is a genuine concern with this cartridge. The 28 Nosler runs at the pressure ceiling, and primers flatten early. Anneal your brass every two firings if you want consistent neck tension and extended case life. We use a Bench Source annealing machine set to 750°F — it pays for itself over a couple thousand rounds of 28 Nosler brass.

Bullet Selection

The 28 Nosler was built around long, high-BC 7mm projectiles. The case's freebore allows it to seat these bullets at magazine length without crushing into powder space. Best hunting bullets:

• Nosler AccuBond Long Range 175-grain — The factory flagship and a legitimate elk bullet. BC of .648 G1. Shoots flat, retains weight, and expands reliably at the velocities the 28 delivers. This is the benchmark load.
• Berger Hybrid Hunter 168-grain — Outstanding accuracy, exceptional BC (.328 G7 / .632 G1). A premium choice for mule deer and extended-range work. Slightly less terminal reliability on heavy bone than the AccuBond.
• Hornady ELD-X 162-grain — High BC (.550 G1), proven field performance, and widely available. A step down in sectional density from the 175s, but easier to load and often more accurate in barrels with tighter throats.
• Nosler Partition 160-grain — For close-to-medium range elk in heavy timber. The Partition's controlled expansion and dual-core construction handle shoulder shots on big bulls at closer ranges where the high-BC projectiles are overkill.

Powder Selection

The 28 Nosler needs slow-burning powder to reach its velocity potential. The large case volume combined with 7mm bore diameter means you're looking at powders in the H1000, Retumbo, and IMR 8133 range. Faster powders will produce pressure before velocity.

• Hodgdon Retumbo — The most popular powder for the 28 Nosler. Fills the case well, meters reasonably in a powder thrower, and produces top-end velocities with good accuracy. Starting load with 175-grain AccuBond: 82.0 grains. Max: around 88.0 grains (verify with current Hodgdon data).
• Hodgdon H1000 — Slightly faster burn than Retumbo, excellent lot-to-lot consistency. Works particularly well with 162–168 grain bullets. A bit easier to tune for accuracy in some barrels.
• Alliant Reloder 33 — Temperature stable, excellent performance in cold-weather conditions (critical for November elk hunts). Slightly higher velocity than H1000 with similar accuracy. Expensive but worth it.
• IMR 8133 — A newer offering that performs extremely well with 175-grain bullets. Less common, but worth having on hand when available.

Primers

Use a large rifle magnum primer. The 28 Nosler's large powder charges need consistent ignition, especially in cold weather. Federal 215M and CCI 250 are the standards. We've had excellent results with Hodgdon Extreme Rifle Magnum primers as well. Do not use standard large rifle primers — you'll see inconsistent ignition and velocity spreads that will open your groups at distance.

Load Development Protocol

Start 10% below the published maximum and work up in 0.5-grain increments. The 28 Nosler's pressure curve is steep — you can go from comfortable to excessive in less than a full grain of powder. Watch for:

• Primer cratering or flattening (early sign)
• Sticky bolt lift (moderate pressure issue)
• Case head expansion measured with a micrometer (the definitive test)

A sample target load for hunting: 175-grain Nosler AccuBond LR seated to 3.680" COAL, 86.5 grains Retumbo, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass. This should produce approximately 3,080–3,120 fps from a 26" barrel and sub-MOA groups in a good rifle. Chronograph your actual loads — barrel length and individual rifle variation mean published velocities are estimates.

Practical Field Ballistics

A 175-grain AccuBond LR at 3,100 fps zeroed at 200 yards drops approximately 13 inches at 400 yards and 37 inches at 600 yards (sea level). Eastern Oregon often means high-altitude shots — at 5,000 feet, add roughly 10% to your calculated distance. Run your actual dope through a ballistic app like Applied Ballistics or Hornady 4DOF before your hunt, and verify it on paper at 400+ yards before you go.

The 28 Nosler is not a beginner cartridge. It burns barrels faster than moderate rounds — expect 1,200–1,500 rounds before accuracy begins to degrade. It demands careful load development, quality components, and discipline at the bench. But for the open-country hunter who takes shots others can't, it's one of the most capable elk cartridges ever chambered in a standard-action rifle.