28 nosler throating question

[bsaoneshot]

I have a 28 Nosler in McGowen Remage barrel. Shoots very well, but builds pressure very quickly and doesn’t get the velocity expected. I am getting only 3080 FPS with Berger 180 VLD Hunting, 78.5 grains Retumbo, CCI250 in Nosler case. I emailed McGowen and they sent me the reamer print. The freebore on their PTG reamer is .181.

My question would it be a good idea to have a gunsmith extend the throat more or leave it?

Thank you in advance.

 

[cahunter805]

That’s very good speed for only using 78.5gr. If you want more speed try RL33.

 

[hogpatrol]

That’s very good speed for only using 78.5gr. If you want more speed try RL33.

Been down this road with two 28 Noslers. RL33 is THE powder for the 28 Nosler.

 

[bsaoneshot]

Thanks, the velocity is one thing, but I care about the pressure. I am getting plunger imprints at loads with less than max by the books, off the lands by .030 and a coal of 3.61”. This happens with other powders too, so that’s my concern about the freebore.

 

[hogpatrol]

Have you borescoped it to check for a carbon ring?

 

[bsaoneshot]

I have not borescoped it, but I clean it well with kroil and JB followed by Chameleon to see if I have copper or carbon left over. It’s has been this way since new.

 

[alintx]

Is your chamber high polished? If so, the case may not be gripping the chamber wall and causing setback. Rough the chamber up with 180 grit on a dowel rod. May solve your problem

 

[rhovee]

What’s the reamer say for neck diameter? My first 28 Nosler had a tighter neck And I needed to neck up 26 Nosler brass.

 

[bsaoneshot]

What’s the reamer say for neck diameter? My first 28 Nosler had a tighter neck And I needed to neck up 26 Nosler brass.

.3220

 

[cahunter805]

Neck diameter is fine. Have you brushed the neck with an oversized brush to remove carbon?
Also IMO Nosler brass is soft and ejector marks are common even with under max loads. Use velocity and case head expansion as indicators.

 

[rpierce]

Is your chamber high polished? If so, the case may not be gripping the chamber wall and causing setback. Rough the chamber up with 180 grit on a dowel rod. May solve your problem

That's not going to do it. My chambers have a very fine finish. I can hit 3100+ fps with a 195 gr berger without ejector marks, I have a very long throat. Reloader 33 or VV N570 is THE powder if you want accuracy and velocity. Retumbo can be very accurate but generally doesn't get the speed guys are looking for. Carbon buildup will mess with your pressure and accuracy big time. Depending on the powder used you may have to clean it every 20 rounds. If you don't have a borescope your somewhat pissing in the wind as you won't know if its cleaned properly. Spend $200 and get the lyman borescope. Itll be the best $200 you've ever spent.

 

[Shawnba67]

Neck diameter is fine. Have you brushed the neck with an oversized brush to remove carbon?
Also IMO Nosler brass is soft and ejector marks are common even with under max loads. Use velocity and case head expansion as indicators.

I had a 6xc using new norma brass that would show big full ejector circles at start loads. Really had me scratching my head. Different brass solved my issue. Run all your details through Quickload see if it all adds up. For me at least QL was within 10 fps so I felt their pressure had to be close enough for govt work!

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I have a 28 Nosler in McGowen Remage barrel. Shoots very well, but builds pressure very quickly and doesn’t get the velocity expected. I am getting only 3080 FPS with Berger 180 VLD Hunting, 78.5 grains Retumbo, CCI250 in Nosler case. I emailed McGowen and they sent me the reamer print. The freebore on their PTG reamer is .181.

My question would it be a good idea to have a gunsmith extend the throat more or leave it?

Thank you in advance.

I'm running 0.205 on my barrels that are throated for 180 gr. Berger VLD's & Hybrids which isn't a big difference in the 0.181 you are running. - And I'm running a 0.317 Neck in mine & neck-turning brass. - In my tests, i found Retumbo to be temperamental and also got ejector marks with what I thought were medium pressure starting loads. - Alliant RL-33 was a whole different story and the ejector marks weren't on the case heads. - A medium load of RL-33 with a 34" barrel yielded 3220 fps with the 180 gr. target VLD's seated 0.007 into the lands and it shot well enough that it was part of an article posted in the Daily Bulletin a while back. - I recommend you try RL-33 as your first step, IMO Retumbo is not the "go-to" powder for the 28 Nosler with 180's & 195's.

 

[bsaoneshot]

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll try some me RL33 and v570 when the Wyoming winds slow down some.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll try some me RL33 and v570 when the Wyoming winds slow down some.

You cant wish the wind away when you most need it to die down so practice in it more!

 

[bsaoneshot]

You cant wish the wind away when you most need it to die down so practice in it more!

Come visit Casper, Wyoming in the winter. Today was 23 mph steady with 40 to 60 gusts. We have seen 100 mph plus in recent days , and have had semitrucks blown over.

I shoot in the wind daily here. We rarely have a windless day.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Come visit Casper, Wyoming in the winter. Today was 23 mph steady with 40 to 60 gusts. We have seen 100 mph plus in recent days , and have had semitrucks blown over.

I shoot in the wind daily here. We rarely have a windless day.

I bet so. One time when i was in the area a guy told me this must be why they invented a zippo lighter

 

[MRogersII]

Thanks, the velocity is one thing, but I care about the pressure. I am getting plunger imprints at loads with less than max by the books, off the lands by .030 and a coal of 3.61”. This happens with other powders too, so that’s my concern about the freebore.

I am also working on a new 28 Nosler and have seen similar plunger marks at what should be low to medium loads. I am beginning to suspect that it is a "soft" brass issue. I was seeing marks at less than 2900 and -0.030 seating.
Michael