33-28 Nosler (w/Pics)

[INTJ]

"Made" the die tonight (drilled out a 28 Nosler Redding bushing die on the lathe) and will start chambering the barrel tomorrow.

Left to Right: 340 Wby with 225 Barnes TTSX, 33-28 Nosler with 225 Barnes TTSX, 33-28 Nosler with Nosler 265 LRAB. All rounds seated to 3.6" COL. The boat tail of both bullets starts at the bottom of the shoulder, but the 265s extends a lot deeper. I''l probably run the 225 TTSXs as this is an elk rifle. Velocities should be about like the 340. Rifle is a stainless New M-70 in a B&C Ultralight stock.

I will have to neck turn these since the necking up process brought some thicker shoulder brass into the neck. You can see it in the pics and it measures about .006" greater in diameter.

 

[Zero333]

Why not just go with the 33 Nos. ??

 

[INTJ]

33 Nosler is designed to run in a 3.34" magazine. I have a 3.6" magazine so I can make full use of the 28 Nosler case. It's kind of like the 338 RUM vs 338 Edge in a 3.8 to 4" magazine.

 

[muleystalker]

Why not just go with the 33 Nos. ??

The 28 Nosler is a bigger case than the 30 and 33 Nosler.

 

[INTJ]

225 Barnes TTSX

 

[yorketransport]

H4350 would be another good powder to try. I've used it in a variety of 338/375 Rugers (very similar case capacity) with excellent results. It was more consistent in a variety of different barrels than most of the other powders I tried (H4831, RL-17, H100-v, Hunter). I used the 225 TTSX for a while before switching to the Hammer bullets. I'll look for my old load notes for the TTSX.

I'm just starting to work with RL-26 and some 260gr bullets, but it looks like a good powder so far. I'll be interested to see where you end up with your rifle.

 

[284winner]

225 Barnes TTSX

View attachment 1189146

Keep going. Groups keep getting better

 

[INTJ]

Keep going. Groups keep getting better

I think it's enough velocity and it's starting to get uncomfortable to shoot. I'll probably load 88.5 grains and call it good.

 

[284winner]

I think it's enough velocity and it's starting to get uncomfortable to shoot. I'll probably load 88.5 grains and call it good.

Sometimes best accuracy is acquired at a cartridges highest velocities. Not the best for barrel life but it's a fine line sometimes. Looks good at 88/89. After all being a hunting rifle for elk, your more than accurate enough.

 

[NC308]

I would up my power some more if not seeing pressure signs. If you are then I would place with seating dept on the 89 gr load.

 

[INTJ]

I would up my power some more if not seeing pressure signs. If you are then I would place with seating dept on the 89 gr load.

The problem with that is since I don't have a strain gauge I really don't know the pressure being generated. QL says I am fine but that is only a very rough guide. Also, because it has a tight chamber and excellent case support, the first pressure sign I might see is enlarged primer pockets.

That may not be a big deal in a low round usage elk rifle, but when we consider .75 MOA is plenty for elk to 600 yds, and a 225 TTSX at anything over 3000 fps will be very hard hitting. I don't see the need to push it.

In fact I may just load up the rest of my new cases with 88.5 grains, verify the zeros of the B&C reticle, and take it hunting. I'll tweak the load after all the cases have been once fired.

Here is where a CRF M-70 shows a little known strength. Almost all of the case head is supported.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Shoot the Berger 250gr Elite Hunter if you want better accuracy. I've taken bull elk and deer with that bullet in my 338-375 Ruger with a muzzle velocity of 2980 fps using RL-16. Shoots bugholes in paper and is an absolute hammer on big game.

 

[INTJ]

Shoot the Berger 250gr Elite Hunter if you want better accuracy. I've taken bull elk and deer with that bullet in my 338-375 Ruger with a muzzle velocity of 2980 fps using RL-16. Shoots bugholes in paper and is an absolute hammer on big game.

Better than 1/2 MOA?

 

[NC308]

The problem with that is since I don't have a strain gauge I really don't know the pressure being generated. QL says I am fine but that is only a very rough guide. Also, because it has a tight chamber and excellent case support, the first pressure sign I might see is enlarged primer pockets.

That may not be a big deal in a low round usage elk rifle, but when we consider .75 MOA is plenty for elk to 600 yds, and a 225 TTSX at anything over 3000 fps will be very hard hitting. I don't see the need to push it.

In fact I may just load up the rest of my new cases with 88.5 grains, verify the zeros of the B&C reticle, and take it hunting. I'll tweak the load after all the cases have been once fired.

Here is where a CRF M-70 shows a little know strength. Almost all of the case head is supported.

View attachment 1189476

Sounds like a plan. You are right that 1/2 moa is plenty enough.

 

[INTJ]

Sounds like a plan. You are right that 1/2 moa is plenty enough.

Tuning my LR BR rifles kind sucks the "make every rifle as accurate as possible" out of me..........

 

[10XSHOOTER]

A 225 or 250 Nosler accubond "Will Kill" AS Doug from Forged in Fire would say!

 

[INTJ]

A 225 or 250 Nosler accubond "Will Kill" AS Doug from Forged in Fire would say!

So will a TTSX. VERY well in fact......................

 

[Zero333]

225's @ 3,170 fps... That's more than enough recoil from a lighter weight hunting rifle.
Shooting it sounds more like a chore at best.

how long is the barrel ???

 

[INTJ]

225's @ 3,170 fps... That's more than enough recoil from a lighter weight hunting rifle.
Shooting it sounds more like a chore at best.

how long is the barrel ???

26". It's as much recoil as I want to mess with. The big 33s are the worst. They snap and push. The 375s and 416s don't snap. I think the magic is the RL-26 powder. I have a cow elk hunt scheduled mid September and this is the rifle for that trip.

 

[INTJ]

My rifle shoots 1/4 MOA with RL-16.
It will shoot out to 1/2 MOA in a ladder test but that's with rounds having a 0.9gr gr spread across the charge weights.

Will also shoot RL-17 and H4350 well under 1/2 MOA using the Berger 250gr EH.

Striving to get 1/4 MOA with this "carry" elk gun is a waste. Anything less that 3/4 MOA does not increase its utility out to 600 yds, which is the extreme limit for this rifle.

It's not that I am not in to accuracy. I am not done tuning if my LR BR rifles won't shoot .18 MOA or better 5-shot groups at 200 yds. They must be at that level to shoot under an inch at 600 and under 3" at 1000 yds when conditions are good.

Now a long range elk rifle in say 338 Edge, 1/4 MOA 3-shot 100 yd groups is worth pursuing. I found that relatively easy to get with the last one, which I sold. I will soon build and chamber another one, though I am thinking of using 265 grain LRABs, 285 ELDs, Sierra 300s, or Berger 300s.

For me it's all about the application of the rifle and logically allocating my shooting and loading time, of which LR BR takes a lot of.......