The 28 Nosler is a centerfire rifle cartridge standardised by SAAMI in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4. SAAMI sets its maximum average pressure at 65,000 psi, and measures its reference velocities in a 24.000 in standard test barrel rifled 1 turn in 9.00 in. This guide sets out SAAMI’s published reference velocity for each bullet weight, computes the muzzle energy each one carries, and compares the 28 Nosler with the 7mm Remington Magnum on the same basis.
28 Nosler ballistics chart: SAAMI reference data
SAAMI publishes one nominal mean instrumental velocity for each reference bullet weight, measured at 15 feet from the standard test barrel. It does not publish energy, so the ft-lb column is computed. Where SAAMI lists more than one velocity for a weight, both ends of the span are shown.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Bullet weight | Reference velocity | Computed muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|
| 168 gr | 3,125 fps | 3,642 ft-lb |
Manufacturer-published loads
SAAMI’s figures above are the shared reference. The tables below are different data: what each manufacturer publishes for a specific load we stock, taken from that maker’s own page for the item number shown. Each maker chooses its own test barrel, so its figures can differ from SAAMI’s reference velocity for the same bullet weight and should not be laid directly beside another brand’s.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load | Item no. | Bullet weight | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Ballistic coefficient | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Expansion Tip | 40039 | 150 gr | Expansion Tip | 3,250 fps | 3,530 ft-lb | Not published | 26″ |
| Federal Terminal Ascent | P28NTA1 | 155 gr | Terminal Ascent | 3,200 fps | 3,524 ft-lb | .300 G7 | Not published |
| Nosler AccuBond | 60035 | 160 gr | AccuBond | 3,300 fps | 3,883 ft-lb | Not published | 26″ |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting | 43463 | 160 gr | Ballistic Tip Hunting | 3,200 fps | 3,637 ft-lb | Not published | 26″ |
| Hornady ELD-X | 8069 | 162 gr | ELD-X | 3,175 fps | 3,626 ft-lb | .631 G1 | 24″ |
| Weatherby Hammer Custom | M28NS163HCB | 163 gr | Hammer Custom | 3,175 fps | 3,648 ft-lb | .450 G1 | Not published |
| Nosler Custom Competition | 51287 | 168 gr | Custom Competition | 3,075 fps | 3,541 ft-lb | Not published | 26″ |
| Nosler RDF | 60141 | 185 gr | RDF | 2,950 fps | 3,574 ft-lb | Not published | 26″ |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (test barrel) | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler 150 gr (26″) | 3,250 fps / 3,530 ft-lb | 3,054 fps / 3,105 ft-lb | 2,859 fps / 2,723 ft-lb | 2,674 fps / 2,381 ft-lb | 2,496 fps / 2,074 ft-lb | 2,324 fps / 1,799 ft-lb | 2,160 fps / 1,553 ft-lb | 2,002 fps / 1,334 ft-lb | 1,851 fps / 1,141 ft-lb |
| Federal 155 gr (barrel not published) | 3,200 fps / 3,524 ft-lb | 3,029 fps / 3,158 ft-lb | 2,865 fps / 2,826 ft-lb | 2,707 fps / 2,523 ft-lb | 2,555 fps / 2,246 ft-lb | 2,407 fps / 1,994 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 160 gr (26″) | 3,300 fps / 3,883 ft-lb | 3,114 fps / 3,444 ft-lb | 2,930 fps / 3,049 ft-lb | 2,753 fps / 2,693 ft-lb | 2,583 fps / 2,371 ft-lb | 2,420 fps / 2,080 ft-lb | 2,262 fps / 1,818 ft-lb | 2,110 fps / 1,582 ft-lb | 1,964 fps / 1,371 ft-lb |
| Nosler 160 gr (26″) | 3,200 fps / 3,637 ft-lb | 3,009 fps / 3,216 ft-lb | 2,826 fps / 2,837 ft-lb | 2,651 fps / 2,496 ft-lb | 2,482 fps / 2,189 ft-lb | 2,320 fps / 1,912 ft-lb | 2,163 fps / 1,663 ft-lb | 2,013 fps / 1,440 ft-lb | 1,869 fps / 1,241 ft-lb |
| Hornady 162 gr (24″) | 3,175 fps / 3,626 ft-lb | 3,017 fps / 3,275 ft-lb | 2,866 fps / 2,954 ft-lb | 2,719 fps / 2,660 ft-lb | 2,578 fps / 2,390 ft-lb | 2,440 fps / 2,142 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Weatherby 163 gr (barrel not published) | 3,175 fps / 3,648 ft-lb | 2,956 fps / 3,162 ft-lb | 2,748 fps / 2,732 ft-lb | 2,549 fps / 2,351 ft-lb | 2,359 fps / 2,013 ft-lb | 2,176 fps / 1,714 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 168 gr (26″) | 3,075 fps / 3,541 ft-lb | 2,894 fps / 3,124 ft-lb | 2,715 fps / 2,749 ft-lb | 2,542 fps / 2,411 ft-lb | 2,376 fps / 2,106 ft-lb | 2,217 fps / 1,833 ft-lb | 2,063 fps / 1,587 ft-lb | 1,916 fps / 1,369 ft-lb | 1,776 fps / 1,176 ft-lb |
| Nosler 185 gr (26″) | 2,950 fps / 3,574 ft-lb | 2,816 fps / 3,257 ft-lb | 2,685 fps / 2,961 ft-lb | 2,557 fps / 2,686 ft-lb | 2,433 fps / 2,431 ft-lb | 2,312 fps / 2,196 ft-lb | 2,195 fps / 1,979 ft-lb | 2,081 fps / 1,779 ft-lb | 1,971 fps / 1,596 ft-lb |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (zero) | 50 yd | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler 150 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | 0 in | −2.2 in | −8.7 in | −20.1 in | −37 in | −60.4 in | −91.3 in | −130.9 in |
| Federal 155 gr (100 yd zero) | −0.3 in | 0 in | −2.3 in | −8.8 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 160 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | 0 in | −2.1 in | −8.3 in | −19 in | −35 in | −57 in | −85.9 in | −122.6 in |
| Nosler 160 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | 0 in | −2.3 in | −9 in | −20.7 in | −38 in | −61.8 in | −93 in | −132.8 in |
| Hornady 162 gr (200 yd zero) | Not published | +1.2 in | 0 in | −5.4 in | −15.5 in | −30.9 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Weatherby 163 gr (300 yd zero) | Not published | +3.2 in | +3.9 in | 0 in | −9.2 in | −24.8 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 168 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | 0 in | −2.7 in | −10 in | −22.8 in | −41.7 in | −67.7 in | −101.9 in | −145.6 in |
| Nosler 185 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | 0 in | −2.9 in | −10.6 in | −23.6 in | −42.5 in | −67.9 in | −100.6 in | −141.2 in |
What the numbers mean for a shot
SAAMI lists a single reference bullet weight for the 28 Nosler: 168 grains, listed at 3,125 fps, which computes to 3,642 ft-lb. SAAMI publishes no other weight for it, so the table has one row. For any other bullet weight, use the figures the maker publishes for that item.
None of this is a downrange figure. SAAMI measures at 15 feet, so retained velocity, energy and drop depend on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which SAAMI does not publish. Each product in our 28 Nosler ammo range lists whatever its maker publishes for that item.
Twist rate, chamber and pressure
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 28 Nosler is 24.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 9.00 in, with a .2837 in groove diameter. That is the barrel every reference velocity above was measured in, not a statement about your rifle: a shorter production barrel will usually give lower velocity, and a twist slower than a bullet needs will not stabilise it. The maximum average pressure is 65,000 psi. Fire 28 Nosler ammunition only in a firearm chambered for it. Several unrelated cartridges share a number, so match the full designation on the box to the marking on your barrel.
28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag: the SAAMI comparison
A figure from one maker’s catalogue cannot be laid beside a figure from another’s: each picks its own test barrel, zero and bullet, and many publish no test barrel at all. SAAMI is the shared basis, because it fixes one standard test barrel and one way of measuring velocity for every cartridge it lists.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 28 Nosler | 7mm Remington Magnum |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 65,000 psi | 61,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | 24.000 in | 24.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | 1 turn in 9.00 in | 1 turn in 9.50 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | .2837 in | .2837 in |
| Lightest reference load | 168 gr — 3,125 fps / 3,642 ft-lb | 125 gr — 3,290 fps / 3,004 ft-lb |
| Heaviest reference load | 168 gr — 3,125 fps / 3,642 ft-lb | 175 gr — 2,750–2,850 fps / 2,938–3,156 ft-lb |
SAAMI standardises the 28 Nosler at 65,000 psi and the 7mm Remington Magnum at 61,000 psi, so the 28 Nosler runs 4,000 psi higher. SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like velocity row to compare. Their standard test barrels differ (24.000 in, 1 turn in 9.00 in for the 28 Nosler; 24.000 in, 1 turn in 9.50 in for the 7mm Remington Magnum), so compare the reference rows with that in mind.
What SAAMI cannot settle is anything past the muzzle. It publishes no ballistic coefficients and no downrange data, so it cannot say which cartridge shoots flatter at distance; that depends on the bullet. We stock the other side of this comparison too: 7mm Rem Mag ammo.
28 Nosler ballistics questions
What is the maximum pressure of the 28 Nosler?
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 sets the maximum average pressure for the 28 Nosler at 65,000 psi.
What twist rate and barrel length does SAAMI use for the 28 Nosler?
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 28 Nosler is 24.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 9.00 in. Your own rifle may differ.
What muzzle velocity do manufacturers publish for the 28 Nosler?
For the 8 loads we stock from Nosler, Federal, Hornady and Weatherby, the makers publish muzzle velocities from 2,950 to 3,300 fps, for bullet weights from 150 to 185 grains. Each maker measured its own load in its own test barrel, so these are not SAAMI reference figures and are not directly comparable between brands.
Is the 28 Nosler more powerful than the 7mm Remington Magnum?
SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like row. Its highest computed reference energy is 3,642 ft-lb for the 28 Nosler (168 grains) and 3,219 ft-lb for the 7mm Remington Magnum.
What is the effective range of the 28 Nosler?
Effective range is not a SAAMI specification and it is not a measured figure. SAAMI measures velocity at 15 feet, so it says nothing about performance at distance; that depends on the bullet and the shooter.
How much does the 28 Nosler drop at 300 yards?
SAAMI publishes muzzle velocity only, so it cannot give a drop figure. Drop depends on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and on the zero range. A drop figure is unusable without its zero, so use the figure a maker prints for the specific load.
Where to buy these loads
Hilltop Armory carries 28 Nosler ammunition from Nosler, Browning Ammunition, Weatherby, Barnes, Federal and Gunwerks. Browse the full 28 Nosler ammo range.
