28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag.

hunter-4-life

hunter-4-life

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Hey all,

Now that i've dabbled into the LR game a bit, no competition, just banging steel out to 1500 and possibly hunting out to 500 and beyond once my skill set allows me to, i've decided I want to invest in it a bit more and build a rifle. I was shooting a 300 RUM for a year, however with the poor, and quite expensive options for brass, along with it being a powder thirsty machine, i've parted ways it, and have decided to build one that is more user friendly, especially when your launching 30-50 rounds over a day at the range.

Ive settled on a .284 caliber, but narrowed that down to a 28 Nosler and 7mm Rem Mag. It seems that the nosler has taken off and fast. Im not sure why, but it has. I know its ballistics are quite impressive, but they come at a cost, it seems they just re-defined the wheel. Especially when you can chamber the 7mm mag long for the 180gr VLD or ELD-M leads, with a 28" barrel and some retumbo, I could see 3050-3100 FPS out of the 7mm.

I guess the question is, is the 28 Nosler really worth the extra coin and hassle, over a 7mm rem mag?
 
Had the same dilemma myself, no problem with brass but could not bring myself to spend 4 bucks apiece. I went with the 7RM, throated for the hybrid 180s and we'll see what I can get for velocity once it comes back!
 
One thing to add as well, you will do your own research and come to a realistic goal from what you want to see out of the rifle. Don't second guess or let yourself get pushed in a direction you don't want to go, it's going to be a pretty penny to get the work done so get what YOU want.
 
Hey Hunter-4-life, good questions and I like to see guys thinking their options over before chasing the new shiny. The biggest problem plaguing the 28 Nosler right now is brass availability and price, which is leading to large shortages even for our Southern neighbors! My first distance gun was a Tikka T3 in 7mmRM and I learned a ton from shooting that thing, but it also made me realize the need for a short action and cheaper components/less powder if I wanted to shoot a lot lol. If you truly just want to bang steel out at 1500+ and occasionally hunt, then a large magnum is a good way to go, but having a light recoiling SA in your arsenal is never a bad choice either :)

Between the two, I think I would still build a 7mmRM in Canada right now, mainly due to sourcing components! However, the 28 Nosler is taking off and it will only get easier/cheaper to find components from here on out. Two more things to consider, 1.) Different calibers like the 7 SAUM or 7 Practical maybe? 2.) Heavier bullets like the newer 195 gr Berger EOL or the 197 gr SMK?

Just my 2 cents ;)
 
I've been going back and forth between these two for a couple years now. I've had 2 7mm Rem mags built in that time and got as far as accumulating 300 cases for the Nosler (which I sold off not long after). I still kick the idea of the 28 Nosler around almost weekly and feel it's inevitable for me. Might just jump in so I can compare them side by side.
 
I do shoot my 243 for a smaller, cheaper caliber when I just want to plink with.
I have looked into the 195 SMK, however that is where I feel the 28 nosler would shine. I know a few guys who built them, and they are hammers. However they all said the same thing, brass is an issue. When they find it, it is pricey. But with a 180 +/- gr lead, I feel the 7 mag can keep up to it if its ran hot. I have considered a 7 wsm, or 7saum, but from what I've read they dont have the case capacity needed to crack the 3000 fps, however I could be wrong. I have no experience with those cartridges. I have looked into a 7 practical however again, I take it hunting and forget my ammo, I'm screwed, at least if I have to I can buy a box of 7 mag shells almost anywhere in a pinch.
 
Sure, the 28 Nos is a newer, ###ier beast. But wait! In addition to the component and cost issues, the 7 RM premium factory ammo is improving in consistency year after year. I have had outstanding results with my 700 LR in 7 RM, and I might even do better with an upgraded trigger and barrel.

I am not suggesting that the 28 Nos is going to be a "boom-bust" proposition, in fact I would not knock it at all, but the 7 RM presents an excellent long term investment in precision shooting. If you opt for the 28 Nos, I hope you'll let us know the results!
 
You might be a little optimistic with 3050-3100 fps and 180s.

I like 7mms; and am currently playing with 7-08, 7 Rem, 7-300 Win, a few STWs and a 28 Nosler. I have yet to see where less was more.

The 7 Rem is lots of gun for 500 yard hunting; because frankly it doesn't take much. The 180 Berger VLD is a deadly bullet in frangible sort of way; stick with the hunting version. The Target rendition is stiffened up now. 500 and under shooting is easily handled with conventional bullets though.
 
I have used a few 7mm Rem mags over the years(hunting & target),I also shot a 300 RUM for awhile to but went back to the 7mm.I have had good luck with the 168 LRAB in my rem 700 7mm RM and taken deer with it at 100 to 400 yards.I would like to build one with about a 1-8 twist to shoot the 195gr bullets but the 168 works awsome for me out to 1000 yards(target).I did shoot the 180 berger hunting in a x bolt with a 9.5 twist out to 800 yards and they worked great also for target but never shot any game with them.When this barrel goes I will probably go with the 1-8 twist and shoot the heavies in it.I think the rem mag would be my pick but the 28 nosler does spark some interest for me but I am to concerned about barrel life.
I use a 6.5 creedmoor now for target and some deer hunting ,but the 7mm is usally my go to hunting rifle.I might build a 280AI some day,its not far behind the rem mag.
Good luck on your quest,both would work great.
 
Dogleg said:
You might be a little optimistic with 3050-3100 fps and 180s.
Click to expand...

I was also told I wouldn't hit 3100 with my 230 berger in my 300 RUM and I was able to achieve constant 3160 with retumbo (with a charge that would make most people cringe, but still in my comfort zone, I was seated at 3.910")

Im not saying the 7 mag will do it, but I do believe throated long, it has a chance with a 28" barrel. My smith shoots f class, his 284 win with a 183gr his average is 2950 with a 30" tube.

That being said, if I hit 3000 I would be happy.

I do agree the 28 nosler is the hype, as with any new caliber, thats what im trying to figure out if its actually worth the extra coin over.
 
You should break 3000 pretty easy. I helped a buddy work up loads in a 26" with 168's and we got to 3050 with no pressure signs. With 2 more inches to accelerate that long bullet I think it would be pretty easy if you seat it out long to save case capacity.
 
hunter-4-life said:
I was also told I wouldn't hit 3100 with my 230 berger in my 300 RUM and I was able to achieve constant 3160 with retumbo (with a charge that would make most people cringe, but still in my comfort zone, I was seated at 3.910")

Im not saying the 7 mag will do it, but I do believe throated long, it has a chance with a 28" barrel. My smith shoots f class, his 284 win with a 183gr his average is 2950 with a 30" tube.

That being said, if I hit 3000 I would be happy.

I do agree the 28 nosler is the hype, as with any new caliber, thats what im trying to figure out if its actually worth the extra coin over.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have your mind made up.
 
I’ve built a few 28’s on 9 twist and s couple with 8.5, my personal rifle is a 9 twist and I have no issues with the 175’s, one buddy shoots the 195’s out of his 8.5 twist with no issues. The 28 is worth it over the 7mm mag but there’s always a trade off, as you already know brass is limited and it’s not like you can just grab live ammo at any shop if you find yourself needing it. It is cheaper to buy live ammo from nosler for the 28 than just buying the brass and it shoots pretty good too. At least then you could break in your barrel with factory stuff and have the brass already.
 
Ive got 2, 28's and 2, 7mm rem mags to me the extra cost is worth it for the extra velocity I get with heavier bullets. Since I bought my 28's I haven't touched either of my 7mm rem mags. If you are are concerned about the cost of shooting a 28 nosler then its not for you.
 
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