When it comes to long-range shooting and big-game hunting, few calibers stand to like the 28 Nosler and the 30 Nosler. Both cartridges offer impressive velocity, range, and power, making them ideal for taking down game but which one is better? In this article, we will compare the 28 Nosler to the 30 Nosler to help you decide which one is right for your specific needs.
Here is the short answer:
The 28 Nosler has less energy, more velocity, and slightly better ballistics. This means the 30 Nosler is better for hunting bigger game animals at longer ranges due to its increased energy and knockdown power while the 28 Nosler would be better for long range shooting due its better ballistics.
with the short answer out of the way, we can look closer at each cartridge and compare both cartridges in depth to see which one is better.
In-Depth Look at the 28 Nosler
The 28 Nosler was introduced in 2015 and quickly gained popularity among hunters and long-range shooters because of its high energy and long range trajectory. The 28 Nosler is based on the .404 Jeffery case, which has been modified to fit a .284 bullet, this means it has a lot of powder behind a small bullet giving lots of velocity. However, this velocity does come at the cost of a shorter barrel life with a barrel starting to lose accuracy around 100 rounds. for the hunter that shoots a dozen times a year, this is fine but for a competitions shooter, this could be costly.
The 28 Nosler is capable of taking down game such as elk at ranges well over 500 yards, making it ideal for hunting in open country. This high long range energy is thanks to its big case and the high BC (ballistic coefficient), bullets this cartridge shoots.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 28 Nosler with a 155-grain terminal assent bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3200 | 3524 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 3114 | 3337 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 3029 | 3158 |
| 150 | -0.6 | 1 | 2947 | 2988 |
| 200 | -2.3 | 1.8 | 2865 | 2826 |
| 250 | -5 | 2.9 | 2786 | 2671 |
| 300 | -8.8 | 4.3 | 2707 | 2523 |
| 350 | -13.9 | 6 | 2630 | 2381 |
| 400 | -20.1 | 7.9 | 2555 | 2246 |
| 450 | -27.7 | 10.2 | 2481 | 2117 |
| 500 | -36.6 | 12.6 | 2407 | 1994 |
In-Depth Look at the 30 Nosler
The 30 Nosler is a newer cartridge, introduced in 2016, and is based on the .404 Jeffery case modified to fit a .308 diameter bullet. it is just a 28 Nolser with a 30 caliber bullet instead of a 28 caliber bullet. Again this is a big magnum length case pushing a fairly small 30 caliber bullet.
The 30 Nosler is designed for taking down big game like moose at ranges past 500 yards. It has a high ballistic coefficient and is capable of retaining its energy and accuracy at long distances. It is also a popular choice for long-range target shooting, thanks to its impressive accuracy and velocity.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 30 Nosler with a 180-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3200 | 4092 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 3112 | 3871 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 3027 | 3661 |
| 150 | -0.6 | 1 | 2942 | 3460 |
| 200 | -2.3 | 1.9 | 2860 | 3269 |
| 250 | -5 | 3 | 2779 | 3086 |
| 300 | -8.9 | 4.4 | 2699 | 2912 |
| 350 | -13.9 | 6.1 | 2621 | 2746 |
| 400 | -20.2 | 8.1 | 2544 | 2587 |
| 450 | -27.8 | 10.3 | 2469 | 2436 |
| 500 | -36.8 | 12.9 | 2395 | 2292 |
In-Depth Comparison
When comparing the 28 Nosler to the 30 Nosler, there are several factors to consider. The 28 Nosler offers a slightly flatter trajectory, really not much to make a difference, less energy, and a higher velocity than the 30 Nosler, making it better suited for smaller large game such as elk. The 30 Nosler, on the other hand, offers a larger bullet and more knockdown power, making it ideal for taking down moose or bison at extended ranges.
Both cartridges offer impressive accuracy and energy retention at long distances, making them popular choices for long-range shooting and hunting. However, the 28 Nosler has slightly less recoil than the 30 Nosler, which may make it more comfortable for some shooters.