28 Nosler vs 7LRM

[Covertnoob5]

Hey guys, so I’ve kind of decided to give one of these a try in my Desert Tech SRS. Want to do 24”-26” barrel. Any opinions, thoughts, or experiences with either?
If you could also please keep in mind this will be a hunting barrel only, and I would probably only be using the Barnes 160 gr LRX bullet (due to having to use lead free ammo by law). Definitely want to hear the good, bad, and ugly. Thanks in advance!

 

[BurnOut]

I think I'm going to do one of these: https://westtexordnance.com/7mm-300-norma-improved/

Between the two cartridges you have listed, the Nosler will likely be faster, and more likely to be on the shelf at Cabela's. That said, I have a barreled action in 7 LRM on the way...

 

[WeiserBucks]

I would go 7 LRM if it wasn't for the Hornady brass . 28 Nosler offers excellent performance but brass is spendy and availability is hit or miss .
I wouldn't do either in a 24" , I would definitely go 26" at a minimum. If you want a shorter barrel, look into the 7 SAUM, 7 RM and even the 7-08 , they'll all get it done nicely.

 

[jda2631]

I'm not too familiar with the 7LRM, but I'm having a 28 Nosler built for hunting. If you go the Nosler route, look into the freebore for the barrel. At SAAMI specs you really hinder the performance, need a little extra freebore to seat the bullets out further. But if you are only going to shoot the 160's you may be ok with SAAMI spec'd chamber. Definitely go 26" on the barrel.

 

[Covertnoob5]

I'm not too familiar with the 7LRM, but I'm having a 28 Nosler built for hunting. If you go the Nosler route, look into the freebore for the barrel. At SAAMI specs you really hinder the performance, need a little extra freebore to seat the bullets out further. But if you are only going to shoot the 160's you may be ok with SAAMI spec'd chamber. Definitely go 26" on the barrel.

Yea it seems like I’d only be doing the 160’s cause again, restricted to lead free ammo only and 160 is the heaviest copper only I could find. Hmm if I got 28 Nosler I’ll definitely consider it.

Anyone else got thoughts? Thanks

 

[WeiserBucks]

If you're only going to be shooting 160's, I think the regular 7 Rem Mag would definitely be a more economical choice. That's what I would do unless you have to have something much faster.

 

[BurnOut]

FWIW, the LRM setup that I have on the way was ordered with 16x-class projectiles in mind. For reasons that I can't explain (though perhaps have something to do with me eating paint chips as a kid), I have an obsession with 3k FPS muzzle velocity. My thinking was that good ol' 7mm RM might be able to get me there consistently, but 7 LRM will absolutely do it... and if I end up backing off the loads to keep from running them at warp speed, that'll just help extend barrel life.

Plus, if push comes to shove, I'll (theoretically) still have the option to run the 18x-class projectiles to 3k FPS, as well.

For the real heavies (190+), I'm planning on a 7mm-300 NM Improved.

 

[jda2631]

FWIW, the LRM setup that I have on the way was ordered with 16x-class projectiles in mind. For reasons that I can't explain (though perhaps have something to do with me eating paint chips as a kid), I have an obsession with 3k FPS muzzle velocity. My thinking was that good ol' 7mm RM might be able to get me there consistently, but 7 LRM will absolutely do it... and if I end up backing off the loads to keep from running them at warp speed, that'll just help extend barrel life.

Plus, if push comes to shove, I'll (theoretically) still have the option to run the 18x-class projectiles to 3k FPS, as well.

For the real heavies (190+), I'm planning on a 7mm-300 NM Improved.

Just FYI before going 7-330NM, check out Long Range Hunting, there is a real long thread on there about the 28 Nosler with the 195 Bergers, just google it. Ryan Pierce is a gunsmith, Piercison Rifles, and he is the first person I saw that was playing with the extra freebore. He's loading the 195's to something like 3.730" COAL, well past SAAMI specs. And with RL33 hes getting 3140 fps (pretty easily), using Retumbo (for it's temp stability) drops it about 75 fps. And the accuracy with both powders was great as well. Most people are getting sub half moa. I was looking at a 7-300 win, 7-300NM, and a few others. All the info in that thread made my decision for me. Nosler really hampered the performance of that round with the 3.340" COAL length. Once you get some freebore to seat the long, heavy bullets out, it really shines.

28 Nosler also uses the standard magnum bolt face (.540) instead of the larger .585 bolt face of the Norma.

 

[gregsjt]

I have a 7 LRM in a DTA, I've been pretty happy with it. I've mostly shot 180 Berger's and its been really accurate. Before this barrel I had a 7 SAUM and I wasn't happy with how it fed from the DTA magazines. The LRM feeds perfectly, much better than the SAUM.

I've been running the 180's between 2950 and 3050 with H-1000 and IMR 7977. The brass really is the weak spot in the LRM, with the load mentioned the primer pockets are only lasting about 4-5 firings. I've heard that later runs of brass are much better but I don't have any first hand experience with those lots.

I can say that the cartridge design is about perfect for the 7mm bore. You don't have to deal with the belt on the 7mm Remington or the rebated rim of the Nosler or RUM. The standard reamer from Gunwerks lets you seat the 180's in the sweet spot and will still leave you a little room in a DTA magazine. If the brass was slighly better I think you could run the 180's at 3100 pretty comfortably. Overall, like I said, I'm pretty happy with it. I don't think I would trade it for a Nosler.

 

[BurnOut]

Just FYI before going 7-330NM, check out Long Range Hunting, there is a real long thread on there about the 28 Nosler with the 195 Bergers, just google it. Ryan Pierce is a gunsmith, Piercison Rifles, and he is the first person I saw that was playing with the extra freebore. He's loading the 195's to something like 3.730" COAL, well past SAAMI specs. And with RL33 hes getting 3140 fps (pretty easily), using Retumbo (for it's temp stability) drops it about 75 fps. And the accuracy with both powders was great as well. Most people are getting sub half moa. I was looking at a 7-300 win, 7-300NM, and a few others. All the info in that thread made my decision for me. Nosler really hampered the performance of that round with the 3.340" COAL length. Once you get some freebore to seat the long, heavy bullets out, it really shines.

28 Nosler also uses the standard magnum bolt face (.540) instead of the larger .585 bolt face of the Norma.

Interesting. I have a variety of options on this, as I am planning to do this on a DTA, for which I have both .535 and .585 bolts, and the DTA mags are pretty generous in regard to OAL. Nonetheless, it's nice to have options...

 

[jda2631]

Interesting. I have a variety of options on this, as I am planning to do this on a DTA, for which I have both .535 and .585 bolts, and the DTA mags are pretty generous in regard to OAL. Nonetheless, it's nice to have options...

Having so many options these days is a double edged sword. I go back and forth in my head 1000 times on choices, then I will decide on what I know that I want, then I'll see something else and go back to the drawing board. haha The good part is it's kinda hard to go wrong these days being there are so many great choices.

 

[ChadL]

Having so many options these days is a double edged sword. I go back and forth in my head 1000 times on choices, then I will decide on what I know that I want, then I'll see something else and go back to the drawing board. haha The good part is it's kinda hard to go wrong these days being there are so many great choices.

I'm the same as you. I can't tell you how many cartridge choices I've settled on, only to change my mind again and again. Like you said though, it's pretty tough to go wrong.

 

[jda2631]

I'm the same as you. I can't tell you how many cartridge choices I've settled on, only to change my mind again and again. Like you said though, it's pretty tough to go wrong.

I finally got smart (I think?) and the nosler I'm building is on a bighorn action, and the idea is to make it a switch barrel. So when I want to try a new cartridge all I have to do is buy a savage prefit or get a shouldered barrel spun up from a smith instead of having to get a whole new rifle and scope etc.

 

[demolitionman]

Just FYI before going 7-330NM, check out Long Range Hunting, there is a real long thread on there about the 28 Nosler with the 195 Bergers, just google it.

Here's the thread for those who are interested; I've got the 28 Nosler itch so the more info the better. Thanks Jda.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/28-nosler-195-berger-re33-testing.159270/