And youll definitely want to spark those heavy powder charges with a large rifle magnum primer. By 600 yards that energy advantage will have dropped to just 180 ft-lb. Ditto the .416s, 44s, and 45s. Once you start reaching out there, the 28 Nosler really shines. Mag. That is, the best of the best for terminating elk without beating up shooters. Any cartridge in a caliber big enough to hit an elk hard hits you hard, too. In the past, you had to handload to get these, but long-range shooters have created sufficient demand that many ammo makers now offer factory ammo featuring bullets heavier than 200-grains. The 26 Nosler has a higher muzzle velocity than the 28 Nosler, making it ideal for long-range shooting. At 800 yards the 28 Nosler carries just over 2000 ft lbs of energy. Not exactly modern, not sizzling, hot or sexy. I do enjoy the videos and your enthusiasm in them. The smaller the bullet, the higher its quality and the more precise its deposit must be. Your email address will not be published. Elk/Moose Sized Game; We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. If zeroed three inches high at 100 yards, that slug should drop just 1.7 inches at 300 yards and deflect just 5.7 inches in a 10 mph right angle wind. During most of its 93 years of existence, the .270 Winchester has been quite popular among hunters, and for as long as I can remember, it has made the Top Five big-game cartridge list at RCBS, according to reloading die sales . Sales bloomed immediately when it released. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Mag., some less. Mag. Fully prepped, Nosler premium cartridge brass in 27 Nosler will be available in 25ct boxes. Fine options include the old .264 Win. The 7 WSM and 7 SAUM just about match it in handier short action rifles. Roughly equivalent to a . After those stalwarts comes a blizzard of .30-calibers that claw their way up the power scale. Sure, I had to consider the drop and adjust for the downhill, still not a difficult shot, and the bull went nowhere. Nearly every elk hunter will care somewhat about the weight of their rifle after a long day of hiking. More weight and a higher BC equals more energy to transfer to the target. Jan 29, 2023 #2 Dang about a month ago shooters pro had blems for $16/25. But in the chart it says it carries it to over 1200 yards. Nosler, with the introduction of its fifth big-game centerfire cartridge, has changed the potential of the .277-inch bore diameter by tightening the twist rate to 1:8.5, and offering the 165-grain AccuBond Long Range as an option for those who appreciate the higher sectional density and ballistic coefficient. Only downside to the 27N is lack of high BC bullets to really stretch its legs out. Heres a look at 10 of the most flexible long-range hunting cartridges. The Nosler M48 Carbon Mountain Rifle is reviewed and taken to the range, where we shot and tested several handloads. Elk carry enough venison on the hoof to suggest a big cartridge and big bullet. So, Nosler, a company rooted in tradition but also with an eye to cutting-edge performance, has now turned its attention to the .277 caliber and brought the loading possibilities into the modern era with the introduction of the 27 Nosler. Work the numbers, compare for yourself; at moderate ranges differences arent that dramatic. 180-gr. Yet, for those who enjoy hunting across the continent or the globe, the 27 Nosler makes a very flexible package that can handle deer and black in the forests, yet reach out across a canyon to handle a bull elk, or across the vastness of the tundra when in pursuit of caribou. And then what will barrel life be like? Recoil isn't bad and it will lay out the ft/lbs of energy as ways. The difference is .07 of an inch, the animal in the receiving end will never know that difference. In fact, the first time my friend, who is a seasoned shooter himself, shot my 28 Nosler, he got scoped! But if youre going to this narrow caliber, choose one with more velocity than the Creedmoor. At 300 yards that bullet should still carry nearly 2,700 ft-lb energy, which is close to what a 180-grain .308 Winchester coughs up at the muzzle. Just as theres a significant difference between a 22-year-old, 6-foot 4-inch athlete and a 50-year-old, 5-foot 7-inch accountant, theres a huge difference between rolling prairies and 11,000-foot peaks poking above doghair stands of pine and spruce. But the .338 Win. I usually shoot 168 grain Nosler ABLR 160 grain Nosler AB bullets. But where it deviates from its barrel-diameter brethren is in case capacity. After years of the 6.5mm craze, we may be about to witness the .270 rising. Is 28 Nosler too much for deer? Yes, this is a short-action, small capacity case which demands we ask the obvious question: how can the little .277 SIG Fury shoot as fast from a 16-inch barrel as the larger .270 Winchester shoots from a 24-inch barrel? Although perhaps not an ideal extreme range cartridge, the .338 shoots surprisingly flat. The 27 Nosler has a long leade for sleek, high BC, long ogive, ABLR and RDF style bullets. This list of the best cartridges for elk hunting starts with the welterweights and moves up to the heavy hitters. The 27 Nosler case has 42% more case capacity than the 270 Winchester, 25% more than the 270 WSM and 12.5% more than the 270 Weatherby. A year later, I couldnt be happier with my purchase. Because of lower pressure and achieving full velocity with less powder, the .30-06 has less felt recoil than a 7mm Remington Magnum. Consequently, it is not surprising that the bullet did not pass through. Hunters typically but incorrectly use the best elk calibers to mean cartridge, but Ill use calibers for the sake of this review. I used a 7mm Rem Mag for years, great cartridge. The .28 Nosler shoots flat and powerfully, but it is expensive to shoot, burns barrels quickly, and has significant recoil. Mag. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com) Synonymous with quality hunting ammunition, Nosler shakes things up in the .270 world introducing a new caliber - the 27 . Mag. I have both and have taken all of my fast .30 elk with them. will kick with 29.3 ft-lb, and the 300 will slap you with 37 ft-lb. The .28 Nosler is a cartridge developed by the Nosler Corporation. A traditional stock or adjustable? 28 Nosler is a one and done for everything on NA. There are several more options if you purchase online or order your loads from a local store, but you should be aware that those who dont reload and purchase from local shops will likely not have many options. Backfire LLC owns and operates this website. Thirty-calibers have been sending elk to the table for more than 125 years. In these scenarios, shots are likely to be close and fast, and a bugling bull is pumped with adrenaline. Subscriber Services. I want to hit them well, but also hardat any range. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. It will require a 26-inch barrel to reach this speed, but that will make this a superior long range performer and the fastest .270 extant. In the article it states that the 28 Nosler carries 1500 ft lbs tot 747 yards. I have just always gravitated to the 7mm's over the 270 cartridges. . They share a maximum body diameter of 14.0 mm (0.550 in). Mag. For 2020, Nosler has chosen to take the venerable 270 caliber to a new level with the introduction of the all-new 27 Nosler. If the .338s are the best caliber on the upper end for elk, the 7mms are the best at the lower end. To take advantage of the cartridge's MPBR (+/- 3"), sight-in the .28 Nosler 160 grain factory load to hit 2.39 inches high at 100 yards. bullets. Here stands the old warrior with its two newest competitors in the rather small .27-caliber world. In this article, Ill cover the pros and cons Ive found with shooting the .28 Nosler on my recent big game hunting adventures. Commissions are earned for links to Brownell's, Amazon, MidwayUSA, GoHunt, OpticsPlanet, Sportsman's Warehouse, and other retailers. For over 90 years, American hunters have taken to the field in pursuit of nearly all the game the lower 48 states have to offer with a trusty 270 in hand. Nosler Trophy Grade Ammunition 27 Nosler 165 Grain AccuBond Long Range Box of 20. Nov 7, 2022. I further suspect, nay, predict no deer, elk, or bear addressed by any of these is going to like them. No matter 27 or 28 caliber. will handle the .338 Win. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In comparison a 250-grain slug at 2,600 fps will churn up just 3,750 ft-lb. Many elk hunters consider the old .375 H&H the ultimate elk medicine, but not everyone cares to handle their recoil or the kind of rifle mass that tames it. 28 Nosler/160 AB is a great elk combination. Publisher of Petersen's HUNTING magazine, Kevin Steele is at the Steiner Optics booth with Alberto Corbetta to discuss the Predator 4 and Predator 8. And, I know they are going to be pretty similar, but, still, I have to choose one. A high B.C. The ELD-X is not a deep penetrating bullet, but instead is designed for reliable expansion even at longer distances and slower speeds. Im not suggesting that elk rifles should be four times more powerful than deer rifles, but elk are tough. I've also shot elk with my 338-06, 30-06AI, 30-06, 7mmRM, 284W, and in the last two years, three elk with a 243W. Weatherbys .300 magnum had been dazzling magnum fans since the mid 1940s, but it was a full-length magnum caliber available only in expensive custom or Weatherby Rifles. My thoughts are this, the .25-calibers, limited to 120-grain bullets, are too light for bull elk. Unless you work with a custom gun builder and handload, study factory options before choosing. of .414 or so, the 210-gr. Recoil is stout, but substantially less than any magnum .30. At 800 yards the 28 Nosler carries just over 2000 ft lbs of energy. Here stands the old warrior with its two newest competitors in the rather small .27-caliber world. Mag. If recoil isnt a concern, you can slide up the power charts via the 33 Nosler, .340 Wby. Required fields are marked *. There are plenty of other .30-calibers for hire. If there were a factory load of .28 Nosler Cartridges with a 168-grain Barnes LRX, Id order a whole pallet right away. It delivers greater velocity than even the gargantuan .270 Weatherby. I have shot most of my big game with a 270 Win or a 270 WSM. So, the most likely candidate today is a modern .45-70 lever-action, either a Marlin or Henry in the popular guide gun configuration, short barrel with easy scope mounting. But that doesnt seem to matter. The .270s are similarly adequate for elkwith caution. This takes us back to the launch. Both sizes are much better ballistically and that what i was saying in my post. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Trying to decide between the 27 Nosler and the 28 Nosler. Both new rounds exceed the ballistics of the old one, but do it in different ways. When hunting elk with a rifle, shooting distances vary widely depending on the topography and vegetation youre hunting. Nevertheless, the 180-grain has long been the standard with elk hunters. Some folks will take any attempt to improve the .270 Winchester as a direct insult, yet I disagree: like the .22-250 Remington and .35 Whelen, an improved twist rate can really change the game altogether, and this is exactly what the 27 Nosler has done. "Whereas the 6.5s aren't enough for elk and the .30 cals are too much for whitetail, the 6.8 strikes the perfect balance of ballistic performance for all North American big game and in lighter, easier-to-shoot rifle platforms." . This is a great site and I love the reviews but there are some inconsistencies. I wouldnt say Im especially recoil sensitive, but I dont have an iron shoulder either. Quite a few elk have fallen from the 117hh in a wsm at . Then, the barrel life will be around 1500 rounds! may have inspired Winchester to bring out its marvelous .300 magnum the very next year. So, in open country, a fast 7mm has tremendous appeal. 6.5 Creedmoor. Good bullet design and placement seem to work just fine. These rifle weight/size considerations will influence cartridge size, especially length. Any real or perceived failure of the 7mm Rem. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The 28 Nosler and Remington Ultra Magnum adds about 250 fps to the Rem. #20. Super pressure, if you will. Recoil is about 30-percent less than the .338 Win. Again, bullet weight. Zeroed 3.3 inches high at 100 yards, that projectile will drop just two inches at 300 yards, deflect just five inches in a 10 mph right angle wind, and cling to 2,866 ft-lb energy. I also think extreme-range shooters with traditional to semi-traditional tastes will gravitate to the Nosler in a bolt-action rifle like the M48. Well, the 27 Nosler shoots flatter than the 6.5 PRC, and delivers more energy on target than the 300 Win. Say the bullets are more than 180 grains in 300 Win Mag. The 27 Nosler has 32% more case capacity than the .270 Winchester, 22% more than the .270 Winchester Short Magnum and 14% more than the .270 Weatherby. No rough-and-tough manly man in the 1960s was going to admit he couldnt handle that. He wasnt quite prepared for the recoil when the rifle was mounted on his shoulder over a puffy coat. If needed, 27 Nosler brass can be formed from 30 Nosler brass. A natural question now is if other gun makers will chamber for the 27 Nosler and .277 SIG Fury. This gives it the necessary elasticity to expand and seal the chamber while the stronger steel keeps the head from rupturing. Quite frankly I was surprised to get that velocity out of the 270 win. All Rights Reserved. He is a well-known entrepreneur, having started many successful online brands, and lives in St George, Utah. Well, as the majority of us are primarily deer hunters, and the .270 Winchester handles deer and similar sized game so well, I dont think that will come to pass. It was a 270 wby built on a Fierce Rival long action with a 27 " 1-8 twist benchmark. It nearly matched ballistics of the Weatherby Magnum. 27 Nosler Load Data Reno Nevada. Id go the 27 Nosler, the 270 WSM is awesome. Mag. To prevent the risk of a 28 Nosler cartridge being chambered in a 27 Nosler chamber, the shoulder of the 27 Nosler has been moved slightly rearward, lengthening the neck slightly. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Because elk are so tough, the farther the shot, the harder you ought to hit them! Those are better trajectory numbers than many .338 Win. loads top out with 200-grain bullets, 210-, 220-, and 230-grain options are available. About 1:8 would be my guess. The factory ammo and brass is cheaper for the 28 Nosler. You are all set and go forth with complete confidence. But elk stopping performance typically comes with a price: recoil. It delivers greater velocity than even the gargantuan .270 Weatherby. None require field artillery, but a mature Rocky Mountain bull might weigh 800-1000 pounds, four times the size of most mule deer bucks. Heft up to a 10-pound rifle and kick will calm to just 32.7 ft-lb. Give a Gift | Recoil isn't bad and it will lay out the ft/lbs of energy as ways. Makes me feel good to see I am within 150 fps of the 27 Nosler. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Here was the same basic belted magnum case, but the 7mm threw bullets as heavy as 175 grains. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Certainly the .270s and 6.5mms can and do take elk annually, but one would be hard pressed to recommend them as optimum. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Yes, the 7mm bullet flies better and can be pushed a bit faster, yet the .30-caliber bullet has more frontal area, dealing a harder initial blow. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. This meant the .338 Win. Two of the newest entrants into this category, the .28 Nosler and the .300 PRC. One of the most effective elk calibers available. Mag. Start with the .30/30 Winchester and climb until your nose bleeds. Elk dont like any of this. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I am pretty certain that your ballistic table is incorrect, the energy and velocity column are identical for 200-1,000 yards and the two columns are flipped for 1,200 and 1,500 yards. Re: 27 Nosler vs 28 Nosler. in a 22-inch barrel. They are still out there but getting scarce. .308-inch diameter bullet carrying 1,500 ft-lb energy and I doubt theyll notice any difference. I have tremendous respect for elk. I think a .30-06 with 180-grain bullet offers about the same performance as a 7mm Remington Magnum with 175-grain bullet. Second, since .30-caliber bullets must be even heavier to compete in the Ballistic Coefficient (BC) race, a magnum 7mm recoils significantly less than a magnum .30. That means less tracking of wounded game, which is all math thats sure to please any hunter. The venerable .270 Winchester has been a mainstay on gun store racks, ammo displays and in reloaders cabinets for decades. Get a closer look at the Nosler M48 Mountain Carbon in 27 Nosler, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.For more information, visit https://www.ame. Not only does it pack a whopping 3,188 foot pounds of energy at 100 yards, it maintains a measurement of over 1,500 foot pounds out to 747 yards. To contain 80,000 psi pressures SIG has built a reportedly beefy rifle. Heres a detailed look at each step of the process. Chambered in the .27 caliber 6.8 Western makes this a certain elk gun. The new Sig round is wildly different than any other .270 cartridge because its been chronographed spitting 140-grain .277 bullets 3,000 fps. If you hunt where the game is tough, the shots are long and demanding, and there is no room for compromise, there is no better choice than the 27 Nosler. At extreme range, hits or misses may not be apparent, and in the late afternoon it will be dark long before you get there to look. Mag. Mag. Mag. No experience with this specific bullet, but with my .270 I have taken 5 elk (2 bulls, 3 cows) with the 150gr Federal Fusion in factory load. Retains > 1,700 foot/pounds of energy at 500 yards. In addition to the caliber, Nosler also introduced new 165gr AccuBond Long Range bullets in .277, specifically designed for the 27 Noslers faster-than-standard 1-8.5 twist rate. The 27 Nosler has a neck length of 0.328, so neck tension isnt an issue at all; generally speaking, the cartridges neck should be at least one caliber in length, and most are, with the glaring exception of the .300 Winchester Magnum. Are you concerned about barrel life? Nosler has built quite a cartridge family, and it continues to grow. Any rifle strong enough to contain the 7mm Rem. Thats ok. Live and learn is a common aphorism for a reason. Im not sure if theyve won the contract or if the testing is still underway, but the civilian bolt-action rifle and ammo should become available in 2020. 1 Write a Review Q&A (2) Our Price: $110.99. Figure another 30 fps velocity increase for every inch of barrel added and a 24-inch launchpad should nudged that 140-grain to 3,240 fps. Historians of guns and ammo credit OConnors writings for popularizing the little .270, which was and still is a bit of an oddball caliber. He has managed multiple gun ranges, and has hunted around the world. Mag., .338 RUM, .338 Lapua Mag., and massive .338-378 Wby. Mag. One of the main differences between the 26 Nosler vs 28 Nosler is velocity. If you were to buy a scope for all around elk hunting/500 yards and in 2.5x8 would be just . Chambered in .28 Nosler, this 8 pound, 8 ounce setup kicks quite hard. After years of hunting and shooting from Africa to Alaska, I think most get cartridge enery wrong. Most factory loads from a 24-inch barrel are rated 2,960 fps. And he could get it in affordable rifles from several manufacturers. They dont start as fast but with better aerodynamics, theyll pass lighter slugs at mid-range, and hit way out there with more authority. 28 Nosler is essentially a shortened version of the 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum (7mm RUM). .662) already on dealer shelves. The heaviest HH for your twist is the 148gr, but you'd have to watch oal as it is 1.48 inches long. Whats best for you depends on the distance you intend to shoot, based on where you hunt. The 190-gr. But not so much that youre afraid to shoot it. The Hornady designed the .300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (the .300 PRC) as a precision long-range rifle . Mag., 6.5 Weatherby RPM, 6.5-300 Wby. What does this mean for the hunter in the field? That bullet offers the best of all worlds, as it will reliably expand at longer ranges when it has slowed down a bit, yet will hold together at woods distances when velocities remain high; it is also respected as a very accurate bullet. Equally significant is the 27 Noslers recommended twist rate: 1 turn in 8.5 inches. The 27 Nosler, like its counterparts across the family of Nosler cartridges, has raised the performance bar when it comes to the .277. In my situation, I think the tradeoffs of recoil are far outweighed by the positive aspects of the cartridge. So, next best thing: If youre serious about longer shots on elk, man up and use a fast .30 with todays heavy, low-drag bullets, 200 to 225 grains. Old Elmer Keith back in the dark ages of the mid-20th century claimed the .270 Winchester was an adequate coyote round. I did as instructed, leveling the crosshair of the Leupold VX-3HD on the onside shoulder, and breaking the trigger of the Nosler Model 21 rifle, sending a 150-grain Nosler AccuBond on its way to make meat. How much will it cost? The elk took 3 steps and collapsed. If I can shoot the .28 Nosler without any issues, the vast majority of adult male shooters wont have any issues either. The pieces of the .277 Sig Sauer cartridge are assembled via an internal pressure ring of some kind near the base. A final consideration these days is availability of guns and ammo. As an elk cartridge, the .30-06 still shines. 28 Nosler is a one and done for everything on NA. launched 2,600 fps will still be churning some 1,800 ft-lb energy. When choosing among these three .270s one must consider more than just ballistics. At 2,500 fps and a B.C. The SIG Furys is 80,000 psi. Will you be able to handload once-fired cases? Bill Buckley. because maximum average chamber pressure is 64,000 psi. The . During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. We manufacture Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition and much more. Elk Hunter 338 Official LRH Sponsor. And there havent been a heck of a lot since. Mag. More power. Fantastic cartridge and superb bullet! With a .28 Nosler and a TTSX, you can pretty much guarantee a full passthrough on almost any angle. Mag., 27 Nosler, .277 SIG Fury. Nosler has built quite a cartridge family, and it continues to grow. Its just too convenient and effective to go away. If you like your hearing, on the other hand, shooting without a brake will kick hard. Even at the 500-yard mark, the 27 Nosler will deliver over 2,100 ft.-lbs. But that has nothing to do with the actual performance of the .277 SIG Fury cartridge or rifle. Itll only hit 2,400 fps or so with a 225-grain bullet, so the 200- and 210-grain slugs might be the better choice. Still a great cartridge, as is the .300 Weatherby. | The .27 Nosler works with a larger powder reservoir. Hell, Ive had at least one for 40 years. Just $1 per month , Heres a list of some of the most notable cartridges for elk hunting. quote: 7mm/284 and 6.5 have a huge selection of bullets already available. I have shot neither so my opinion may not mean much. It will work but a little much. In eight-pound rifles, the 7mm Rem. What the heck? Learn More . We use cookies to make your experience better. It throws a 150-grain bullet 3,300 fps from a 26-inch barrel, about 300 to 400 fps faster than the .270 Winchester, 200 fps faster than the .270 WSSM, and 100 fps quicker than the .270 Weatherby Magnum. One of the most popular magnums of all time. shinbone # 14865591 05/10/20. Any rifles already chambering for any of the fatter magnums like the RUMs, Dakotas, or .338 Lapua should be fit to fit the 27 Nosler. I haven't loaded the 27 nosler. The 27 Nosler shares the same caliber as the storied .270 Winchester and other .27 caliber rifles. However, you should be aware that the recoil on a .28 Nosler is not right for all shooters. Again, bullet weight. Keep it on 4 unless you have lots of time at longer range then you can crank it up. Cartridge means the case that holds the powder that drives the bullet. Trm82 said: I have one getting chambered right now in 27 nosler . Mag. The Barnes penetrate . Thats not a typo. Maybe they are still there . And we dont mean the old .270 Winchester. Absolutely! Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.5. Not faster, not always more accurate, but designed around modern bulletswhich really do offer a long-range advantage. These days certain 6.5mms have been growing in popularity despite relatively light bullets and muzzle velocities well under 3,000 fps. Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line in 2023. loads. No matter, people are shooting at elk at longer ranges, and todays rifles, optics, and bullets will get there. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The .30/30, .300 Savage, .30/06, .300 Win. But that doesnt mean we cant come up with other cartridges shooting .277-inch bullets. We have an embarrassment of choices in 7mms, and elk dont like any. A faster-than-standard 1-8.5" twist barrel design allows the 27 Nosler to propel Nosler's factory-loaded 150gr AccuBond and 165gr AccuBond Long Range bullets (new for 2020) at never-before-seen velocities and distances in 270 caliber. Thats good enough for 3,500 ft-lb muzzle punch. The 27 Nosler has 32% more case capacity than the .270 Winchester, 22% more than the .270 Winchester Short Magnum and 14% more than the .270 Weatherby. The axis doe was at the head of herd, and DonDonwho despite his initial impressions made an excellent guidesimply nudged with his bristled chin and said Two-fifty. The cartridge is a proven performer. bullets coming soon like the 165-grain AccuBond Long Range just announced and the 170-grain Berger EOL Elite Hunter (G1 B.C. Guns. the 27 Nosler drops 11 less than a 270 Win and 7 less than a 270 WSM. That increased capacity, coupled with modern powders, allows the 27 Nosler to drive bullets faster and flatter than ever before. The old archetypical big-timber elk rifle was the Winchester M71 in .348. When it first came out in 1962, it sent the then four-year-old .264 Winchester Magnum into a tailspin. Re-barrel to the 27 Nosler and go kill elk. H4350 130 grain Barnes TSX 2980 fps in 22 inch barrel. Always, the idea is to hit a bull as well as you can, but you want to hit him hard. Mag., .270 WSM, and 27 Nosler step it up a few notches, and the 6.8 Western with its fast twist barrels nudges bullet weights to the upper end of the 7mm line up. The .28 Nosler cartridge is one of the best cartridges for hunting elk as long as controlled-expansion bullets are used. Federal Terminal Ascent Hunting Bullet: Field Review, Tested Tough - Modern Zeiss Sports Optics. Many an elk hunter has suggested the .300 Win. The right .30/06 load should add 100 fps velocity and 100 ft-lb energy. It usually includes hiking steep country for days with a pack on your back. Definitely.