.24 Nosler

The .24 Nosler cartridge is a relatively new addition to the world of high-performance rifle ammunition, specifically designed to maximize velocity, accuracy, and versatility for the modern shooter. Introduced by Nosler, a company renowned for its innovation in cartridge development, the .24 Nosler bridges the gap between the traditional .223 Remington and the more powerful 6.5mm cartridges. Nosler developed the .24 Nosler with the intent of providing a high-velocity 6mm cartridge that offers exceptional flat-shooting capabilities while maintaining excellent barrel life and manageable recoil. By building upon the family of Nosler’s purpose-built cases, the .24 Nosler was engineered to improve upon its predecessors, delivering higher ballistic performance in a case size optimized for semi-automatic rifles, especially the AR-15 platform. The .24 Nosler quickly gained a reputation among reloaders for its versatility, impressive ballistics, and reloading potential.

In the field, the .24 Nosler is a highly adaptable cartridge that stands out for both varmint hunting and target shooting. It offers reloaders a high degree of flexibility, as it can be tuned for a variety of applications, ranging from long-range varmint control to competitive shooting venues. The .24 Nosler’s flat trajectory and high muzzle velocity make it particularly attractive for shooters targeting small, fast-moving targets at extended ranges. Thanks to its compatibility with AR-15 rifles, it is especially appealing to reloaders who want to maximize the performance of their existing platforms without transitioning to larger, heavier rifles. Furthermore, its mild recoil and efficient powder usage allow for lengthy practice sessions without excessive shooter fatigue or rapid barrel wear.

The .24 Nosler excels across a spectrum of target species. It is ideally suited for varmint hunting, including coyotes, prairie dogs, and groundhogs, where its flat trajectory and rapid expansion of lightweight bullets provide decisive terminal performance. Additionally, its energy and accuracy make it a viable option for medium game such as whitetail deer, particularly when loaded with heavier, controlled-expansion projectiles. Shooters who partake in organized competitions, such as precision rifle series or long-range steel target matches, value the cartridge for its exceptional downrange performance and minimal wind drift, further cementing its place among reloaders seeking maximum versatility and efficiency.

One of the hallmarks of the .24 Nosler is the array of bullet weights and styles it can accommodate. Typical bullet weights range from 55 grains to 108 grains, allowing reloaders to tailor their loads to specific applications. Lighter bullets in the 55–75 grain range generate sizzling velocities exceeding 3,500 fps, perfect for small game and varmints, while heavier bullets in the 90–108 grain range maintain high ballistic coefficients for long-range accuracy and ethical hunting of larger game animals. The .24 Nosler utilizes a .243-inch diameter bullet, delivering a blend of high sectional density and aerodynamic efficiency. Its case capacity is larger than the .223 Remington but remains small enough to offer efficient powder burning and consistent performance, even from shorter barrels. For reloaders, this means a cartridge that is not only easy to work with but also capable of delivering outstanding results across multiple shooting disciplines. The .24 Nosler stands as a testament to modern cartridge engineering, offering reloaders a potent, flexible, and future-forward round for both the range and the field.