Caliber Description
The .30 Nosler is a relatively new entry in the world of high-performance rifle cartridges, introduced by Nosler in 2016. Building on the tremendous success of their previous designs like the .26 and .28 Nosler, the company aimed to offer a .30 caliber cartridge that marries maximum velocity, flat trajectories, and impressive energy retention for long-range shooters and hunters. The .30 Nosler is based on the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum case, but it is shortened and necked down, offering a non-belted design that enhances case life and makes it friendly for reloaders. By utilizing a standard magnum bolt face and fitting into standard long-action rifle platforms, Nosler ensured this caliber would be a practical choice for seasoned reloaders who want magnum performance without excessively long or heavy rifles.
For the reloading community, the .30 Nosler stands out as a versatile round, perfectly at home both on the hunt and at the range. Its primary applications are long-range hunting and precision shooting, where shooters demand not just power but consistent accuracy at extended distances. With muzzle velocities exceeding 3,200 feet per second with some loads, the .30 Nosler surpasses established favorites like the .300 Winchester Magnum and remains competitive with heavy hitters such as the .300 Weatherby Magnum or even .300 RUM, but with a more efficient case design. These attributes make the .30 Nosler a compelling choice for reloaders who want to leverage high ballistic coefficients with custom handloads, dialing in performance for their exact needs, whether for competitive shooting or challenging hunts.
The .30 Nosler is most often targeted at serious big game hunters and long-range shooting enthusiasts. Its robust energy and flat trajectory are ideally suited for ethical harvesting of popular North American game such as elk, moose, mule deer, and even bear, where hard-hitting power is required at distances of 500 yards or more. For African plains game, the .30 Nosler also fits the bill—delivering more than enough penetration and terminal performance for animals like kudu, gemsbok, and waterbuck. Thanks to its versatility and substantial power, this cartridge is a reliable go-to for reloaders seeking a single-does-it-all .30 caliber magnum.
When it comes to bullet choices, reloaders will find a broad selection of projectiles in the 150-220 grain range that suit the .30 Nosler’s fast-twist barrels (typically 1:10" twist). The most popular weights are 180 and 200 grains—pairing high sectional density with high ballistic coefficients for long-range efficiency. The cartridge’s SAAMI maximum average pressure is 65,000 psi, and its case capacity enables shooters to select slow-burning powders like H1000, Retumbo, or Magnum blends, maximizing velocity and consistency. Because of its non-belted design and modern construction, handloading the .30 Nosler is a straightforward process, appealing to handloaders who want to fine-tune seating depth, powder charge, and bullet selection for optimal accuracy and downrange performance. Whether you are a hunter preparing for the next big game season or a precision shooter stretching your limits, the .30 Nosler offers a blend of power, flexibility, and accuracy that is hard to beat in the .30 caliber magnum class.
Popular Load Recipes
- 180 gr Nosler AccuBond, 76.0 gr RL-22, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.310", ~3100 fps
- 180 gr Berger VLD Hunting, 75.0 gr H1000, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.410", ~3050 fps
- 200 gr Nosler AccuBond LR, 72.0 gr RL-25, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.375", ~2950 fps
- 210 gr Berger VLD, 69.0 gr Retumbo, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.380", ~2900 fps
- 165 gr Nosler Partition, 76.0 gr IMR-7828, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.300", ~3200 fps
- 175 gr Sierra TMK, 74.5 gr RL-26, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.320", ~3120 fps
- 190 gr Hornady ELD-X, 73.5 gr H1000, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.280", ~3050 fps
- 200 gr Swift A-Frame, 70.0 gr Magnum, Federal 215M primer, Nosler brass, COAL 3.310", ~2850 fps
All loads should be reduced by 10% and worked up carefully. Always reference component manufacturers' data before use.
Cost per Reloaded Round
Let's estimate the cost per round for .30 Nosler factory ammo and handloading:
Factory ammunition (as of 2024, typical online pricing):
- .30 Nosler factory ammo: about $90 per box of 20 rounds
- Cost per round: $90 ÷ 20 = $4.50
Reloading components (approximate typical values):
- Bullet: $0.60 each (e.g., premium hunting bullets)
- Powder: $0.40 per round (about 75 grains; 1 lb powder=$40 for 93 rounds)
- Primer: $0.10 each
- Brass: $2 each (reuseable, assume 5 uses; $2 ÷ 5 = $0.40 per shot)
- Total reloading cost per round: $0.60 (bullet) + $0.40 (powder) + $0.10 (primer) + $0.40 (brass) = $1.50
Savings per round:
- Factory = $4.50
- Reloading = $1.50
- Savings = $4.50 - $1.50 = $3.00 per round
So, you save about $3.00 per round by reloading .30 Nosler instead of buying factory ammunition.
Technical Specifications
Safety Standard / Application
SAAMI / Rifle Caliber
Most Suitable Bullet Weights
113 - 209 Grains
Case Capacity / Average Charge
99 Grains of Water / 75.3 Grains
Average Muzzle Velocity / Energy
3048 fps / 3245 ft-lbf
Case Length / Max. C.O.L
2.55'' / 3.34''