NobelSport Ammo Review: Italian Craftsmanship in a Shotshell
The 2023 turkey hunting season will be my son’s first opportunity to bring home one of the tastiest creatures in Appalachia. I’m really looking forward to getting him out in the woods at 4 am to call one of those delicious creatures into his sights. But that got me wondering: Is NobelSport shotgun ammunition good?
If you aren’t already familiar with the brand, the company produces several types of gunpowder and shotgun shell components. They also produce shotgun ammunition in various gauges for hunting and target shooting. I decided to put together this review of NobelSport ammunition for those with the same question as mine.
As someone who’s always been a Remington fan, it will take a lot of convincing to pull me away from the old faithful green boxes I grew up with. However, I'm coming into this review with an open mind. I hope you will too, because NobelSport really surprised me!
If you'd like to stock up on some NobelSport ammo you can see what’s available to add to your shopping cart right HERE.
Is NobelSport Ammo Any Good?
NobelSport is an Italian shotgun ammunition company that provides a wide range of options for every shooter. Upon initial inspection, NobelSport ammo has excellent customer reviews and meets all my son’s needs with low-cost target shotshells and a wide range of shot sizes.
What’s impressive about the Italian ammo company is how serious it is about producing innovative and high-quality shotshells. The research and development that goes into each design got me really excited about NobelSport ammunition. The company is well known for its excellent ballistic research, quality target loads, and hunting rounds.
NobelSport shotgun ammunition is suitable for deer, turkey, and target shooting like skeet and trap. Their shotshells go for a fairly low price, so a day on the range won’t break the bank.
The company also offers a decent selection of home protection shotshells and ammunition for law enforcement. The 12 gauge multi-defense buckshot, for example, has a muzzle velocity over 1,200 fps and a 2 ¾ “ shell length. The company also offers a 12 gauge MiniBuck shotshell with 00 buckshot and a 1,250 fps muzzle velocity. Both of these options would be great for personal defense and stopping two-legged threats.
Pros and Cons
Nobelsport ammo can be difficult to find in stock. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be heading to the checkout with a box of NobelSport ammunition, it does have some upsides if you manage to find a few boxes. The company produces excellent target loads, including shotgun shells specifically developed for trap shooting. It performs well, and it’s perfect for reloading (the company also manufactures primers and gunpowder).
Overall, it wouldn’t be my pick over Remington or Winchester for hunting, but it does make excellent shells for target practice and hobby shooting.
Which Gauges Are Available?
NobelSport shotgun ammunition comes in a few gauges:
Whether you prefer a 12 gauge for hunting big game and home defense – or you’re like me, in the market for something with low recoil – there are plenty of NobleSport ammunition options. There are different shot sizes and shell lengths to meet most shooters’ needs.
NobelSport Ammo History and Important Information
NobelSport is an Italian shotgun ammunition manufacturer that began crafting shotshell components and gunpowder before upgrading to producing loaded ammunition. The company has only began producing loaded shotgun ammunition in 1993, but it has produced components and various types of gunpowder for far longer!
To say that the company has experience is an understatement. It doesn’t simply throw some shot in a shell with a standard wad and box it up for shipping. The company places a lot of its time and attention on developing new and innovative shotshell components. They regularly test new ammunition for ballistics and performance. It’s for this reason, and the excellent customer reviews, that NobelSport is widely regarded for its reliable and high-quality shotgun shells.
Where Is NobelSport Ammo Made?
NobelSport has manufacturing plants in both Italy and France. The company is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of shotshells and components, having produced millions of shotgun shells over the past few decades.
FAQ
Branching into a new ammo brand is a bit…overwhelming. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about NobelSport
Is NobelSport ammo worth the price?
It depends. NobelSport has a decently low price tag considering the effort the company puts into making its ammunition. It’s definitely worth the price for big game hunting, target shooting, and self-defense.
For those interested in buying NobelSport for these purposes, check out our bulk 12 gauge ammo page for great deals.
Is the .45 ACP or 00 buck shotshell best for personal defense?
Both the 45 ACP and 00 buckshot are excellent choices for home defense. However, they both still have risks of overpenetration. But if I had to pick one for home defense, the additional projectiles fired by 00 Buckshot gives it an edge over the 45 ACP.
What does NSI mean?
NSI stands for NobelSport Italia. There are other NobelSport branches, such as NobelSport Espana which is the company’s Spanish wing.
Is NobelSport as good as Winchester or Remington?
Winchester and Remington really do a great job of understanding what the American consumer wants from their shotshells. Unfortunately, while NobelSport ammo is affordable and quality shotshells, it doesn’t quite meet the same expectations we have for other brands.
Parting Shots
NobelSport ammo is challenging to find in stock, but it’s relatively affordable and performs well in a variety of gauges and payloads. While I’m not champing at the bit to get some for hunting this year, I would absolutely seek it out for skeet shooting or target practice.
