26 Nosler vs. 28 Nosler: Long-Range Hunting Cartridges, Perfected

By Chris Dwulet

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2025

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Chris Dwulet

Chris Dwulet grew up in the heart of the Midwest (Indiana, to be precise, a storied land which gave the world both the machine gun and the mechanical corn picker, thus solving two of mankind’s greatest age-old problems). He received his first experience with firearms in his grandfather’s backyard, where he learned to handle a Remington Model 541 with astounding deftness.

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The 26 Nosler and 28 Nosler are the first two entries in the Nosler cartridge line that are specifically designed for long-range shooting and big game hunting.

Both rounds were developed to push the edges of the performance envelope and give shooters an incredibly flat-shooting, hard-hitting round that can dominate both the great outdoors and the F Class firing line.

The 26 Nosler and 28 Nosler are nearly identical in external dimensions and ballistic performance, with the primary difference between them being their calibers. Both rounds are extremely effective at harvesting big game like elk and moose, as well as well as shooting targets at 1,000 yards and beyond.

This leads many shooters to wonder which Nosler cartridge is superior. In this article we will evaluate 26 Nosler vs. 28 Nosler to help you understand the differences between the two, and give you a clearer understanding of which cartridge is better for your shooting and big game hunting needs.

What Is the Difference Between 26 Nosler and 28 Nosler?

The difference between the 26 Nosler and the 28 Nosler is this: the 26 Nosler fires a 6.5mm (0.264”) diameter bullet, whereas the 28 Nosler fires a 7mm (0.284”) diameter bullet. This means the 28 Nosler can fire heavier bullets and has a slightly longer effective range than the 26 Nosler.

Cartridge Specs

When evaluating two cartridges, it’s a good to begin by examining their physical attributes.

The 26 Nosler was the first cartridge released by its Oregonian designer in 2013. Following its success, the 28 Nosler was released two years later in 2015.

At the time of writing, there are currently six Nosler cartridges on the market, listed below in order of their release:

• 26 Nosler (2013)
• 28 Nosler (2015)
• 30 Nosler (2016)
• 33 Nosler (2016)
• 22 Nosler (2017)
• 27 Nosler (2020)

Both rounds share extremely similar external dimensions, Their case length (2.59”) and overall length (3.34”) are identical. The decision on a 3.34” overall length was driven by the desire for both rounds to fit into a standard-length action. A standard (or long) action is the same used by the 30-06 Springfield, and is lighter than a magnum action like those used by the 300 PRC, 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum, and 378 Weatherby Magnum.

Having a standard-length action means that the 26 Nosler and 28 Nosler also have a shorter bolt throw, allowing for faster follow-up shots. It also makes rifles chambered for either round lighter than their magnum counterparts. Most sportsmen prefer a lightweight hunting rifle when venturing into the great outdoors.

While they do fit into a standard action, neither round sacrifices anything in terms of stopping power. Both cartridges have nearly identical case capacities. The 26 Nosler has a slightly higher capacity (93.5 grains H2O) compared to the 28 Nosler (93.0 grains H2O).

For all intents and purposes, this difference is negligible – but it bears noting that you might be able to fit a small bit more powder in a 26 Nosler case if you are really pushing the muzzle velocity limits with your handloads.

To help simplify the manufacturing process, the 26 and 28 both feature a rebated rim design (i.e. their cases’ rims are narrower than their bodies). The rims on both rounds were narrowed to 0.534”: the same diameter as other popular rounds including the 7mm Remington Magnum and 300 Winchester Magnum.

Both Nosler rounds have the same maximum chamber pressure: 65,000 psi, per SAAMI specs.

The key difference between these rounds? Their bullets..

The 26 Nosler was developed to fire extremely flat-shooting 6.5mm projectiles (as made popular by the 6.5 Creedmoor). The “26” in the cartridge name comes from the first two digits of the bullet diameter, 0.264”. The 28 Nosler fires wider 7mm projectiles (0.284”) and utilizes the same naming convention.

26 Nosler bullets weigh between 120 and 150 grains. The 28 Nosler fire bullets weighing 150 to 175 grains.

With case capacity being essentially equal, do the heavier projectiles of the 28 Nosler create excessive recoil for shooters to endure?

Recoil

Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle, as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow-up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue with heavy-recoiling cartridges.

Felt recoil differs from shooter to shooter, and is dependent on firearm choice, stance, ammo, and the shooter’s own nervous system. Free recoil is an objective measure of how hard a cartridge hits, being based on firearm weight, muzzle velocity, powder charge weight, and bullet weight.

For this comparison we will analyze two popular rounds for long range hunting: the 28 Nosler 175gr AccuBond LR (3,125 fps muzzle velocity) and the 26 Nosler 150 gr AccuBond LR (3,200 fps muzzle velocity). The firearm being used is the Nosler Model 48 Long Range Carbon Rifle weighing 7.75 lbs. As this rifle is available in both calibers, it allows a true apples-to-apples comparison.

Under these circumstances, the 28 Nosler generates free recoil of 39 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of free recoil energy, while the 26 Nosler generates 34 ft-lbs.

This result is not entirely surprising. Since the 26 Nosler fires slightly lighter bullets and has nearly equivalent powder charges, it makes sense that it would have less recoil than the 28 Nosler.

That being said, neither of these rifle cartridges would be considered “low recoil.” They are not the best to teach new or recoil-sensitive shooters on.

Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory

One of the stated goals for Nosler’s new cartridges was to provide shooters with flat-shooting rounds that superior ballistic performance compared to traditional long-range shooting options.

Let’s evaluate whether Nosler succeeded by comparing four different 28 and 26 Nosler factory loads. (For a more comprehensive analysis of the 28 Nosler's performance across various loads and conditions, check out our 28 Nosler ballistics page).

We selected the 140gr Ballistic Tip and 150gr AccuBond LR for the 26 Nosler, and the 162gr ELD-X and 175gr AccuBond LR for the 28 Nosler.

Below is a ballistics table comparing the four selected rounds from 0-500 yards, as well as at 800 yards to evaluate each round’s long-range capabilities.

All four rounds have extremely similar muzzle velocities. Both 26 Nosler rounds had the highest muzzle velocity at 3,200 fps. The 28 Nosler rounds were slightly slower at 3,175 fps for the 162gr ELD-X and 3,125 fps for the 175gr AccuBond LR.

This slight advantage in muzzle velocity is quite impressive considering that the 28 Nosler is firing bullets between 10% and 15% heavier.

All four rounds have velocities above 2,000 fps at 800 yards (save the 140gr Ballistic Tip, which slows to 1,821 fps at that range.

For muzzle energy, the 28 Nosler is clearly the superior option with its heavier bullets. The 175gr AccuBond LR claimed the highest muzzle energy at 3,794 ft-lbs, while the 162gr ELD-X was just barely behind at 3,626 ft-lbs.

Not only are these muzzle energy values incredibly impressive, but all four rounds also excelled at conserving their kinetic energy at range as well. At 800 yards, all four factory loads have over 1,000 ft-lbs of energy: more than enough to take down a mule deer or whitetail.

The 26 and 28 Nosler are designed to be incredibly flat-shooting, utilizing the most aerodynamic bullets available for their respective calibers. Neither Nosler cartridge disappoints when it comes to trajectory, as they have less bullet drop than traditional long-range rounds like the 300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 338 Lapua Magnum out to 800 yards.

The 26 Nosler 150gr AccuBond LR had the flattest trajectory at 800 yards with -121” of bullet drop. Both 28 Nosler options were close behind (-124” for the ELD-X; -127” for the AccuBond LR). The 140gr Ballistic Tip had the most bullet drop at -135”.

Looking at the ballistic data as a whole, both the 26 and 28 Nosler sound like amazing cartridges with higher muzzle velocity, more kinetic energy, and flatter trajectories than most rounds on the market.

However, the price for these outstanding ballistics is paid in a shorter-than-normal barrel life.

Barrel Life

One of the biggest critiques of the Nosler cartridges is their relatively shorter barrel life compared to other long-range shooting rounds.

When a cartridge is fired, the powder charge is ignited to push the bullet down the barrel. The resulting flame touches not only the base of the bullet, but the barrel’s rifling as well. Particularly vulnerable is the rifling at the mouth of the chamber.

Heat is the enemy of barrel life. The hotter you get your barrel, the faster its rifling will begin to wear out.

It’s important to not that hunters typically do not “shoot out” a barrel after several seasons with either cartridge. Those who report short barrel life are typically high-volume competition shooters who are shooting near-maximum charge handloads to push the limits of muzzle velocity.

To increase your barrel’s lifespan, it’s best to run moderate pressure factory ammo or handloads below maximum charge. Allowing the barrel to cool between strings of fire will also help to extend its lifespan.

Many shooters report that a sub-MOA barrel loses peak accuracy after firing 800 to 1,000 of either round (depending on a few factors, the foremost being how hot their cartridges are loaded).

The main issue with the 26 and 28 is that they fire considerably large powder charges into relatively tight bores. This means that all the additional heat is focused on a smaller area, which accelerates erosion of the rifling.

Handloaders can perform a technique called “chasing the lands” to help elongate the lifespans of their barrels. As the lands of the barrel erode at the throat, a handloader can measure the levels of erosion and adjust their bullet seating depth to match it. This helps maintain shot-to-shot consistency for a time, but it is a temporary fix. The handloader who uses it will inevitably reach the limit of how far out they can seat their bullets.

The bottom line is that most hunters should not experience any appreciable difference in accuracy for multiple seasons. High-volume and competitive shooters, however, will need to monitor the performance of their barrels closely.

Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its weight and diameter.

One of the benefits of 6.5mm and 7mm bullet designs is their long, sleek profile, which lends itself to having higher BCs. A higher BC is preferred for long-range shooting, as it means the bullet will be less affected by wind drift and air resistance.

All the Nosler cartridges have very high BC values, as they were designed around these aerodynamic bullets. From the cartridge selections in the ballistics section, the 26 Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip has a G1 BC of 0.509; the 150gr AccuBond LR, a G1 BC of 0.634 (if you’re unfamiliar with the meaning of “G1,” then you may ignore it for the purpose of this cursory overview). On the other hand, the 28 Nosler 175gr AccuBond LR has a G1 BC of 0.648; the 162gr ELD-X, a G1 BC of 0.63.

In general, 7mm bullets typically have slightly higher BC values than 6.5mm bullets, as they are available in heavier weights. Extra weight helps fight against wind deflection, as added mass makes it harder for the wind to blow the bullet off course.

These Nosler cartridges are so close to one another that it is unlikely whether shooters will see drastic differences in wind drift at typical hunting distances. Competitive shooters will notice these small BC variations at longer ranges (1,000+ yards), but the difference truly is negligible for most shooters.

For SD, the 26 and 28 Nosler measure extremely high and have more than enough penetration for taking down big game animals like elk and moose. When weights are all the same, narrower bullets typically have a higher sectional density. They focus their energy into a smaller area, thereby improving capacity for penetration.

The 28 Nosler 175gr AccuBond LR has a SD of 0.310; the ELD-X, 0.287. The 26 Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip has a SD of 0.287; the 150gr AccuBond LR, 0.327.

Although the 28 Nosler had a slight advantage in BC, the 26 Nosler has a slight edge when it comes to SD. However, it is unlikely that any game animal will be able to tell the difference. The 26 and 28 offer more than enough penetration to reach vital organs.

Hunting

The 28 and 26 Nosler are both capable of taking big game at long range. But is one genuinely better?

As you see in the ballistic comparison, both rounds are extremely close to each other in terms of external and terminal ballistics. The 26 Nosler has a slightly flatter trajectory with a hint less recoil, while the 28 Nosler offers a little more kinetic energy at range with a bit more recoil.

The 28 Nosler can maintain its kinetic energy over greater distances than the 26 Nosler, which makes its effective range for large game like elk a bit farther.

In the ballistics analysis, both 28 Nosler rounds maintained at least 1,500 ft-lbs energy (the minimum recommended for harvesting elk) at 800 yards, while the 26 Nosler was below that number.

This is not to say that the 26 Nosler is ineffective against elk. It has harvested more than enough elk to prove its worth. However, if you expect your shots to stretch beyond 600 yards, then the 28 Nosler will give you the kinetic energy needed to take elk.

Both rounds are more than sufficient for whitetail, mule deer, antelope, and pronghorn. Proper loads can reach 1,000 yards with well over 1,000 ft-lbs of energy.

The bottom line is you cannot go wrong with either the 26 Nosler or 28 Nosler for big game. It all comes down to bullet selection and making sure that your ammo gives you enough kinetic energy, bullet expansion, and penetration at the ranges you expect to cover.

Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability

Although the 26 was the new cartridge that spearheaded the Nosler line of ammo, the 28 Nosler has surpassed it in terms of ammo and rifle availability.

As both of these cartridges were built for long-range precision shooting, they are currently only available in bolt-action rifles.

In terms of rifle selection, there are only three options for the 26 Nosler: Nosler Model 48, Christensen Arms Ridgeline, and Browning X-Bolt. On the other hand, the 28 Nosler is becoming more popular. Multiple manufacturers like Savage, Bergara, and Seekins offer rifles chambered for it.

Custom rifles are available in both calibers, although they’re prohibitively expensive for many shooters.

Ammo price and availability are also issues for these rounds. However, more options are currently available for the 28 Nosler. The 28 Nosler is currently offered in multiple configurations from Nosler, Browning, and Hornady. On the other hand, Nosler is currently the only ammo manufacturer offering factory-loaded 26 Nosler.

Both the 26 and 28 are essentially equal in terms of cost per round. At the time of writing, inexpensive polymer tip ammo costs nearly $3/round, while premium hunting or match ammo will run closer to $6/round.

Reloading

Reloading is a method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round, increase the consistency and accuracy of their ammo to sub-MOA levels, and tailor the ideal cartridge to their rifle and shooting needs.

Sourcing brass can be a bit tricky for both cartridges. Nosler, Norma, and Hornady are currently the only manufacturers of new brass.

Bullet options are relatively plentiful, as both 6.5mm and 7mm bullets are popular in the shooting community. The 26 Nosler shares bullet compatibility with the 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Swiss, and 264 Winchester Magnum. The 28 Nosler fires the same diameter bullet as the 7mm Rem Mag, 7 WSM, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, and 7mm Mauser, to name just a few.

All the major bullet manufacturers, including Barnes, Hornady, Nosler, Norma, Berger, and Sierra, offer 0.264” and 0.284” caliber bullets.

In terms of load data, Nosler and other manufacturers like Hodgdon have multiple loading options for both cartridges, with a wide variety of powder options. Both cartridges use the less common (and harder-to-find) large rifle magnum primer.

The largest issue with reloading for the 26 or 28 will be finding cases for reloading. We recommend saving your brass when firing factory ammo, though you may occasionally find once-fired brass on the secondary market.

Final Shots: 28 Nosler vs. 26 Nosler

The 26 Nosler and 28 Nosler are two precision rifle cartridges that epitomize the evolution of modern ammunition technology.

Each round was built to maximize the potential of its respective caliber, and is highly regarded in long-range competitive shooting and big game hunting circles.

The 26 Nosler and 28 Noser offer shooters incredibly flat trajectories, plus bone-crushing terminal ballistics that can take down virtually any game animal North America has to offer.

The 28 Nosler has become slightly favored for big game hunting. Its heavier bullets are highly regarded by hunters and long-range shooters alike. However, with proper load and bullet selection, there’s not much the 28 Nosler can do that the 26 Nosler can’t.

The bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either cartridge. However, our recommendation is the 28 Nosler. It is slightly easier to source ammo and rifles for, and hits its target just a little bit harder than the 26 Nosler.

No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com. I’ll see you on the range!

Written by

Chris Dwulet