Is anybody hunting with the 33 Nosler? It’s been out about 3 years now since it came out.

None of the oversize .338 show me much as to velocity increase over the 338 Win. It takes more than a couple of hundred FPS to justify the additional recoil and one never sees much improvement in the field...I shot a 340 Wby and never saw any difference in its killing than my 338 Win, but I did see more blast, recoil and cost.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
None of the oversize .338 show me much as to velocity increase over the 338 Win. It takes more than a couple of hundred FPS to justify the additional recoil and one never sees much improvement in the field...I shot a 340 Wby and never saw any difference in its killing than my 338 Win, but I did see more blast, recoil and cost.

Well, for most hunting situations, I would agree, but big 33s substantially improve one's ability to connect at long range. Today in Phoenix the wind was howling; I took one of my Edges (bought from a guy on AR BTW; shoots 300 Bergers at 2808) and a 300 RUM to see if I could connect at 500 yards. Range flags were straight out and no visible mirage; wind on my anemometer was 10-15 mph. I held 2 MOA and hit one inch high with perfect windage. Try doing that with a .338 Win Mag - the same wind hold would have been 6.8 MOA (225 TSX at 2700 fps).

I did just as well with my RUM shooting 225 ELDs at 2985.

I don,t doubt that, but I wouldn't be doing that calculating on a hunt, the blast and recoil of the 340 Wby was a tad much with various shooting positions in the field..NOt blaming the gun or caliber, just my ability to shoot better with a .338 win. The .338 Win fits me much better..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I don,t doubt that, but I wouldn't be doing that calculating on a hunt, the blast and recoil of the 340 Wby was a tad much with various shooting positions in the field..NOt blaming the gun or caliber, just my ability to shoot better with a .338 win. The .338 Win fits me much better..

As I have posted quite frequently, 90% of my hunting is done with a .338 Win Mag and .308 Win, but if I was going on a hunt where i knew I was shooting long range, the Edge or RUM would certainly get some attention. However, just picked up my new .28 Nosler built by Blake Barrel and Rifle (he makes his own bbls) and think I have a new LR gun. Shoots 195 Bergers at 3200 in less than 1/2 MOA at 500. Wasn't cheap, but having watched him shoot F Class and poke 20 rounds into 1/2 MOA at 500, it was worth it.

I truly appreciate the the thoughts but has anyone had direct experience with the 33 Nosler in a hunting experience?

I doubt that I will ever own a lR rifle, but if one can qualify as a real long range shooter I suspect they are the real deal, and Im sure that AnotherAZ has spent the time to learn the sport. That said I see so many these days out there shooting long range that seem to be just collecting deer legs..Ive seen the same in Archery, the experts do well, but the average Joe tends to wound. To a lesser extent the rifleman can go either direction I suppose.

The 33 and 28 are a sweet looking case with no belt..I like them, but I do well out to 400 yards and better at 300 yards give or take and my 30-06 or 270 qualifys for that..

If I were to take up long range shooting I would first of all attend a school, buy the best of rifles, and optics, choose my caliber carefully etc..but it will never be my thing, and besides I love to hunt to much, and the hunt, the stalk, is my thing, and a long range hunter may be of the same mind on that count and just added another option on his plate...Just my two bits.

I have three 338-378 weatherby rifles they are worth the extra cost and very awesone rifles .It added about 300 yards to the 338 win mag range .In Alaska on the open tundra it was really useful .Its also an awesome mountain rifle.I almost got a 2
338 ultra mag once but it's not that much better than the 338 win mag unless you have a 28 or 30 inch barrel. My next 338-378 will have a 30 or 32 inch barrel which adds 300 fps over 26 inch barrels.
The 338 lapua is a pretty awesone round too in 28 inch barrels .Its easier to find ammo and brass for it .The bigger 338s are awesome with 300 grain long range bullets but the recoil is pretty bad .I stick to 250 grain it works awesome.

Not really thinking long range as much as a very versatile Alaska rifle. I like the one gun idea. I carry a 30-06 for everything in the lower 48. I have lots of rifles, I just like to have one I know and trust. This caliber struck me as one that would fit the bill up there.

I don't have a 33 Nosler. I presume that is about equivalent to the 340 WBY with mainstream hunting bullets. It appears to be a very good cartridge to me. I am a fan of the 338 Winchester, it works well. I certainly don't see the 33 Nosler as less better. I would not mind having a 33 Nosler myself. I think it would make an excellent do-it-all cartridge for larger game.

Noslar’s most recent manual places equal fast load for fast load w/the 338 WM. That maybe due to barrel length. I will check when I get home.

The 338 is the only Nosler cartidge that does not have introductory reading. I take that to mean it is not popular.

The 33 Nosler is an interesting caliber, but at my age I couldn't pack a 28 inch barrel gun that must weigh a ton, more than a 100 yards..If I was 25 years younger I might get interested.

Even my 338 is kinda heavy also these days, and Im not skilled enough at documenting wind and range with a long range caluator etc. Im still a guess and by gosher at range and wind..

I would be interested in attending a long range school and learning the tricks of the trade. I watch them on TV and have had some hunters that used them, some skilled and some just bought a rifle an had me sight it in..The trained guys did well, the others not so well..I would like a 50 BMG, and trained for sniper shooting at targets, Ive watched it on TV and that would be a kick.

I might target shoot a 28 or 33 and enjoy the sport but I probably wouldn't hunt with one, I enjoy the stalk as much as the kill for one thing and I tend to choose a lesser caliber such as my 25-35 Win for deer and perhaps my mod 95 Win 30-06 carbine for timber elk, both with irons..Different strokes for different folks I guess..but its all interesting..

Ok, according to Nosler the 33 Nosler with 26 inch barrel’s fastest load is 2736 with a 250 grain bullet. This load is not compressed.

The 338 WM with 24 inch barrel fastest load listed is 2780 fps. This load is compressed. The 2710 speed load is not compressed. There are a number of top loads 2730 plus loads. These are 250 grain bullet loads.

Unless you just hate the belted case or love the Jeffery type cases. The WM holds its own. Whatever you like is up to you.

Here is a link to the article that spiked my interest in the 33. 338 comparisons

It shows a little more out of the 33 Nosler than your assessment.

It is not my assessment. It is Nolser’s assessment of their own cartridge, in their own manual. I think Nolser is the only manual that offers load data for this cartridge.

I know folks like to play with charges, but I do not embrace or condone the practice of passing over manual data over the internet.

The only folks having rifles built factory for the 338 Nosler is Nosler. Others may do more playing with throat lengths, magazine boxes and the like.

Sorry I was looking at 225 gr data.

I am kind of a dinosaur concerning the 338 caliber. In that, I see the 338 as being meant for 250 and 275 grain bullets.

You say .338: I say 250;
You say .308: I say 180;
You say 7mm: I say 160 and can I have 168;
You say .277: I say 140.

Being who I am and new to reloading, I get sensitive with the posting of internet data. Especially, when said data is over published data from the manuals. That is all, and I apologize.

Nosler Manual shows little to no difference ballisticlly between the WM case and Jeffery modified case of Nosler as applies to the .338 caliber bullet and barrel length being the same. The Nosler case gets rid of the belt that should reduce case head separation. However, there is no size savings for Cartidges in the box due to the girth of the modified Jeffery case. The Nosler case reaches its top velocity without compressed loads equal velocity compresses the charge in the WM case. The WM velocity in my above post is achieved with a 24 inch barrel vs. 26 for the Nosler for statically equality velocity.

I prefer the 375 Ruger case to the modified Jeffery design of Nosler. It does not have the girth of the Jeffery based cartidge and no belt.

However, if someone wants a 33 Nosler bc they love the case, thinks the belt is a useless appendage of evolution like the human appendix, or just likes the Nosler rifle I will be the first to buy him a drink upon purchase. At least in 338 caliber, the Nosler case does not appear to be a ballistic advantage over the WM case.

The WM case having 60 year head start is popular, but falling out of disfavor. However, in the 338 caliber it appears to leverage the components of combustion very well.

I do not extrapolate to the rest of the Nosler line. I am assuming the Nosler manual is more or less accurate. However, it is the only source of published, pressure tested data for 33 Nosler. If anything, I would expect Nosler to cook the book in favor of its cartidge. Nosler did not. This is inductive of trustworthiness.

In reviewing the Nosler website, they post different information for the 250 gr Partition vs the 250 gr accubond

The 250 gr accubond shows top velocities of 2849-2863 for the 3 fastest powders

Interestingly, for the 265 LR AB, the 3 fastest powders generate 2830-2851, very little difference.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/33-nosler/

I knew there was a reason I never could get interested in the damn thing..None of these big new monster long range calibers so far have put the 338 Win, to shame, they just barely improved the Winchester velocity at the expense of boom and recoil as usual..Their ballistics are such that I can all but duplicate them..

Never trust big biz..Now if they would neck down a 20mm to a phonograph needle, wow!! but then who in the gunworld today would even know what a phonograph needle is..

Dettorre:

No doubt the website show those numbers. The newest manual do not split the bullets by type, just weight.

I wonder what the next manual will say about all this.

I’ve had a fair amount of success with a .330 Dakota. Shot brown bear thru impala with that.

Really doesn’t look like a lot of difference between that and a .33 Nosler.

I am getting about 2700 FPS with a 250 a frame.

It will work. Can’t say that I’m that impressed with the Nosler rifles though. Got a .26 Nosler M48 from them, and it’s definitely not the rifle the Dakota is accuracy wise or fit and finish (but $2k less.)

Both the Dakota and Nosler 338 are the same basic case. That being a modified, shortened Jeffery case.

Your velocity is right in the wheel house based on Nosler’s manual listed loads.

I am a fan of the 338 Win, as stated many times. I use 225 grain TSX or TTSX. I certainly do not feel underprivileged with the 338 Win.
If, I only had one cartridge choice for all North American game, deer size and above, the 338 Win would be my choice without hesitation. It just simply works, very well for my distances.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
I am kind of a dinosaur concerning the 338 caliber. In that, I see the 338 as being meant for 250 and 275 grain bullets.

You say .338: I say 250;
You say .308: I say 180;
You say 7mm: I say 160 and can I have 168;
You say .277: I say 140.

Being who I am and new to reloading, I get sensitive with the posting of internet data. Especially, when said data is over published data from the manuals. That is all, and I apologize.

Your starting point is excellent, although with experience you will learn that manuals need interpretation. See below on Nosler loads.

quote:

. . .
I prefer the 375 Ruger case to the modified Jeffery design of Nosler. It does not have the girth of the Jeffery based cartidge and no belt.

quote:

I do not extrapolate to the rest of the Nosler line. I am assuming the Nosler manual is more or less accurate. However, it is the only source of published, pressure tested data for 33 Nosler. If anything, I would expect Nosler to cook the book in favor of its cartidge. Nosler did not. This is inductive of trustworthiness.

It is useful to check the capacity of the case when evaluating load recommendations. In this example, the 33 Nosler capacity is virtually identical to the 340 Weatherby. That means that Nosler is under-loading their 33 Nosler recommendation for some reason. A handloader should feel free to cautiously work up loads for the 33 Nosler to levels approximating the 340 Weatherby, assuming good brass and a new, modern firearm (not a conversion of a century-old military action of questionable lineage).

I would rate the 33 Nosler with 250 grain bullets like Nosler around 2800-2850fps, 4300-4500 foot-pounds. This is approximately the level of factory-loaded 375H&H rounds.

Having said that, I agree with your earlier premise: the 338 Win Mag seems to be a very efficient case for the .338" diameter. It does everything well, out to 400 yards.
In your words "in the 338 caliber it appears to leverage the components of combustion very well."

LATE TO THE PARTY AGAIN!

Just read this thread.
Have hunted with my Ruger 77 .338 Win Mag here and in Africa and must agree with Ray A first post; thanks, but I will keep my .338 as it suits my needs. If not for the antiquated Safari laws in southern Africa limiting calibers, I would have taken my Cape Buffalo with it.

quote:

Not really thinking long range as much as a very versatile Alaska rifle.

How about a .358 Norma for Alaska?

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Originally posted by lindy2:

quote:

Not really thinking long range as much as a very versatile Alaska rifle.

How about a .358 Norma for Alaska?

I have considered many of the 35’s. In fact I always thought it was an overlooked caliber. But it came down to bullet selection.

This all started when I asked my friend and guide what he considered the best “one gun” caliber for Alaska was. He recommended what he carried, and that’s a 338 RUM. Doing some research I stumbled across the 33 Nosler that duplicates the RUM ballistics with a 225 gr bullet. It looked like it might fit the commercial FN “Mauser” action I had better than the RUM so I have been asking around about it. Funny thing is everybody keeps telling me what I already found with a 5 min Google search. Apparently nobody but a few gun writers have ever even seen one!

Don't confuse a "guide's" rifle with a sportsman's rifle. They are vastly different for good reason.

My rifle choice depends on the hunt and the amount of miles I have to carry it. Very few men can carry an 11 pound rifle and make it to the top of the mountain in time to shoot something. Africa and Alaska are very similar. A light, small caliber is a joy to carry and adequate for small game but under-gunned on large game. A heavy, large caliber rifle is the opposite. Having done both hunts, they are completely different.
The rifle a guide carries has a specific purpose. To save your ass if things go wrong. My guide in AK carried a .416 Rigby. It weighed about 6 pounds and kicks like a mule. Would it be his first choice on a mountain hunt as a client? I doubt it. My PH in Africa carried a .458 Lott an he carried it only when necessary. He also had a tracker carrying all the water and the truck was never more than a mile away.
That's why you keep hearing about the .30 caliber rifles. They are adequate for big animals and weight 30% less than the long range thumpers. There's a reason few experienced mountain hunters recommend a heavy, long barreled rifle.
The good news is you will need to own many more than one rifle for hunting.

Ski+3
Whitefish, MT

I guess I should clarify a bit.

I don’t see a real difference between the .33 Nosler and the .330 Dakota, and in fact, to me, the Nosler game cartridges are essentially duplications of the Dakota ones, except for the .26, which Dakota doesn’t make.

The Dakota series has been around for a long time, relative to the short and fat case concept. I was sold the .330 as a “almost” .340 weatherby in a standard action and light weight rifle. As it was built to be my all weather Alaska gun I wanted it light. In the synthetic stock it is. Ready to go, a bit over 7 pounds. (With scope, sling, and mag full)

I don’t shoot it as well as some of my heavier rifles because it kicks. Worse than my .416 Rigby IMO. That’s what a light fast magnum does, so it’s not the rifles fault... from the bench it’s a sub minute rifle if I let it cool between shots.

As a hunting gun I have 2 loads I use in it. A 185 TTSX and a 250 grain A Frame. The 250 grain load has killed moose, brown bear, elk, and some plains game.

The 185 grain load has killed 20 or so head of plains game, with wildebeest being the largest animal.

The 250 load is trajectory wise much like a .30-06, the 180 grain load is like a .300 trajectory wise for point blank use.

I’ve killed everything I hit with it, although the 185 broke up on the wildebeest shoulder (it is a fast load and I shot the animal at maybe 15 yards...)

From my point of view, since the velocities between the .33 Nosler and the Dakota are the same, the cartridges are the same from a function stand point. It can be made into a bit lighter rifle than the factory .338 WM, has a minimal amount more velocity, and less magazine capacity.

My Dakota is more accurate than I am for field purposes, so as far as I am comfortable shooting, it works as a medium rifle (in African parlance, as it’s clearly enough gun for N America.) and if you choose your loads right, it’s an excellent all around hunting rifle.

To me, the difference between the .330 Dakota and .33 Nosler is the rifle you find it in, and the headstamp. I am not going to get a .33 Nosler because I have what want in that niche, but from my experience with essentially the same round, you will not be dissatisfied with the cartridge, but I have less faith in Nosler’s rifle. As I said, I have one in .26 Nosler. Despite a better LR bullet, more velocity, and a long range designed scope, if I had to choose between the .26 or the .330 for making a 600 yard shot, the .330 would get the nod- because my .330 is the much better rifle, not the cartridge. I know that the gun writers all love the Nosler rifle, but my personal experience (and I’ve shot 3 Noslers) is the rifles have not lived up to their billing by the gun writers for me- functional, decent rifles, but they are not superior.

Long winded way of saying the cartridge is good, offers some benefits as compared to a .338 mag, but also some detractions as well.

I don’t get the whole...

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
It can be made into a bit lighter rifle than the factory .338 WM, has a minimal amount more velocity, and less magazine capacity.

It’s like when someone say you can make a 338-06 into a lighter gun than a 338 WM. You can make a 338 WM As light as the lightest 30-06.

The factory part.

Both the .33 Nosler and the .330 Dakota are either semi custom or custom rifles. You don’t see too many really light .338 WM from the factory. Can it be done? Sure. The 404 based rounds are a little faster (I’d agree not different from a field aspect) but if it floats your boat, it’s your call.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
The factory part.

Both the .33 Nosler and the .330 Dakota are either semi custom or custom rifles. You don’t see too many really light .338 WM from the factory. Can it be done? Sure. The 404 based rounds are a little faster (I’d agree not different from a field aspect) but if it floats your boat, it’s your call.

But you can get a 338 WM in semi custom or custom as well.

Thank you CRButler for the useful information.

All these new calibers get the newbies all warm and fuzzy, Got the old boys the same in their day, I was guilty, had to have every new caliber that hit the pages..No more! after some hard lessons we find the big boys will lie, use hot loads to sell then secretly back off a few hundred FPS when the flurry dies..even discontinue the caliber..

I have a ton of reloading books, and the fact is if one really studies the new calibers they are not what you expect..The .338 was never over dramatized, it was slow to move to the top, but first it had to prove itself and that it did well..Today I see many .338s in the elk countrym nd more every year, and I guarantee its here to stay..About every expert and gun scribe I know considers it THE elk rifle..I won't agrue that I agree 100%, but the 30-06, 270 and 7x57 are great elk cartridge also IMO. Can I tell the difference in the field, I think so, the .338 Win mag holds and edge..