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.33 Nosler Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

.33 Nosler: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Rifle
Primer Type Large Rifle Magnum
Used For Big Game Hunting, Long-Range Shooting
Case Design Rimless, Bottleneck
Year Introduced 2016

.33 Nosler: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ Excellent long-range performance
  • ✔ High ballistic coefficient for better wind resistance
  • ✔ Superior energy retention at extended distances
  • ✔ Versatile for various big game hunting scenarios
  • ✔ Improved velocity over similar .33 caliber cartridges

Cons

  • ✘ Significant recoil, especially in lighter rifles
  • ✘ Limited availability compared to more common calibers
  • ✘ Higher ammunition cost
  • ✘ Requires a specialized rifle chambered for .33 Nosler
  • ✘ Overkill for smaller game animals

.33 Nosler Ammo: In Depth

The .33 Nosler is a powerful, high-performance rifle cartridge designed for big game hunting. Introduced in 2015 by Nosler, Inc., this cartridge offers superior ballistics and energy transfer compared to many traditional .33 caliber offerings. The .33 Nosler is built on a shortened .404 Jeffery case, providing excellent capacity for magnum-level performance while maintaining compatibility with standard-length actions.

History and Development

The .33 Nosler was developed by Nosler, Inc. and introduced in 2015 as part of their proprietary line of cartridges. It was designed to offer magnum performance in a standard-length action, filling a niche between the .30 caliber magnums and larger bore magnums like the .338 Winchester Magnum.

Based on a shortened .404 Jeffery case, the .33 Nosler was engineered to maximize case capacity while maintaining compatibility with standard-length actions. This design choice allows for higher velocities and flatter trajectories compared to traditional .33 caliber offerings, making it an excellent choice for long-range hunting of large game.

The .33 Nosler was specifically created to outperform the popular .338 Winchester Magnum, offering higher velocities and more energy at all ranges. It achieves this while producing less recoil than larger magnum cartridges, making it more manageable for many shooters.

Since its introduction, the .33 Nosler has gained a following among serious big game hunters, particularly those pursuing large, tough animals at extended ranges. Its combination of high velocity, heavy bullet weights, and excellent sectional density make it well-suited for taking down large game efficiently and ethically.

Timeline of .33 Nosler Development:

Year Event
2020 The .33 Nosler continues to gain popularity among long-range hunters and shooters.
2016 First full year of commercial availability for .33 Nosler ammunition and rifles.
2015 Official introduction of the .33 Nosler cartridge at the SHOT Show.
2014 Final testing and refinement of the .33 Nosler cartridge by Nosler, Inc.
2013 Initial development and prototyping of the .33 Nosler cartridge begins at Nosler, Inc.

.33 Nosler Performance

The .33 Nosler offers exceptional performance characteristics that make it an excellent choice for big game hunting at various ranges. Here\'s a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:

Characteristic Performance
Velocity 3025 fps (225-grain bullet)\n2775 fps (265-grain bullet)
Measured from a 26-inch barrel
Energy 4572 ft-lbs at the muzzle (225-grain bullet)\n4520 ft-lbs at the muzzle (265-grain bullet)
Provides excellent terminal performance on large game
Trajectory 6.7 inches drop at 300 yards (225-grain bullet, 200-yard zero)
Flat trajectory suitable for long-range hunting
Recoil Moderate to heavy, depending on rifle weight
Manageable for experienced shooters, less than larger magnum cartridges
Accuracy Sub-MOA accuracy potential in quality rifles
Excellent for precision long-range shooting and hunting

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .33 Nosler loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.33 Nosler: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .33 Nosler ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Big Game Hunting 0-800 Excellent for large game like elk, moose, and bear
Long-Range Shooting 0-1200 Capable of extreme long-range accuracy with proper loads
African Game 0-600 Suitable for most African plains game

Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .33 Nosler is known for its high velocity, flat trajectory, and excellent long-range performance. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for .33 Nosler

The .33 Nosler\'s powerful performance profile makes it suitable for a range of hunting and long-range shooting applications:

Big Game Hunting
  • Excellent for large North American game such as elk, moose, and bear
  • High energy retention at long ranges
  • Capable of ethical kills at extended distances
Long-Range Shooting
  • Designed for extreme long-range accuracy
  • High ballistic coefficient bullets maintain velocity well
  • Competitive in long-range shooting matches
African Game Hunting
  • Suitable for most African plains game
  • Provides adequate power for larger antelope species
  • Flat trajectory aids in accurate shot placement at varying ranges
Precision Rifle Series (PRS)
  • Used by some competitors in PRS matches
  • Offers a balance of power and precision
  • Recoil manageable for experienced shooters

Caliber Comparisons

To understand the .33 Nosler\'s place in the rifle world, it\'s helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.33 Nosler vs. .338 Winchester Magnum ▼

.33 Nosler vs. .300 Winchester Magnum ▼

.33 Nosler vs. .30-06 Springfield ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 200-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density Comparison for .33 Nosler Ammo

The .33 Nosler is a powerful, flat-shooting cartridge designed for long-range hunting and target shooting. This table compares the sectional density of various .33 Nosler loads.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.33 Nosler 225 0.281
.33 Nosler 250 0.312
.33 Nosler 265 0.331
.33 Nosler 300 0.375

Note: The .33 Nosler offers excellent sectional density values, contributing to its reputation for deep penetration and high energy transfer. These characteristics make it particularly effective for hunting large game at extended ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .33 Nosler cartridge?

A: The .33 Nosler is a rifle cartridge introduced by Nosler in 2015. It\'s based on the .404 Jeffery case necked down to .33 caliber, designed to offer superior ballistics and energy compared to other .33 caliber cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum.

Q: What are the ballistic advantages of .33 Nosler?

A: The .33 Nosler offers higher velocity and flatter trajectory compared to the .338 Winchester Magnum. It can push a 225-grain bullet at 3025 fps from a 26-inch barrel, resulting in excellent long-range performance and energy retention.

Q: What is the effective range of .33 Nosler?

A: The .33 Nosler is effective for big game hunting out to 1000 yards and beyond, depending on the shooter\'s skill and environmental conditions. It maintains sufficient energy for ethical kills on large game at extended ranges.

Q: What type of game is .33 Nosler suitable for?

A: The .33 Nosler is suitable for all North American big game, including elk, moose, and large bears. It\'s also capable of taking large African game such as eland and kudu. Its power and penetration make it an excellent choice for heavy, tough-skinned animals.

Q: How does recoil of the .33 Nosler compare to other magnum cartridges?

A: The .33 Nosler produces significant recoil, more than the .30-06 Springfield but slightly less than the .338 Winchester Magnum. In a typical hunting rifle, it generates about 35 ft-lbs of recoil energy, which is manageable for experienced shooters but may be challenging for some hunters.

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