.33 Nosler Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
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:
.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.
.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:
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:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .33 Nosler with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
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.