Nosler vs Federal

mnydir

FNG
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
99
Location
Mn
Is there much of a difference between a nosler loaded accubond or federal loaded accubond. Factory loaded 160 grain 7mm.
 
Federal rates their's at 2900 FPS, Nosler rates their's at 3000 FPS. Not $.02 of difference between them as Nosler seems to rate on the higher end and Federal tends to be more realistic. Nosler could use a 26 inch barrel and Federal could use a 24 inch barrel and there's your nominal difference right there. Costs less by a good margin for Federal as well.

My feeling is Nosler is more of a fan boy club for their ammo as I have not seen folks show it is more accurate as a general rule in the majority of guns or has an advantage in the field shooting the same bullets as Federal or other brand.

Nosler isn't a sub-par ammo, not saying that, but for the price you're paying for the name.
 
Last edited:
I shoot the nosler trophy grade 7mm 160 accubond simply because federal was not loading when I bought the rifle. I have had great luck with the Nosler in several rifles. That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot the federal. Especially if it were for hunting normal situations within 500 yards. If you have aspirations of shooting further than that it may be worth a side x side comparison.
 
Federal rates their's at 2900 FPS, Nosler rates their's at 3000 FPS. Not $.02 of difference between them as Nosler seems to rate on the higher end and Federal tends to be more realistic. Nosler could use a 26 inch barrel and Federal could use a 24 inch barrel and there's your nominal difference right there. Costs less by a good margin for Federal as well.

My feeling is Nosler is more of a fan boy club for their ammo as I have not seen folks show it is more accurate as a general rule in the majority of guns or has an advantage in the field shooting the same bullets as Federal or other brand.

Nosler isn't a sub-par ammo, not saying that, but for the price you're paying for the name.
I get over 3030fps average with factory nosler accubonds in 160 grain out of my factory “slow” tikka barrel. Have not shot the federal specific load but they usually seem to run a little short on powder. Not sure if it’s worth the premium but sure looks purty!
 
That's great velocity. I should temper my thoughts, the Nosler factory loads for the 35 Whelen chronograph under what they are advertised based on conversations with other shooters that have used that ammunition.

Since the conversation is about the 7MM mag, I will refrain from comparing potentially apples to oranges. And my use of fanboy wasn't fair, it's good ammo but in any comparison I think the price is high.
 
Back
Top