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Best .28 Nosler loads for whitetail deer

12 of 15 .28 Nosler factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 1,000 yd (Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.

Load	gr	Max ethical yd	MV fps	500 yd ft·lb	Shoulder shot
Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent	155	1,000	3,200	2,005	yes
Hornady Precision Hunter 162 gr ELD-X	162	1,000	3,175	2,130	yes
Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 175 gr AccuBond Long Range	175	1,000	3,125	2,252	yes
Nosler Trophy Grade 160 gr AccuBond	160	900	3,300	2,048	yes
Browning BXS Copper Expansion 139 gr BXS Tipped Solid Copper	139	800	3,350	1,728	yes
Browning 140 gr Max Point Polymer Tip	140	800	3,315	1,695	behind the shoulder only
Nosler Expansion Tip 150 gr E-Tip	150	800	3,250	1,773	yes
Nosler 160 gr Ballistic Tip Hunting	160	800	3,200	1,912	behind the shoulder only
Winchester Copper Impact 150 gr Copper Extreme Point	150	800	3,250	1,719	yes
Barnes VOR-TX 162 gr TSX BT	162	750	3,150	1,751	yes
Browning Silver Series 175 gr Plated Soft Point	175	750	3,100	1,633	behind the shoulder only
Nosler Trophy Grade 160 gr Partition	160	750	3,250	1,825	yes
Browning Long Range Pro 160 gr Sierra Tipped MatchKing	160	wrong bullet	3,200	2,067	behind the shoulder only
Nosler Match Grade 185 gr RDF	185	wrong bullet	2,950	2,162	behind the shoulder only
Nosler Match Grade 168 gr Custom Competition	168	wrong bullet	3,075	1,807	behind the shoulder only

The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.

All .28 Nosler loads