What are common mistakes hunters make with 33 Nosler?

1. Failing to properly seat the bullet, leading to inconsistent expansion and reduced accuracy.
2. Choosing the wrong bullet weight for the specific game being hunted, resulting in inadequate penetration or too much recoil.
3. Neglecting to adjust their rifle’s twist rate to accommodate the heavier bullet weight, causing keyholing or bullet break-up.

Insufficient Bullet Seating

One critical mistake hunters make with the 33 Nosler is failing to properly seat the bullet. This can lead to inconsistent expansion and reduced accuracy. A minimum of 0.050 inches of freebore is essential to ensure reliable primer ignition. Hunters should also check their rifle’s chamber for any irregularities that may affect bullet seating.

Bullet Weight Selection

Choosing the right bullet weight for the specific game being hunted is crucial when using the 33 Nosler. For larger game such as elk or moose, a heavier bullet weight (e.g., 250-300 grains) is often necessary to ensure adequate penetration. However, for smaller game like deer, a lighter bullet weight (e.g., 200-220 grains) may be more suitable to minimize damage to the meat.

Twist Rate Considerations

Neglecting to adjust the rifle’s twist rate to accommodate the heavier bullet weight can cause keyholing or bullet break-up. The 33 Nosler requires a minimum of a 1:7.5" twist rate to properly stabilize the heavier bullets. Hunters should check their rifle’s twist rate and adjust it as necessary to ensure reliable bullet performance.