Hello Friends,
Just wanted to share with you all my exceptional experience with Nosler. I was checking load data on the Nosler website a while back. I closed the browser, then forgot the COL of the load, so I brought it back up about ten minutes later and noticed they had just launched the Legacy rifle. I called Shawn immediately and ordered one in .280AI right there and then. They explained that I was the first non-Nosler employee to purchase one. I contacted Shawn about every other week and he was always happy to report an updated status of the rifle and send me pics of the barreled action and stock. After swapping hunting stories and load recipes for the better part of a year, I consider him a friend and not just a customer service rep. And let me tell you, these guys hunt. It's always good sign when a company is as enthusiastic about hunting and shooting as the customer. They were even kind enough to change the caliber on my rifle to .300 Win. after I drew orders to WA state, with hopes of making it up to hunt AK or BC and where the extra horsepower of a .300 magnum might come in handy.
When I received the rifle, I was blown away. The fit and finish were that of a full blown custom rig. The barrel channel was perfect. The action inletting was perfect. The bottom metal was perfect. If you're thinking this rifle is just another pretty face, you'd be dead wrong. A special rifle deserves special components, so I went with Forster Competition dies, GMM 215 primers, Nosler brass (which is incredible by the way), and 200gr ABs. To break it in, I loaded 10 and went two grains under the listed max for IMR-4350 at a COL of 3.4" I followed the shoot one clean one routine for the first four shots and then sent three down range. Shots 5,6, and 7 went into 3/4", and I thought it might just be a fluke. After all, I'm just breaking in the barrel shooting off my backpack, and haven't really tinkered with the load. I cleaned and then sent another three on their way. Shots 8, 9, and 10 went into 0.37" This is the most accurate rifle I've had the pleasure of shooting. I shoot long range tactical precision matches and my competition rifle won't even do that, and that's after fooling with seating depths, bullets, and powder. I'm going to load a ladder in .3gr increments and see what she'll do. If I can get a little more speed and keep the groups small, then great. If not, then who cares. I'm sending a bonded 200gr bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .588 and a sectional density over .300 down range at over 2800 fps with under half minute of angle accuracy, and that my friends is a good OP however you slice it.
If you're an old stick in the mud like me and feel that kevlar composites belong on space shuttle tiles instead of in the elk woods and the warmth and character of walnut makes you smile, then this rifle is for you. If you've grown weary, numb, and desensitized to the quality being put out by today's rifle manufacturers and are interested only in accurate rifles, then I'd look no further. Shawn, I'll swing by the shop on my way up to WA this summer. I owe you and the guys many thanks and some beers.
Your Pal,
Joe
Just wanted to share with you all my exceptional experience with Nosler. I was checking load data on the Nosler website a while back. I closed the browser, then forgot the COL of the load, so I brought it back up about ten minutes later and noticed they had just launched the Legacy rifle. I called Shawn immediately and ordered one in .280AI right there and then. They explained that I was the first non-Nosler employee to purchase one. I contacted Shawn about every other week and he was always happy to report an updated status of the rifle and send me pics of the barreled action and stock. After swapping hunting stories and load recipes for the better part of a year, I consider him a friend and not just a customer service rep. And let me tell you, these guys hunt. It's always good sign when a company is as enthusiastic about hunting and shooting as the customer. They were even kind enough to change the caliber on my rifle to .300 Win. after I drew orders to WA state, with hopes of making it up to hunt AK or BC and where the extra horsepower of a .300 magnum might come in handy.
When I received the rifle, I was blown away. The fit and finish were that of a full blown custom rig. The barrel channel was perfect. The action inletting was perfect. The bottom metal was perfect. If you're thinking this rifle is just another pretty face, you'd be dead wrong. A special rifle deserves special components, so I went with Forster Competition dies, GMM 215 primers, Nosler brass (which is incredible by the way), and 200gr ABs. To break it in, I loaded 10 and went two grains under the listed max for IMR-4350 at a COL of 3.4" I followed the shoot one clean one routine for the first four shots and then sent three down range. Shots 5,6, and 7 went into 3/4", and I thought it might just be a fluke. After all, I'm just breaking in the barrel shooting off my backpack, and haven't really tinkered with the load. I cleaned and then sent another three on their way. Shots 8, 9, and 10 went into 0.37" This is the most accurate rifle I've had the pleasure of shooting. I shoot long range tactical precision matches and my competition rifle won't even do that, and that's after fooling with seating depths, bullets, and powder. I'm going to load a ladder in .3gr increments and see what she'll do. If I can get a little more speed and keep the groups small, then great. If not, then who cares. I'm sending a bonded 200gr bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .588 and a sectional density over .300 down range at over 2800 fps with under half minute of angle accuracy, and that my friends is a good OP however you slice it.
If you're an old stick in the mud like me and feel that kevlar composites belong on space shuttle tiles instead of in the elk woods and the warmth and character of walnut makes you smile, then this rifle is for you. If you've grown weary, numb, and desensitized to the quality being put out by today's rifle manufacturers and are interested only in accurate rifles, then I'd look no further. Shawn, I'll swing by the shop on my way up to WA this summer. I owe you and the guys many thanks and some beers.
Your Pal,
Joe
