The Nosler Match Grade .22 Nosler 85-grain Reduced Drag Factor (RDF) Hollow Point Boat-Tail (HPBT) 20-round box is a high-performance centerfire cartridge engineered specifically for long-range target competition, Precision Rifle Series (PRS) matches, and extended-distance varmint shooting. Standard .22-caliber projectiles often suffer from rapid velocity decay, severe wind deflection, and unstable trans-sonic transition beyond 500 yards due to lower sectional density and inefficient bullet profiles. Nosler overcomes these downrange aerodynamic limitations by mating its high-capacity .22 Nosler cartridge design with an ultra-sleek, high-mass 85-grain RDF projectile that retains velocity and resists lateral wind drift.
The core technical advantage relies on Nosler's 85-grain Reduced Drag Factor bullet design. Featuring a compound ogive, an extended boat-tail angle, and a tight, uniform meplat, the RDF projectile minimizes drag to achieve a class-leading G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.498 (G7 BC: 0.247). This high aerodynamic efficiency ensures flatter trajectories, less elevation correction, and superior wind resistance compared to traditional match bullets. Nosler pairs this match projectile with fully prepped custom brass cases—featuring deburred flash holes, uniform primer pockets, and strict neck tension—alongside temperature-stable propellants that minimize extreme velocity spreads (ES/SD).
Launching its heavy 85-grain HPBT projectile at a factory-rated 2,750 FPS muzzle velocity (generating 1,427 ft-lbs of muzzle energy), this Match Grade load takes full advantage of the .22 Nosler's enlarged case capacity to maximize long-range energy delivery. Built on Nosler custom-prepped brass, non-corrosive match primers, and clean-burning powder, the cartridge feeds smoothly and chambers consistently in both bolt-action precision rifles and properly barreled AR-15 platforms (requiring a fast 1:7" or faster barrel twist to stabilize the heavy 85gr projectile).
Key Benefits
- Ultra-High Ballistic Coefficient (0.498 G1 BC): RDF projectile geometry reduces aerodynamic drag, minimizing wind drift and bullet drop at extended ranges.
- Nosler Custom Prepped Brass: Fully prepped cases ensure consistent internal volume, neck tension, and smooth feeding across precision actions.
- Compound Ogive & Meplat Consistency: Eliminates the need to trim or point bullet tips, delivering out-of-the-box long-range target accuracy.
- Temperature-Stable Match Powder: Maintains consistent muzzle velocities and low standard deviations (SD) across varying ambient temperatures.
Technical Specification
- Caliber: .22 Nosler
- Ballistics: 2,750 FPS Muzzle Velocity | 1,427 Ft-Lbs Muzzle Energy | G1 BC: 0.498 | G7 BC: 0.247
- Projectile: 85 Grain | Reduced Drag Factor (RDF) | Hollow Point Boat-Tail (HPBT) | Compound Ogive
- Case/Primer: Nosler Custom Prepped Brass | Match Grade Boxer Primer | Temperature-Stable Propellant
- Logistics: 20 Rounds Per Box | Nosler Match Grade Ammunition Series
- Dimensions: Standard .22 Nosler Rimless Bottleneck Geometry | SKU: NOS60162
- Application: Long-Range Precision Competition, PRS Matches, Target Shooting, and Extended-Range Varmint
- Standards: SAAMI Compliant | Nosler Precision Quality Control Standards | Requires 1:7" Twist or Faster
If you’re running a .22 Nosler platform and need consistent external ballistics without handloading, this load provides stable long-range performance and controlled velocity spreads. Get match-grade consistency backed by Nosler’s manufacturing standards—available now from SMKW, a trusted source for precision ammunition.
