VPF – Why are 28 Nosler and 338 calibers picked on?

With the Police having their VPF (Very Powerful Firearms) policy written into legislation in 2023 by their agreeable pawn, Minister Papalia, many people have been left confused how the Police have formulated their policy.

I’m fairly convinced that I’ve been able to reverse engineer their policy and work out how Police decide what is and isn’t banned – It’s remaining energy at either 300 yards or meters, and there is a threshold that cannot be broken.  The 28 Nosler just breaks it and is therefore on the list – the 30 Nosler does not break it and is not on the list.

From these two examples, and the knowledge that Police aren’t generating their own ballistic data but are instead relying on factory load data, we can easily surmise the reason some cartridges feature on the list and others don’t it due to projectile ballistic coefficient.

7mm Projectiles, such as the 7mm Accubond LR projectile loaded in 28 Nosler factory ammunition, has a relatively high BC (0.648 G1).  While 30 cal projectiles, such as the 190gr projectile loaded in 30 Nosler factory ammunition, does not (0.53 G1). As such, the projectile fired from a 28 Nosler retains more of its energy at 300 yards than a 30 Nosler does.

This is also the case for many 338 caliber projectiles.  Many of them are designed for long distance shooting and have relatively high BC, hence why the 340 Weatherby is banned but the 375 Weatherby is not, even though they have the same case size.

So why is the 300 RUM not banned, but the 300 Norma banned?  Application.  300 RUM traditionally uses large game projectiles with lower BC, while the 300 Norma is a long range; modern caliber loaded with high BC projectiles.

Similarly, many 375 Calibers do not feature on the list.  375 Ruger, 375 H&H and 375 RUM being examples of calibers not on the list, even though 375 RUM necked down to 338 is prohibited; 375 RUM necked down to 7mm and shortened is prohibited and 375 H&H necked down to 338 and blown out is prohibited.  Generally, 375 projectiles are used for large and dangerous game, so projectiles aren’t chosen for their external performance but rather their terminal performance.  Think flat based; round nosed projectiles with cannelure grooves that mushroom at a controlled rate; penetrate deeply and break bones.  The exception to this would be the big monolithic long range 375 projectiles, which need 375 Cheytac case volumes to shoot effectively.

So, in short, if you want a large caliber; large game rifle, stay away from 338 and you’ll be right.

For those who want a rifle like a Sako TRG or McMillan that utilizes a Norma or Lapua sized case, consider the 375 Short Range or 375 Sawcon (both Beaton Firearms inventions).  Going the other way, consider a 7mm RUM, 26 Nosler or 300 PRC.  Another good option would be a wildcat of a 300 PRC necked up to 338 – if you want me to build one of these, I’ll even let you name it.