By Graham Baates
YouTube personality, Graham Baates, takes Nosler Ammunition to the range to test out their premium Match Grade Handgun ammo claims.
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Well known for their premium rifle ammunition and custom calibers, Nosler also makes handgun ammunition.
Giving it the same attention as their rifle loads, Nosler handgun ammunition is manufactured on dedicated bullet machinery.
This eliminates inconsistencies that can occur when ammunition dies are changed.
Each individual bullet round is also visually inspected after loading to ensure it meets Nosler Ammo’s standards.
Ammunition lots are never mixed to ensure that each box provides uniform performance. Any shooter who has found the perfect factory load for the rifle only to have that same ammo load purchased at another location perform differently understands this importance.
Nosler Ammunition
Does this really matter in a handgun ammunition? Perhaps not for plinking, but for those serious about getting the most out of their handgun it might make the difference. We took a box of Nosler’s Match Grade Handgun ammunition in 9mm out to the range along with our Walther Q5 Match to test 5 randomly selected rounds at seven yards with a chronograph and for grouping.
If you’re one who enjoys math here are the facts on Nosler Ammunition:
| Advertised Velocity | 1,170 fps |
| Average Velocity as Tested | 1,173 fps (1,162, 1,162, 1,198, 1,179, 1,166) |
| Extreme Spread | 36fps |
| Standard Deviation | 15.3 fps |
| Deviation as % of Average | 1.3% |
There are of course imperfections in the science of the test. A small sample size, a human shooter, the weather, interstellar alignment etc, but the fact remains that per our test you can shoot assured that any inaccuracies in your session are not the fault of the Nosler rounds. For those looking for the ultimate in competition-grade match handgun ammunition I feel a new standard has been set.
To top it all off Nosler’s advertised “extremely concentric” load is clearly verified by overlaying a perfect circle on bullet as seen from above. If you’re concerned about a hollow point feeding in your particular barrel Nosler has also made efforts to emulate the contours of a traditional full-metal-jacketed bullet as closely as one can while still opening the tip.
Pricing reflect the efforts that go into these loads, but these aren’t meant for plinking. A premium, performance automobile needs premium fuel. When was the last time you tried premium ammunition in your premium handgun?
Nosler Ammunition’s Match Grade Handgun Ammo meets that high performance goal.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor; logging over 1,900 hours teaching and now works as an industry writer while curating a supplemental YouTube channel. Visit Graham on Youtube .