This year, Nosler is celebrating its 75th anniversary and looking back on the lasting impact the company has had on western big game hunting, especially elk hunting. The major milestone marks three quarters of a century of Nosler not only making the best bullets and ammunition to ever hit the elk woods, but also a shared passion for conserving elk and other big game for future generations to enjoy.
Nosler bullets and western big game hunting have been tied together since the company’s inception. The inspiration behind Nosler started in 1946, when founder John Nosler struggled to bring down a Canadian bull moose with several well-placed shots using jacketed lead-core bullets in his 300 H&H Magnum. When John got home, he went to work designing what would become the Nosler Partition®, a unique dual lead core bullet designed for both dramatic expansion and penetration. The following fall, John killed a moose with one shot using the new Partition bullet, and by 1948, the Nosler Partition Bullet Company was born.
In the years following, Nosler Partition bullets quickly gained notoriety as one of the most effective elk bullets in the mountains. To this day that reputation has endured, and Nosler’s relentless pursuit of the highest quality and innovative design has been a north star over the decades as the company has introduced other tried-and-true bullets like the Ballistic Tip®, AccuBond®, AccuBond Long Range, and monometal Expansion Tip®.
Beyond highly effective bullets and ammunition, Nosler is also creating cutting edge rifles and suppressors, including the award-winning Model 21 rifle, the Carbon Chassis Hunter rifle and the SR-30K (K-Can) Suppressor. From the rifle you pack into the backcountry for an elk hunt to the bullet that ultimately connects with your quarry, Nosler puts the best possible tools into the hands of hunters to ethically kill that bull of a lifetime.
Elk hunting has been in Nosler’s DNA for generations, but elk bullets were just the beginning. A commitment to conservation has also been an integral part of the business. For years, Nosler has been a stalwart supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its mission to conserve North America’s elk and the wild places they call home so future generations can experience the thrill of chasing bulls for years to come.
Since 2002, a portion of select Nosler products has gone back to RMEF to protect elk and other wildlife, their habitat and the rich heritage of those who hunt them. Just look for the RMEF logo on Trophy Grade Partition boxes in a variety of popular cartridges, including 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 28 Nosler, 308 Win, 30-06 Springfield, 300 Win Mag and 338 Win Mag. Likewise, Nosler Expansion Tip ammunition features RMEF-licensed boxes. These E-Tip options include 140gr 7mm-08, 180gr 300 Win Mag and 180gr 300 Weatherby Magnum. Check out all the RMEF-licensed ammunition products, and hunt happy knowing you’re giving back to elk conservation.
A lot has changed over Nosler’s first 75 years, but as the company looks forward to its next 75 years and beyond, some things will never change — its relentless pursuit of the highest quality hunting and shooting products, and its unwavering commitment to ensuring elk and other wildlife always have a future on North America’s landscapes.
To learn more about Nosler’s 75th anniversary and its partnership with RMEF, check out RMEF’s latest film.