Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
Nosler Bullets introduced the Custom Competition line from its Bend, Oregon facility as a conventional hollow-point boat-tail match bullet aimed at PRS, F-Class, and benchrest competitors. This completes a four-bullet comparison this site now covers in full across the premium long-range match category: the Sierra MatchKing, Berger Hybrid Target, Hornady A-Tip Match, and now the Nosler Custom Competition. Like the other three, the Custom Competition is a non-expanding, lead-core bullet engineered purely for accuracy and aerodynamic consistency, with no terminal performance design goal whatsoever – it should never be substituted for a genuine hunting bullet, consistent with how this site treats every dedicated match bullet covered in this comparison set.
The Custom Competition’s defining characteristic relative to its three main competitors is that it represents the most conventional design approach of the four. Where the Hybrid Target uses a blended tangent-secant ogive and the A-Tip Match uses aluminum tip construction, the Custom Competition is a straightforward hollow-point boat-tail design with a small meplat, conceptually closest in basic architecture to the Sierra MatchKing rather than to either of the more recently engineered tipped competitors. This positions it as a genuinely budget-friendly option within the premium match bullet category – the original article’s stated pricing of $0.30-$0.50 per bullet is notably lower than what this site’s coverage of the Hybrid Target and A-Tip Match documents for those products.
The caliber range covers .224-inch through .338-inch, and weight options span 52 to 300 grains per this source – a broad range that, like the Hybrid Target’s documented lineup, extends from light PRS-focused weights through genuinely heavy extreme-long-range and F-Class Open territory at the top end. For trajectory context on the cartridges most commonly paired with this bullet, see the 223 Remington ballistics guide, 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics guide, and 300 Winchester Magnum ballistics guide.
One specific figure in this source’s ballistics table deserves the same scrutiny this series has applied to similar outliers elsewhere: the 300-grain .338-inch variant listed at BC 0.800. This represents a substantial jump from the immediately preceding 250-grain .338-inch entry at BC 0.590 – a 0.21 increase in BC for only a 50-grain increase in weight, which is a larger jump than is typical of how BC scales with weight within a single bullet line at a fixed caliber. This is reminiscent of the unverified 245-grain .308-inch Berger Hybrid Target figure this site previously flagged, and deserves the same treatment here: noted explicitly rather than passed along as confirmed data without comment.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Nosler, Hodgdon, Sierra) before loading any cartridge. Start at the published minimum charge and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Technical Characteristics
Hollow-point boat-tail with small meplat: The Custom Competition’s nose design uses a small, consistent meplat specifically to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency, a more conventional approach than the polymer-tip or aluminum-tip designs used by its three main competitors. This is the same basic design family as the Sierra MatchKing, and the original article’s own comparison claims (discussed below) generally position the Custom Competition’s performance somewhere between the MatchKing and the more aerodynamically advanced tipped designs.
Form-fitted lead-alloy core: The original article’s description of a “form-fitted” core suggests a precision-fit manufacturing process intended to minimize internal voids or inconsistencies that could affect bullet balance and concentricity – a standard match-bullet manufacturing priority, though the specific term itself is more marketing language than a precisely defined technical specification.
Pronounced boat-tail: Contributing to reduced base drag across a wide velocity range, consistent with standard long-range match bullet design principles shared across this entire comparison category.
Reduced fouling claim: The 10-15% fouling reduction figure attributed to the “smooth jacket” should be read with the same calibration this series applies to similar claims for the Hybrid Target and other match bullets – directionally plausible given genuinely smooth, well-finished jacket construction, but a manufacturer-reported approximation rather than an independently verified figure.
Less jump tolerance than the Hybrid Target: The original article’s own comparison section explicitly notes “less jump tolerance” as a drawback relative to Berger’s hybrid ogive design, which is a believable and specific claim given the underlying engineering difference – the Custom Competition’s more conventional ogive profile, lacking Berger’s blended tangent-secant approach, would reasonably be expected to show more accuracy sensitivity to seating depth variation than a design specifically engineered to reduce that sensitivity. This is a real, meaningful practical distinction for handloaders to weigh, not just a marketing footnote.
Velocity range: The stated 2,500-3,500 fps optimal muzzle velocity range matches the range documented for the Hybrid Target, consistent with standard centerfire match cartridge velocities across this entire comparison category.
Ballistics and Performance
G1 BCs from 0.220 to 0.800 per this source span a wide range reflecting the line’s broad weight spectrum, and the original article’s claim that these figures are “comparable to” the Berger Hybrid Target (0.524-0.841) and Hornady A-Tip Match (0.500-0.850) requires some qualification: at the lighter end of the Custom Competition’s range, BCs trail both competitors by a meaningful margin (0.220-0.340 for the lightest .224-inch weights versus the Hybrid Target’s 0.524 minimum), while at heavier weights the gap narrows considerably and in some cases the Custom Competition’s figures fall within the same general range as its tipped competitors.
The 77-grain .224-inch at BC 0.340 and SD 0.219 is a mainstream PRS weight for 223 Remington, and the original article’s own comparison table omits a directly comparable Hybrid Target or A-Tip Match weight at this exact caliber and weight, making a direct BC comparison at this specific point difficult to verify against this site’s other match bullet coverage.
The 107-grain .243-inch (6mm) at BC 0.525 and SD 0.259 covers 6mm Creedmoor for 600-800 yard competition, and the original article’s specific claim that this variant “drops 5% more” than the comparable 109-grain Berger Hybrid Target at 800 yards is consistent with the Custom Competition’s modestly lower BC at this weight (0.525 versus the Hybrid Target’s 0.568), though as with similar percentage-based comparisons throughout this site’s coverage, this specific figure should be read as approximate.
The 140-grain 6.5mm at BC 0.529 and SD 0.287 is a strong, mainstream F-Class and PRS weight for 6.5 Creedmoor, closely matching the Hybrid Target’s comparable 140-grain offering at BC 0.593, with a modest but real gap consistent with the Custom Competition’s more conventional, non-hybrid ogive profile.
The 168-grain .284-inch (7mm) at BC 0.520 and SD 0.298 addresses 7mm Remington Magnum and similar 7mm cartridges for extreme-distance competition, positioned between the Custom Competition’s lighter and heaviest weight classes.
The 155 through 220-grain .308-inch variants (BC 0.450 to 0.690) cover the most popular match cartridge and caliber combination, 300 Winchester Magnum and similar, for 1,000+ yard F-Class and PRS competition, with the 220-grain figure at BC 0.690 being a genuinely strong, well-established BC for this weight class, broadly comparable to established high-BC .308-inch options from other manufacturers covered elsewhere on this site.
The 300-grain .338-inch at BC 0.800, as flagged in the introduction, stands apart from the otherwise internally consistent progression of this table. The jump from the 250-grain figure (BC 0.590) immediately preceding it is unusually large, and handloaders interested in this specific heavy-weight variant for large-bore F-Class Open or extreme-long-range applications should independently verify its current existence and specifications directly with Nosler before relying on this figure for serious load development or trajectory prediction, rather than assuming it is confirmed accurate as presented in this source.
Accuracy of 0.3-0.5 MOA is a strong, competition-grade specification, matching what this site’s coverage of the Hybrid Target documents and consistent with genuine competitive viability in PRS and F-Class disciplines.
Expert Ballistics Table – Nosler Custom Competition Variants
Data from Nosler specifications. BCs are G1. The 300-grain .338-inch figure should be independently verified – see discussion above. Verify all current figures at nosler.com before load development.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 52 | 0.220 | 0.148 | Mid-range PRS in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 69 | 0.305 | 0.196 | Mid-range PRS in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 77 | 0.340 | 0.219 | Mid-range PRS in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 80 | 0.415 | 0.228 | Mid-range PRS in 223 Remington |
| .243 | 107 | 0.525 | 0.259 | 600-800 yard competition in 6mm Creedmoor |
| .264 | 123 | 0.510 | 0.252 | Long-range F-Class in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .264 | 140 | 0.529 | 0.287 | Long-range F-Class in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC |
| .277 | 115 | 0.375 | 0.214 | Mid-range competition in 270 Winchester and 25-06 Remington |
| .284 | 168 | 0.520 | 0.298 | Extreme-distance competition in 7mm Remington Magnum |
| .308 | 155 | 0.450 | 0.233 | 1,000+ yard targets in 300 Winchester Magnum |
| .308 | 168 | 0.462 | 0.253 | 1,000+ yard targets in 300 Winchester Magnum |
| .308 | 175 | 0.505 | 0.264 | 1,000+ yard targets in 300 Winchester Magnum |
| .308 | 190 | 0.530 | 0.286 | 1,000+ yard targets in 300 Winchester Magnum |
| .308 | 220 | 0.690 | 0.331 | 1,000+ yard targets in 300 Winchester Magnum |
| .323 | 200 | 0.520 | 0.273 | Extended-range competition in 8mm cartridges |
| .338 | 250 | 0.590 | 0.313 | Large-bore F-Class Open in 338 Lapua Magnum |
| .338 | 300 | 0.800 | 0.375 | Unverified – see note above; figure inconsistent with rest of .338-inch lineup |
Comparison Bullets
The original article’s comparison set – Berger Hybrid Target and Hornady A-Tip Match – is reasonable, though the most directly relevant comparison, the Sierra MatchKing, is conspicuously absent from the original article’s discussion despite the Custom Competition’s hollow-point boat-tail design being closer in basic architecture to the MatchKing than to either of its more recently engineered tipped competitors.
The Sierra MatchKing is the Custom Competition’s closest design relative, both being conventional hollow-point boat-tail match bullets without polymer or aluminum tips. This site’s dedicated MatchKing-adjacent coverage documents BCs in the 0.400-0.700 range for that competitor, broadly overlapping with the Custom Competition’s mid-to-upper weight figures, suggesting these two bullets are likely the closest performance match within this entire four-way comparison, more so than either is to the tipped Hybrid Target or A-Tip Match.
The Berger Hybrid Target holds a consistent BC advantage over the Custom Competition across most comparable weights, attributable to its hybrid tangent-secant ogive design, and the original article’s claim that the Custom Competition shows “less jump tolerance” than the Hybrid Target is a believable, specific engineering distinction given that the Hybrid Target’s defining feature is precisely its reduced seating-depth sensitivity relative to more conventional ogive profiles like the Custom Competition’s.
The Hornady A-Tip Match similarly holds a BC advantage owing to its aluminum tip construction, with the original article’s claim that the Custom Competition “matches A-Tip in mid-range accuracy” being a plausible directional claim, since accuracy at moderate distance is less dependent on absolute BC than performance at extreme range, where the BC gap becomes more consequential for wind drift and retained velocity. Handloaders interested in Nosler’s broader product family should also note the Nosler RDF, a separate dedicated long-range match bullet from the same manufacturer with its own distinct ogive design, worth comparing directly against the Custom Competition.
Comparison Table – Premium Long-Range Match Bullets
| Bullet | Diameter Range | Weight Range | BC Range | Tip Design | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Custom Competition | .224-.338 | 52-300 gr | 0.220-0.800 | None (hollow point) | Budget-Mid |
| Sierra MatchKing | .224-.338 | 52-250 gr | 0.400-0.700 | None (hollow point) | Mid-Premium |
| Berger Hybrid Target | .224-.375 | 85-410 gr | 0.524-0.841 | None (hybrid ogive) | Premium |
| Hornady A-Tip Match | .224-.338 | 90-250 gr | 0.500-0.850 | Aluminum | Premium |
The Custom Competition’s standout characteristic relative to these three established competitors is price – genuinely the most budget-friendly option in this comparison set per the original article’s stated figures, making it a reasonable entry point for competitive shooters building their first precision rifle load without the premium pricing of the more aerodynamically advanced tipped designs.
Applications and Practical Aspects
Mid-range PRS competition (.224-inch, 52-80 grains): This is the broadest single-caliber weight range in the Custom Competition’s documented lineup, covering 223 Remington, 22 Creedmoor, and 224 Valkyrie across four distinct weights for PRS competition stages of varying distance. Hodgdon Varget and IMR 4064 are standard powder choices for 223 Remington at these weights.
600-800 yard competition (6mm, 107 grains): 6mm Creedmoor loaded with this weight is a mainstream PRS choice. Hodgdon H4350 and Alliant Reloder 16 are documented powder choices for this cartridge and weight class. The 6mm GT is an additional PRS-popular 6mm cartridge worth considering alongside 6mm Creedmoor for this weight class.
Long-range F-Class (6.5mm, 123-140 grains): 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC at these weights cover popular modern F-Class and PRS cartridge and weight combinations. Hodgdon H4350 and Alliant Reloder 23 are well documented for this application. The 6.5×47 Lapua is a further specialized 6.5mm cartridge specifically developed for competitive precision shooting worth considering alongside the more common Creedmoor-based options.
Extreme-distance competition (7mm, 168 grains): 7mm Remington Magnum at this weight addresses extended-range competitive shooting where wind reading and aerodynamic efficiency both matter. Alliant Reloder 22 and Hodgdon H4831SC are documented powder choices. The 7mm PRC and 7mm SAUM are additional modern 7mm magnum options some F-Class Open competitors use for this weight class.
1,000+ yard targets (.308-inch, 155-220 grains): 300 Winchester Magnum at these weights addresses F-Class Open and similar extreme-long-range disciplines, with the 220-grain variant in particular standing out as a genuinely strong, well-established performer in this weight class. Hodgdon H4831SC and Alliant Reloder 26 are common choices for 300 Winchester Magnum at these weights.
Large-bore F-Class Open (.338-inch, 250-300 grains): 338 Lapua Magnum at the 250-grain weight addresses the heaviest mainstream F-Class Open applications, with the 300-grain variant’s unverified BC discussed above being the relevant caveat for any load development undertaken at that specific weight. The 6.5-284 Norma and 284 Winchester are additional cartridges some F-Class competitors pair with high-BC bullet lineups, though not specifically documented in this source’s Custom Competition table.
Not appropriate for hunting: Consistent with how this site treats every dedicated match bullet covered in this comparison series, this bears explicit statement. The Custom Competition’s conventional lead-core, non-expanding design is engineered purely for accuracy and aerodynamic efficiency, with no terminal performance design goal. It should not be substituted for a genuine expanding hunting bullet on game.
Reloading
Nosler publishes Custom Competition-specific load data, and as a conventional lead-core match bullet, pressure characteristics are generally standard rather than elevated, unlike monolithic copper hunting bullets covered elsewhere on this site.
Primers: Standard small or large rifle primers depending on caliber and case. CCI BR-2 and CCI BR-4 benchrest primers, along with Federal GM205M and Federal GM210M match-grade primers, are commonly used in competitive precision rifle applications.
Cases: Premium brass from Lapua, Norma, or Peterson is commonly used in competitive shooting applications where case-to-case consistency directly affects group size and extreme spread. Dedicated case prep equipment and a quality digital powder scale help maintain the charge weight and case consistency competitive accuracy at extended range demands. A precision bench rest powder measure is also a worthwhile investment for handloaders preparing match ammunition in volume.
Seating depth: Start 0.010 to 0.050 inches off the lands. Given the original article’s own note that the Custom Competition shows less jump tolerance than the Hybrid Target, systematic seating depth testing in small increments is particularly important for this bullet rather than a formality – this is genuinely a more seating-sensitive design than its hybrid-ogive competitor.
Crimp: Generally not used for bolt-action precision rifle applications; a light crimp is only relevant for semi-automatic precision rifle platforms used in some PRS divisions.
Barrel twist: Matching twist rate to the specific bullet weight is essential, particularly at the heavier end of the lineup. Handloaders should confirm twist rate compatibility with Nosler’s published recommendations before purchasing components for a specific weight.
Velocity verification: Chronograph data is standard practice in competitive precision shooting both for load development and for maintaining the extreme spread consistency (under 10 fps, per this source) that directly affects vertical dispersion at extended distance.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-range PRS | 223 Rem | 52-80 gr | Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, Hodgdon CFE 223, Hodgdon H335 |
| 600-800 yard PRS | 6mm Creedmoor | 107 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 16, Alliant Reloder 23 |
| Long-range F-Class | 6.5 Creedmoor | 123-140 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 23, Alliant Reloder 26 |
| Extreme-distance | 7mm Rem Mag | 168 gr | Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, IMR 7828 SSC |
| 1,000+ yard | 300 Win Mag | 155-220 gr | Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 26, Hodgdon Retumbo |
| F-Class Open | 338 Lapua Magnum | 250-300 gr | Hodgdon H1000, Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon Retumbo, IMR 7828 |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.002-0.004 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.010-0.050 inch off lands; less jump tolerance than hybrid-ogive competitors |
| Crimp | Generally not used for bolt-action; light crimp for semi-auto precision platforms |
| Minimum stable velocity | 2,500 fps for reliable flight |
| Twist rate | Match precisely to bullet weight |
| Extreme spread target | Under 10 fps for competitive accuracy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The 300-grain .338-inch variant is listed at BC 0.800. Is this figure reliable?
A: This figure should be treated with caution and independently verified before being used for serious load development or trajectory prediction. The jump from the immediately preceding 250-grain .338-inch entry (BC 0.590) to this 300-grain figure (BC 0.800) is unusually large for a relatively modest weight increase, inconsistent with the more gradual BC progression seen across the rest of this bullet’s documented weight range. Handloaders interested in this specific variant should confirm its current existence and specifications directly with Nosler’s published catalog rather than relying on this figure as presented.
Q: Why does the original article compare the Custom Competition to the Berger Hybrid Target and Hornady A-Tip Match, but not the Sierra MatchKing, which seems like the more natural comparison?
A: This is a reasonable observation, and this rewrite addresses it directly by adding the MatchKing to the comparison discussion. The Custom Competition’s conventional hollow-point boat-tail design without a polymer or aluminum tip is architecturally closer to the MatchKing than to either of its more recently engineered tipped competitors, and the two bullets’ overlapping BC ranges suggest they may be the closest performance match within this entire four-bullet comparison category, more so than either is to the Hybrid Target or A-Tip Match.
Q: Is the claim about “less jump tolerance” compared to the Hybrid Target believable?
A: Yes, this is a credible and specific engineering distinction rather than vague marketing language. The Berger Hybrid Target’s defining feature is precisely its hybrid tangent-secant ogive, engineered specifically to reduce seating-depth sensitivity relative to more conventional ogive profiles. The Custom Competition uses a more standard hollow-point boat-tail profile without this specific engineering feature, so it would reasonably be expected to show more accuracy variation across different seating depths than a bullet purpose-built to minimize that variation. Handloaders should plan for more careful, systematic seating depth testing with the Custom Competition than they might with the Hybrid Target.
Q: Can the Custom Competition be used for hunting given its high BC and sectional density at heavier weights?
A: No. Like every other bullet in this match bullet comparison series, this is a conventional lead-core, non-expanding design engineered purely for accuracy and aerodynamic efficiency, with no terminal performance design goal. High BC and sectional density describe aerodynamic and penetration characteristics relevant to target shooting, not terminal performance on game, which is a fundamentally different engineering question. Using this bullet for hunting risks an unreliable, potentially non-lethal wound, since it is not designed or tested for predictable expansion on game tissue.
Q: Is the Custom Competition a reasonable choice for a shooter just starting in PRS or F-Class, given its lower price point?
A: Yes, this is a genuine strength of the Custom Competition within this comparison set. Per the original article’s stated pricing, it is meaningfully less expensive than the Hybrid Target or A-Tip Match while still delivering competitive 0.3-0.5 MOA accuracy and reasonably strong BCs, particularly at the mid-to-heavy end of its weight range where the gap to its premium competitors narrows. For a shooter building their first precision rifle load without wanting to commit to premium-tier component costs before confirming their rifle and skill level can take advantage of the most aerodynamically advanced designs, the Custom Competition is a sensible, lower-cost entry point.
Q: How does the Custom Competition’s claimed “matching A-Tip in mid-range accuracy” hold up?
A: This is a plausible directional claim worth understanding in context. Accuracy at moderate competition distances (600 yards or less) is less dependent on absolute BC than performance at extreme range, since wind drift and retained velocity differences between competing high-quality match bullets become more consequential the further the bullet travels. At mid-range distances, a well-made conventional hollow-point boat-tail bullet like the Custom Competition can reasonably match a more aerodynamically advanced tipped design like the A-Tip Match in practical accuracy, even with a measurably lower BC, simply because the BC gap hasn’t had enough distance to translate into a meaningful difference in group size or scoring. At extended distance, the original article’s own acknowledgment that the Custom Competition trails Berger “by 5-10% in wind drift at 800+ yards” suggests this advantage narrows or disappears as range increases.
Conclusion
The Nosler Custom Competition is a conventional, budget-friendly match bullet most closely related in basic design to the Sierra MatchKing rather than to its more recently engineered tipped competitors, the Berger Hybrid Target and Hornady A-Tip Match. Its BCs trail both tipped competitors at most weights, narrowing toward the heavier end of its range, while its lower price point makes it a reasonable entry choice for competitive shooters building their first precision rifle load.
Choose the Custom Competition if: you want a genuinely budget-friendly entry into premium match bullet performance; you primarily compete at moderate distances where the BC gap to premium tipped competitors matters less; or you want the broadest documented weight range within a conventional, non-tipped design philosophy.
Choose something else if: extended-range BC and reduced wind drift at 800+ yards are your priority – the Berger Hybrid Target or Hornady A-Tip Match hold a meaningful advantage there. If reduced seating-depth sensitivity matters for your specific rifle and chamber dimensions, the Hybrid Target’s hybrid ogive is purpose-built to address that concern. If you want the longest-established match bullet with the deepest accumulated competitive track record, the Sierra MatchKing remains the standard many competitive shooters still default to, or its more recently developed Sierra Tipped MatchKing variant. If you need a tactical or law enforcement-oriented match bullet rather than a pure competition design, the Berger OTM Tactical addresses that adjacent niche. If you need a bullet for hunting rather than competition, none of the match bullets in this comparison are appropriate – choose a genuine expanding hunting bullet such as the Barnes TTSX or Federal Trophy Copper instead.
Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from Nosler or other published manuals. Start below maximum charges and increase gradually. This bullet is designed exclusively for target and competition use, not hunting – it will not perform reliably or ethically on game. Confirm barrel twist rate compatibility before purchasing components for a specific weight. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
Have you loaded and shot the Nosler Custom Competition? Leave a comment with your load details: weight, cartridge, powder, charge, and your results in competition or load development. How did it compare to a Sierra MatchKing, Berger Hybrid Target, or Hornady A-Tip Match you may have used in the same cartridge? If you have current Nosler-sourced data on the 300-grain .338-inch variant’s actual BC, that would help resolve the discrepancy flagged in this article.
Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. The update flagged the original article’s 300-grain .338-inch variant (BC 0.800) as inconsistent with the rest of the documented .338-inch lineup, recommending independent verification rather than presenting it as confirmed current data. Added the Sierra MatchKing to the comparison discussion, which the original article omitted despite the Custom Competition’s conventional hollow-point boat-tail design being architecturally closer to the MatchKing than to either of its tipped competitors. Evaluated the original article’s “less jump tolerance” claim against the Hybrid Target as a credible, specific engineering distinction rather than vague marketing language. Emphasized explicitly that this bullet is not appropriate for hunting despite high sectional density figures at heavier weights. Added FAQ covering six common questions. Applied full internal linking throughout.
