Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 180 accubond + 300 win mag==OK for elk??

I don't want to start a wild debate but I did a little reloading for a friends 300 win mag and the accubond's shot really well. I think an AB will get the job done with a behind the shoulder shot alright but am wondering if it can take some heavy bones on tougher shots.
Anyhow I'd like to start some load developement with tsx's but my buddy is pretty happy with how the ab's are shooting and is hedging on my idea.
Can anyone relate any good/bad stories with the ab on elk?

It'll work just fine, but if he plans on taking "tougher shots" and hitting "heavy bone" then I think there is no substitute for the TSX. You should convince him of that.

Do it!!

Wow, when did we start wondering if a 300WM and a tough 180 where enough for elk. Our grandpa's would laugh their azz's off while they killed elk with their 30-30's.

Yes, a 180 Accubond pushed by a 30 cal magnum is more than enough for any elk....even the magically armor-clad species.


Brett

I killed many elk with a 7mm mag shooting 154 Hornady spire points. But that was before elk were armor plated. Or started growing cast iron bones.


The 180 Accubond is a great bullet for elk. Go forth and put some elk on the ground.

8mmwapiti

There are many "good" bullet options when it comes to a .300, I'm simply identifying the "best" option for the application at hand.

I have used AccuBonds in several cartridges and calibers and they basically work just like Partitions (as JB said in one of his posts). I have taken two elk with them: one with a .300 WSM and 200 grain AB and one with a .338-06 and 200 grain AB. Both were one-shot kills.

The bull shot with the 200 grain .338 was running by me at about 35 yds. The bullet wrecked both shoulders (and everything in between), stopping just under the skin on the far side. The 200 grain .308 angled through a very large-bodied bull and exited on the far side, passing through at least 4 ft of elk. The ones that I have recoverd typically retain 65-70% of their weight.

I would have absolutely no hesitation squaring up on the shoulder of a bull with a 300WM loaded with 180 Accubonds. I've been using Accubonds out of a 300RUM, 300WM, and 7RM on everything from Antelope to Elk for a quite a while and have yet to be disappointed. I have no personal experience with the TSX's yet, but the AB is very much up to the task when Elk are on the menu.

In YOUR opinion.

In my opinion and just about anyone with experience in killing elk with an accubond, they work great and if they shoot well in your gun then use them.

Yes, in MY opinion, when it comes to shooting big bulls quartering through heavy bone, there is no better option than the TSX.

I'm sure the AB works just fine, though I've not used it. From what I have read and heard though, it doesn't penetrate like the TSX does, which is of the utmost importance when it comes to penetrating several feet of elk though lots of bone.

The reason I've asked is that I HAVE HAD really great luck with barnes also. When the accubond first appeared there were some posts calling them accu-bombs. Now you don't see so many of those posts about accubonds coming apart. I wonder if nosler might have done a bit of fine tuning on their original bullet and got it better?

You mean people other than Randy Brookes at Barnes actually change their bullet designs after they market them? Hmfff!

Current Accubonds tend to penetrate as well, sometimes better than the Partition. The difference is that the AB doesn't show the degree of early expansion that you see with the Partition. I have some decades of experience with the Partition, with compete satisfaction. I am now using AB's for quite a bit of hunting, particularly in a new 300 Win Mag, simply cuz they are so accurate.
Nothing wrong with the TSX either, but I have confidence in the AB, and that is where I am placing my bet. Good luck.

Not 180g AB in a 300, but 110g AB and 115g NP in .25-06 at 100 yards in the Bullet Test Tube.

115g NP


110g NAB


I have found that the 115g NP will outpenetrate the 110g AB IIRC -1 inch in BTT and just barely in my dry journals/phone books. Very similar weight retention also IIRC. I am at work so going from memory.

Nice work & photos kyreloader. Both bullets are pretty darn fine performers.
I am setting my grandson up for his first PA whitetail hunt this fall with a 257 Roberts Improved using one of these bullets, with total confidence in both. No idea which one he'll choose for the hunt.

When I was young and actually did more hunting than reading about hunting,I used my 308 Win.in a Pre64 Feather weight to shoot,Canadian Moose,Black Bear,Mule Deer,Whitetails,Caribou,Elk with either Nozler Solid base 150`s or 165 Gr. Hornadys.Never lost an animal with these inferior(by todays standards)bullets.Of course we were taught to get as close as possible to the animal and proper shot placement.We had no idea how fast the bullets were going,but practiced shooting to 400 yds.Never made a shot that far back then.No Rangefinders,The best bullets and gear in the World cannot make you a better shot or Woodsman. Huntz

Well said Huntz!

Bravo!

Just a random thought....but I'd like to see what happens to an AB vs a Nosler Partition after they have both slammed into an elks' shoulder knuckle at 3000 fps.

Not arguing, just asking those that know.

300 Win Mag and 180 grain Accubond =









and just for the heck of it, 165gr Accubond from a 30.06 =



To be honest, I've never hunted Elk, hope to some day, but think the 180 grn AB would do fine.