Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Non-Magnums using ABLR for Elk

Hi all,

Been doing way too much internet reading and haven't really found what I have been looking for. I have been looking into the ABLR for my 7mm-08 for my deer/elk bullet of choice. Seems like a good marriage of a ballistic tip front and bonded rear at the lower velocities my 7mm-08 will push it at. The 150gr with its high BC will move my 1500ftlb mark from 300 to 450 yards. I know it will devastate deer but looking for more field reports on elk.

I currently use a standard 140 AB and 140 BT for my elk/deer hunting needs but having one bullet seems good too.

What real experiences do you all have with it (not the standard AB, I know that works) at 2000-2800fps? Penetration? Expansion? Recovered bullets? Shoulder hits? Impact velocities?

that 150 grainer should be tougher than the 150 grain ballistic tip that some forum users have used on elk. I have never killed an elk so I won't comment much further accept to say I would be darn worried if I was an elk that was shot with either the 140 accubond or the 150 grain accubond long range.

I shot a bull elk w/150gn .277 ABLR via 270Win @ 3050fps. He was steeply downhill and quartering hard towards @ 125yds, he dropped his head to walk uphill just as the trigger broke and instead of shooting him just inside the top of his onside shoulder, I caught him where his head/neck come together. Got 3 vertebra and found the slug almost down to the shoulder on the off side. Leftover slug weighs 55gn and there is no core/jacket separation. I was surprised that an impact velocity of 2850+fps and some of the thicker hair/hide/bone that the bullet core was able to stay bonded to the jacket.

I wouldn't hesitate to use that combo on elk again.

142g ABLR in 6.5x55 at 2900fps. Hit a cow elk high shoulder shot at 100yds. Took top of shoulder blades and spine. bullet was found under hide on off side. 86.4g after it was cleaned up, about 61+% retention. Have killed a 220+ lb muley and a 190lb whitety with similar results

If it is not broke don't fix it. I have used the 6.5 ABLR on deer and tend to think the regular AB might be better for elk unless actually shot at long range. Although they should do fine. I think in most cases the ABLR will retain 50% of it's weight and the regular AB usually 60% so not a huge difference. The ABLR may expand larger and the AB may be more likely to exit but again not always. The 168 grain ABLR is loaded up in my 7RM and I hope to give it a go on elk.

7mm-08 + 150 ELDX is potent elk medicine.

It’s not the question you asked, though, so I shall not intrude further.






P

I have found the AB to be just over 70% in my 708 from the couple I have recovered. Seeing reports the ABLR is 50-60%. Not huge, I agree. Just for me having 50% more shrapnel shotgunning the vitals sounds good. 140 gain dumps 40 grains of bits, 150 grain dumps 60 or so. As long as the left over slug makes it to the other side or exits, that’s perfect IMO.

The joys of the off season, too much time to tinker.

The 168 ABLR has worked fine on elk out of my 280 AI.

Shot a bull 2 years ago at 428 yards with my 280 AI 150 grain ABLR. First shot connected and he just stood there, second shot connected and he started walking, third shot connected and trotted off into the timber. He made it about 20 yards into the timber (40 yards total) and fell over dead. No exits at all. That bullet was running approx. 2900 fps. I was happy in the fact that the elk didn't run forever and died fairly quickly, but was pretty disappointed in the fact that it didn't seem to be hitting him hard enough to cause more reaction especially after hitting him 3 times. I plan to swap back to regular AB's on my next trip.


That being said I killed 3 deer with the same load that year and every one hit the ground faster than i've ever seen and they were bloodshot from tip to tail in all pieces of meat I cut out. Again......not exactly what I was looking for. I like dead, but don't care for such carnage on a deer I plan to eat.

What were the ranges of the deer? I'm guessing under 400.

200-250......that bullet is highly explosive shorter ranges. Which is obviously not what it is intended for.....and I knew that. I was hoping that it would be a god all around bullet, but not for my taste.

Having never fired an ABLR or AB at game; I can only offer my observations. I could never get the best accuracy in my handloads. My bad there most likely. Looking at the product info and anecdotal evidence of hunters on this and other forums I think it is a bit too frangible at closer ranges and doesn’t appear to provide a high probability of exits on larger game. Personally, I would consider a Barnes LRX or TTSX and limit ranges to 2,000 fps impact velocity. They almost always provide rapid expansion and exit. I also had similar results from the old Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and expect the Trophy Bonded Tip might do the same. Happy Trails

Stay with the standard Accubond for all game. Happy, happy, happy.

Have taken two with the 142 ABLR in a 264 WM @ 3250 fps. Last one was broadside at 137 yards. Through both shoulders, below the spine, exited, and the elk dropped, then stood back up. 2nd shot was through the right ham. Found that bullet in the off-side shoulder meat when I boned it out. That bullet went through the hip and the shoulder and had 59.9 gr left over.
I've taken whitetail here in Texas with it from 30 yards (left a 2" exit) out to just over 400 (left a 1" exit). All of the whitetail were DRT.
I also use it in my 6.5x55 at 2800 fps. I've only taken whitetail with this load. All have been DRT but one and he only made it about 25 yards (hit behind the shoulder through both sets of ribs). Left an 1.5" exit on most all of them.
I like them, so I use them.
Working up loads for a 256 Newton but using the 129 gr ABLR for that old lady.

FAM

I have used the ABLR on 5 deer shot with my .260. Close to 408 yds.

It's a soft bullet that opens pretty easily at 260 velocities, but it stays together. Actually I think it is ideal for the 260.

I have shot 2 bull elk with the 175 ABLR in 7Mag. Same thing however it's IMOP a bit soft for all around use. I slip a partition in if I am hunting green timber.

Back to your question. I think the ABLR would work pretty good for deer with the 7/08. For elk I would use a partition or reg AB



Lefty