I've run accubonds a lot in the past. Pushed to much higher velocity than a CM could ever reach. My question is this....is there still enough gas at 5-600 yds with the 140NAB at CM velocities for the bullet to still perform as it should?
Not Accubonds but 140 BTs out of 18” ARs. Two bucks shot clean behind the front leg and had about 50-75 death run and a 100 yard run on the other during youth weekend. Deer were dead and there was decent damage but impacts were only around 100-125 for both. I’d be less than optimistic to use the Accubond on deer at that range myself after seeing the way the BTs held up. Again, we had dead deer but nothing close to violent expansion.
I have a load for Nosler 140 gn AccuBond in a 6.5CM, with a 22” barrel. My load speed is 2734 MV, and it has a MOA of .364. Most Nosler people seem to use 1800 FPS as the minimum down range speed for the AccuBond to work effectively. If you use 1800 FPS as the minimum, I’m at 1834 fps at 600 yards, and 1768 fps at 650 yards. With my setup, I would not shoot at an animal past about 620 yards.
I like the130's ( really 129 I think ) in my 6.5 Swede going about 2800fps with H4350. It will do everything a 140 gr will.
I like the 140 ballistic tip, it probably be better at 600 yards.
Given that you're on the edge (or under) the performance window of the Accubond at those ranges might the ELD-X be better? or ABLR? A bullet actually made to perform at long range, in either case.
Beretz,
Have you ever tried the 120 BT for closer shots like this? Sample size of exactly one big doe at 120-130 yards but it was a "three hop" death run and internal damage was impressive. No exit but I did stick it through a front shoulder.
I used 140 accubonds in my daughter's 260 at the time. She hit a buck through the lungs at about 180 yards. Had a very small exit, never found blood along the route he ran and he ran about 150 yards and tipped over.
Today my shelf has 130 vld, 135 Berger Classic, 140 vld, and 156 EOL. And about all I shoot stuff with has a 6.5 in front of it.
Given that you're on the edge (or under) the performance window of the Accubond at those ranges might the ELD-X be better? or ABLR? A bullet actually made to perform at long range, in either case.
Beretz,
Have you ever tried the 120 BT for closer shots like this? Sample size of exactly one big doe at 120-130 yards but it was a "three hop" death run and internal damage was impressive. No exit but I did stick it through a front shoulder.
Nah, I sure haven't. I used the 147 ELD's from my 6.5 C and they worked excellent. Just a much faster opening bullet. The 140 BT's were some Nosler factory ammo from my cousins rifle. I'd assume they weren't start faster than 2500FPS or so, so dramatic killing probably isn't their thing.
I used 140 accubonds in my daughter's 260 at the time. She hit a buck through the lungs at about 180 yards. Had a very small exit, never found blood along the route he ran and he ran about 150 yards and tipped over.
Today my shelf has 130 vld, 135 Berger Classic, 140 vld, and 156 EOL. And about all I shoot stuff with has a 6.5 in front of it.
Sounds like a similar deal right there. Glad I wasn't the only one to see similar results.
They definitely sound like very stout bullets.
Its the 100 gr TTSX and 127gr LRX for me this year, from a 6.5x55
I've run accubonds a lot in the past. Pushed to much higher velocity than a CM could ever reach. My question is this....is there still enough gas at 5-600 yds with the 140NAB at CM velocities for the bullet to still perform as it should?
Yes.
I am switching to 130gr NBT’s and NPT’s this year in my .270. Even inside 200 yards, I did not get the bang flops on KY WT’s with 130gr NAB’s over the past 4-5 years that I previously got with 95gr NPT’s out of a .243. Same deer. Same AO. Same distances / hunting style.
Small holes in. Small holes out. 50-100 yard death runs. Minimal blood. Everything died. With a single shot. But, not as decisively as with NPT’s.
It sounds like the Accubond Long Range will be a better fit than the standard Accubond for the distance/speed in the original post. Shot placement and game hunted not being stated.
I've used the 129 ABLR out of a 6.5 CM on a lot of deer from near to far the last few years and it's been perfect performance at all distances with shot placement from lungs to shoulders. Again, my experience with the 129 ABLR is limited to deer at 6.5 CM speeds, so I can't speak for other game.
I am switching to 130gr NBT’s and NPT’s this year in my .270. Even inside 200 yards, I did not get the bang flops on KY WT’s with 130gr NAB’s over the past 4-5 years that I previously got with 95gr NPT’s out of a .243. Same deer. Same AO. Same distances / hunting style.
Small holes in. Small holes out. 50-100 yard death runs. Minimal blood. Everything died. With a single shot. But, not as decisively as with NPT’s.
That's interesting, and I don't doubt your findings. I've been fond of standard Accubonds in general, but it does seem like I've had more dramatic results with standard cup/core bullets. No flies on the NAB, as it does what I expect, but I always figured the non-bonded bullets were more effective (with regards to DRT results and/or shorter death runs) because they shed more bullet mass and create more damage on deer-sized game. The front of an NPT is basically just a cup/core bullet itself. The NAB is more of a balanced approach, regarding penetration and expansion/separation. Kind of like using a more modest cutting diameter in a broadhead. You likely won't get the extreme results of a wide cut, but you're more likely to get that extra penetration with shot angles are less ideal.
I am switching to 130gr NBT’s and NPT’s this year in my .270. Even inside 200 yards, I did not get the bang flops on KY WT’s with 130gr NAB’s over the past 4-5 years that I previously got with 95gr NPT’s out of a .243. Same deer. Same AO. Same distances / hunting style.
Small holes in. Small holes out. 50-100 yard death runs. Minimal blood. Everything died. With a single shot. But, not as decisively as with NPT’s.
That's interesting, and I don't doubt your findings. I've been fond of standard Accubonds in general, but it does seem like I've had more dramatic results with standard cup/core bullets. No flies on the NAB, as it does what I expect, but I always figured the non-bonded bullets were more effective (with regards to DRT results and/or shorter death runs) because they shed more bullet mass and create more damage on deer-sized game. The front of an NPT is basically just a cup/core bullet itself. The NAB is more of a balanced approach, regarding penetration and expansion/separation. Kind of like using a more modest cutting diameter in a broadhead. You likely won't get the extreme results of a wide cut, but you're more likely to get that extra penetration with shot angles are less ideal.
I'd agree with that. For deer anymore, give me a softer bullet with higher SD that has enough mass to afford losing some weight. Or a bit tougher/lighter bullet at warp speed
im kinda surprised! Only ever used the Accubond on large game (moose) in 180gr form...but they seem to open very fast and shed quite a bit of weight (like a partition)
Course that aint deer and it aint .277. But that must be one fast moving lil bullet.
I'm using to 140AB in a Rem 700 6 twist bedded in a McSwirly. Unfortunately, I've only shot deer at closer ranges. Worked perfectly and have not recovered one in shots from 75 yards to a little over 200.
I use the 125 NPT in a Tikka 260 and this bullet has worked on deer and black bears out to 300 with no issues. I find myself grabbing this rifle combo most often. Typical NPT performance and makes the little rifle a real killer.
im kinda surprised! Only ever used the Accubond on large game (moose) in 180gr form...but they seem to open very fast and shed quite a bit of weight (like a partition)
Course that aint deer and it aint .277. But that must be one fast moving lil bullet.
Nosler Trophy Grade .270 Win 130gr NAB. Box says 3075fps MV. The three I ran over my chronograph averaged 3082fps. Also VERY accurate in my KS rifle. No flies on the Accubonds. Just not what I am looking for on Whitetails...
The 130gr NPT's are loaded with 56gr of H4831. The 130gr NBT's are loaded with H4895 to mimic 6.5 CM velocity. Less than 1" diff between the two POI's. Check zero's this Saturday. Rifle season opens next Saturday.
I’ve only used AB’s on caribou to date. One was shot with 180 gr AB from a .300 WM, and the other a 140 gr. AB from a 270 WSM. Both caribou did not make it 10 yards after the shot. Each time I lost a shoulder from the damage. First one was maybe 50-60 yards and second was over 200 yards. For deer in areas I’m not worried about bear a cup and core does a great job.
Good discussion... these are my favorite threads on the campfire... for the simple reason I cannot try every bullet on game and other's experience helps.
It sounds like the Accubond Long Range will be a better fit than the standard Accubond for the distance/speed in the original post. Shot placement and game hunted not being stated.
I've used the 129 ABLR out of a 6.5 CM on a lot of deer from near to far the last few years and it's been perfect performance at all distances with shot placement from lungs to shoulders. Again, my experience with the 129 ABLR is limited to deer at 6.5 CM speeds, so I can't speak for other game.
Im a shoulder shooter. I don't shoot ribcage. I HATE tracking rifle shot deer. High shoulder shot remedies that. They die. Instantly. Every single time
Given that you're on the edge (or under) the performance window of the Accubond at those ranges might the ELD-X be better? or ABLR? A bullet actually made to perform at long range, in either case.
Beretz,
Have you ever tried the 120 BT for closer shots like this? Sample size of exactly one big doe at 120-130 yards but it was a "three hop" death run and internal damage was impressive. No exit but I did stick it through a front shoulder.
I don't do Hornady.
My two cents….I’d pass on the NAB at that range. I shot a pronghorn at 580 yards with a 110 NAB started at 3200 fps from my 25-06. Knocked him down, but required finishing shot after he struggled to his feet when I got to about 200 yards. Upon cleaning, it was fairly evident that there wasn’t a lot of bullet expansion on the first hit.
Beretz,
Have you ever tried the 120 BT for closer shots like this? Sample size of exactly one big doe at 120-130 yards but it was a "three hop" death run and internal damage was impressive. No exit but I did stick it through a front shoulder.
Another sample of one, but I shot a good buck with a 120 BT from a Creedmoor at roughly 60 yard. MV was 3000 fps. High shoulder, DRT. Exit wasn’t significant enough for me to remember 5 years later.
The 130g nab is very effective at 2900 fps mv.
Bb
It sounds like the Accubond Long Range will be a better fit than the standard Accubond for the distance/speed in the original post. Shot placement and game hunted not being stated.
I've used the 129 ABLR out of a 6.5 CM on a lot of deer from near to far the last few years and it's been perfect performance at all distances with shot placement from lungs to shoulders. Again, my experience with the 129 ABLR is limited to deer at 6.5 CM speeds, so I can't speak for other game.
Im a shoulder shooter. I don't shoot ribcage. I HATE tracking rifle shot deer. High shoulder shot remedies that. They die. Instantly. Every single time
I understand. I'm open to the best shot available based on the situation. If I'm way up the mountain and it's a long downhill exit I'm happy to pop lungs and let them run downhill. If I'm exiting horizontal or up the mountain I'm sitting them down with a shoulder shot if at all possible! Sometimes I just have to take the shot that's offered. The 129 ABLR has been good for both in my experience.
I'd personally go for the 6.5mm 130gn Accubond in 6.5CM and .260 and leave the 140gn for the bigger cases (264 Win and 6.5/300 Weatherby etc.). Or as suggested by others above, go a bullet made to expand at longer ranges.
I like Accubonds and have used them extensively in my 280 (140gn) and .35 Whelen (225gn) and have quite a few more on the shelf that I haven't hunted with yet (.25 110gn, .26 130gn, .30 150, .36 250gn).
The fact that Nosler brought out a Long Range Accubond may give a clue about the standard Accubond's expansion characteristics at longer ranges.
Nosler makes bullets designed to work in a 6.5 creedmoor at 500 or 600 yards. They put a LR designation on the bullet which stands for "Long Range" and come in 129 or 142
Trystan
For the velocity of the Creed, the AB is just not necessary. The farther you shoot, the worse the expansion will be. They would be OK for closer shots, but why not use something that will expand better, if you think that you need to shoot that far?
130 AB did not expand at 2000 fps in milk jugs in my tests. 127 LRX did.
I'd use a 129sst for the ranges you are speaking of. My rifle shoots the LRX and SST to the same poi, so I hunt with the LRX out to 400,
and keep some SST loads in case I need to shoot farther.
Killed an elk at 505 with the 140 Accubonds. Shot her twice and both exited with significant damage. Could have shot once but she was still standing. The first shot entered close to the last rib and angled forward and came out the front of the left shoulder. I thought that was impressive penetration. Was shooting a 18” Barret Fieldcraft with a DeadAir Sandman Ti suppressor. Seems my muzzle velocity was 2730 off the top of my head.
Killed an elk at 505 with the 140 Accubonds. Shot her twice and both exited with significant damage. Could have shot once but she was still standing. The first shot entered close to the last rib and angled forward and came out the front of the left shoulder. I thought that was impressive penetration. Was shooting a 18” Barret Fieldcraft with a DeadAir Sandman Ti suppressor. Seems my muzzle velocity was 2730 off the top of my head.
That's bad aszthanks for sharing.