7mm mag. Accubond

[338ax]

I agree with Phil. Without more pics it’s hard to tell for sure, but sure sounds like the bullets are not stabilizing for some reason.

I am positive they were stable I’ve had this combination to 1000 yards on multiple occasions. I host precision rifle matches and run this rifle on the range prior to the hunt to check the performance. I believe he was referring to after it impacted it tumbled.

 

[338ax]

First of all congrats on what was obviously a very successful hunt. With regard to the bullet performance, I personally am really happy with a SP that delivers a pass through. More damage than a solid, yet still the benefit of an exit wound. That is why I use the TSX so often (unless I am using a Woodleigh Hydro) - and unless the target is a cape buffalo or eland, they are almost impossible to recover. I haven't used it, but the AB has a well earned reputation as a stoutly constructed bullet . What you describe sounds and looks like what I would expect from a TSX which would be pretty much ideal performance for me (well, not the zebra). I am confident that the internal damage was significantly more than a FMJ would deliver. With regard to your warthog specifically, he looks pretty dead. What did everything between the two holes look like? That is what really matters. Were any of these long recoveries? What would you have preferred?

They all died just not as fast as I or the guide thought they should have with the shot placement.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I am positive they were stable I’ve had this combination to 1000 yards on multiple occasions. I host precision rifle matches and run this rifle on the range prior to the hunt to check the performance. I believe he was referring to after it impacted it tumbled.

I was. Not sure what would cause that, but partial expansion and rear end pointing the way at the end.....

 

[338ax]

Like I said before I think I might of got a bad lot of bullets it happens with any manufacturer. This is just my experience with them they were very accurate just didn’t preform like I’ve seen in everyone else’s pictures thank you all for your input.

 

[Whisstle]

Did not use AB on our Safari. However we use them on whitetail/hogs. Most are one shot kills with devastating wound channels. Only had one not completely pass through. 300 Win Mag, 185 lb whitetail shot quartering away. Entered ribs and traveled through the opposite shoulder. Recovered just under the skin.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have used the Accubonds successfully out of my .375Ruger but I am thinking in many situations I would have liked better expansion. This is mainly true on Medium sized PG. I am thinking of having some Swift Sirrocco’s loaded for some of these situation.

 

[stug]

I've used the .284 160gr accubond a few times from a 7mm mag. The accubond performed as expected. A .284 140gr accubond worked well as well.
I'm switching to a 7x65R and will use the 160gr accubond as my up close load.
I'd be interested to know why you got the performace you did.

 

[Dr Ray]

I am positive they were stable I’ve had this combination to 1000 yards on multiple occasions. I host precision rifle matches and run this rifle on the range prior to the hunt to check the performance. I believe he was referring to after it impacted it tumbled.

What velocity are you driving these at?

 

[Odinsraven]

Without photos recovered bullets and indeed sectional shots of internals sorry no way I or anyone can help ....... a lesson for the future ? I photograph every animal shot for exit wounds and if not happy then internal shots ...

Ballisticstudies.com is a useful read the guy is a Genius and all his information is gained practically

 

[Buff-Buster]

I agree with everyone. Without more info, pic's of exit wounds, internal damage, etc., no way to know what they were doing. I guess it's possible to get a bad "lot" but not probable. I've been shooting Noslers for almost thirty years and have never had a failure due to the bullet. I've been using the 160gr Accubond's in a 7 Rem Mag since it's inception. All with expected performance results. I have quite a few recovered bullets. All held together, mushroomed to twice the original diameter and retained 65-70 percent of their original weight. Those not recovered left devistating wound channels. The only thing I can think happened is the bonding process failed and allowed the lead core to separate from the copper jacket upon impact. Not likely, but possible. I quit using Sierra bullets years ago because of that occurrence. We're these bullets " factory seconds"? Did you find any evidence of pieces of copper jackets in any wound channels? Was there the normal large area of hydrostatic shock in the wound area after skinning? This is a very odd occurrence for Nosler. Wish I could have been in the skinning shed.... Lol

 

[338ax]

What velocity are you driving these at?

2900

 

[338ax]

Ok I’ve been away hunting and haven’t been on the internet but here we go. These are my experiences only please don’t be offended but in no way did I ask for help in my original statement this was what happened. Thanks for the input. Sorry no pictures were taken of the wound channel but I just didn’t think to take any as I normally do not post on the internet.

 

[338ax]

I agree with everyone. Without more info, pic's of exit wounds, internal damage, etc., no way to know what they were doing. I guess it's possible to get a bad "lot" but not probable. I've been shooting Noslers for almost thirty years and have never had a failure due to the bullet. I've been using the 160gr Accubond's in a 7 Rem Mag since it's inception. All with expected performance results. I have quite a few recovered bullets. All held together, mushroomed to twice the original diameter and retained 65-70 percent of their original weight. Those not recovered left devistating wound channels. The only thing I can think happened is the bonding process failed and allowed the lead core to separate from the copper jacket upon impact. Not likely, but possible. I quit using Sierra bullets years ago because of that occurrence. We're these bullets " factory seconds"? Did you find any evidence of pieces of copper jackets in any wound channels? Was there the normal large area of hydrostatic shock in the wound area after skinning? This is a very odd occurrence for Nosler. Wish I could have been in the skinning shed.... Lol

The bullets held together to well not deforming enough not a lot of hydrostatic shock. No they were not factory seconds

 

[338ax]

Did not use AB on our Safari. However we use them on whitetail/hogs. Most are one shot kills with devastating wound channels. Only had one not completely pass through. 300 Win Mag, 185 lb whitetail shot quartering away. Entered ribs and traveled through the opposite shoulder. Recovered just under the skin.
View attachment 209757

I would have been happy if the bullet I recovered looked like that

 

[Neale]

Hi @338ax , I used the 160 gn accubonds in my 280 AI (7mm) successfully in 2015 on all plains game. I am getting about 2900 fps and each shot performed so well that I am an accubond convert for my 280. I can not explain your results. Would it have been possible that your loads were not getting 2900 fps. (eg. powder may have become moist ) May explain the pass throughts.

 

[Travis2282]

. Only accubond 180 gr I have recovered layed under skin on opposite side of 223 lb whitetail shot at 50 yds with the 300 win mag. All other deer look like bullet in-out but they hardly take a step. That makes me happy!

 

[PARA45]

Even if those bullets were not going at 2900 fps, they should have mushroom some. According to the Nosler website, the accubonds are good from 1800 - 3200, and the picture of the bullet going at 1800 show a good size mushroom.

Travis, that is how all my recovered bullets looked like. I used 180s, and when I weight them, they were in the 130 grain range.

 

[Travis2282]

View attachment 210639. Only accubond 180 gr I have recovered layed under skin on opposite side of 223 lb whitetail shot at 50 yds with the 300 win mag. All other deer look like bullet in-out but they hardly take a step. That makes me happy!

Thinking back this was the accubond LR. I switched to regular accubonds after that season.

 

[Ray B]

A fellow instructor got a 280 Ackley a couple years back and used 160 grain Accubonds (not sure if LR or reg). He shot a deer with it at 150 or so yards, The bullet expanded sufficiently that it caused what he considered to be excessive damage to the front quarter. The velocity would have been slightly less than a 7 mag. So I don't know what would cause the difference between the two performances that are completely different.

 

[gatekeeper]

I have only used the accubond for 1 kill, and was a little concerned with the small exit wound as well. It was a mature whitetail buck, maybe 200lb on the hoof with a 7mm-08 and 140gr at approximately 2900fps, range of 60yds. Shot through both shoulders broadside. The bullet did kill, as the buck only went about 30yds, and there was SOME blood, but I was hoping for more to be honest. I have a hunt booked to Saskatchewan this year, and actually am debating if I should just load partitions in my 7mm Rem Mag, or stay with the 160 Accubonds. I know1 kill isn't exactly a definitive study.