ATTN: Nosler

[remingtonman_25_06]

We need a 7mm 175-180g regular AB! Something around at least a .600-.625 BC You make a 30 cal 200g AB and 338" 300g AB so it can be done...

The 175g ABLR is not it. They don't shoot 9 out of 10 rifles, and they don't expand as well as the regular ABs. Sure they have a high BC, but that doesn't matter when they don't shoot! They also fold up like a ball during expansion, unlike the regular AB that has a nicer wider frontal area.

The regular AB is so easy to tune and a much better hunting bullet. I've never had a rifle that wouldn't shoot them very very well. On the flip side, I've never had a rifle that would even shoot the ABLRs. They're a bullet I don't even think to shoot or try because of that. Gave up on them years ago.

That's all I want for Christmas, so let's make it happen! Sincerely every 7mm shooter who wants a great hunting bullet out to 800 yards.

 

[salmonchaser]

I’ve tried to get the ablr to shoot in 6.5, 7mm; 308 (in three different cartridges), 338. Gave up on all. Conversely I have good loads in all those with the regular AB.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I’ve tried to get the ablr to shoot in 6.4, 7mm; 308(three different cartridges; 338. Gave up on all. Conversely I have good loads in all those with the regular AB.

Exactly my point! We are not the only ones! It's an anomaly when they actually do shoot from a rifle...For every 1 rifle that shoots them, there's at least 10 or 20 that don't. I don't see how that's productive for anyone.

Looks like I'll just be sticking with the Hornady 180g ELDMs until someone comes along with a better 175-180g hunting bullet with a .600+ BC. Since the ELDXs are not it either...

I do typically carry a few 160g partitions in my pocket just in case I need to go through the timber or brush for elk/bear, since ELDMs are not a close range bullet at all.

This is the best combo I can think of for now, since there is not 1 bullet that can do everything from muzzle to 1K. But a 175-180g AB would be pretty damn close!!

 

[FOTIS]

Been saying this for YEARS!!!!

The ONLY ABLR I ever got to shoot well was the 6.5mm 142 gr.

This was in a Ruger #1 264 Win mag. Not in any other 6.5mm rifle either. The only load, the only gun, the only diameter.

 

[Charlie-NY]

The concept behind the ABLR is good. But ........what we really need is a redesigned ABLR that is easier to tune. Maybe a hybrid ojive would do the trick.

 

[JD338]

I've had pretty good luck with the ABLRs in several calibers and weights.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I’ve done well in my Mashburn and 6.5 PRC and one 270 Win shot the 150 ABLR real well but I agree, they’re fussy. I’ve done well and learned every typically like more hop into the rifling and when they shoot, they really shoot well. No complaints from point blank out to 600+ on elk and deer. In my Mashburn I’ve not found a better bullet at distance.

If you don’t like the ABLR the 170 grain Terminal Ascent has a lot of good going for it as well.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Where can one find just the bullets to reload, that haven't been pulled? I'm not seeing them anywhere online. The only place I see them for sale is DRT and they're pulled. Not interested in pulled bullets.

 

[phil]

Sort em to the nearest thou, and they will group tight. Get them touching to .005 off, in there close.
People may say it’s not worth it, but how many shots are actually taken at animals ? I’m not going to use them for year round play.

The BTO variation within some boxes is pretty bad… last one I sorted was .008” using a Short Action Customs .284 insert in a Mitutoyo caliper.

 

[FOTIS]

I've had pretty good luck with the ABLRs in several calibers and weights.

JD338

I wish I had such results. Good shooting Jim...as usual.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Sort em to the nearest thou, and they will group tight. Get them touching to .005 off, in there close.
People may say it’s not worth it, but how many shots are actually taken at animals ? I’m not going to use them for year round play.

The BTO variation within some boxes is pretty bad… last one I sorted was .008” using a Short Action Customs .284 insert in a Mitutoyo caliper.

No offense but at the price they charge for the ABLR you shouldn't have to benchrest sort bullets to get hunting accuracy. Your paying a premium price to get a second rate bullet then. You'd be better off to use Bergers or ELD-M's and save the hours of bullet sorting. Like them or not Bergers and ELD-M's kill stuff. I prove it every year. Between my hunting buddy, my kids and myself we have killed 30+ elk in the last 10 years with 215 .30 Bergers (300wsm, 300wm, and 300PRC) and 147 6.5mm ELD-M's (6.5CM and 6.5PRC). Very few have required more than 1 shot. 2 bulls so far this year with 2 shots and 6 more cow tags for December.

 

[RL338]

I’ve never personally shot ABLR in caliber but wander if their issue is like the RDF line of bullets. I’ve shot a thousand (2 different lots of 500) of the 6.5 140 in my Creed and every once in a while one would have a mind of its own.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

No offense but at the price they charge for the ABLR you shouldn't have to benchrest sort bullets to get hunting accuracy. Your paying a premium price to get a second rate bullet then. You'd be better off to use Bergers or ELD-M's and save the hours of bullet sorting. Like them or not Bergers and ELD-M's kill stuff. I prove it every year. Between my hunting buddy, my kids and myself we have killed 30+ elk in the last 10 years with 215 .30 Bergers (300wsm, 300wm, and 300PRC) and 147 6.5mm ELD-M's (6.5CM and 6.5PRC). Very few have required more than 1 shot. 2 bulls so far this year with 2 shots and 6 more cow tags for December.

You can't beat ELDMs for a 300+ hunting bullet. Every buck and spike we've hit with the 7mm 180s were hammered and lights out DRT.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Here's a clear example of the expansion characteristics I'm talking about of the AB vs ABLRs.

7 Mag, 160g AB and 168g ABLR into jugs at 25 yards. Both went to the 5th jug.

160g AB, 89g retained weight for 55% retention, and expanded to .57" at its widest point.

168g ABLR, 87g retained weight for 51% retention, and expanded to .5" at its widest point.

The AB has much wider frontal area compared to the ABLR which pretty much wraps itself around the bullet. Thus the AB will have a wider wound channel cavity, causing more tissue damage, which results in a better/faster kill.

 

[Charlie-NY]

My limited use of the ABLR had a different outcome. The ABLR bullets shot from a 6.5 Creed caused a rather extreme exit wound on two deer shot at about 100yds. I've never seen that happen with a regular AccuBond, which I've used extensively.

 

[Hunter26]

I stayed away from the ABLR's for years bc I heard they were soft and didn't shoot well. Finally decided to try them in three different rifles after I got blems for a good price. They've shot great in a 6.5x55, 6.5 PRC and 7mm PRC. They have done awesome on deer in both the PRC's. That being said, the regular AB is still one of my go to's and I love it.

 

[longrangehunter]

Well for whatever it’s worth I guess I’m not the only one that couldn’t get them to shoot, I just went back to Ballistic Tips, and Partitions. But I have had better results with the standard AccuBond vs the LRAB’s.