7MM 140gr Accubond for Cow Elk?

[tecumseh]

I posted in the reloading section a couple pics of a load I'm working up with a 140gr AB for my 280 REM. I plan on using this load for Mule Deer and a Cow Elk in Colorado if I draw the tags I put in for and wanted some opinions on the 140gr AB Cow Elk? I personally think it will work fine for the task at hand.

 

[JD338]

It will work just fine with proper shot placement.
The 7mm 140 gr AB is a very popular elk bullet in the Bend, OR area.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

The 140 grain AB will work just fine on cow elk if you do your part. It is not a magic bullet, but it is a well-constructed bullet that will penetrate to the vitals to ensure disruption of vital bodily systems.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Why not move up to a 160 grain AccuBond bullet with a really slow powder like IMR 7828 SSC and get 3000 fps in your .280 for Cow Elk? Try working up to 58.0 grains with a magnum primer.

 

[super-7]

Ole trader that's asking a lot out of a 280 rem is it not, an AI may get you close to that. The 160 gr AB has a long bearing surface . Even with max charges of 7828ssc and Rl 22 in a 7mm mag I was seeing pressure signs with the AB but not the PT.

My buddy has used the 140 AB to take 2 cow moose , one shot was a thru and thru at 125 yrds thru both front shoulders. Again 7mmRM. It will work.

 

[PJGunner]

I'd like to see more on this subject. I'm thinking of using my .280 Rem. for my next cow elk hunt. Been playing with the 140 gr. Barnes TSX but not sure if the rifle likes it. Well at least so far. :roll: I still have 150 gr. Partitions to try but the idea of the AccuBond is interesting. First trip my shot was 150 yards but this year's shot was at 350 yards. I have to wonder just how well that 140 gr. bullet will do at that distance. I've always gone with fairly heavy for caliber even for deer so shooting a bullet that light is a bit new to me, premium or otherwise.
Paul B.

 

[SJB358]

I don't think you'd have many issues with elk and the 140's. Seems like a 270 with a 130 Has worked well for alot of years, so the 280 is just more of a good thing.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I've carried a .270Win with a 140gr AB inside for elk but never used it on one. I have killed a 3.5yr old moose with the same combo and it entered near side ribes and exited far side shoulder at 120 yds. Bull turned tail towards me and trotted away for 50 yds and collapsed mid-stride. I was trying to put another shot into the rear of his head/neck as that was all I had and suddenly he disappeared. Dead. Internal trauma was very evident.

I wouldn't be concerned with your .280 and a 140gr AB. I would see if you could get a 150gr or 160gr bullet to shoot as well and use them if they did but otherwise you are well armed IME.

 

[OU812]

I'd like to see more on this subject. I'm thinking of using my .280 Rem. for my next cow elk hunt. Been playing with the 140 gr. Barnes TSX but not sure if the rifle likes it. Well at least so far. :roll: I still have 150 gr. Partitions to try but the idea of the AccuBond is interesting. First trip my shot was 150 yards but this year's shot was at 350 yards. I have to wonder just how well that 140 gr. bullet will do at that distance. I've always gone with fairly heavy for caliber even for deer so shooting a bullet that light is a bit new to me, premium or otherwise.
Paul B.

Not to change subjects but if you have not done so try seating the bullet so the case mouth is setting right where the line is pointing to in the picture, has worked for me in every caliber I have used the TSX in.


View attachment TSX_Combo_07-e1337806430110.jpg

 

[tecumseh]

I don't think you'd have many issues with elk and the 140's. Seems like a 270 with a 130 Has worked well for alot of years, so the 280 is just more of a good thing.

That was pretty much my reasoning behind behind the load I'm working on. I tried some 160gr Gamekings around the holidays and they showed promise but I haven't worked on them any since.

This load will work nice for what I'm setting it up for. I have a 300 WSM for bull Elk on up.

 

[SJB358]

I shot my largest bull with a 140 out of my WSM. Worked just fine and crushed both front leg bones. Used to have the bullet but it was lost awhile back.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Ole trader that's asking a lot out of a 280 rem is it not, an AI may get you close to that. The 160 gr AB has a long bearing surface . Even with max charges of 7828ssc and Rl 22 in a 7mm mag I was seeing pressure signs with the AB but not the PT.

My buddy has used the 140 AB to take 2 cow moose , one shot was a thru and thru at 125 yrds thru both front shoulders. Again 7mmRM. It will work.

It actually is easy to do with no excess pressures. I have been shooting 160 gr Accubonds in my .280 Rem (not AI) for three years now at 3000 fps with no issues and no flat primers. I owned the .280 for 20 years.

People don't believe me because this is outside of the box! However, it is also true. IMR 7828 SSC is also the only powder that will get heavier bullets in the Weatherby Magnums to shoot at advertized velocities, all the time. RL22 will also sometimes do it.

Try it, you'll like it. I have been hanloading since 1963 and have all of my fingers and eyes!

 

[Guy Miner]

"the .280 Ackley remains an impressive hunting round - especially when typical North American big game is the quarry. In fact, the elk in the picture was taken using a Nosler Model 48 rifle chambered in 280 Ackley, and loaded with 140-grain Nosler AccuBond bullets"

Right out of the Nosler #7 manual sitting here on my desk!

Nosler shows several different 3200+ fps loads from the .280 Ackley & 140's.

They also show several different 3000+ fps loads from the straight .280 Rem & 140's.

Re the .280, also from Nosler's #7 manual:

"Conventional wisdom held that 130 and 140 grain bullets were best on deer-sized game, while the stout 160 grainers were the way to go for elk or moose. This is still a valid rule of thumb but bullets like the AccuBond have opened our eyes to other possibilities.

In recent years, I find myself returning time and again to the 140-grain AccuBond in my .280. I've used it to take numerous head of game, large and small, in Alaska, Canada and the Lower 48. The accuracy and terminal ballistics it delivers, thanks to its aerodynamic profile and bonded construction, makes it difficult to justify using any other rifle or cartridge when I hunt."

Wow - high praise indeed for the .280 or .280 AI, and the 140 Accubonds. No, I have no experience with it myself, nor did I stay at a motel last night, but I can read! Did you know that Marines could read? :grin:

When I read and hear all these great things about the .280, and see how well Steven and Storm did with their .280 & 7mm-08 rifles, I sometimes get to wondering about a new .28 cal barrel for my 700 CDL...

Regards, Guy

 

[REDGREEN]

Don't see why it wouldn't perform fine. I have been using 140 grain Hornady bts out of the 270 Wby and they work great. Next project is the 150 grain Noslers, as I have a few thousand of them.

 

[super-7]

Ole trader that's asking a lot out of a 280 rem is it not, an AI may get you close to that. The 160 gr AB has a long bearing surface . Even with max charges of 7828ssc and Rl 22 in a 7mm mag I was seeing pressure signs with the AB but not the PT.

My buddy has used the 140 AB to take 2 cow moose , one shot was a thru and thru at 125 yrds thru both front shoulders. Again 7mmRM. It will work.

It actually is easy to do with no excess pressures. I have been shooting 160 gr Accubonds in my .280 Rem (not AI) for three years now at 3000 fps with no issues and no flat primers. I owned the .280 for 20 years.

People don't believe me because this is outside of the box! However, it is also true. IMR 7828 SSC is also the only powder that will get heavier bullets in the Weatherby Magnums to shoot at advertized velocities, all the time. RL22 will also sometimes do it.

Try it, you'll like it. I have been hanloading since 1963 and have all of my fingers and eyes!

No 280 here but I did fall in love with the rifle that Joseph Vonbendict of shooting times built on that Nesika action and built by Dakota. It's an AI but what a beaut! My ol 7mm just refused to push the Ab as quick as the PT. only one rifle though. I've got a great load with the 139 gmx and ramshot magnum @ 3240. My Wt load still lean on the PT for moose.

 

[Mighty Peace]

Cant see why not !!! Should be a great round. I use 140gr Accubonds out of my 270WSM to great success on elk, moose, bears, deer.

Here is a pic of me with a large cow elk I took back in 2008 with my Tikka T3 LS 270WSM with 140gr AccuBond reloads. 1 shot-double lung @ 200m and she flipped over backwards dead. Plus it was -33 deg Celcius.

I would think the 160gr AccuBond would be better suited for the 280REM unless you are looking for more velocity. No doubt the 140's will work thou. :wink:

 

[jmad_81]

View attachment 2012-08-29_19-27-30_183.jpg
My wife seems to think the 140 AB works for elk out of my 280ai. Shot her first elk last August @300 yards. You can see the kill shot behind the shoulder. First shot hit the rear hip bone. Found the bullet, looked like a classic AB mushroom. I would say you are fine with it.

 

[DrMike]

The 130 grain E-Tip launched at a mild velocity from the 270WSM works pretty well for bull elk; I'm reasonably confident that the 140 grain AB will work for cow elk when launched at any reasonable velocity.

 

[FOTIS]

Bullet placement is pertinent and paramount.

 

[Guy Miner]

Bullet placement is pertinent and paramount.

Now that's worth quoting! :grin: