Accubond over 3100 fps

[Gator]

Only after recommending AccuBond bullets to a friend who will be after brown bear in May did I see where Nosler restricts impact velocity to 3100 psi. This becomes an issue using the 30-378. I didn't realize this carried over from the B.T. He doesn't handload but will have time to change. Any one with experience using this bullet at these velocities?

Thanks,

 

[FOTIS]

Yes I have used the 200 gr at that impact velocity...no problem at all. However if bears are in the picture I would go Partition. The bigger the better!

 

[JD338]

Gator,

Here are some recovered 200 gr AB's from my 338 RUM shot into gallon water jugs. MV is 3200 fps and the 50 yd impact is approx. 3080 fps.

These bullets held up very well to the water, which is a tough test media.
I agree with Pop, for Big Bears I would load up 200 gr PT's.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I shoot the 160gr Accubonds out of my 7mm STW at 3400. Never had a problem

 

[JungleJim]

Brown bear or any bear or anything armed with... LARGE CLAWS.

Would not think about using anything less than a Nosler Partition bullet myself.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Gator

Cow elk 30 ft. 3100 fps "chrony'd" 260gr A/B 375 RUM. Perfect expansion. Took out lungs and heart with an exit hole of about 1 ". Same story at 250 yds. Travelled thrue 4 feet of rumen ( wet undigested grass) and took out the heart and lungs like a mini smart bomb. I personally prefer them to the Partition. The front of the AccuBond bullet doesn't instantly smear and explode. I've had that problem with partitions in my 300 WBY. Problem solved with Accubonds. Linear expansion to about double caliber and stays that way down to about 60% weight retention. You have not done your friend an injustice in suggesting accubonds. I would choose them over the Partition. Only one bullet would be better for big bears and that's the Swift A Frame. They are a fully bonded Partition but they aren't very accurate and have poor ballistic co-efficients. They are very limited in purpose (PENETRATION)!!
Good Hunting
Elkhunt :grin:

 

[Gator]

Thanks to everyone who took time to reply. Since the AccuBond came out I have switched from the Partition although I never lost an animal using this bullet. I realize dead is dead but so many times the Partition would separate, I never had that warm and fuzzy feeling shooting dangerous game.

An example being a Kodiak bear I took a while back required three shots (not unusual), one being only for insurance before approaching. Two of the three had this separation, third shot was not recovered.

If the impact velocity is not an issue, I won't change my recommendation.

Thanks again

 

[JD338]

Thanks to everyone who took time to reply. Since the AccuBond came out I have switched from the Partition although I never lost an animal using this bullet. I realize dead is dead but so many times the Partition would separate, I never had that warm and fuzzy feeling shooting dangerous game.

An example being a Kodiak bear I took a while back required three shots (not unusual), one being only for insurance before approaching. Two of the three had this separation, third shot was not recovered.

If the impact velocity is not an issue, I won't change my recommendation.

Thanks again

Not sure what you are referring to when you say separate but the front lead of the Partition is designed to separate. It creates secondary projectiles to induce trauma and shock.
The rear lead core stays intact to retain weight and enhance penetration.

JD338

 

[Gator]

Thanks JD388, what you say may well be true but I prefer a bullet that will stay together especially when attempting to break large bones.

Where I may be missing the advantage of a bullet that is designed to separate is my flawed thinking that a bullet that provides sufficient pentration, retains the maximum weight and expands many times it's original caliber describes ultimate bullet performance.

If we return (grin) I will report back bullet performance as we see it.

 

[FOTIS]

I found that the Partition offers me a little more insurance in the "expand so much and not anymore" department than the AB. May be in my head.

 

[Gator]

POP, if "expand so much and not anymore" is another way of saying the AB is subject to fragmentation, that brings me back to my original concern.

I'm confident what your not saying is given the same penetration and weight retainage less expansion can be better.

Please help me out here as I know I have much to learn an believe I'm at the right place to do so.

 

[JungleJim]

Gator if I'm understanding this right, your friend planning on using a 30-378 180 grain AccuBond Weatherby factory load? I'm looking at a 2007 WBY catalog under 30-378 ammunition. They have a suggested usage column and only the 165 Barnes TSX and the 200 Nosler Partition get a MB rating under this round. The rest of the 30-378 loads only get a M rating. The M rating loads are the 165 grain BST, 180 grain Nosler AccuBond, and the 180 grain BST. Something to consider.

I wonder how the new 30 cal 180 grain E Tip unleaded bullet would perform in the 30-378? Sportsman's Warehouse in my area has been getting these in the last month so they are out there. I've picked up 3 boxes for testing but have not yet done so in my 30-378.

 

[FOTIS]

POP, if "expand so much and not anymore" is another way of saying the AB is subject to fragmentation, that brings me back to my original concern.

I'm confident what your not saying is given the same penetration and weight retainage less expansion can be better.

Please help me out here as I know I have much to learn an believe I'm at the right place to do so.

Not really man. I have seen pictures and I have seen them in full action from 30-378 and 300 RUMs at anywhere form 3450 fps (180 AB's) to 3200 fps 200 AB's . They all were great acting. I am just a liitle more used to the solid Partition part of the Partition bullet....if you know what I mean......

 

[JD338]

For the 30-378 Wby and Brown Bear, I'd opt for the 200 gr PT. It will hold up to the velocities up close, even through big bone.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

For the 30-378 Wby and Brown Bear, I'd opt for the 200 gr PT. It will hold up to the velocities up close, even through big bone.

JD338

Ditto or Swift A frame, Barnes, Trophy bonded.... Not to say the aforementioned are better than the Partition..............just alternatives....

 

[Gator]

Sure a lot of good feedback fellows, thanks. I just learned my friend has ordered a box of Nosler 200 grain AB. We'll see how his rifle like these. Since we're still almost three months away from our trip theres still time to consider other possibilities.

JungleJim, Was there any mention of the 200 gr. AB in that information?

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

For the 30-378, I'd load up the 200gr accubonds and shoot most anything in the world with them.

 

[FOTIS]

I used retumbo with the 200 Ab and the load yielded 3350 fps. :twisted:

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

and your accuracy isn't bad either.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I didn't want to say it because this is a Nosler site but............... based on the hyper-velocity cartridge you're using and the quarry you intend to hunt, I would take the Swift A-Frame hands down.

Unlike the Partition bullets they don't shed the forward core when meeting heavy resistance or impacting at HIGH velocity. I really like Partition bullets but they can't meet every conceivable requirement. Thank goodness we have so many options in quality bullets.