These pictures are from an antelope that I took in 2010. Using a .270 Win, 140 grain AccuBond @ 2980 M.V., shot was 262 yards. I couldnt believe that the bullet didnt exit the off side, but as you can see, it did not make it through. I have since used the same load with different results on other animals, but have been hesitant to even consider elk with this load if the 140 couldnt get through this antelope... Thought I would throw it out here for you guys, Im curious if anyone else has had somewhat erratic performance with the AccuBond.
Accubond Performance
- Thread starter Solitude
- Start date
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,951
- 1,917
Welcome Solitude, were you able to recover the bullet from the antelope? Sometimes bullets tumble when hitting an animal and do strange things. I can see why you would be concerned even though other Accubonds have done well by the sounds of it.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,389
- 3,302
Solitude
Welcome to the forum. We're glad to have you here.
Nice job on the antigoat! Thank you for posting.
I use the 140 AB in my 270 WBY with great results never a failure thus far.
Welcome to the forum. We're glad to have you here.
Nice job on the antigoat! Thank you for posting.
I use the 140 AB in my 270 WBY with great results never a failure thus far.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,503
- 6,509
Welcome to the forum. You've posed a good question. I wouldn't be overly concerned about the AB not penetrating. Gerry is correct that bullets can do strange things. What was penetration like? What was the angle of the track through the antelope? What was the condition of the vitals? Answers to these questions may give some insight into what happened. I've shot a few head of game with AccuBonds, and witnessed considerable more head of game shot as my hunting partner uses a lot of AccuBonds. Even at high velocities, they don't always exit game due to a variety of factors. If you have the bullet, please do post a picture so we can assess the condition.
CatskillCrawler
Handloader
- Jul 30, 2011
- 1,205
- 4
I plan on using the 140gr AB in a .270 as my back-up rifle for this year's elk trip. I've taken 10-12 WTs, a 350lb Black bear and a 750lb, dressed, young bull moose with this combo. Several different shot angles. All pass thru's with good terminal performance. Damage wasn't of the BT or SST variety but definitely substantial. Shoulder shots on WTs have had a ~3-5" circumference of wasted meat.
I've seen some strange stuff with bullets before as far as wound path, expansion and penetration goes. I too would have been surprised that your AB didn't exit that goat.
Are we looking at the entrance wound next to your knife?
I've seen some strange stuff with bullets before as far as wound path, expansion and penetration goes. I too would have been surprised that your AB didn't exit that goat.
Are we looking at the entrance wound next to your knife?
- Thread starter
- #6
So, to clarify the scenario, here are the details:
262 yards, 20-25 degrees F, bullet entered the right side, just behind the elbow and traveled in a straight line with the shot angle (perfectly broadside), then, as near as I can tell, the bullet had to have stopped in the lungs. As you can see in the pictures, the antelope was skinned, hanging, and opened up and evaluation was easy and obvious. There was very clearly no exit hole on the left side, and the bullet didnt hit any bone of note. I tried my best to make that bullet be hiding between the hide and body, or at least in the offside shoulder somewhere, to no avail.
Through the years I have killed a few truckloads of animals from elk to coyotes with different calibers and bullets from many manufacturers, Mostly Nosler, Barnes, and Speer. Ive even used the Ballistic Tip a fair amount, and have never had a bullet of any construction do what I believe this AccuBond did. I have killed other animals with this load without issue and gotten positive results, and have seen other AccuBond kills with several calibers. This one seems to have been a bit of a fluke, BUT.... I was just curious if anyone else had run across anything similar...
Solitude
262 yards, 20-25 degrees F, bullet entered the right side, just behind the elbow and traveled in a straight line with the shot angle (perfectly broadside), then, as near as I can tell, the bullet had to have stopped in the lungs. As you can see in the pictures, the antelope was skinned, hanging, and opened up and evaluation was easy and obvious. There was very clearly no exit hole on the left side, and the bullet didnt hit any bone of note. I tried my best to make that bullet be hiding between the hide and body, or at least in the offside shoulder somewhere, to no avail.
Through the years I have killed a few truckloads of animals from elk to coyotes with different calibers and bullets from many manufacturers, Mostly Nosler, Barnes, and Speer. Ive even used the Ballistic Tip a fair amount, and have never had a bullet of any construction do what I believe this AccuBond did. I have killed other animals with this load without issue and gotten positive results, and have seen other AccuBond kills with several calibers. This one seems to have been a bit of a fluke, BUT.... I was just curious if anyone else had run across anything similar...
Solitude
Welcome.... even if you do shoot a .270 :lol:
Anyway.... you shoot enough stuff with a bullet and something weird is going to happen. I've seen the .277 140 AccuBond kill a bunch of stuff.... and I've seen it exit some sizable critters. But, I've also seen one stop in a smallish (150lb) black bear.... and another that hit a coyote hard and didn't exit. For what it's worth, the one that was recovered from the black bear was a picture perfect mushroom that weighed 110 grains. I'd not worry about running one into an elk, but I'd also be cognizant of the shot placement.
Anyway.... you shoot enough stuff with a bullet and something weird is going to happen. I've seen the .277 140 AccuBond kill a bunch of stuff.... and I've seen it exit some sizable critters. But, I've also seen one stop in a smallish (150lb) black bear.... and another that hit a coyote hard and didn't exit. For what it's worth, the one that was recovered from the black bear was a picture perfect mushroom that weighed 110 grains. I'd not worry about running one into an elk, but I'd also be cognizant of the shot placement.
Interesting :? My wife has shot a few deer and a small black bear with the 140 AB out of a 270 WSM, nothing over 200 yards, and no bullets recovered. I'm playing with them in my 270 WSM now for deer and speed goats. I really like them, but having something like this happen to me would make me scratch my head for sure.
Had something like this happen to a buddy of mine this year on a bull elk. Shot was about 200 yards, slight quarter away, 180 AB out of a 300 WM with 75 gr RL-22. We found the bullet in the off side shoulder when we were cutting it up. Elk are tough for sure, but I expected an exit. Bullet was mushroomed out great, I can't remember the wight off the top of my head. I do recall having a very hard time finding the whole on the off side ribcage though. You might find the bullet in the offside shoulder meat. Maybe not.
At temps like that, he might of been partly froze, that would explain it :lol:
Had something like this happen to a buddy of mine this year on a bull elk. Shot was about 200 yards, slight quarter away, 180 AB out of a 300 WM with 75 gr RL-22. We found the bullet in the off side shoulder when we were cutting it up. Elk are tough for sure, but I expected an exit. Bullet was mushroomed out great, I can't remember the wight off the top of my head. I do recall having a very hard time finding the whole on the off side ribcage though. You might find the bullet in the offside shoulder meat. Maybe not.
At temps like that, he might of been partly froze, that would explain it :lol:
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,464
- 9,302
Solitude
Welcome to the forum, glad you are here.
Good report on the 140 gr AB.
Looks like it did the job.
JD338
Welcome to the forum, glad you are here.
Good report on the 140 gr AB.
Looks like it did the job.
JD338
Hi Solitude, welcome to the forum. I have shot ABs for a few years and have never had a problem. My go to rifle is the 270 win and I shoot only 130gr ABs or partitions.
3 years ago I shot a 5 X 5 bull at over 200 and I believe closer to 250 and 1 bullet pasted through and the second one when in the boiler room on the right side and angled we found the bullet on the left side through the shoulder just under the fur. The following year shot a spiker at 175 yard and had a pass through
I don't think you should have a problem with the ABs :wink:. Some people believe that a bullet should not exist as it creates all kinds of problems internally.
Blessings,
Dan
3 years ago I shot a 5 X 5 bull at over 200 and I believe closer to 250 and 1 bullet pasted through and the second one when in the boiler room on the right side and angled we found the bullet on the left side through the shoulder just under the fur. The following year shot a spiker at 175 yard and had a pass through
I don't think you should have a problem with the ABs :wink:. Some people believe that a bullet should not exist as it creates all kinds of problems internally.
Blessings,
Dan
Mighty Peace
Handloader
- Jul 5, 2006
- 328
- 2
Majority of the kills (1shot) at various distances using 140gr AB's from my 270WSM on elk, moose, deer, bears were double lung-pass thru penetrations....small entrance / large exit wound. :mrgreen:
LOVE THIS rifle caliber/bullet combo !!!
Use the 140 AB's, you will be happy!!
LOVE THIS rifle caliber/bullet combo !!!
Use the 140 AB's, you will be happy!!
Teknys
Handloader
- Jan 14, 2008
- 836
- 356
Welcome!
As you can see: Lots of positive results with the .277 140 AB. I too shot a bull at little over 100yds. High shoulder and a pass through. He dropped right there. My mv was about 3150fps with a 270WSM. I wouldn't hesitate on the 270 with the 140AB. Shot lots of WT with it. Just be smart about bullet placement on the bigger critters.
As you can see: Lots of positive results with the .277 140 AB. I too shot a bull at little over 100yds. High shoulder and a pass through. He dropped right there. My mv was about 3150fps with a 270WSM. I wouldn't hesitate on the 270 with the 140AB. Shot lots of WT with it. Just be smart about bullet placement on the bigger critters.
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,271
- 693
Here is the bullet from my son's elk this year at 90-100 yards. Muzzle velocity in his 300 WSM with this 180 gr. AccuBond was 2800 fps. He hit her right behind the shoulder on a broadside shot. The bullet broke ribs and with the angle, it went up and took out a big chunk of her spine, broke her off shoulder, and was about 1-2 inches under the hide in the meat on the far shoulder. I sure think it did a good job especially considering all the bone it hit. I was surprised it did not exit until I got her hung up and skinned and could better see all the bone it struck. I don't remember exact figures, but it kept something like 70% and was about .650 expansion.
I've been impressed with the Accubonds.
David
I've been impressed with the Accubonds.
David
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,271
- 693
+1 Songdog. They been promising that thing for about 2 years now. Next thing you know some other caliber comes in the little 6mm gets pushed to the side, AGAIN! Well it aint right small caliber guys, and were gonna fix it by gum! Those big bore bullet bullies have pushed us aside long enough. We just need to start screaming a little louder than they do , and I think we can turn the tide! Are you with me? :| :roll: Now where the heck's my backup? :twisted: Is think thing on? Come on guys help me out here.Songdog":3lzenjiz said:
David
6mm Remington":377snfc9 said:
Hell no I'm not with you.... no offense.... but I couldn't care less if a 90 grain AccuBond comes out... ever. I don't know why you're clambering for one either.... after seeing what a 90 grain Etip is capable of... on a freakin' elk for goodness sake.... at like 3 bills+ if I remember. Why in the world would you mess with that? Oh.... yeah.... you gots t' tinker. I hear that.
Truth is, if it needs shot with a .243.... I'll run a 105 Amax at it. "match bullet".... "big varmint bullet"..... whatever man, people have been flat-out clobbering all manner of game for 70 years with 100 grain c/c bullets out of a .243. And, that's what a 105 Amax is.... just street-rodded a little.
As for the 6mm 90 grain AccUnicorns.... I'll pass on the purchase of my obligatory 'new bullet' box or two. Now, if Nosler decides to build a 100-110 NBT for the 6mm's, with a BC of .470-.510.... you'll all be in line behind me!
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,271
- 693
Maybe they won't be all I think they an be, but I want to try. That happens sometimes when a person sits and thinks, and then thinks and sits some more. It's an addiction darn it, did you forget this RADD crap that most of us have? :shock:
So yeah.... the RADD thing.... I'm glad I'm on the wagon again. Since I've started tinkering with this little .243.... I've actually made some great strides in my recovery.
Yes, that's right.... I'm over 6-months rifle purchase clean.... shouldn't I get a coin or something? Oh yeah... you know it... I still get the urges.... and I can tell that my addiction was severe, when I nearly impulse buy a Sako.... in .270 Win. But, alas.... a few of my personal serenity prayers (they go like this: My wife will kill me.... My wife will kill me.... My wife will kill me. Repeated as many times as necessary) typically helps me to strengthen right up.... and make a low-ball offer!
Yes, that's right.... I'm over 6-months rifle purchase clean.... shouldn't I get a coin or something? Oh yeah... you know it... I still get the urges.... and I can tell that my addiction was severe, when I nearly impulse buy a Sako.... in .270 Win. But, alas.... a few of my personal serenity prayers (they go like this: My wife will kill me.... My wife will kill me.... My wife will kill me. Repeated as many times as necessary) typically helps me to strengthen right up.... and make a low-ball offer!
I've killed quite a few elk with the 140AB in a .270 Win at around 3000fps. I don't recall a single bullet not passing through and the insides have always been pudding. I think the exit hole averages around two inches. They typically drop right there and then, as if struck by a lightning bolt.
BT
David,
I'm with you and have been bugging Mason and Shawn for a while now on those 6mm ABs. I keep hoping that the squeaky wheel will get some oil. That said, if those E-tips will shoot for me, I might just call it good after seeing how they worked out for you and your boys. Total pass through, two broken shoulders, lung pudding, and DRT at 300+ yds is a win in my book. I'll be loading some up just as soon as I can find 'em.
Joe
BT
David,
I'm with you and have been bugging Mason and Shawn for a while now on those 6mm ABs. I keep hoping that the squeaky wheel will get some oil. That said, if those E-tips will shoot for me, I might just call it good after seeing how they worked out for you and your boys. Total pass through, two broken shoulders, lung pudding, and DRT at 300+ yds is a win in my book. I'll be loading some up just as soon as I can find 'em.
Joe
6mm Remington":2we2f5ax said:
There is an article in the latest Guns and Ammo mag. It is a field test of the Nosler TGR in a 243. Apparently Zach Waterman from Nosler and the author hammered a handful of Prong Bucks with the then experimental 90gr AB. From the article, it worked well, but they were all pass throughs, so no recovered bullets. I imagine it won't be too long and you'll have them in your paws.
Also, my largest bull to date was taken with my 270WSM and 140 AB's
And this muley
No real issues with either. I used to have a recovered 140 AB from the elk, but lost it in the moving process a few years back.
