Nosler Long Range Accubond

[back country]

I thought I would pass this on as it seems significant to me - I use an RCBS collet style bullet puller, have for years - I obtained some 175 Long Range Accubond 7mm bullets I'd been scouting for to try in a 7mm Rem Mag, gave some loads a try and was disappointed in the accuracy and realized that they are so long they protrude too far into the powder space - So, I had a dozen test loads to disassemble by first pulling the bullets - I have pulled hundreds of bullets for all calibers and re-used nearly every bullet I've ever pulled - EVERY Long Range Accubond 7mm 175 grain crushed far beyond the point of being usable when I pulled them - They appear to be remarkably more soft (frangible ?) which has killed my enthusiasm for trying them for hunting big game

 

[1Cor15:19]

They appear to be remarkably more soft (frangible ?) which has killed my enthusiasm for trying them for hunting big game

Their "softness" is by design. They are intended for LR shooting where velocity has dropped so they are constructed to expand with those parameters. I'd have confidence in the 175s for lots of applications, close or far............

 

[marshall]

I have pulled hundreds of bullets for all calibers and re-used nearly every bullet I've ever pulled - EVERY Long Range Accubond 7mm 175 grain crushed far beyond the point of being usable when I pulled them - They appear to be remarkably more soft (frangible ?) which has killed my enthusiasm for trying them for hunting big game

Don't sqeeze them so hard. It sounds as if you are pulling with a collet type bullet puller. If so, I too use one and it works just fine on the LR Accubonds.

1Cor15:19's comments are spot on.

 

[Smitty of the North]

I thought I would pass this on as it seems significant to me - I use an RCBS collet style bullet puller, have for years - I obtained some 175 Long Range Accubond 7mm bullets I'd been scouting for to try in a 7mm Rem Mag, gave some loads a try and was disappointed in the accuracy and realized that they are so long they protrude too far into the powder space - So, I had a dozen test loads to disassemble by first pulling the bullets - I have pulled hundreds of bullets for all calibers and re-used nearly every bullet I've ever pulled - EVERY Long Range Accubond 7mm 175 grain crushed far beyond the point of being usable when I pulled them - They appear to be remarkably more soft (frangible ?) which has killed my enthusiasm for trying them for hunting big game

Dat's no goot.

Thanks for tellin me.

I wouldn't trust them for close shots. I use the Nosler 160 Partitions. They make 175 grain Partitions too.

Smitty of the North

 

[Matt]

I got some loaded up to shoot this weekend. 168gr version via my 7 WSM Montucky. If they shoot good, I plan to take a black bear this spring with them, maybe a grizz over bait.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Their "softness" is by design. They are intended for LR shooting where velocity has dropped so they are constructed to expand with those parameters. I'd have confidence in the 175s for lots of applications, close or far............

I have read a number of reports on various LRAB's and the trend seems to be that they explode on contact at higher velocities. A small piece of the tail end will usually penetrate but the majority of the mass of the bullet does not get more than a few inches of penetration. That is easy to understand considering their design and construction. Thin, soft jacket with a tip. I would never use a 175 in anything larger than a 7mm-08 and even with that at close range could prove to be a wreck.

Here is a good thread on one hunters experience with the 175 out of a 7 WSM and a large Montana muley buck. 6 shots and 6 hits, the first 4 were from 175 LRABs from 419 to 735 yds, all good hits. The last 2 were from Bergers.

The wound channels were very small after the initial explosion took place. I noticed a small blood spot when skinning a hind quarter and pinched the hide and the bullet was stuck there. I cannot see how there would be more damage done with this bullet over a fmj if the initial explosion was not there.

I don't want anyone to think I am a nosler or berger fan. I was trying the nosler hoping for something besides the berger. But all in a few minutes decided someone else can finish testing the lrab for me.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/nosler-long-range-accbond-my-experience-125820/

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I got some loaded up to shoot this weekend. 168gr version via my 7 WSM Montucky. If they shoot good, I plan to take a black bear this spring with them, maybe a grizz over bait.

Better have back up.

 

[1Cor15:19]

I have read a number of reports on various LRAB's and the trend seems to be that they explode on contact at higher velocities. A small piece of the tail end will usually penetrate but the majority of the mass of the bullet does not get more than a few inches of penetration. That is easy to understand considering their design and construction. Thin, soft jacket with a tip. I would never use a 175 in anything larger than a 7mm-08 and even with that at close range could prove to be a wreck.

Here is a good thread on one hunters experience with the 175 out of a 7 WSM and a large Montana muley buck. 6 shots and 6 hits, the first 4 were from 175 LRABs from 419 to 735 yds, all good hits. The last 2 were from Bergers.





http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/nosler-long-range-accbond-my-experience-125820/

I don't worry too much about what others can or can't do. There's more than a little suspect in his tale. I do not care about his fanaticism for one brand or another; I doubt his competency.......

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I don't worry too much about what others can or can't do. There's more than a little suspect in his tale. I do not care about his fanaticism for one brand or another; I doubt his competency.......

Suit yourself. The fact is that the LRAB's are highly frangible bullets. This is only one thread. Do some searching and you'll find others. One guy did report good results on a whitetail with the 7mm 175's. That was @ 900 yds plus, so velocity was low.

Not sure why you are doubting his competency as he is a very competent shooter. All his hits were good. The FACT is, the bullets exploded on contact and most of the mass did not penetrate. Also, if you read again what he said...

I don't want anyone to think I am a nosler or berger fan. I was trying the nosler hoping for something besides the berger. But all in a few minutes decided someone else can finish testing the lrab for me.

..you'll see that he wanted the bullets to work. He said he was neither a Berger or Nosler fan. You can doubt him if you want.

Good luck with the ABLR's

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/nosler-accubond-long-range-problem-120135/

 

[stid2677]

Well, I have a couple boxes of them and plan on using them this season, so I will know first hand soon enough.

 

[1Cor15:19]

Suit yourself. The fact is that the LRAB's are highly frangible bullets. This is only one thread. Do some searching and you'll find others. One guy did report good results on a whitetail with the 7mm 175's. That was @ 900 yds plus, so velocity was low.

Not sure why you are doubting his competency as he is a very competent shooter. All his hits were good. The FACT is, the bullets exploded on contact and most of the mass did not penetrate. Also, if you read again what he said...



..you'll see that he wanted the bullets to work. He said he was neither a Berger or Nosler fan. You can doubt him if you want.

Good luck with the ABLR's

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/nosler-accubond-long-range-problem-120135/

He gets incredible expansion and then several feet of penetration from at least one bullet and then proceeds to claim that the bullet performance was the issue. His judgement displays a lack of competence; at least it does to me. That bullet in an appropriate place would have crushed that buck, simple as that.............

As for other threads about the Accubond Long Range bullets, I've little doubt that they've failed and that shooters have failed them, but it didn't take the internet for me to figure that out.............

If I can get massive initial expansion and subsequently several feet of penetration I can kill anything in NA either near or far, though I understand it presents a challenge for lots of others--present company excluded of course.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

He gets incredible expansion and then several feet of penetration from at least one bullet and then proceeds to claim that the bullet performance was the issue. His judgement displays a lack of competence; at least it does to me. That bullet in an appropriate place would have crushed that buck, simple as that.............

As for other threads about the Accubond Long Range bullets, I've little doubt that they've failed and that shooters have failed them, but it didn't take the internet for me to figure that out.............

If I can get massive initial expansion and subsequently several feet of penetration I can kill anything in NA either near or far, though I understand it presents a challenge for lots of others--present company excluded of course.

Hmmm.... I am reading the above on the "internet".... interesting.

Did you watch the video and see the POI's? In my estimation those were all good hits and anyone of them should have dropped that buck. Now had he put one through the boiler room it might have done the job the first time, but he didn't have that shot. IMO a good hunting bullet should be able to be put through a shoulder and get the job done. Incredible expansion? Yup, but in the wrong place... too quick and shallow. The penetration was from a small remnant of the bullet which created a small wound channel. I will admit that this buck did take some punishment and sometimes they will refuse to die when they should. But that buck should have been dead after the 2nd shot and definitely after the 3rd.

I've little doubt that they've failed and that shooters have failed them, but it didn't take the internet for me to figure that out.............

That is an interesting statement for sure. What experience do you have with the ABLR's? These shooters that are being accused of "failing the bullet" have first hand experience with them. They are very experienced and competent shooters with a lot of trigger time on multiple rifles and multiple bullets. In most if not all cases, these guys are optimistic and even excited about the new Nosler LR offerings. They do not have any ax to grind. They want these bullets to work. Get it? They are just reporting the facts as they have experienced them. Now, if there were 4 good reports for every one not so good report, I would have a lot more good vibs about these bullets. But, that is not the case... it is the other way around. I have learned a great deal on the internet including these AOD shooting forums. Most of the info I get is good and useful.

If I can get massive initial expansion and subsequently several feet of penetration I can kill anything in NA either near or far, though I understand it presents a challenge for lots of others--present company excluded of course.

OK, lets go through this again. If you're expansion is not in the correct place, i.e. vitals and/or CNS, it will have a limited effect. You could blow a deers leg off and it can still go for miles on 3 legs. If the penetration you get is from a small remnant of the projectile that leaves a small wound channel, it will have a limited effect. Animals can run a long way with pencil holes through them.

The OP of this thread reported that the 175 ABLR's deformed like no other bullet that he has pulled before..... hmmmm..... bullet is advertised to expand down to 1300 fps... hmmmm.... thin, soft jacket with tip.... hmmmm.... it don't take an internet genius to put this picture together.

Well, I'm sure we'll have some more feedback by the end of next hunting season.

In the mean time, if I were spring bear hunting in Alaska at short to mid ranges, I would be using regular AB's, E-Tips, TXS's, A-Frames, etc.

Good luck.

 

[1Cor15:19]

OK, lets go through this again. If you're expansion is not in the correct place, i.e. vitals and/or CNS, it will have a limited effect. You could blow a deers leg off and it can still go for miles on 3 legs. If the penetration you get is from a small remnant of the projectile that leaves a small wound channel, it will have a limited effect. Animals can run a long way with pencil holes through them.

Reread my post. I didn't say what some will do with such a bullet, I said that "I can kill anything in NA either near or far" with those terminal ballistics and I can add that I'll take that kind of terminal performance and run with it everytime.

In the mean time, if I were spring bear hunting in Alaska at short to mid ranges, I would be using regular AB's, E-Tips, TXS's, A-Frames, etc.

Good luck.

I've killed big brown bears with simple cup & core bullets, NABs, TTSXs, TSXs and others with nary an issue. I'd expect the same results with an Accubond LR should I use them and the 175 grain .284 would undoubtedly be a good choice--though I'd almost certainly go 168 when considering spring brown bears. When talking firearms, bullets are the second most important component to killing anything--that's hard for some to fathom..........

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Reread my post. I didn't say what some will do with such a bullet, I said that "I can kill anything in NA either near or far" with those terminal ballistics and I can add that I'll take that kind of terminal performance and run with it everytime.

I've killed big brown bears with simple cup & core bullets, NABs, TTSXs, TSXs and others with nary an issue. I'd expect the same results with an Accubond LR should I use them and the 175 grain .284 would undoubtedly be a good choice--though I'd almost certainly go 168 when considering spring brown bears. When talking firearms, bullets are the second most important component to killing anything--that's hard for some to fathom..........

The ABLR's are different animals than the regular NAB's. Would you hunt big brownies with V-Max's? Put's the importance of bullets into a different light I think. It's not that one is more important than the other, they are all important. All it takes is one weak link to have a bad day... the rifle, the bullet, the shooter.

There is no reason for anyone to use an ABLR over a standard NAB if hunting less than 600 yds. The higher BC will buy you nothing of significance. The NAB will get the job done much better and in fact, if I were hunting dangerous game at less than 200 yds, my bullets of choice would be E-Tips, A-Frames or GSC FN's, not necessarily in that order, but the NAB would not be on the list. I have had a 180 gr NAB explode on the spine of a cow elk at about 150 yds out of a 300 WSM. Was not impressed. The ABLR is MUCH more frangible. I would certainly not go with a smaller lighter for cal bullet with less SD and higher velocity after big bears, but that's your choice. Looking forward to the report and pics.

Once again, there is almost no similarity of design and construction between the ABLR and regular NAB.

Thinner jacket and softer and a large expansion cavity below the tip = explosion on contact with little to no meaningful penetration. IMO, like taking V-Max's after big bears.

http://www.nosler.com/accubond-long-range

http://www.nosler.com/accubond

 

[1Cor15:19]

There is no reason for anyone to use an ABLR over a standard NAB if hunting less than 600 yds. The higher BC will buy you nothing of significance. The NAB will get the job done much better and in fact, if I were hunting dangerous game at less than 200 yds, my bullets of choice would be E-Tips, A-Frames or GSC FN's, not necessarily in that order, but the NAB would not be on the list. I have had a 180 gr NAB explode on the spine of a cow elk at about 150 yds out of a 300 WSM. Was not impressed. The ABLR is MUCH more frangible. I would certainly not go with a smaller lighter for cal bullet with less SD and higher velocity after big bears, but that's your choice. Looking forward to the report and pics.

IME, large mature ungulate spines are tough on all kinds of bullets and I don't get worked up when a sampling of one demonstrates that the projectile in question will not over-penetrate it. I've seen much larger and "tougher" bullets stopped in caribou and moose spines. However, the spine in question is neatly broken with DRT consequences and that leaves me zero room to complain.

I've no plans to hunt with ABLRs this spring, but one of my hunting partners is going to kill a brown bear this spring with a 155 grain Scenar out of a .308 Winchester. If we live through it I'll take some pics and post them when/if we return.......

Once again, there is almost no similarity of design and construction between the ABLR and regular NAB.

Thinner jacket and softer and a large expansion cavity below the tip = explosion on contact with little to no meaningful penetration. IMO, like taking V-Max's after big bears.

I'd have to go back and reread the incompetent guy's article that you linked to clarify this, but I'm certain he reports a frontal shot on the deer that he recovered in the hide of a hindquarter after what must have been at least 24-36 inches of penetration, if his testimony can be trusted. I'd call that more than "little to no meaningful penetration." That the bullet didn't do more significant damage is entirely a steering problem (shooter induced issue) and not a terminal performance issue in that instance for the ABLR. I well understand his deflection of the issue to bullet performance as we shooters have difficulty appropriating responsibility. I'd expect (and hope) the ABLR to be softer than a NAB, but enough is enough and I've zero doubt that they would produce game killing results placed properly, though I suppose I could spend more time on websites and less time in the field or behind a rifle and be convinced otherwise...........

 

[stid2677]

I read that entire thread,, his first shot went ABOVE the lungs and under the spine (hollow spot), then exited, one shot went end to end, another completely through the neck, the recovered bullet is exactly what I would hope for.

I read nothing in that link that would discourage me from using LRAB, as a matter of fact I found it encouraging.

They would not be my first choice for close up type hunts.

 

[323]

I see no reason to use LRAB most of you hell majority of YOU will never shoot that far to see the benefits of the bullet. Std AB will work just fine for those shooting out to 400yds. But hey if that's what you need to give you that extra boost of confidence while out hunting then knock yourselves out. Then again I don't own fancy guns I just own couple ol mossbergs atr I can only wish to own what all you guys have here is picture of them lease dont laugh

 

[duckslayer56]

Dang, I wish I had mossbergs as nice as those. I'm hunting with marlin x7s...please don't laugh too much

 

[323]

Dang, I wish I had mossbergs as nice as those. I'm hunting with marlin x7s...please don't laugh too much

Hey I feel you were are not big money hustlers like most folks on here.. Just surviving that's it.

 

[1Cor15:19]

I read that entire thread,, his first shot went ABOVE the lungs and under the spine (hollow spot), then exited, one shot went end to end, another completely through the neck, the recovered bullet is exactly what I would hope for.

I read nothing in that link that would discourage me from using LRAB, as a matter of fact I found it encouraging.

They would not be my first choice for close up type hunts.

That's my take as well.