Accubond long range

[kman300]

Has anyone done any testing with these bullets yet? I was really excited about them but what I've been reading about them has been rather discouraging. Horrible accuracy when pushed past 3000fps (this was the 150gr .277 version), tumbling (same bullet). There was another thread where someone tested the 150gr .277 into a bullet catcher with 2680fps or so impact speed. 37% weight retention and shallow penetration. For comparison he ran the 100gr and 110gr 6.8 version at similar impact speed and they both outpenetrated and had 76% weight penetration.

Zach Waterman, Nosler's Public Relations Manager replied to an email regarding the test results from that fellow.

"Your feedback is consistent with the nature of what the AccuBond Long Range bullet was designed for. For many years, long range hunters have been requesting a bullet that reliably expands at yardages up to and even past 1200 yards but will still hold together without “blowing up” at closer yardages. Of course, it is extremely difficult to build a bullet that expands the same at every impact velocity but we feel the AccuBond LR is the best there is for this long range application. With its high B.C. and soft nose, the ABLR really starts to shine past 400 yards both in external and terminal ballistics, hence the “Long Range” designation."

I really wanted to use the 6.5 129 version and the 7mm 150 version but with poor accuracy, inflated BC's, tumbling, and weight retention what it is, I honestly don't see the point of using them over say a Berger. Anyone have other results?

 

[sheephunter]

Accubonds have never been overly tough and have been somewhat explosive by nature, especially for a bonded bullet. The Accubond LR was designed to reliably expand at longer ranges = more explosive. Weight retentions isn't everything, especially with a long range bullet. Accuracy, however is. The regular Accubond has been a fairly accurate bullet in a variety of calibres.....it will be interesting to see how the LR compares in the accuracy department. It was obviously introduced to compete directly with the Berger....a bullet that seems to shoot well out of most LR guns.

 

[stubblejumper]

I fired exactly six rounds of the 150gr Accubond LR out of my 7mmstw, at an estimated 3400fps, and the two 3 shot groups went 1-1/2" and 1-3/4" at 200 yards. This was with them seated way off of the lands in order to fit the magazine. Of course this isn't that great, but it is under moa, and with load development, I expect that I can do better with these bullets. I am having a custom 7mmstw, with an extended magazine box, being built at this time, so I should be able to seat them to the lands , and still fit the magazine. When this rifle is ready to go next spring/summer, I will be doing some more load development, with this bullet. As for the 6.5mm version, I have some on the way, to try in my 260, but load development will have to wait until next spring.

 

[mad max78]

i am load testing the 150gr .284's. So far, I have two loads that are 1/2" 5 shot groups with H4831 and H4350.

So far, so good. I'm happy with them

 

[Camp Cook]

I'm looking at purchasing the 150gr 270 cal ALR's plan on loading them in my 23" barreled T/C Contender carbine with a muzzle velocity of 2400 - 2450fps I will still have 1000 lbs energy @ 600 yards.

Its going to be fun trying these loads out probably use H335 powder.

 

[1899]

I shot the 168gr LRAB into a pine round at ~130 yards and followed that with a 180gr Partition from a .30-06. Muzzle velocities were +2800fps and 2630 fps (don't have the exact number for the 7mm in front of me). Penetration was about the same.

 

[1899]

BTW - pretty much everyone has inflated BC numbers.

 

[jaydog]

I've been dying to get my hands on the 140gr in 270cal but haven't found anything here on the west coast and assumed this was another 'only Americans get the fun stuff' deal. Where are you guys getting yours?

 

[stubblejumper]

I've been dying to get my hands on the 140gr in 270cal but haven't found anything here on the west coast and assumed this was another 'only Americans get the fun stuff' deal. Where are you guys getting yours?

You might be waiting a long time, considering that Nosler hasn't announced any plans to make a 140gr .277" Accubond Long Range.

 

[kman300]

I put a 190gr berger vld from my 300 wsm through a pine and it exited with lots of wood flying out the back and the 180gr winchester power point factory stuff I had didn't. Either trees aren't good test mediums or match bullets out penetrate hunting bullets.

Most manufacturers do indeed inflate their BC's but since Nosler is trying to compete with Berger in this category and Berger doesn't inflate theirs I think it's lame Nosler is making the claims they are. Nosler also doesn't correct outrageous BC's for their bullets, even years after they post them and actual testing shows they are false.

 

[1899]

Real world - as in not into a piece of pine - results...

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/987591-**White-Tail-added**-Field-report-on-7mm-RM-168gr-LRAB-Mule-Deer


83.6gr out of the initial 168gr left....