Bonded Core Bullets - Performance in the Field

I have become a big fan of the Nosler AccuBond over the years since it was first introduced.
I have taken game from antelope to bison in calibers .264 to .375, ranging in weights from 130 to 260 grains.
It has proven to be the most consistently accurate bullet in all of my rifles, and the easiest to work up and find accurate loads for my rifles; 3/8-1" groups at 100 yards. My 7MM STW will put 3 into 1" groups @ 300 yards when I do my part. Bullet expansion is up to 2X original diameter and weight retention of 90-95% for recovered bullets.
The only other bonded bullet I have taken game with is the Trophy Bonded Bear claw. It to worked well on moose. The one recovered bullet from the spine retained 60% of its original weight (finishing shot from 60 yards).
 
I've had great luck with accubonds as well as the federal tbt. Both in 7mm caliber 140gr out of 7-08 as well as 7mm mag. 7mm08 worked well with the federal tbt on moose and deer. I've mostly switched to monos mainly due to availability now but wish I could find some more 140 tbts.
 
Speer hot cor has not been mentioned yet, works great for me in 350 rem mag, two moose pass through on the vitals, none recovered but wound channel shows great performance. They do shoot well for me on paper.
 
savagelh said:
I've had great luck with accubonds as well as the federal tbt. Both in 7mm caliber 140gr out of 7-08 as well as 7mm mag. 7mm08 worked well with the federal tbt on moose and deer. I've mostly switched to monos mainly due to availability now but wish I could find some more 140 tbts.
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x2.

Regards
Ronr
 
remington jim said:
What is Speer hot Cor?
Get incredibly reliable all-range accuracy and terminal performance with Speer® Hot-Cor® bullets. Molten lead is poured into the jacket during the construction process to maximize consistency while minimizing cost to the shooter.
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It's not actually bonded, and I have seen the jackets separate from the cores.
 
I've wondered for some time about how the various bonded-core bullets are made--how is the bonding done. Years ago, Bill Steigers told me that he soldered the cores to the jackets, but offered nothing more. Well today I received three boxes of Woodleigh "Weldcore" bullets and decided to go onto the Woodleigh website to find out what I could about these bullets. After reading through the history of the company, I encountered this:

"The process involves fluxing the inside of the bullet jacket, then melting the core material. The lead solders to the jacket as with conventional lead/tin solder. Temperature control is critical for a good bond and to not over soften the jacket."

So that makes sense. The Woodleigh "Weldcore" bullet is like an improved Speer Hot-Cor bullet, with actual bonding of the jacket to the core. (As has been mentioned, the Hot-Cor bullet is not a bonded bullet.) The Woodleigh looks like a very good bullet. It's a damn shame about the fire at their factory last November. I wonder how long it will be before production is back to normal.

I'd be interested in knowing the bonding process used by Nosler, with their Accubonds, Hornady with their Interbonds, and Norma, Swift, and Federal with their bonded-core bullets. Anyone have any information on this?
 
South Pender said:
I've wondered for some time about how the various bonded-core bullets are made--how is the bonding done. Years ago, Bill Steigers told me that he soldered the cores to the jackets, but offered nothing more. Well today I received three boxes of Woodleigh "Weldcore" bullets and decided to go onto the Woodleigh website to find out what I could about these bullets. After reading through the history of the company, I encountered this:

"The process involves fluxing the inside of the bullet jacket, then melting the core material. The lead solders to the jacket as with conventional lead/tin solder. Temperature control is critical for a good bond and to not over soften the jacket."

So that makes sense. The Woodleigh "Weldcore" bullet is like an improved Speer Hot-Cor bullet, with actual bonding of the jacket to the core. (As has been mentioned, the Hot-Cor bullet is not a bonded bullet.) The Woodleigh looks like a very good bullet. It's a damn shame about the fire at their factory last November. I wonder how long it will be before production is back to normal.

I'd be interested in knowing the bonding process used by Nosler, with their Accubonds, Hornady with their Interbonds, and Norma, Swift, and Federal with their bonded-core bullets. Anyone have any information on this?
Click to expand...

:)

Welcome to the Woodleigh Tribe!

Roumered too be back up producing by 2023!!! so it must be all happening now, the rebuild.
 
I've found the 130 grain Acubond to be very acurate in my 270 Wby but this is the only caliber I've used them in. 3 shot groups at 100 yards measure 9/10's of an inch and 300 yard goups measure 2.5 inches and these are consistent and repeatable. I've only shot 3 deer with them but the bullet performace has been very acceptable (at least to me) with one pass though and two stopped up against the hide on the far side, all three broke rib bones on the way through and the recovered bullets retained probably half or more of the origional weight.
 
I had my Ruger #1AB in 7x57 out today. It has been a while since I shot it.
I am shooting the 139 grain Hornady Interbond, chased by 5x grains of
Norma N204. Shot a nice .77" group at 100M, and exactly 2" at 200M.
Think I'll stop there. :) Dave.
 
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