Accubonds and Eland

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Worked up a nice load for 200gr Accubonds in .300 Win Mag for my M70. Just wondering if anyone has used AB's on Eland? Scouring the web there seems to be only one of two type of reviews on the AB's, you love them or hate them.

But those that hate them from what I've read were perhaps taking them to fast. Example, 180gr out of a .300RUM with the animal at 75 yards.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Not sure on your accubonds but your right about speed with the wrong bullet. the 7mm mag got a bad rep as a wounding gun pushing bullets designed for much slower velocities. Ballistic tips have a bad rep too, shoot them in a .308 no problem use a .300 mag and you get to see what they were originaly designed for - blowing things up (gophers).

 

[Jriley]

I would like to know the answer to this as well. I have a fresh box of 260 grain accubonds that I'm planning on loading in the next few days.

 

[wildlifehunter]

I used 225gr accubonds at 2800 fps in the 35 whelen. I shot Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala, Blesbok, Warthog, all shot within 40-100 yards. great damage to vitals. I only recoverd 2 bullets, great weight retention and expansion. I also use same load for Black Bear and Whitetail Deer, same result.

 

[sestoppelman]

I used 225gr accubonds at 2800 fps in the 35 whelen. I shot Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala, Blesbok, Warthog, all shot within 40-100 yards. great damage to vitals. I only recoverd 2 bullets, great weight retention and expansion. I also use same load for Black Bear and Whitetail Deer, same result.

2800 fps?!?!?! In the Whelen?! Did you chrono that load? Thats nearly 4000 lbs of energy. For the Whelen to do that the load would have been a dangerous one.

 

[35bore]

2800 fps?!?!?! In the Whelen?! Did you chrono that load? Thats nearly 4000 lbs of energy. For the Whelen to do that the load would have been a dangerous one.

Scott, I don't know how to come up with the lbs. of energy based on bullet weight and velocity. I just checked the Federal Premium ammo, "factory says", I am sure it won't chrono that, but, a 225gr. TBBC being pushed at 2600 fps for the Whelen. I am sure the 200fps difference is enough to make a difference.

 

[wildlifehunter]

Yes I chrono that load. 20 shot 2805fps ave from a rem 700 cdl 24in bl. why do you think its a dangerous load? 60.5 gr of varget is right from nosler reloading guide #6. 200fps over the federal load makes a bit flatter shooting but no difference on game. I've always had great weight retention and expansion with this combo.

 

[sestoppelman]

Well if you say so. One must remember this the '06 case we are talking about here. 2800 fps is way beyond any factory load and when I had a Whelen about the best I could do with the same bullet and barrel length was just over 2600 fps. My Nosler manual, #5 does not list Varget in its powder choices, but Nosler is well known for its sometimes wildly optimistic velocities, does show 56.5 grs of R15 which is nearly the same as Varget, for 2525 fps, the fastest load shown. If you chronographed the load thats that. No doubt it would be effective, as it is in the same power range as the .338 Win mag, a much larger case, which is why I was suspicious.

35bore. The formula for energy is as follows; velocity times velocity times bullet weight divided by factor 450240. This equals muzzle energy.

 

[wildlifehunter]

I have had great success with the velocities from nosler #6. it also shows 2789fps with 59 grs of R15.

 

[sestoppelman]

Book speeds and real speeds usually differ considerably, especially when talking about Noslers speeds, in my experience. You must have the fastest barreled Whelen in existence. I have never seen such velocity claimed before anywhere else, one that equals the .338 Win mag. and is approaching low end .375 H&H loads. Better hang onto that rifle, its magic!

 

[wildlifehunter]

Yes book speeds and real speeds differ considerably, but I have great success with nosler #6, you should try it.

 

[sestoppelman]

Yes book speeds and real speeds differ considerably, but I have great success with nosler #6, you should try it.

I will thumb thru one next time I see one. I dont really care what it says, I have lots of manuals. The most realistic in my view are the Speer book and the Lyman manual. Nosler is usually the most optimistic, by far.

 

[WST416]

If your gun shoots the AB well and you like the AB the bullet is more then up for taking eland. I would shoot an eland with an AB and not think twice about it. I have shot a lot of plains game with the AB and our North American game also including really big moose and they preformed excellent. I don't know about shooting one from 50 yards and closer but how often do you get a shot that close at an Eland unless you are at a water hole? The bullet would still hold together enough that the animal would be dead. Remember it's still all about shot placement, no matter what bullet you use it won't make up for a poorly placed shot. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Gents I appreciate the education. Thanks.

 

[wildlifehunter]

everyone has there own opinion, dont knock till you try it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

everyone has there own opinion, dont knock till you try it.

????

 

[wildlifehunter]

Sestoppelman

When you say 2800fps is way beyond any factory load, buffalo-barnes has a 2800fps TSX load, also Ammo& ballistics #4 list two factory loads a 225 partition and 225 accubond at 2800fps. as far as my magic, fastest barreled whelen in existence and you have never seen such velocity claimed before anywhere else, look up reloading for 35 whelen on the internet and you will see 2800fps with a 225gr bullet is really no big thing with the whelen out of a 24" barrel.

 

[huntingbigun]

I used the Accubonds in my 280AI & 300RUM, last year for Elk & Mule deer and even a few porcupines lol. Did the job well at ranges from 50 yards to 450, good bullet with a great co-efficent, as far as the 35 Whelen goes if WH has a magic fastest barreled in existence my reloading buddy has it twin:bighello: We have chrono many loads above 2800 cwhack:

 

[sestoppelman]

OK, I give! I cant call everyone liars.

 

[35bore]

35bore. The formula for energy is as follows; velocity times velocity times bullet weight divided by factor 450240. This equals muzzle energy.

Thanks, good info to have for future use.