Nosler Accubond

[Alchemist]

I was busy reloading Nosler AB 180 gr for my 300 WM for an upcoming Kalahari hunt when I found 11 bullets in a seal pack with weird looking spots and signs of corrosion. Anybody seen this before ?

 

[Royal27]

I've bought Nosler factory seconds before that were spotted, but even they weren't that spotted.

Don't know that those spots would impact performance, but you could always email those pics to Nosler and see what they say?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

No I haven't. I'd contact Noserl and send them the pics. Likely they'll take them back and send you new ones.

 

[GA Hunter]

I've seen this on a number of occasions but I'm not sure exactly what causes it. A little steel wool and they are fine.

If you do contact Nosler let us know what they say.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I've seen this on a number of occasions but I'm not sure exactly what causes it. A little steel wool and they are fine.

If you do contact Nosler let us know what they say.

A guess but it looks to me that perhaps some sort of solvent maybe used in the mfg process got splashed onto these. Whatever it was, neither plastic or copper likes it very much. Even the tip on the top bullet shows damage.

 

[GA Hunter]

Didn't notice the damage to the tip. Never seen it do any actual damage. Even more curious to hear what Nosler has to say.

 

[Dr Ray]

I was busy reloading Nosler AB 180 gr for my 300 WM for an upcoming Kalahari hunt when I found 11 bullets in a seal pack with weird looking spots and signs of corrosion. Anybody seen this before ?

View attachment 191923 View attachment 191924

I had similar results because of moisture here in the far north of Australia where we are in the tropics.
Suggest you store ammunition and firearms with de- humidifiers.

 

[Travis2282]

What's the largest game you plan to take with this ammo? My rifle loves them but I was afraid it wasn't tough enough!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

What's the largest game you plan to take with this ammo? My rifle loves them but I was afraid it wasn't tough enough!

I haven't used them hunting, but @Buff-Buster loves them for hunting. He just got back this past week from Africa. Hopefully he writes a report since I'm outing him like this and hopefully comments on the A-bonds.

You're welcome Wes...

 

[Alchemist]

I had similar results because of moisture here in the far north of Australia where we are in the tropics.
Suggest you store ammunition and firearms with de- humidifiers.

We are sitting at 1650 meters above sea level with less than 20 % humidity. The bullets were bought last weekend. Even so, I have 3 dehumidifying device in the Safe.
The corrosion looks to me like acid contamination as the polymer tip starts to deteriorate and the copper started oxydising. It was only opened yestarday still sealed in the plastic bag.
The pack was already exchanged today by my gunshop, Safari & Outdoor. Bullets will be sent for analysis.

 

[Alchemist]

What's the largest game you plan to take with this ammo? My rifle loves them but I was afraid it wasn't tough enough!

I am hunting next weekend in the Nortern Cape. I will be hunting Gemsbok, kudu or eland. The rifles are 30-06 and 300 Win Mag. I have so far used the AB on everything mentioned above and the performed beyond expectation.
Both 180 gr
30-06 shot at 2680 f/s
300 Win Mag shot at 3035 f/s
My son will be looking for hartbees or fellow deer with his 6.5x55 with 140gr Nosler AB @2730 f/s

 

[Buff-Buster]

I haven't used them hunting, but @Buff-Buster loves them for hunting. He just got back this past week from Africa. Hopefully he writes a report since I'm outing him like this and hopefully comments on the A-bonds.

You're welcome Wes...

Thanks Phil.... Report is forthcoming as soon as I get caught up with honey-do's around here! Quick update on the AB's. Loaded AB's in .338 Win Mag (180gr), .7mm REM Mag (160gr). Game taken with both: 1-Kudu, 2-Gemsbok. 3-Impala, 2-blesbok, 1-Warthog, 3-Springbok. Ranges from 100yds to 300 yds. All performed flawlessly. Kudu and Gemsbok, all bullets found under skin on off side of entry, perfectly mushroomed and retained approx 60-70% of original weight. All others were pass thru.

 

[Art Lambart II]

On last years safari my brother used a 225 grain accubond in his 35 Whelen and took Kudu, Gemsbok, Red Heartabeest, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok and warthog. The Kudu, Red Heartbeest, and warthog dropped where they stood, the rest of the animals went less than 75 yards, none of the slugs where recovered. Without question the accubond is a great bullet for PG.

 

[Saul]

I love the Accubond and Nosler has great customer service. They make great .280 AI ammo but I have heard some worrying reports of them being a little too explosive on shallow on game at close distances out of cartridges like the .300 Weatherby.

 

[JGRaider]

I've killed around 30 head of African plains game, up to and including Zebra and wildebeest, with 160AB's in my 7mm Rem mag. Haven't had a failure yet,as they are quick and reliable killers.

 

[sheephunterab]

There is a corrosive chemical used in the bonding process that is neutralized but it appears the handful in your bag may not have been completely neutralized.

 

[Shootist43]

I hope your new bullets are free of any and all issues. I'll be looking for your hunting report and pictures. I'm quite sure you will be ending up with more freezer meat and biltong. Hopefully you will be able to add some info to the Bullet Performance Data Base.

 

[Buckdog]

Alchemist, I shoot 200gr accubonds in 300WM and have taken over 30 plains game with them from little ones to eland. they work very well. eland 1 shot double lung ran about 100yds piled up. shot 2 zebra stalions at 200yds each was a complete pass thru. As regards your comments 300WM do tend to blow up the little critters no matter what bullet you use expecially up close. Shot a Grysbuck at 40 yds and it was not pretty but I shot it center mass as I knew what was going to happen so the front 1/2 was ok and Dennis can fix and mount as the 300WM literaly cut it in 1/2. I assume you are reloading give RL22 and H1000 powders a try they work very well in 300WM.

 

[Desert Dog]

If one of my hunting rifles will not shoot TTSXs, I will always go for the Accubond.

The Accubond will penetrate like an A-frame, but shoot over long distances like a VLD. It is a fantastic bullet. Some barrels just don't like em though.

 

[Shawn.54]

There is a corrosive chemical used in the bonding process that is neutralized but it appears the handful in your bag may not have been completely neutralized.

That is what I was told by Nosler a little steel wool and a drop oil in box will fix them up. Love them in 7mm-08 and 35 Whelen
Shawn