225 Accubond vs Elk Report

[JD338]

Here are some recovered 225 gr AB's shot from my 338 RUM and recovered from water jugs,


JD338

[bigngreen]

It seems that there is allot of shooting at way to close of range with way to much cal for the job. If you shoot a 338 size bullet in the lower grain offerings and you push them fast enough at close range nearly any bullet will turn into a gernade with all that frontal area with no backside to back it up. I would think that maybe loading down to a lower velocity and using them for close shots may not be a bad idea or having some Barnes loaded up for close work. Shooting a 180 gr bullet in a real large magnum chambering at deer in close quarters is kinda like shooting a coyote with v-max's out of a 22-250.
In the quest of long range we typically build on larger cals and push bullets beyond there design capabilities in the short range to gain ballistics and killing power for the long range kill, during the first few hundred yards many of us are way out of the bullets design capabilities but by the time the bullet connects with our long range target it is within it's design capability and functions as we would expect. I think we have to keep in mind that we are building long range rigs, we don't expect a short range rifle and load to function at long distance why should we expect a long range one to function at close range.
Not trying to ruffle any feathers, just my take on it.

[ovastafford]

A few years ago I shot a big bull that was trotting straight away at around 200 yards with a 7mm rem mag with the 160 gr xlc and it went all the way through hitting the vitals exiting and killing him in one shot. I thought that was impressive as far as penetration but on second hand I worry about those barnes bullets just punching a hole and not expanding enough. I think they are probably great on Elk and larger game but for deer and other smaller game something that expands might be a little better in my opinion. Im using 180 gr accubonds this year for elk in my 300 ultra so I guess ill see how they work. Hope this is helpful...

[JD338]

Have you considered the 338 250 gr AB with a BC of .575?

JD338

[sambo3006]

My one experience with this bullet is a muzzle velocity of 3050 fps and a shot of 320 yds on a bull elk. The first shot was slightly quartering away and went through onside ribs and centered the humerus on the offside, shattering the bone. There was no exit and only bullet fragments were found around the shattered humerus but that is a direct impact on a large bone. Followup shot was quartering towards and went down through neck towards chest. No exit and I did not locate bullet. In both cases, lots of bone was hit and I wouldn't have expected any bullet other than a TSX or such to remain intact. Just my two cents.

[phorwath]

JD338

Nice picture display. That's about what my 7mm ABs look like, when they've been recovered in game. About 60-65% weight retention.

Not sure what's up with the 225 338s. Hoping LTLR provides an update and some photos of the bullets he's recovering. I've read of some hunters disappointments with the 225 338 AB on the Campfire site in the past also - based on some game taken in Africa. My tendency was to dismiss it as a fluke, but here's the same kind of incident again. If there's less than 35% weight retention, then their performance is clearly less than Nosler planned/designed for.

Maybe we will see some pics and retained weight data.

[rwk]

I do'nt understand all you folks got your animals so whats the problem, dead is dead. So i guess the bullet worked. DUH