NOSLER Bonded Bullets - .30 and .338

Ian M · #1 04-01-2003, 08:59 PM

Just got these today - they are very beautiful looking bullets. .30's are in 200 grain and .338's are in 225 grain. Will be shooting the .30's in a couple of my magnums and have definite plans for the 225's and a certain Lilja barreled custom .338 that has shot some 3-shot groups well under a half inch. Looks like I will be cranking magnum cases instead of my beloved .308's for a while.
I believe that these Noslers are going to roll some black bears this spring!
Will post a few results as I get into a wide variety of testing.

smoak · #2 04-02-2003, 12:24 AM

Which is more delayed expansion, the accubond or partition? Which to use one elk?

Ian M · #3 04-02-2003, 02:38 PM

That is a very good question and I will try to find out a reasonable answer. We have a pretty nice test medium and procedure, plus hope to shoot some bears and other game so we could find out a few things about real field performance.
Won't be shooting for a few days, we just got clobbered with more snow.

jcpython357 · #4 04-02-2003, 04:26 PM

ian, Called mike at nosler, said that the accu-bond will open up slightly faster, although I read on Nosler's website that these new bullets retain nearly 100% and since the Partition is consistantly 60%(tested that myself years ago) I'm using the new kid in town when it comes to Wapati. Although Hornady bonded bullets are less expensive, $30 per 100 vs. $19 per 50. Jay [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 04-02-2003: Message edited by: Jay Gorski ]

[ 04-03-2003: Message edited by: Jay Gorski ]

Sheldon · #5 04-02-2003, 11:26 PM

That 225 Nosler looks like just the ticket for my Caribou hunt and my .338 Win Mag. According to my Calculator, I still have over 900 ftlbs at 1250 yards with a MV of 3000 FPS. I get ~2800 with 250 Gamekings and ~3100 with 200s. Plus, for whitetails anyway, that's only 36.2 MOA of elevation from a 200 yard zero. No problem with my nightforce scope. Cool. The only issue I see so far is that my .338 shoots the 250's into a sub 1/2 MOA ragged hole at 100 yards. Hate to switch now, but.... I like to play. Damn!

Jon A · #6 04-05-2003, 04:00 PM

My shipment of 200's came in Friday. Very impressive looking bullet.

Jacket smoothness/finish is much better than the Scirocco. I also noticed the fit between the plastic tip and the jacket is much better (Sciroccos many times have gaps between the two).

I sectioned one and am very impressed. The jacket starts out really thin and the plastic tip protrudes into the lead about 1/10" so it should have no problem opening up at low velocities. The jacket then tapers and gets really heavy for the last 1/2 of its length. Since this jacket isn't soft, pure copper like the Swift's it should be much tougher. This bullet is going to hold together!

I bent and twisted one of the halves trying to get the jacket and core to separate but couldn't. They seem to be very well bonded.

Unfortunately it will be a while before I'm able to do any real testing so I'm looking forward to your results, Ian!

Ian M · #7 04-05-2003, 09:11 PM

Jon,
I hope to start some accuracy and velocity shooting this week, will use a couple of .300's and my pet .338. Those are long bullets compared to the 150's, 168's and 175's I usually crank.
I agree with your assessment, the Noslers appear to be somewhat better assembled than Sciroccos re the gap at the tip - this is pure cosmetics I believe. Would also agree that they are "smoother" but again this might be more cosmetic than significant re performance.
Only one way to to compare them - hurl a bunch downrange. I believe my shoulder is about to catch hell.