Accubonds or Berger VLD's ???

[knc1105]

I just finished a 300 RUM it's a Rem. 700 Police with a 26" bull barrel. The 200 gr Accubonds and 210 Berger VLD Hunting both grouped really well. I have shot Noslers for 30 years back to my old favorite the Solid Base. I know nothing about the Bergers other than it is a great looking bullet with a very high BC and target shooters like Bergers so I know they group well but how do the VLD Hunting perform on real game not paper ???? I have not gotten a true velocity to run the ballistics calculator to see how much difference the BC makes between the two bullets. Any experience would be greatly appreciated, the 300 RUM is a barrel eater so I found a great load for both and want to settle it and quit experimenting and save the barrel for scope dope and hunting. Thanks, Ken

 

[winmag]

IMO, it depends on the range you want to shoot, and the critters you hunt. For close to mid range (0-600yds) Accubond all the way especially if elk are on the menue. If you wanna push your range farther, the Berger seems to be the better choice for two reasons. Higher B.C.-less wind drift. and two, its alot more fragile bullet that will expand at lower velocities.

Figure out your personal effective range, and pick one theyre both great bullets from what I here. I only have experience with the Accubond, but Ill give Bergers a try on my 300wby when I turn it into a dedicated L/R rifle, and better my personal ability enough at long range to take advantage of the Bergers. For now my max is 0-600, so I want a tough bullet for the close stuff, but it has a tip to help initiate expansion at lower velocities. Accubond fits all the personal criteria I have for the range and game I shoot.

 

[fireroad]

+2 for the Accubond, especially since you know your rifle will shoot them. Nosler has a good history of making great hunting bullets.

 

[theodore]

They are both great hunting rounds. My dad shoots accubonds, I shoot VLDs.

If ya might make a real bad shot like gut or rear end shot. VLD would be better. Especially the 30 cal animal dropping caliber. Hit the front shoulder bone and you got a big mess!!!!

Accubond are cleaner and leave a much better blood trail than VLD(Only if VLD doesn't passthrough which is inconsistent with these bullets).

I root for both. Good luck to ya. LOL

 

[coyotezapper]

I have been shooting Berger target and varmint bullets for years and absolutely love them. When I heard that they had a hunting bullet I was reminded of years ago (mid 90's if I remember right) when they announced a core lok type bullet with a funky tip for hunting. This was while they were still in Phoenix. For some reason this bullet never made it to market and I was left with the impression that they realized that they could not build a premium hunting bullet. For awhile I ignored the new VLD hunting bullet because I was happy with what I was curremtly using, mainly Barnes X bullets. Well last year I finally tried them and WOW!!! these things fly and kill. They don't kill like an X bullet but then what does? But they do the job just fine as they don't run far.
I have loaded the 225 grain Accubond in my 338-06 Ackley and they shoot 1/2" moa all day long. This is a backup load and I have not had a chance to shoot it into an animal yet but I have no doubt it is a fine performing bullet. In studying this bullet, to me it splits the difference between a Ballistic Tip and a Partition
If I was you I would keep both. Sometimes when you least expect it a bullet will be hard to get and if you have a back up bullet/load that you have shot and have the drops/drifts worked out it can really save a hunt. Once I have worked up a backup load and shot it I load up 100 rounds and they go into the cabinet with charts for emergenciy only. I have tried to do this with my standard load but I shoot and practice alot and I seem to go through these constantly.
Its nice to have the problem of having two excellent bullets that shoot great!!

 

[MTBULLET]

I have used the 168vld in my 300RUM for the last 6 years, from coyotes at 830 yds, to Elk at 360, 487, and 572 yds. , Antelope at 297 and 613 yds., Mulies at 330,486,and 600 yds. The VLD works very well at all these ranges. Any thing from "drop in tracks" to max. of 5 steps.

 

[Broz]

I can vouch for the 210 Berger at any distance out to 1000 on game. Several guys I hunt with shoot them including my son and I. Many animals down from a small antelope at 60 yards, the Elk in the pic below at 250 to many antelope at 800 plus. DRT.

Jeff

 

[coyotekiller82]

I've used both in my .270 wsm, 140 gr for each accubond and VLD, they both work tremendously well, although with my experience the VLD has put down the most game a lot faster. The Doe I shot last year with the accubond died, but not before running about 80 yards. The blood trail was something else though...a blind guy could have followed it! I find with the VLD's the shock experienced by the target is too much to handle and they fall on the spotgun)

In my opinion, I'd use the accubonds for closer shots and the VLD's for those longer ranged critters.

 

[theodore]

In my opinion, I'd use the accubonds for closer shots and the VLD's for those longer ranged critters.

I thought that if the VLD are going too fast upon impact, it is much more likely to do a complete passthrough. (over 2700fps upon impact with the 7mm 168VLD)

 

[coyotezapper]

VLD's work at any velocity. They penetrate 3-4" and then shred is the best way to describe it. Pass throughs are usually solids or heavy jacketed match bullets.

 

[coyotekiller82]

I thought that if the VLD are going too fast upon impact, it is much more likely to do a complete passthrough. (over 2700fps upon impact with the 7mm 168VLD)

Depends on where the animal is hit, if it's a double lung, yes you will get a passthrough if you are, and this is just an estimation, within 350 yards...give or take 50 yards. If it's a shoulder shot anywhere from, in my experience, 35 yards and out, it's a dead animal, but there's a lot of blood shot meat.

 

[cfvickers]

On deer, which is my only experience with either, at shorter ranges up to 200 yards both kill deer effectively, but the blood trail with the VLD is FAR better, meat damage if you shoulder shoot the deer is excessive. The Accubond seems like it would be best with larger game, blood trail in my experience is minimal but the bullet works and penetrates as designed, does a lot of internal damage, but I have not yet seen one drop dead where he stood with an accubond. they died within 50 yards but left no blood trail and the exit wound was small. Bergers leave MASSIVE exit wounds when they pass through and blood trails are more like highways. The four I have seen shot with a berger all passed through, 3 dropped and bled out completely where they fell, the last ran 50 yards and it was puzzling why. She had no heart and 1/2 of 1 lung, and a 6 inch ragged hole in the opposite side. If Elk hunting the Accubond would likely be my first choice until I see or hear first hand of a few clean kills on elk with a VLD.

 

[knc1105]

I learned one thing yesterday. I loaded the AccuBonds and the VLD's and went to the range. The Lee factory crimp die needs to be reset between the AB's and the VLD"s. The jacket on the VLD's was alot thinner so the factory crimp that barely crimped the AB crimped the end of the case mouth flush with the side of the bullet. The excessive crimp opened up my group to 3/4" on the VLD's.

 

[royinidaho]

No need to crimp!

Go with the VLDs. They won't letcha down at any distance, in my opinion.