Nosler LR Accubonds: BC testing results

[Ingwe]

Bryan,

Thanks so much for your response!

I THINK that I understand what you are saying.....would my understanding you be correct by saying that the extra 5% BC does not improve accuracy/group size at 1,000 yards (over my current set-up) but that the extra 5% BC is "better" because the reduction in bullet drop and wind drift makes it easier to hit your target at 1,000 yards??

By the way I am ordering your new book

 

[Greyfox]

Tagging on........looking forward to any data on the 210 LRAB.

 

[Michael Courtney]

I'm glad to see that Bryan has provided independent BC test results for the LRAB bullets. I'm still expecting the 210 grain .308 bullet to be exaggerated by more than 10%, but we'll see.

I plan on ordering Bryan's new book as soon as it is available. My colleagues and I are eager to see how his findings relating gyroscopic stability and aerodynamic drag compare with ours. Our experiments have focused on Sg values between 1.0 and 1.4, and we've consistently seen a sharp decrease in BC for Sg < 1.22 or so. We are eager to see Bryan's data regarding what may be happening above Sg = 1.5.

Here are links to two of our recent papers for folks interested in reviewing our findings while waiting on Bryan's book:

http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1309/1309.5039.pdf

http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1401/1401.4187.pdf

 

[Blaze Orange]

Tagging on........looking forward to any data on the 210 LRAB.

I think the 210 is the flagship for this line of bullets having the highest listed BC in a very popular and widely used caliber. I'm waiting for Bryan's report as well.

The other question in my mind is terminal performance at a variety of speeds.

From Nosler's webpage:

Optimum Performance Velocity:

Minimum: 1300 fps ( 396 mps)
Maximum: Unlimited

Unlimited sounds a little optimistic...as does 1300. How can it do both? How could the jacket hold together in the rifling at say 3400 and still expand reliably at 1300? Seems like a tall order, but maybe they have the recipe.

How do these actually respond to an elk shoulder blade vs. soft tissue from 3200 all the way down to 1300? I've read some reports here and there, but it seems like the body of evidence is still pretty small and the jury is out.

How do the terminal ballistics of the 210 ABLR compare the the Berger .308 215 hybrids?

Broz has provided outstanding documentation for the 215s in field conditions. Best real world terminal data I've seen presented on any bullet, anywhere. Thanks Broz!

I doubt I will ever see a thread like Broz's for the 210 ABLRs. But I think over time, a picture will develop.

But for now, what's the tested BC on the 210s? Inquiring minds want to know!



Side note to Broz: I really appreciate your contributions to this site and the invaluable info you've shared. I've learned a ton about long range hunting reading your posts on a wide variety of subjects. Hats off to you sir! --Appreciative Newbie

 

[Michael Eichele]

I think the 210 is the flagship for this line of bullets having the highest listed BC in a very popular and widely used caliber.

But for now, what's the tested BC on the 210s? Inquiring minds want to know!

About 3-4% lower than the 208 amax

 

[Michael Courtney]

About 3-4% lower than the 208 amax

Nosler's G1 BC claim on the 210 LRAB is 0.730. The 208 AMAX has a G1 BC of 0.648. 3% lower would be 0.629, which is 14% lower than Nosler's claim.

 

[Blaze Orange]

About 3-4% lower than the 208 amax

So...

Berger 215 Hybrid 0.696/0.356 -- Berger's numbers are supposedly right on.
Hornady 208 Amax 0.648/0.325 -- Hornady's listed numbers. Accurate?
Nosler 210 ABLR 0.625/0.314? -- 96.5% of Hornady's listed number.

If this is the case, they'll need good terminal ballistics. Not so hard to beat the Amax, but how do they compare to the 215s?

I suppose the other thing they have going for them in the marketplace is the 210s are available as "Trophy Grade" factory loads from Nosler.

300 Wby Mag: 2,825 MV
300 RUM: 2,920 MV
30-378 Wby Mag" 3,040 MV

(Can only get 190 ABLRs in the 300 Win Mag).

 

[barnesuser28]

MMERSS came up with a G7 BC of .318 out of his 308 win and i have found that to be accurate in my 30/375 S.I in my limited shooting of the 210 ABLRS. Drops were within the accuracy potential of the load/rifle.

Riley

 

[elkaholic]

I think the 210 is the flagship for this line of bullets having the highest listed BC in a very popular and widely used caliber. I'm waiting for Bryan's report as well.

The other question in my mind is terminal performance at a variety of speeds.

From Nosler's webpage:

Optimum Performance Velocity:

Minimum: 1300 fps ( 396 mps)
Maximum: Unlimited

Unlimited sounds a little optimistic...as does 1300. How can it do both? How could the jacket hold together in the rifling at say 3400 and still expand reliably at 1300? Seems like a tall order, but maybe they have the recipe.

How do these actually respond to an elk shoulder blade vs. soft tissue from 3200 all the way down to 1300? I've read some reports here and there, but it seems like the body of evidence is still pretty small and the jury is out.

How do the terminal ballistics of the 210 ABLR compare the the Berger .308 215 hybrids?

Broz has provided outstanding documentation for the 215s in field conditions. Best real world terminal data I've seen presented on any bullet, anywhere. Thanks Broz!

I doubt I will ever see a thread like Broz's for the 210 ABLRs. But I think over time, a picture will develop.

But for now, what's the tested BC on the 210s? Inquiring minds want to know!



Side note to Broz: I really appreciate your contributions to this site and the invaluable info you've shared. I've learned a ton about long range hunting reading your posts on a wide variety of subjects. Hats off to you sir! --Appreciative Newbie

I did a little testing with the 150 .270 ABLR and I think that they probably will expand down to 1300'. At over 3000 though, that bullet will be almost as flat as a pancake.......Rich

 

[Blaze Orange]

Drops were within the accuracy potential of the load/rifle.

Riley

So far, has the experience been that they fly consistently accurate (good mfg tolerances)?

 

[Blaze Orange]

I did a little testing with the 150 .270 ABLR and I think that they probably will expand down to 1300'. At over 3000 though, that bullet will be almost as flat as a pancake.......Rich

Good to know. Been hunting elk with a .270 Win for 30 years. Love the rifle, it has served me well, but my opportunities seem to be coming at 400 to 800 yards anymore. It's hard to get things done with 150gr Core-Lokts past 350 yards. They lose velocity so fast.

I've been debating reloading the .270 Win with higher BC bullets, or stepping up to a .300 Win Mag passed down from my father. Then picking a bullet for it.

Trying to improve my long range game for next season. Bullet shopping among other things.

 

[Michael Eichele]

MMERSS came up with a G7 BC of .318 out of his 308 win

Riley

That is exactly what I use at 308 velocity.

 

[barnesuser28]

So far, has the experience been that they fly consistently accurate (good mfg tolerances)?

They shot .5-.75 MOA with some load development, not a ton though. The same rifle shoots 215 bergers consistently in the .2s and .3s with two different powders and three different loads in total with very little load development. I sold the 50 or so ABLRs to a forum member and he found they shot well in his rifle, comparable to 210 bergers in his limited testing.

Riley

 

[Michael Eichele]

Hornady 208 Amax 0.648/0.325 -- Hornady's listed numbers. Accurate?

Hornady does an outstanding job determining and publishing BCs. Litz publishes .633 for the 208 and hornady publishes .648 as you know. You have to remember that BC values change with velocity. BCs are also typically lower in the first bit of their flight. Litz gathers BC data at different velocities and averages them out. I've personally fired the 208 at .671 at 2900-2950'sec and .647 at 2650-2700 so yes I would say hornady's number of .648 is accurate depending on a given point of view.