Nosler Accubond or Partition on elk?

[mightyman]

I have my 2014 elk hunt all planned...

I have a 7mm and in the past have killed two nice elk with the 140 grain Nosler Partition.

Thinking of using the 140 grain accubond this year as it is more accurate for my rifle.

Any thoughts, or will they both do the job?
thanks
MM

 

[Broz]

They will both do their job if placed well with in their range of proper usage. But to better define an answer one would need to know what your maximum range you intend to shoot would be. I have used Partitions up close but would prefer a higher BC offering for longer distances.
Also I am guessing by 7mm you mean a 7mm Rem Mag.?
Jeff

 

[Tikkamike]

I have killed a pile of elk with the 160 partition in my 7mag and it did so easily. I have also killed a few using accubonds in other rifles and they perform almost identical as far as weight retantion. I think the partition has a slight edge on weight retention but I would use AB in a heart beat if it were more accurate. I would however use the 160 over a 140.. 140 is pretty dang light if things get ugly you will be wishing you had more bullet

 

[mightyman]

Thanks for the input on the bullets. Yes it is a 7mag.
Well on my last two hunts, I killed at 214 yards, and 434 with nosler partitions. Not quite sure what the range will be this trip...
From what I am told a 3-400 yard shot is possible, but most in past few years where I am going has been under 200.

Any comments on how the 168 bergers would do, as that is what I have used back east this year for deer...
thanks
MM

 

[Bigcat_hunter]

I have killed all my elk with partitions. I killed my last one with a 270 wsm at 530ish yards with a 150 grain bullet. The exit holes was about the size of the entrance holes which didn't make me feel too cozy. That being said, it F'N jellied his lungs and heart so I was happy.

I would really like to use accubonds for the higher BC but I can't get them to shoot in anything but a heavy barreled dedicated LR rig. I have tried them in 6 rifles and they flat don't shoot for me.

 

[Broz]

Any comments on how the 168 bergers would do, as that is what I have used back east this year for deer...
thanks
MM

I have a friends using them. Many elk are taken with them each year. Put them in the crease right behind the shoulder and its lights out. They will kill elk with out problems unless you put it under the tail then you may have a problem. But I do prefer the 180 VLD's for elk. If your shots are going to be in the open under 500 yards I see no reason you could not hunt with your 168 gr load. I would if that is what I had working for me on deer and they shot well for me.

Jeff

 

[cowboy]

Any comments on how the 168 bergers would do, as that is what I have used back east this year for deer...
thanks
MM

We have taken about 2 dozen elk with the 168 bergers out of 280AI's. One rifle pushes them at 2840 fps and other 2 run mid 2900's. We have had no problems and have no intentions to change. We have 10 twist barrels but if I had a 9 twist I'd be trying the 180's.

 

[mightyman]

Thanks for the responses.
Great information, and yes my gun is dialed in with the 168 Bergers, but just wanted the professional opinions re these 3 types of bullets.

Kinda partial to the Partitions, as they served me well in the past, but since it is dialed in with the bergers, I will continue using them.
I appreciate the information
MM

 

[ThorThor]

160 Grain Accubond in 7mm. Better SD for penetration at angles, which always happens with elk and a better BC. At ranges under 300 yards it will not really matter though. Accubonds have been more accurate for me than partitions and hold up just as good. Winchester makes a good factory load with the 160 accubond if you wanted to see how it shoots without any homework.

 

[rooster740]

I have zero input on which bullet to use but do know that the 168 berger into th shoulder bone at 200 yards will stop the bullet from entering the chest cavity. This guy used my 300wm with a 215 berger and blew a fist sized hole out the other side

 

[mightyman]

To All
Good comments and direction on which bullets to use. Based on this (and the picture with comments) I think I will stick with the Nosler Partition, as it has served me well in the past.

Deep in the woods, as you know, I have always been told if you have a shot, "take the wheels out from under them" meaning, shoot in the shoulder...and I think the partition will do the job.
Thanks for the advice and direction,
MM

 

[rooster740]

I have zero input on which bullet to use but do know that the 168 berger into th shoulder bone at 200 yards will stop the bullet from entering the chest cavity. This guy used my 300wm with a 215 berger and blew a fist sized hole out the other side

To clarify this situation this 2.5 year old bull was hit in the shoulder knuckle. This bull was shot at 4 times from a solid rest, between 150 and 200 yards. Just luckily it was opening morning and amazingly and thankfully this bull stuck around with 5 other confused young bulls. The hunter was nervous and unsettled as I has ever been around. This bull had a different color horns then the rest and stayed separated for easily identification, but after the forth shot I told this man to please take my rifle and kill that bull. Game over, it was almost a very bad situation! As it turned out some how he had only hit the bull one time with the 168 berger.
I am a huge fan of high bc bullets, but under 400-500yards, I believe a well constructed heavy bullet has the advantage on the really high bc bullet. I feel that Barnes or partition type bullets are hard to beat at close range.
Good luck on that hunt