Some tried to help me during season. I was not getting exit wounds or blood trails from my 26 nosler. It buckled both bucks. But I didn not like that I wasn't getting exits. I do not reload and have randomly searched for ammo. People suggested bonded and partition bullets for more penetration. I found some that are loaded with 140 grain accubonds or 127 grain Barnes lrx. Which is my best option for deer?
Ammo question
- Thread starter JBell
- Start date
Madbowh
Well-Known Member
Shot distance?
Ridgeline300
Well-Known Member
I always like heavy bullets. If I had to choose between 140 and 127 I'd choose the 140's
That's my thinking too. But I don't know which bullet will give me the best chance of a exit. I think whatever it is I'm shooting is to soft and exploding on impact. And I don't know differences between the bullets available.
Barnes is solid copper and designed for 100% weight retention, so 127grs and it's designed to hold 127grs after impact and expansion.
The Accubond is a bonded lead core bullet designed to retain 60-70% of its weight after impact and expansion. If it keeps 70% that's 98grs.
For the speeds the 26 makes the Barnes would be my pick. Nothing wrong with Accubonds, they will be tougher than the Long Range Accubond.
Speed is the reason you're having bullet issues with lead core bullets. I'd bet if you were shooting one of the smaller 6.5mm cartridges you'd get exits with just about anything.
The Accubond is a bonded lead core bullet designed to retain 60-70% of its weight after impact and expansion. If it keeps 70% that's 98grs.
For the speeds the 26 makes the Barnes would be my pick. Nothing wrong with Accubonds, they will be tougher than the Long Range Accubond.
Speed is the reason you're having bullet issues with lead core bullets. I'd bet if you were shooting one of the smaller 6.5mm cartridges you'd get exits with just about anything.
Ridgeline300
Well-Known Member
Here is a bonded bullet that I shot into a deer. I almost always have exits and never find a bullet but in this rare instance I nearly shot length wise through the whole deer. The bullet was just under the skin opposite side. This bullet originally weighed 225gr but because it was bonded it retained most it's weight, I would bet it don't like much still weighing 225. They don't bust apart, they stay together and drive on through. Out of the 4 choices you have above the 140gr Accubonds would be my choice. I currently shoot hornady eld-x.
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Ridgeline300
Well-Known Member
I'm no expert by any means, others in here no way more about bullets than me
I have been using Accubonds in most of my rifles for decades with great results. Especially in small, fast calibers. These are 2 that I recovered this year (both steep quartering shots). One is a 90gr AB out of a 6mm-284 at over 3500FPS. The other is a 110 AB out of a 25 WSM at ~3450fps. Both were ~120yd shots and both dropped like a rock. Broadside shots are always complete passthroughs. I think the 140AB out of your rifle would be amazing.
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DaveB
Well-Known Member
Switched from Partitions to Accubonds some years back.
I have yet to recover an Accubond.
every .224, 243, 284, and 308 caliber weapon we shoot has a deer cartridge carrying max loads of some powder and topped by Accubonds. They fly straight and punch on through.
Shot a deer at 12 paces. You could see daylight through the entrance. Another time a big doe stepped out at 110 yards and as I shouldered she squatted to run when I pulled the trigger., Heart shot she ran 70 yards or so leaving a trail my Wife could have followed.
Longest was 135 yards. Killed two in same spot. Both dropped where they stood. I searched quite awhile for the bullets as I was up high but no luck.
Highly recommended. Also suggest that for the price of 2 boxes of ammo you could own about half of what you need to start loading your own. No way I pay 5 bucks a round. Whatever you do keep your brass. Each one is about a dollar if you can find them for sale.
I have yet to recover an Accubond.
every .224, 243, 284, and 308 caliber weapon we shoot has a deer cartridge carrying max loads of some powder and topped by Accubonds. They fly straight and punch on through.
Shot a deer at 12 paces. You could see daylight through the entrance. Another time a big doe stepped out at 110 yards and as I shouldered she squatted to run when I pulled the trigger., Heart shot she ran 70 yards or so leaving a trail my Wife could have followed.
Longest was 135 yards. Killed two in same spot. Both dropped where they stood. I searched quite awhile for the bullets as I was up high but no luck.
Highly recommended. Also suggest that for the price of 2 boxes of ammo you could own about half of what you need to start loading your own. No way I pay 5 bucks a round. Whatever you do keep your brass. Each one is about a dollar if you can find them for sale.
