Messing with Nosler Accubond 140 gr 7mm in 280 AI

[Durango Mike]

Setting up a 280 Ackley this weekend and had a choice between 150gr Sirroco and 140 gr Accubond, The Sirroco 150 shoot into 3/4 inch but the 140 Accubond with a max load of H4831sc is putting 3 shots into a ragged hole, (crono shows 3050fps). Either are accurate enough, but I am thinking the 140 accubond might be a little light for elk. The Sirocco 150's have done great on mule deer and the one cow I have shot. Would have liked to find some 150 0r 160 Accubonds but no joy. Anyone with experience with 140 7mm Accubonds on elk? I could bump up to a 7 rem mag and 160 partitions with about the same accuracy as the Sirocco.

 

[3855WIN]

Mike, I haven’t shot an elk with the Accubond, but I’d use it and not think twice about it. I really like that bullet. I’d take that accuracy over 10 more grains.

 

[MThuntr]

Talk to BuzzH about shooting elk with 140 accubonds out of a 7mm08...he's probably killed more elk with that combo than most hunters could even dream I can't imagine it not being enough out of a 280AI...I killed an elk at 450 yards last year using 143Hammers out of my 280ai and I don't see how 3 grains would make much a difference.

 

[CForest]

Honestly any of those options are great. Our family has probably killed just as many elk with 140gr accubond out of a 7mm08 than any other setup. Keep distance reasonable and you will have no issues. We switched to 131hh for this year so I'm curious to see how they compare.

 

[williaada]

Buzz, can speak to how effective the 7mm08 is on elk.

 

[brownbear932008]

You can shoot elk all day with that 140 grain accubond. Don't over think it, put that bullet in the boiler room and you have a dead elk. I've shot two moose with the 140s.

 

[Addicting]

3050 is slow in a 280ai. Your leaving a lot of speed on the table. That’s about where we are with 162g ELD-X speed wise.

 

[CPAjeff]

Shot a 6x6 bull elk last year with a 140 AB out of a 7mm-08, and a bull caribou a couple weeks ago with the same combo. Both died very quickly. I have full confidence in my combo for pretty much every hunting scenario I'll encounter in North America.

 

[Durango Mike]

3050 is slow in a 280ai. Your leaving a lot of speed on the table. That’s about where we are with 162g ELD-X speed wise.

I am using an old lot of H4831sc that I had several pounds of and wanted to try RL22 which looked like the best velocity powder but had only 1/2 lb on the shelf, probably can push it a little and pick up another 100fps as no pressure signs at the load I used. what powder are you using with the 162 gr ELD-X?

 

[Addicting]

I am using an old lot of H4831sc that I had several pounds of and wanted to try RL22 which looked like the best velocity powder but had only 1/2 lb on the shelf, probably can push it a little and pick up another 100fps as no pressure signs at the load I used. what powder are you using with the 162 gr ELD-X?

RL23

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

I've killed two bull elk and a bull caribou with 140 gr Accubonds out of two different .280 Rem. The elk rifle and load produced around 3100 fps and the caribou about 2850. No issue with terminal performance on game with either load combo.

 

[ImBillT]

No reason to go that light on an elk with a 280AI BUT the 140AB SHOULD be plenty.

 

[std7mag]

Go with your accurate load & don't worry so much about speed!
Max loads & most accurate seldom coincide.

 

[williaada]

3050 is slow in a 280ai. Your leaving a lot of speed on the table. That’s about where we are with 162g ELD-X speed wise.

What powder are you using in your .280ai?

 

[Addicting]

Reloader 23 or 26 depending on the grain of bullet. I stay above 150 grain bullets.

 

[220yotekiller]

l would use it and be happy. the accubond is the best hunting bullet in the world in my opinion l wouldn't even think twice about it.

 

[williaada]

Reloader 23 or 26 depending on the grain of bullet. I stay above 150 grain bullets.

I am using 4831sc getting 2875fps and not even close to max load pushing 150 gr ttsx. Do you think I could get a little more without affect long accuracy?

 

[BRI]

I'm currently shooting 3020 fps with a 140 grain from my 280ai. I was up to 3175 but the accuracy was not nearly as good. When I loaded 160 grain accubonds in it, the best accuracy I found was 2960.

 

[Addicting]

I am using 4831sc getting 2875fps and not even close to max load pushing 150 gr ttsx. Do you think I could get a little more without affect long accuracy?

Depends on your gun and the powder combo. I will say that RL26 had that bullet over 3100 in a 26” barrel and it shot .75 MOA all day long. But I am currently shooting the 160 Accubond at 2960 also with RL22 out of a 24” barrel.

H4831sc has always been sub par for velocity in every thing I’ve tried it in. Reloader on 150+ or N555 on a 140g have been the best.

 

[KandM]

22" barrel on a Savage Ultralight, Nosler factory loaded 140gr. Accubond, 3010 fps, 2 dead elk bulls, one cow and 2 mule deer. Couldn't be happier