Well, I've done some of my own research on ballistics and energy and thought I had settled on the perfect bullet for my 7mm Rem Mag for elk hunting this fall. 160gr Accubonds by Nosler.

I was reading this months issue of the AmericanHunter and they had several articles on elk including one on bullet choice and they recommended the Nosler Partition over the Accubond. The Accubond retains energy much better than the Partition on the charts I've looked at and I thought that would be important for elk.

Anyone else feel that the Accubond is a poor bullet choice for elk? I can always use the Accubonds for deer hunting if I need to switch.

Thanks, Nathan

It would be just fine.

I don't think it could get much better than a 160 grain accubond out of a 7mm mag. Perfect for elk IMO.

My choices in the 7mm would be the 154 Grain Interbond (.525BC) and then the 160 Grain Accubond (.531). The interbond retains weight a little better at 85% plus weight retentionthan the Accubonds 70% typical weight retentions. The accubonds constructionhowever is proven in rifles shooting faster and hitting harder than the 7mm Rem so that should not be a problem.

A hunting partner uses the 140gr accubond out of his 7mmremmag for elk and moose with great results.

I agree, you should be fine. Here is a link: http://www.nosler.com/?p=3&bullet=5

Nosler partititions have a great track record, so that is probably why they gave them the edge. However, if the accubonds retain 60-70% of their weight, that is probably what the partition does. Most of the animals I have recovered partitions from, the entire frontal area is gone and look similar to the picture of the accubond.

The advantage of the newer generation bullets is that they expand on the front, and don't lose that expansion. Something that might also be a slight advantage. If you look at a TSX bullet, the recovered bullet still has a bigger front on it, compared to the picture above of the accubond that sheds it front: http://www.barnesbullets.com/

If I had a bull of a lifetime in front of me, I would feel confident with the accubond, but with a choice, I would pick the TSX or trophy bonded tip.

That said, if I was shooting a 1" group with the accubond, and a 3 inch group with the others, I would pick the accubond in a heartbeat.

Thanks, those comments make me feel a little better with my choice. I still haven't zero'd in my gun with the Accubonds so if I can't get a really tight group with them I might try another bullet.

Here's the exact quote from American Hunter on the Accubond. First they complimented it but they finished with:

It's not necessarily the bullet you are using but the placement when you shoot it. I have a good friend that passed away last year and he hunted for 30 years with a 25-06. Your 7mm with any bullet in it will have more knock down power down range than his 25-06.

So your shot placement should be more important than trying to put a big hit on an elk. Elk can take a hit if not placed well.

Save yourself, NOW! Step AWAY from the Internet!

I, too, have driven myself loco at times, trying to pick the "best" bullet for what I was going to hunt. I could never find 100% consensus, so my search never truly ended. Somehow, I managed to easily kill a 6x5 bull using a bullet that some thought wouldn't work well enough. I'm so glad the critter didn't laugh spitefully at me before ambling off into the alders.

Maybe you have greater mental toughness than myself, and can quickly decide what's "good enough". This will let you move on with your life. For me, that point came far too late.

It seems that those with more experience than I'll ever know, have usually advocated finding a somewhat heavy-for-caliber, and reasonably robust, bullet that your rifle likes to shoot. I would add that you should thenceforth ignore all of us, & go kill lots of game!

FC

I use the 180 grain accubonds in my 300win mag for all my hunting out west. I've taken two elk with them, both cows, one dropped on the spot and the other ran about 20 yards and dropped. Great performing bullet. I've used them on antelope and mule deer hunts too, never had one run more than 20 yards after being hit.

It's a great big game bullet.