180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

Does anyone have feed back on how well the Nosler Accubond 180gr. .338 works on Elk?
I usually use the Nosler 225gr. Partition, but I am not happy with it's accuracy. My Browning A-bolt seems to like the Nosler 180gr. Accubond though.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I have no experience with that bullet on Elk, but I have seen a 240 lb Whitetail shot in the brisket witha 338 win mag with those bullets. The bullet travelled completely through and lodged in the skin of the hind quarter. Considering guys shoot Elk with a 243 this bullet im sure will do the job. I shoot Accubonds in 3 rifles and the penetration is awesome. Im sure you will have no problem with them on Elk.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

What kind of .338 is it?

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

Due to low sectional density, I consider any .338 bullet of 200 grains or less to be a deer bullet, not an elk or moose bullet! Try a 250 and see how it groups.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

It's a Browning .338 stainless A-bolt with a custom muzzle break.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

After looking at a couple other web sites, it sounds like the accubond expands like the ballistic tip, except that it holds together better. Unless other info is forth comming, I figure it will do too much damage to the meat, so will stay with Barnes triple shock 185 gr.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

Wow that is about as faraway from what Ive found.......waaaaaaaaaay further actually!!!! :eek:

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I'm open, the verdict isn't in yet, like I said, so far my only info was from other web sites. My worry is the loss of good meat. If the Accubond dosn't tear up meat and penatrates like the Partition, I would prefer to use it for the accuracy and cost vs the accuracy and cost of the Partition.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I used that same exact round in my .338 for deer this deer season, 180 gr accubond loaded down for deer @3050 fps. I shot three deer with them and my feeling is that the bullets held togather very well, maybe to well. I think that they may better suited for larger animals such as elk . I think they would work pefectly for elk. Two deer I shot weer hit in the upper forward lung catching some bone plate on the front qtr, they exited leaving a 1.5 inch hole. The other deer was shot center lung broadside about 3 inches above the briskit and had a 2.5 to 3 inch exit hole, for some reason this one expanded better. I guess I could load the bullets maybe 100 fps faster to get more expansion for deer. Nosler rates these bullets max velocity @3100fps. Anthing over that and they coud blow up or overexpand.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

.338hunter:

Try a different 225 gr .338 cal. bullet: Barnes TSX, TBBC. Win. Fail Safe, Good luck.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

If you're already using Triple Shocks, there's absolutely no reason to switch. I've tried them all and I've been extremely impressed with the Barnes XXX.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I am just looking for the most accurate bullet, the triple shock accuracy is ok, but not great, I may try some other powders, so far I have just worked loads up with IMR4350.
Any powder suggestions?

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I couldn't get 4350 to shoot in my 338 either. Nosler 210 gr. partitions. Tried RL 19 with not much better luck. I guess my next try will be 4831. Although I really wanted the Noslers to shoot, if the next powder change doesn't work, I'm going to have to change bullets.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

H4831sc and 225g Partitions @ 2850 FPS produces sub MOA accuracy and dead elk with my 338 win. R19 produces excellent results as well.

If you're going to realize the full benefit of the 338 you need to load 200 gr. or heavierbullets.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I am sure they would work fine....I personally would step up to a slightly heavier elk bullet, or shoot the x bullet, but the trajectory difference doesn't really warrant light for caliber bullets in the 338 win mag!

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

180 gr were not available in the 90's when I owned a 338 but. Don't see it as an accurate bullet combo for the 338 anyway. Too short and fat. For accuracy I had the best luck with 250gr and H4831. But for better velocity and 1.5 MOA I went to 210 Nolers with H4831 for a good compromise. Loaded and shot a few elk with 225 Hornady's & H4831 too. Going that light and short with the 338 would make me think about a quicker barrel twist. I'd be suprised if you getas good of accuracy with the 180 as you will with a heavier (longer) bullet.

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

I have used the Nosler Accubond bullets with great results in a 300-win mag. The wound channel looked just like a Nosler Partitions that I used in that gun before.

Look at the velocity & energy tables in a reloading manual before you decide on any weight bullet or powder combo.

I shoot 225-grain bullet in my 340-Weatherby.


good luck

RE: 180 gr. Nosler 338 Accubond on Elk
 

.338hunter:

Try a 225 gr. bullet with Norma MRP powder ( www.norma.cc )(avalable through Black Hills Ammo.), or RL-22. I loaded some 225 gr. Barnes X for my cousin's Browning A-Bolt .338 Win. Mag. using RL 22. He obtained .75" at 100m, and floored five Oryx with thisload.Good luck.