Any reason to use 129gr Nosler ABLR vice 123gr Hornady SST?

[Dogtired]

So far I've been shooting the 123gr Hornady SST factory ammo. Looking to start reloading once that runs out. Anyone find any particular benefit to switching to the 129gr Nosler Accubond Long Range bullet for whitetail hunting compared to the 123gr Hornady SST? Is the price increase worth it for a heavier bullet with a better BC? If I am shooting deer inside 300 yards for the most part, am I really going to care? More importantly, will it kill the deer any deader any faster?

[Joseph5]

You would just be spending more money for the same results. Where it would probably make a difference is from 500 to 1000 yards.

[Dogtired]

Kinda what I thought. After 500, am I looking at modest or significantly better performance with the Accubond? I don't plan on much shooting that far at the moment, but might like to give it a whirl someday.

[LRRPF52]

The 129gr ABLR gives added insurance for quartering shots if you're only looking at common hunting distances within a few hundred yards. That's the real advantage for the layman.

The 123gr SST and 123gr AMAX have been doing very well in that regard over the years already, so on white tail, the ABLR is just added insurance.

Where it really comes into play with the 6.5 Grendel is long range hunting with longer barrel guns, and high lethality at common distances with short barrel guns, like 10.5"-13" SBR's and pistols.

The expansion or operating velocity of the 129gr ABLR is much more than what you would need for an SBR. An example is from a 10.5" barrel, you still have expansion out to 700yds at sea level in 59 F temps, which is 3 times the distance most hunters are ever going to shoot game with using a 10.5" SBR.

I have a few hundred of them, and have been getting very respectable results with this bullet from my 17.6" Grendel using CFE223. I need to go load up some more in the nodes that I saw, and shoot several 10rd groups for accuracy and SD analysis, then mass-produce my load.

[kmon]

Though the 123gr Hornady SST and A-Max have been working fine, occasionally I get a big hog in the sights. Bought some 129gr accubond LR to give a try. I have been using Swift Siroccos and accubonds for several years in other calibers and like what they do on game and accuracy.

Never know in parts of Texas what might show up on a hunt, it could be small or quite large. Some of the hogs get quite large and there are some tough exotics roaming around. Briefly saw an elk this year while hunting and it would have been fair game if a shot had been presented.

[Cornbread]

The one advantage it has is the lower opening velocity of 1300 fps, if that is correct. The 123 sst hits it's minimum 1800 fps at 400 yds. The LRAB will get you to 500 with about 800 ft lb of energy. Beyond that the energy drops off pretty good.

[LRRPF52]

http://www.muleycrazy.com/nosler-ablr-review.html

[Dogtired]

Dang. Just when I thought it was safe to write it off...

[Dogtired]

Well, just placed an order for 200. On sale for $39/100 at Shootersproshop...figure I can at least try them out. Hopefully I won't like them since they are normally a lot spendier than the SSTs.....

[Dogtired]

LRRPF52, if these work out, I am holding you responsible.

[Dogtired]

But seriously, thanks for all the input folks. I hate spending money but if its on quality it doesn't hurt as bad.

[Dogtired]

....until my wife hits me upside the head....then it hurts even worse...

[Drift]

I do notice some increased recoil using a 129gr bullet vs a 120gr bullet. And I notice that I feel a little more comfortable/confidant with the 129gr when shooting at the largest hog in the sounder. So it's probably a wash..but an expensive wash.

[Dogtired]

Some of the deer around here are north of 250. I shot 2 this year at 15-30 yards with 150 gr 30-06 Corelokt ammo. Neither got pass through. Deer walked about 10 yards--one like nothing happened--before dropping dead. Shock wave tore their hearts to ribbons and jellified their lungs, but I had never seen anything like it before. Both had to be more than 250 live weight. As was, I had to quarter to pull them out--too big to move intact by myself. The Accubond may give me a little more confidence at that property.

[Dogtired]

Besides, $39 for the Accubond vice $32 for the SST...not too bad a difference.....