129 Nosler Accubond Long Range?

[holmess89]

Has anyone had any success in developing a load for the 129 gr Nosler Accutip Long Range? I have done some testing, but results are less than spectacular.

Platform is a 16" Black Hole Weaponry 1:8 twist Barrel with matching bolt from Precision Firearms.

Loads Tested so far (these are 3 shot groups due to limited brass and loading for 5 other bullets at the same time) I have loads that are 3 increments higher on each that I am going to shoot tomorrow.

TAC
Load 1: 27.5 gr - 1.23"
Load 2: 27.9 gr - 4.08"
Load 3: 28.4 gr - 2.93"
Load 4: 28.9 gr - 3.01"
Load 5: 29.3 gr - 2.42"

BL-C(2)
Load 1: 29.9 gr - 3.86"
Load 2: 30.4 gr - 1.84"
Load 3: 30.8 gr - 3.87"
Load 4: 31.2 gr - 1.06"
Load 5: 31.6 gr - 1.26"

8208 XBR
Load 1: 26.6 gr - 1.93"
Load 2: 27.0 gr - 2.13"
Load 3: 27.4 gr - 4.37"
Load 4: 27.8 gr - 2.51"
Load 5: 28.2 gr - 2.28"

These are all loaded to a COAL of 2.300"

I really like the idea of these bullets in that they have an advertised G1 BC of .561, and more importantly they have an advertised minimum expansion velocity of 1300 fps. Since these are up against the 123 Hornady SST as my hunting bullet, the 500 fps min. expansion difference between the two (SST is advertised at 1800 fps) is a factor if I ever want to go out past 400 yds or so.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks guys.

[BluntForceTrauma]

I believe for the heavier 129/130 class of bullets in the 65G best velocities are from LEVERevolution, CFE223, and AR-Comp.

[kmon]

30.3 gr CFE223 @ 2.7coal with the 130 Accubond LR and berger hybrid is a sweet spot in my Grendels.

[holmess89]

30.3 gr CFE223 @ 2.7coal with the 130 Accubond LR and berger hybrid is a sweet spot in my Grendels.

What barrels do you have on your rifles? Does this load shoot about the same out of both of them? Based on what I have seen in multiple threads, these are powders I need to play with.

[LRRPF52]

30.3 gr CFE223 @ 2.7coal with the 130 Accubond LR and berger hybrid is a sweet spot in my Grendels.

I'm pretty sure he meant 2.270" COL and that's just a typo. That's where I load to last checked. It does better with the ES when you load shorter actually in my experience. I started out at 2.285" IIRC.

I have a thread on it. http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showt...t-Lilja-Barrel

[kmon]

You are correct on that typo Sir. 2.27 inches, The guns I am running are an AA Overwatch 24 inch upper on a Spikes lower and it shoots that load between 5/8 to 7/8 groups at 100 yards which is the best I have gotten from this rifle to do with any load (will be replacing the stock and forearm soon). The other is a CZ 527 with a 22 inch Obermeyer barrel.

I started the 130gr bullets with the Berger Hybrids and landed on the 30.3 gr loads for the CZ at 2.285 then seated them a little deeper at 2.265 and they shot 5/8 groups from the CZ at 200 yards and I called it good for that load. Tried it in the AR and got 1.25 or slightly over inch groups also at 200 yards with brass still looking good and ejection of brass to about same angle as factory Hornady loads. Difference between loads for the 2 rifles is Hornady brass for the AR and Lapua in the CZ, easy to keep then separate that way,

Then saw the Blemish Nosler bullets post on here and ordered some. With the Berger loads working well and LRRPF52 having posted some results with an the same powder charge I acquired some of the LR Accubonds and tried them at the 30.3gr 2.27 inch load with almost as good accuracy as the Bergers. In 14 years of hunting on the same place I hunt on in Texas my longest deer shot has been 150 yards and on yotes and hogs 240 yards the Nosler loads are good to go for hunting that place as they are.

[Tp56]

I have had success with these in both accuracy and terminal performance. I took a south Texas whitetail at 232yds with excellent results. I was hoping the 129 ABLR bullets would shoot well because of the same specs you mentioned, and they did. I am loading 28.8gr of leverevolution to 2.265" with CCI 450 primers in Lapua brass. I have a 24" Bartlein with 1/8 twist from PF.

I took a 60lb hog at 582yds and based on the wound, the projectile still opened up. Ballistics show that the velocity at that range was 1540fps, so that kind of confirms the low expansion velocity.

I have a load with great accuracy, long range performance, and terminal ballistics, so I am good to go. No need to look for anything else.

[holmess89]

I have had success with these in both accuracy and terminal performance. I took a south Texas whitetail at 232yds with excellent results. I was hoping the 129 ABLR bullets would shoot well because of the same specs you mentioned, and they did. I am loading 28.8gr of leverevolution to 2.265" with CCI 450 primers in Lapua brass. I have a 24" Bartlein with 1/8 twist from PF.

I took a 60lb hog at 582yds and based on the wound, the projectile still opened up. Ballistics show that the velocity at that range was 1540fps, so that kind of confirms the low expansion velocity.

I have a load with great accuracy, long range performance, and terminal ballistics, so I am good to go. No need to look for anything else.

That's really good to know. What kid of velocities are you getting at that powder load? I'm going to be using a 16" tube, so obviously my velocities will be lower, but I am starting my load development at 30.1 and going to 30.9 (based on another members suggestion).

[LRRPF52]

Tp56. Can you please post your results in the Grendel Hunting Survey in the Hunting sub forum following the format requested by the Op there. That would be much appreciated.

[Tp56]

I didn't have a chance to chrono it yet, but I extrapolated it from a group I shot at 300yds and the zeiss reticle calculator and I came up with 2300fps. I am sure I could get some more velocity but my groups started to open up with more powder. Accuracy wins every time. I started to get some ejector swipe at 29.2 gr, so that is my upper limit.

LRRPF, I have already posted my results.