Berger vs Accubonds

Afternoon,

At present I shoot the 140gn Bergers in my .284. I don't generally use the heavier projectiles due to mag length restrictions. Now I am due to load some more rounds up and was just curious about the 140gn Accubonds and how people have found them. Would they perform any better or worse than the bergers? Obviously I reaslise that different rifles prefer different projectiles, but I was just keen to hear of peoples experiences if they had used them.

I will have a look to see if you can get them in the sample packs to try if the general consensus is positive.

Cheers
Scott.

The two are as far apart as its possible to be, in terms of bullet construction.

Berger = soft and highly frangible
Accubond = hard (bonded) and very high weight retention.

This can make a really big difference in how the animal reacts when hit. Accubonds can be super effective, or a bit disastrous, depending where they strike - not enough resistance like too far back behind the shoulder and they will over penetrate and fly straight through the beastie, with a narrow wound channel. Whereas the frangible bullet has a much higher chance of connecting with something important that outs the animal down faster.

Personally I like a partially fragmenting bullet, and am not that keen on bonded bullets. But I do know for sure that the Accubonds fly very well and are reliably accurate, as a good buddy only uses Accubonds in his three rifles. Just the way he rolls. He shoots for the front shoulder and I’ve only seen him have the one fail with Accubonds, too far back.

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Originally Posted by Flyblown

The two are as far apart as its possible to be, in terms of bullet construction.

Berger = soft and highly frangible
Accubond = hard (bonded) and very high weight retention.

This can make a really big difference in how the animal reacts when hit. Accubonds can be super effective, or a bit disastrous, depending where they strike - not enough resistance like too far back behind the shoulder and they will over penetrate and fly straight through the beastie, with a narrow wound channel. Whereas the frangible bullet has a much higher chance of connecting with something important that outs the animal down faster.

Personally I like a partially fragmenting bullet, and am not that keen on bonded bullets. But I do know for sure that the Accubonds fly very well and are reliably accurate, as a good buddy only uses Accubonds in his three rifles. Just the way he rolls. He shoots for the front shoulder and I’ve only seen him have the one fail with Accubonds, too far back.

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Thanks. That's the sort of stuff I was after. I'm tempted to give them a go as I mainly shoot for the shoulder as well and if they are reliably accurate then that is the main point for me...not that the Bergers are un-accurate.
There was someone on this forum that had good sucsess with the ballistic Tips in their .284, But I just had some bad experiences with ballistic Tips in my 25-06 that made me wary....

I used 140 AB in my 280Ai and 284 and because I shoot f all deer and because I always shoot for the engine room and or shoulder I always found them to be an excellent bullet, I’ve also used the TTSX and GMX and although they killed I had walker/runners; maybe 10-100m but still not as effective as the ABond or the boringly reliable SPoint that are synonymous with dead on the spot shots.
Bergers have always been the best in any rifle I’ve had for bucking wind and accuracy. Easily.


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I use 140ABs as a bush load in my 284, Great for up close out to 250 yards. They’re not a long range pill as @Flyblown has stated they are a tough bonded pill. 150 gn partitions are better & while true not long range they have a frangible front section, bc is crap but still good to 300 or 350. 154SSTs would be good do everything round or the new 150 AMAX? Some guys run the 150 BTs have not used these myself, but guys using them seem to get good results. Another option in the 145 Speer HC SPBT.

I love the AB and the LRAB in my 6.5's (x.284 & x68 RWS Magnum)

I have found them to be great on animals, last being a nice 9pt Red, smashed his brisket head on at 211m, he turned left and died standing, without a word of a lie, that was a 129g LRAB from the 6.5x.284

Just load tested the 142g LRAB in my RWS, 5 load trial produced this, 3 shots 100m, yes they are accurate...

Attachment 100945

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Originally Posted by Double Shot

I love the AB and the LRAB in my 6.5's (x.284 & x68 RWS Magnum)

I have found them to be great on animals, last being a nice 9pt Red, smashed his brisket head on at 211m, he turned left and died standing, without a word of a lie, that was a 129g LRAB from the 6.5x.284

Just load tested the 142g LRAB in my RWS, 5 load trial produced this, 3 shots 100m, yes they are accurate...

Attachment 100945

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Very correct - all 5 missed the center! :)




Just.....

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

I use 140ABs as a bush load in my 284, Great for up close out to 250 yards. They’re not a long range pill as @Flyblown has stated they are a tough bonded pill. 150 gn partitions are better & while true not long range they have a frangible front section, bc is crap but still good to 300 or 350. 154SSTs would be good do everything round or the new 150 AMAX? Some guys run the 150 BTs have not used these myself, but guys using them seem to get good results. Another option in the 145 Speer HC SPBT.

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I just had a look on the Hornady site. They were not showing a 150gn A-Max..........

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

I use 140ABs as a bush load in my 284, Great for up close out to 250 yards. They’re not a long range pill as @Flyblown has stated they are a tough bonded pill. 150 gn partitions are better & while true not long range they have a frangible front section, bc is crap but still good to 300 or 350. 154SSTs would be good do everything round or the new 150 AMAX? Some guys run the 150 BTs have not used these myself, but guys using them seem to get good results. Another option in the 145 Speer HC SPBT.

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I didn’t say that!

kudu, hornady have dropped the Amax and split it into 2 lines. the ELD-m for target work and the ELD-x for hunting.
From what I have read (only shot a couple of goats with them). the m line is basically the old amax with a New tip. Like the bergers they make a good long range hunting bullet. The X version is like the AB's, a good short to medium range hunting bullet. have not used the X's but read that the heavier jacket does push up pressure so a lighter load may be needed.
zq

I know this is a bit different to your question. I tried some 160gn A/Bs in my rem mag they grouped really well and awesome on gongs but sadly that was all they were good for. After I lost the 4th deer with them just penciling through and not enough blood trail I went to 150gn B/Ts and bang flop or 20yds from where the animal was hit was a dead deer with massive blood trail. The A/Bs did work on Thar. I wouldn’t go back to them. I’m now using Bergers in another 7mm and swear by them.

I bounced this thread of my Accubond shooting mate last night, see what he says. He’s not a forum type so I’ll just paste his whatsapp replies.

Use Acubond Long range for everything now. in the 65 Lap very good which is what me n Karen used the most last season. not as tough as regular AB and better combo of penetration and breakup.


AB long range doesnt mean long range required to make it work. Just softer thats all. Very similar to eldx.


All but 2 deer last season bang flopped drt with ABLR. Cant remember EVER getting drt with regulat AB.


Would prob only use regular AB on real heavy red stags or sambar now in the 3006.


Deep pockets need tho.

I’ve had good results with accubonds in 308win and 270win out to 300m-400m, the closer the quicker the kill.
Better still is the Long Range AccuBond, they are where it’s at a great all round bullet from Nosler projectiles. When I had my 270win was running 150gr LRAB’s, dropped many deer at the 400m-700m with the farthest being 818m. The bullet was still doing 1600fps and energy at around 800ft/lb and smoked goats a lot farther.
At close range they shed a lot of weight but mushroom up really well and don’t blow to bits like Ballistic tips.
Can’t comment on Berger I’ve only used them as subsonics.

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Originally Posted by Shootm

I know this is a bit different to your question. I tried some 160gn A/Bs in my rem mag they grouped really well and awesome on gongs but sadly that was all they were good for. After I lost the 4th deer with them just penciling through and not enough blood trail I went to 150gn B/Ts and bang flop or 20yds from where the animal was hit was a dead deer with massive blood trail. The A/Bs did work on Thar. I wouldn’t go back to them. I’m now using Bergers in another 7mm and swear by them.

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I used the 140gn ones in my 270 for a while, everything I shot died but quite a few deer needed follow up shots due to pass thru’s, I reckon you need to go to a lighter weight (140gn for a 7Rem mag/130gn for 270) and drive them FAST and hit bone as they are a really hard projectile.

I’ve had good results from the 129gn LRAB in a 6.5

If you are taking longer shots often stick with the bergers. Tge 150 eld x might be worth a look as well. Good bc

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Originally Posted by Flyblown

I didn’t say that!

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ah the intricacies of the english language. " as @Flyblown has stated they are a tough bonded pill."
My bad, i sued the word tough, instead of hard. LOL.

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Originally Posted by outdoorlad

I used the 140gn ones in my 270 for a while, everything I shot died but quite a few deer needed follow up shots due to pass thru’s, I reckon you need to go to a lighter weight (140gn for a 7Rem mag/130gn for 270) and drive them FAST and hit bone as they are a really hard projectile.

I’ve had good results from the 129gn LRAB in a 6.5

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I’m will past them now.
You can stick them where the sun doesn’t shine IMO:o

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Originally Posted by Nick-D

If you are taking longer shots often stick with the bergers. Tge 150 eld x might be worth a look as well. Good bc

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I had a look at one during the week. unfortunately to fit my mag they would have to be seated to far back in the case for my liking. So that may rule out the LRAB as well. I suppose I could try some Ballistic Tips and see how they go.....

Has the Berger ever let you down @Kudu ?

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Has the Berger ever let you down @Kudu ?

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LOL...I was waiting for that question, and I know it should be a case of don't fix what aint broke. But they are the only projectile that I have used, have always wondered if there was another that would perform even better.

The Accubonds need speed to get them opening up but they do work ok when pushed fast and at moderate ranges. The Ballistic tip has been beefed up from the early days and will penetrate better than those early models. I use 180 gr BT in my 3006 and they work great, I also use the accubond as well, as they both have the same BC and look identical only one is bonded the other not , both shoot to the same point of impact also.

ones Chalk and ones One of the Best bullets ever.........

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Originally Posted by Kudu

LOL...I was waiting for that question, and I know it should be a case of don't fix what aint broke. But they are the only projectile that I have used, have always wondered if there was another that would perform even better.

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I'm the same. Got to fiddle.

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

ah the intricacies of the english language. " as @Flyblown has stated they are a tough bonded pill."
My bad, i sued the word tough, instead of hard. LOL.

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Its all good @chainsaw.

They’re not a long range pill as @Flyblown has stated they are a tough bonded pill.

Its the “long range” bit I didn’t say. No mention of the words long or range! And you are right, they certainly aren’t long range bullets.

One of the things I have never understood is the love affair some of the poms have with hard bullets for little deer. Time and time again you read or hear about roe or fallow or even muntjac shot with bullets that are designed for large medium game animals like heavy red stags, or proper big game. Hard, heavy, tough bullets I’d select if I wanted to shoot an eland. Not all the poms, but its more common than you’d think. I get that they want an exit wound in case they need to track, but they need to track as often as they do because the bullet has pencilled straight through and its run away!

There’s a vid by one of the better known roe stalkers complaining about Sierra GameKings, when he’s shooting 180gr 30 cals at roe deer, well behind the shoulder. (because they also don’t understand anatomy but that’s another story.) Both deer get knocked over, get up and hurtle off. Nuts.

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Originally Posted by Kudu

Thanks. That's the sort of stuff I was after. I'm tempted to give them a go as I mainly shoot for the shoulder as well and if they are reliably accurate then that is the main point for me...not that the Bergers are un-accurate.
There was someone on this forum that had good sucsess with the ballistic Tips in their .284, But I just had some bad experiences with ballistic Tips in my 25-06 that made me wary....

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Try the 110 Accubonds in your 25 06, very very impressive results

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Try the 110 Accubonds in your 25 06, very very impressive results

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Shot a lot of deer and Tahr with the 115 NBT in 25/06, never failed to kill it on the spot, 117 Prohunter never failed me either.

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Try the 110 Accubonds in your 25 06, very very impressive results

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I would have but I sold the 25-06 many years ago.

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Originally Posted by Kudu

I had a look at one during the week. unfortunately to fit my mag they would have to be seated to far back in the case for my liking. So that may rule out the LRAB as well. I suppose I could try some Ballistic Tips and see how they go.....

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Ive shot a few animals with both the 140 and 150nbt at moderate velocities out of a 7mm08. They work. All bang flops (or near enough) out to 350m.

The 150 would be a good match for the 284, shorter projectile than an lrab or eld x. I always found them very easy to get shooting as well

What's your max COAL kudu? I have had 150gr gk at 2.95 and currently 162 Hornady BTSP at 3.00 work well in a modded short action

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Originally Posted by stevodog

What's your max COAL kudu? I have had 150gr gk at 2.95 and currently 162 Hornady BTSP at 3.00 work well in a modded short action

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Its about 75mm from memory.

the Ballistic tips from Nosler used to be alot thinner an blow up to a degree but they have changed the jacket a bit more recent an they can be a cheaper bullet for even Red sized game....
i used to swear never to use NBT, but many canadian folk have mentioned an sectioned these projectiles in 7mm and 30 cal, an the design is doing a good job on muleys and elk to be fair..

cheaper than AB but the AB is bonded and superior for shoulder breaking and especially in my case, Sambar deers