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Any bullet other than Nosler

Unfortunately there isn't another bullet out there that's as good as the Accubond. SST, ELD-X, ELD-M, Sierra GK, Bergers, Speer are all cup and core fragile bullets. The Accubonds are tough as nails. Scirocco II are on their level but equally hard to find. Those and the Interbond are the only bonded bullets that seem to compare to the Accubonds decent BC and controlled expansion. As mentioned for deer, hogs and bkack bear the cup and core do fine but for elk a guy is in a tough spot to fill this void Nosler has left. No Partition's or Accubonds available anywhere! California switched to unleaded so my choice was made for me. I went to Barnes and Hammers. But when I go out of State I always shoot lead. I have implemented a two bullet recipe for my rifles. I shoot copper out to 300 yds and switch to a long range bullet for 400 and beyond. Get the lead long range dialed in perfect and then try to find a close point of impact match with a copper bullet. I carry two magazines. One with copper and one with lead. Has worked out well for me.
 
Tried to move my friend from nosler ablr to hammers or Barnes or something that is actually available but he won't change. They are good but not that good.

Often, brand and product loyalty is a psychological roadblock to exploring other options and maybe even finding a better load. Having killed so much game with numerous different brands, styles, etc, I enjoy the exploration and avoid roadblocks.
 
I hear a lot about ELDX not being "tough enough" but the picture below is the bonded base of a 162ELDX that was recovered at the tail of the last Antelope I shot at 194 yards - 162 ELDX from 280AI entered center of chest with initial fragmentation destroying hearts, lungs, etc. and this bonded base drove the length of the antelope and was recovered under the hide at the rear. Same rifle, same 162 ELDX harvested a mature mule deer buck with a "Texas Heart Shot" at 350 yards and the 162 ELDX performed similarly driving from rear all the way to the front - recovered against the front hide.



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That may not actually be the case.

The interbond line of bullets is no longer listed on hornady's website. That is kind of weird, but they still make them.
 
I too have given up on Nosler. It used to be all that was on my shelf. Now, I have a large mix of older Nosler, pre-2020, Berger, Hornady, and some Hammer bullets. Frankly, I won't be shooting or buying anymore Nosler stuff, the prices have skyrocketed and the availability has taken a nosedive, all relative to other manufacturers too. For my 6.5 Creedmoor, I'm shooting the 140/3 ELD-M/X I have some Bergers VLDs in the 130 and 140 range too, even some Hammers in the 124gr HH. For my 6.5 Grendel I have 123gr ELD-M, 130gr Berger AR OTMs, and 99gr Hammer Hunters. For the 7mm WSM I have some 162gr ELD-X, thinking of trying the Berger in a similar weight too. For the 28 Nosler I have the 195gr Berger EOL, I'm thinking of trying the 180gr ELD-M for that application as well. I have recently loaded some Noslers in a 270 as a favor, but if I can't get them to shoot great or if I can't find more, I'll get the 145gr ELD-X for that rifle, or maybe try the 140gr SST.
 
I hear a lot about ELDX not being "tough enough" but the picture below is the bonded base of a 162ELDX that was recovered at the tail of the last Antelope I shot at 194 yards - 162 ELDX from 280AI entered center of chest with initial fragmentation destroying hearts, lungs, etc. and this bonded base drove the length of the antelope and was recovered under the hide at the rear. Same rifle, same 162 ELDX harvested a mature mule deer buck with a "Texas Heart Shot" at 350 yards and the 162 ELDX performed similarly driving from rear all the way to the front - recovered against the front hide.



View attachment 457743
ELDX is NOT a bonded Bullet
 
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