Anyone use .308 200g Accubonds on Deer?

[Catskills]

I've put together a Seekins PH2 in 300win shooting 200g Accubonds at 3050 with RL26. The idea was a do everything load for Elk/Mule Deer. Although I've still got a little work to do, this rifle routinely shoots 5 shot MOA groups. I've read a great deal about their performance on elk but am looking for feedback on deer. I'm familiar with .308 165g performance and .277 140g performance on deer and elk (neither have exited on elk and in .277, exits on big deer are about 50%). On unwounded game, I won't shoot past 500 or so. I'm headed to CO and MT next week where shots tend to be 300+ yards. Any first hand experience on deer with an impact velocity window of 3000 to 2400fps?

 

[FEENIX]

I've put together a Seekins PH2 in 300win shooting 200g Accubonds at 3050 with RL26. The idea was a do everything load for Elk/Mule Deer. Although I've still got a little work to do, this rifle routinely shoots 5 shot MOA groups. I've read a great deal about their performance on elk but am looking for feedback on deer. I'm familiar with .308 165g performance and .277 140g performance on deer and elk (neither have exited on elk and in .277, exits on big deer are about 50%). On unwounded game, I won't shoot past 500 or so. I'm headed to CO and MT next week where shots tend to be 300+ yards. Any first hand experience on deer with an impact velocity window of 3000 to 2400fps?

Yes! The 200 NAB was my go-to bullet on my .300 WMs for many years and harvested a variety of games before I transitioned to Berger bullets in the early 2000s. You should be fine.

 

[wvbearhunter]

I am using them in 308 Winchester for short range (200 and under) deer and bear. They work great

 

[HARPERC]

Goat, deer, antelope, elk. Close or 600 in. .300 H&H 2940 fps

 

[Phil Rizzo]

G1 is pretty good, for a hunting bullet. I love Accubonds.
At your velocity it will expand and it will penetrate.
I assume you like sizable exit wounds.

Oh, and if you accidentally hit the shoulder or elbow, some of it will be available for inspection on the far side of where the animal was standing. Along with various organ parts and liquid.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Have used them for years on our Sambar deer in 300WM, 300 Bee and soon to use them in my 300RUM.
Excellent bullet, hard to keep them in, even on end to end shots. Accuracy is also great. They are a very stout bullet, so small deer may pose little resistance to them, but kill them just as dead.
Can't fault them in any way except price.

Cheers.

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

Yeah from a 300wm with RL26 pushing it I doubt you will EVER recover a bullet shot at anything smaller than an ELK 500+ yards away, if you do you shot him from the next county over they penetrate like freight trains bone be damned.

 

[Brathany]

300WM 200 NAB 2925fps go through a 300lb boar impact at 260yds traveled 18" from in front of hip, to exit opposite shoulder. DRT So, they are a tough mother bullet, maybe too tough for thin critters, or guaranteed pass throughs. Maybe drop to the 180gr NAB?

 

[Catskills]

Thanks for the responses. My concern has been on deer seeing adequate disruption of the front half of the bullet at 500+ yards. If they perform like every other Accubond, it shouldn't be an issue. And yes, I really like exit wounds

 

[HeyWho]

Hey guys. Is there much a difference between the NAB and the LR NAB? Think I may have some of the LR 168gr.

Thanks!

Eric

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

LRAB perform similar with better B.C but in my experience require more load development. NAB are not as sensitive to seating depth. YMMV.

 

[bballard]

I have used 200 grain AB in a 300 win mag for deer, elk, caribou, and on moose. Shots were between 100 and 350 yards. They are my go to for that caliber. Love bonded bullets for most big game.

 

[HeyWho]

LRAB perform similar with better B.C but in my experience require more load development. NAB are not as sensitive to seating depth. YMMV.

Nice, appreciate the info.

 

[med358-boise]

LRAB areslightly "softer" than ABs. LRAB is specified to have a lower minimum impact velocity (1300 fps) vs. AB (1800 fps). Whether there is a practical difference in the field who knows but there is a design spec difference.