129gn accubond Lr load data

[DesertEngineer]

Hey all,

As my first real post I would like to talk about the Nosler Accubond Long Range 129gn bullet

I will be shooting it out of a 20inch barrel

I have been working up a load for hunting with this bullet. I purchased some IMR 4166 enduron powder as this is what nosler publishes their most accurate load as.

I started at 24gns of powder and worked up to 26.2gn. Unfortunately I cannot fit any more powder in the case without deforming the tips of the bullets when seating.

I have not seen any pressure signs when using this powder with the 130 gn standard accubonds with 28.5gn compressed loads.

So far I have not found great accuracy and am not impressed by the lower velocity that this powder has produced.

I am going to be hunting this year in Wyoming in October so temperatures will be low. Usually around -10 to 30 degrees that time of year at my father in laws “ranch”.
I am concerned about losing more velocity due to temperatures.

I will also be bringing along a .270 for longer shots if needed but would like to carry my grendel as it is lighter and handier. As well as being able to follow up my first shot quickly if needed.

What temperature stable powder would you recommend for pushing the 129gn accubond LR for hunting open plains out to around 500yards?

Lastly:
Am I pushing too heavy of a bullet? I see most are using 123gn projectiles. I selected the accubond LR due to its min expansion rating at 1300fps which seems ideal for the Grendel. If there are better options that would allow me to push better velocity and still preform well on larger game please let me know

[imaguy3]

I'm no expert, but I'll share my opinion and experience.

First off what velocity are you getting with your 20" barrel?

I originally looked hard at the 129gr ablr due to the very reasons you did. I quickly found price per bullet and availability to be prohibitive to me. I ended up going the 123gr SST route with IMR8208XBR powder. People warn against it for use with the 129 so that's up to you.

I use my grendel out to 500 for Coues deer, if you're hunting Wyoming I assume antelope or mule deer. I have a 16" barrel and am getting 2410fps with 123gr sst. I wanted a temp. sensitive powder b/c where I live temps will go from 20's in winter to 110 in summer. I checked temp. sensitivity on my load with two 10 shot groups, one at 45*f and one at 75*. It resulted in identical average velocities of 2410fps.

Using this method of load development was quick and easy. https://www.65guys.com/10-round-load-dev...dder-test/

[Happy2Shoot]

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This will help you get all the powder in the case.

[jason miller]

AR Comp is my go-to powder with that bullet. It has shown itself to be very temperature stable in the one test I did with it, and provides great accuracy/velocity.

[grayfox]

I thought about using an Ablr in my 20" howa for an elk hunt (Colo) couple of years ago... but honestly for 200-250 and under you'd be well-served by staying with the 123 class. I was using CFE223 and got about 2460 ft/s out of the 20" bolt gun for the Ablr (never took a shot on that hunt however... bummer!)...
But CFE does have some real temp variability.

In the 123 class you can look at AR Comp and 8208xbr (as mentioned this one can get quick-appearing pressure spikes so be careful), 123 sst, 120 gold dot, maybe couple of others... should be gtg out to 250 at your altitudes.
1Shot gets 2550 MV for his gold dots in TN. Other 123 class should be 2480-2525 or so MV.

Another one to think about is the 100 gr ttsx from Barnes, you'd be looking at an MV of ~2700 from a 20" and range out to 250-275 yds, still with enough V for mushrooming.
I know there are better shooters on here but I'd limit myself to this range with my Grrrs, for longer I might use my 6.5 CM or even my 6mmCM.

[1Shot]

Get you some IMR 8208 and 120 Speer Gold Dots. I found that I could go considerable higher with the powder charge than the Speer data says. They are WAY conservative with their load data with all powders listed except Power Pro Varmint which looks like they are pushing that powder in their load data. This is what I am shooting in MY rifle. My rifle has a 20" Bear Creek Arsenal barrel. Hornady case, CCI 450 primer, 28.0 grs IMR 8208 with a COAL 2.275 which is too long to work through Elander mags but does fine from ACS/ArStoner mags. I average 2550 fps and sub MOA accuracy. I also use a medium Lee Factory Crimp. You MUST drop back at least 10% and work up SLOWLY. .2 grs at a time is my suggestion. The above load is a MAX load for me. The Gold Dot bullet did awesomely on the one deer I have been able to shot with it. Out of my 18" rifle it does an average 2500 fps. I have not tried any other powder with this bullet because I found what I was look for with IMR 8208.