I have a nice load with the 165 NAB in my 300 RUM. A Newfoundland moose hunt is looming and I don't have time to develop a load with a heavier bullet.

MV with this load is a shade over 3500 fps.

I'm not sure what kind of distance shots will be but I'd be a little concerned about close shots with that kind of velocity.

Any thoughts on whether or not I should try the NAB 165's?

(edit) I realize the conventional wisdom would be to go heavier and that would be my inclination as well. On the other hand, the NAB is touted as a Premium Bullet so maybe I should give the 165 a try and see what happens. I did shoot a deer at close range (< 100 yards) with this load and the bullet penetrated the shoulders and exited, no sign at all of blow-up.

Two tone

While I have never shot a moose I have shot some BIG stuff including a few elk with a 300 Win Mag and a 300 WBY.

I always used either 180 Nosler Partitions or 200gr TBBC.

Better to have too much bullet than not enough.

If you do not have time to develop a reload, do you have time to sight in with some factory ammo?

For BIG animals I like a heavier controled expansion "premium" bullet.

Moose do not have a reputation for being all that tough, but they are BIG.

I like to be able to take a shot from ANY angle and be able to reach the vitals.

Agreed, try to take a few hours to go sight in some factory ammo. It'll be expensive yes, but not as expensive as not having a good trip!

I have hunted moose in Newfoundland, Its mostly muskeg and Spruce thickets. All my moose were shot under 75 yards. A long shot there would be 150 yards. I would just go to the store get something in the 180 to 200 gr. range. Zero the rifle and take two boxes. 2 inch groups is plenty accurate. I will bet your shot will be under 75 yards and a hard angle.

Federal has loaded 200 gr Nosler Partitions. They're labeled as Vital Shok.
.

Remington has a 200gr A-Frame load as well that'll whack a moose something fierce.

The Nosler AB is designed to expand at impact velocities from 3100-1600 fps. I would go up to 180 gr or 200 gr AB or PT.

JD338

Personally I'd be shooting 200 grains in that cartridge.

I'm running 168gr TSX at 3400+ out of my rum and have been carrying them for moose. Haven't gotten a chance to try it out yet but have no doubt that it will work just fine. I think the TSX is a little stronger constructed and should hold together even with high velosity impacts.

In my 300 RUM I used 200gr Nosler Partition for all the game I shot including a Zerba in africa.

Those Noslers did the job for me. Those animals over there are tought.

Ok, yes, I think most would agree that a 180 or 200 would be better. I would agree with that as well and that is what I would use ideally.

The question I'm asking is more along the line of "is going with premium bullet in a 30 cal magnum 165 grain bullet a definite no-no on Moose?"

It turns out we might be hunting in both close cover and open barrens. I'm taking my 45/70 and the 300 RUM. If I end up with a 2 or 300 yard shot I'm going to try the NAB 165. I guess we'll see what happens.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Personally I'd be shooting 200 grains in that cartridge.

+1

from experience, the accubond at those velosities, especially on moose inside 200yds the accubond will come appart. More than likely drastically!If you are going to use the 165's, slow them down to about 3000

If you really insist on using the 165gr bullet, at the very least use a TSX bullet. I would recommend you even use the same powder/primer combo you have, back it off say 3 grains and I'm sure you'd be fine.

what is your current load? I'm sure there is a TSX bullet being used in that mix somewhere?

quote:

Originally posted by canam:
from experience, the accubond at those velosities, especially on moose inside 200yds the accubond will come appart. More than likely drastically!If you are going to use the 165's, slow them down to about 3000

I would tend to agree, as it will have slowed down to the recommended 3100 fps at 200 yards. However, I have shot a deer with this load at < 100 yards and the bullet did not come apart even though it penetrated bone. This is just one occurrence though which doesn't mean a whole lot.

Regardless, like I said, I don't have time to slow it down. I'm stuck with this load for now.

quote:

Originally posted by beretta96:
If you really insist on using the 165gr bullet, at the very least use a TSX bullet. I would recommend you even use the same powder/primer combo you have, back it off say 3 grains and I'm sure you'd be fine.

what is your current load? I'm sure there is a TSX bullet being used in that mix somewhere?

Yeah, I have some MRX in 165 and 180 and I also have some Accubonds in 165 and 180. What I don't have is the time to change the load.

quote:

Originally posted by Two tone:

quote:

Originally posted by beretta96:
If you really insist on using the 165gr bullet, at the very least use a TSX bullet. I would recommend you even use the same powder/primer combo you have, back it off say 3 grains and I'm sure you'd be fine.

what is your current load? I'm sure there is a TSX bullet being used in that mix somewhere?

Yeah, I have some MRX in 165 and 180 and I also have some Accubonds in 165 and 180. What I don't have is the time to change the load.

That being said, the only alternative is keep your shots broadside and avoid heavy bones and you'll probably be OK.

Good luck on the hunt.

For what it's worth, I've shot a number of moose with a 7RM loaded hot with 150 Ballistic Tips. Closest was 15-20 yards and it dropped almost where it stood. Most shoots were around the 70-100 yard mark with one around 450. Alll moose went down pretty much where they were hit. All ened up with a free ride to town in my pickup truck. All stayed for supper. I can't see why the 165 AB out of your 300RUM wouldn't do the same.

Bobby B.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
For what it's worth, I've shot a number of moose with a 7RM loaded hot with 150 Ballistic Tips. Closest was 15-20 yards and it dropped almost where it stood. Most shoots were around the 70-100 yard mark with one around 450. Alll moose went down pretty much where they were hit. All ened up with a free ride to town in my pickup truck. All stayed for supper. I can't see why the 165 AB out of your 300RUM wouldn't do the same.

Bobby B.

Thanks for the input Bobby.

Hopefully I'll get to find out. I'm leaving for 'The Rock' this afternoon.

Moose are big but not that tough to kill. If you can keep your bullet away from the shoulder bone you will do fine. I agree that your velocity is a bit high for the bullet design and you could find a better bullet, however,it will still work if you are a calm and careful shot.

I just got back from the trip.

We were in the Northern Peninsula of NFLD in the high ground. Very open country with small patches of dense black spruce here and there.

All week it looked like shots would be at least 200 yards, if not more.

We ended up spotting a bull about 2000 yards away at the base of a high knob. We circled around and came out on the knob above him and he was still there. The shot was about 30 yards.

First shot was behind the shoulder. The bullet passed through the heart and was recovered under the skin of the meaty part of the upper leg on the far side. The bullet had exited the body and reentered the upper leg and not made it out of the hide on the far side. The Jacket was well peeled back but the jacket and core were still attached to each other in a mushroom. The bullet has lost some weight but I'm impressed that it stayed together. I haven't weighed it yet.

Second shot was into the shoulder which broke the shoulder and upper leg bone. That bullet was not found.

I'd say that 30 yards at 3500+fps on a Moose is an extreme test for any bullet and I'd say the 165 Accubond passed.

The Moose was dead on the first shot but was still moving, thus the second shot.

The Bull was a nice sized 14 pointer.

I won't hesitate to use 165 Accubonds in my 300 RUM in the future but I will also be developing loads with heavier bullets.

This is only the second animal that I shot with 165 Accubonds. Both were close and at very high velocity. In both cases the bullets held together and did not blow up. I highly recommend these bullets.

The 300 RUM was made to shoot 200 grainers. Lou

Did the first shot hit any ribs? Did the second shot just break the blade or did it make it to the vitals?

It is a tougher bullet then I would have thought, but like you said, heavier is better, at least for moose/bear anyways.

Forgot to mention, congrats on the moose! Do you have any pics? What was the estimated weight?

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
The 300 RUM was made to shoot 200 grainers. Lou

That would seem to run against the fact that Remmington factory 300RUM is offered in loads from 150 to 200 grains.

quote:

Originally posted by beretta96:
Did the first shot hit any ribs? Did the second shot just break the blade or did it make it to the vitals?

It is a tougher bullet then I would have thought, but like you said, heavier is better, at least for moose/bear anyways.

Forgot to mention, congrats on the moose! Do you have any pics? What was the estimated weight?

Thanks.

Yes, I do have a picture but will have to post it later.

Yes, the second bullet penetrated the shoulder bones and continued on in toward the vitals but did not exit the animal. Top leg bone and the blade were well shattered. The first bullet hit a rib on each side. I should have mentioned that before.

The second shot really wasn't necessary as he looked like he'd drop any second but he was moving toward some really thick brush and my guide wanted me to hit him again.

My guide estimated 1100 pounds. I have no idea as we boned him out on the spot. Nice sized moose though.

Did you see a lot of moose out there? Who was your outfitter?

My wife and I have been watching Rackman films lately in Yukon on Earn Lake. We'd love to go some day, but for the two of us, we're looking at $50000 with the incidentals. Can't see that happening anytime soon!

We like deer hunting, but moose is just so much more!

Congrats again,

Saw a lot of Moose. The place is full of them.

They weren't moving very much until the second half of the week. The rut was just barely beginning.

I was at the fly-in camp. Very rugged terrain and lots of walking. Beautiful country.

The guides were the best. Can't beat Newfies.

Moose Country Adventures

http://www.advertisenorth.com/moosecountry/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnJA-WGhAn4&feature=related

A friend of mine who works for the Norma factory in sweden, and shoot about 20 moose every year, loaded his .338 winmag with 200 grs Nosler Bal Tip. He shot a cow at 30 FEET - and she charged instantly. He had 250 A-frame in the magazine and fiered from the hip at 15 feet, taking her down, but had to jump ot of her way. The BalTip had hit perfectly, but hardly made it through the hide, it just evaporated at impact.

I am glad your accubonds worked better! Congrats with a nice moose!
But I still - after two animals - would not trust that combination, I would feel a lot better with the heaviest premium bullet at 2800 fps...

Some pics: The moose is the hairy one....

Shot a nice bull moose in B.C. last week with my Ed Brown in 300 Weatherby using a 200 gr. Accubond. Frontal chest shot at 40 yards. Bullet took out the top of the heart, one lung and continued on. Bull took 4 steps and fell over dead. Will use it again!
Terry

The recovered bullet weighs 103.2 grains, which is a retained weight of 62.5%.

That is good for a 30 yard shot at over 3,500 fps MV.

I'll post a photo of the bullet soon.

Nice moose!

The Accubond is my favourite along with the TSX. But I dont think luck will last with big animals, light bullets and extreme velocity.

In such a powerful cartridge you can get a load that penetrates big moose at any broadsideshot and also penetrate deep at any angle if you have to track and shoot a wounded animal. Thats my goal anyway and the reason this is first and last year I use 225 accubonds for moose in the 35 whelen.

Bullet placement, call the shot and you will be fine. Good luck. By the way ,who are you hunting with (outfitter)?

quote:

Originally posted by ztreh:
Bullet placement, call the shot and you will be fine. Good luck. By the way ,who are you hunting with (outfitter)?

Scroll up about 7 posts dude.

I have a 300RUM.You need the 200gr TSX.

Here are some photos of the bullet that did the deed.

Retained weight is 103.2 grains or 62.5%.

Note how well the core has stayed bonded to the jacket.

If you dont like Accubonds, its not the bullets its something wrong with.

I've got to agree. Its got a lot of good features:

- It will hold together at high impact velocity. I've seen this twice now.

- High BC. While BC isn't everything, its nice to have a high BC if everything else works as it should too.

- Accuracy. As with Ballistic Tips, these bullets generally shoot very well.

It pretty much represents the impact performance of the partition combined with the best characteristics of the Ballistic Tip. I'm really liking the concept of these bullets.

For years I've wondered why Nosler never made a partition with a plastic nose and a higher BC. This is even better.

The price is another nice feature.

While price should be of least importance in choosing a hunting bullet in my mind, its nice that Accubonds aren't crazy expensive.

Barnes MRX comes to mind when talking crazy pricing.