Has any one tried the 225gr Nosler Accubond in the .338 RUM ? So far I have only shot the Hornady 225gr SST,225gr SP and the 200gr SP's. Want to try the 225gr TSX next but was looking at the Accubond as well.

I've killed 3 elk with the 225 Accubond in a 330 Dakota, similar velocities to the RUM. 2 were killed at less than 60 yards. All the elk were 1 shot kills. However, I recovered 2 of the three bullets, weight retention was 60%. Some would be satisfied with this performance but when I hit an animal in the neck and broadside with a 225 at 2940fps I expect an exit. In my opinion, expansion and weight shed was excessive. Accuracy was great. I'm not cutting down the Nosler bullet but I personally switched to 210 TSX's for this season (incredible accuracy with these also...) They are about twice the price of the Barnes' though.

More like the Barnes are twice the cost of the accubonds. 3 one shot kills, so where did the bullet fail you? 60% wt. retention at that velocity on a large heavy boned animal is pretty good too. 10 of us went to SA in April and shot 90 animals, mostly with the accubonds in 338/225 and 375/260 and no animals were lost to them. Yes, many of the accubonds did not go thru but few animals made it more than 20 yds., and the reason for not having full penetration on most was due to the decreased velocity of the handgun ammo, which is what most were shot with. The animals shot with the 375 H&H rifles, including my Zebra did go thru and put it down right damned quick. A few were taken with the TSX and they did not die any quicker, if as quick The accubond is going to expand and hold together enough to get the task done whereas the Barnes, on occaision do act like a solid and fail to expand enough to make for quick kills. The accubond is really every bit as good as the partition and look at the reputation they have.

I have not shot the acubond and probably will not as my gun LOVES the 225 TSX and H1000!

Yup, the other way around (posted late). Woodrow, I never said the bullets "failed", only that I want two leaky holes whenever possible and the accubonds aren't necessarily the best tool for that job. Glad you enjoy them--I'm certainly not going to throw those I have left in the trash, there's always coyotes and gophers....

woodrow- on the accubonds that you found what type of retention did they have?

Thanks

Mark D