225gr Accubond and the Ruger M77 358Win

[358Win]

Since receiving info on this forum from one of the members who bought some Conley 225gr Accubond ammo for the 358Win and he said they fit in his Ruger M77 magazine and they shot good.

Well if you buy a box of Conley ammo it comes to 66.00 and after shipping and handling you spend 90.00 a box. Well that comes to 4.50 a round. NO way Hosea!!!!!!

I measured my magazine and it is 2.935" and Conley's fix OAL is 2.820". So, since my Ruger M77 can handle the 225gr Accubond a box of Nosler Accubonds is on the way.

Now what I did was take once fired brass and only neck size it so it gives me just a little more volume for powder so I can get the 2550fps that Conely gets. With the OAL at 2.82" I will not have the bullet protruding any future into the brass than the 225gr Sierra SBT.

When I load and do my testing I will report to you all. It will give me over 3200fps of energy and the same ballistics as a 165gr in a 30-06.

Now on top of all of that if it works well and has good hunting accuracy or better it will provide a a bullet that will handle the toughest stuff I could hunt in North America at the velocities I can get out of a 358Win. While at the same time a bullet that will open up good on deer size game.

 

[358Win]

If the Accubond load work does not work out good I have all I need in the load I have already developed to handle this falls hunting.

I take a carry 44mag Ruger Super Blackhawk or Redhawk revolver for emergency back up and my back up rifle is a custom 300Wby.

 

[63November]

Let us know how you get 2500 with the Accubond. I realize the Ruger does not limit one to the standard length for short actions so you can squeeze more powder volume out of the case, but the Ballistic Tip did nothing for me, speedwise, in my Rem based 358 Win (and the bullet still came apart too easily). The AB should be a fine bullet. I'm just thinking it may be difficult to find a combo that shoots fast and well.

 

[358Win]

Let us know how you get 2500 with the Accubond. I realize the Ruger does not limit one to the standard length for short actions so you can squeeze more powder volume out of the case, but the Ballistic Tip did nothing for me, speedwise, in my Rem based 358 Win (and the bullet still came apart too easily). The AB should be a fine bullet. I'm just thinking it may be difficult to find a combo that shoots fast and well.

I believe you are right for standard approaches in the past due to powder. I am thinking the Ramshot TAC will give more velocity for less powder than the Varget, IMR4320, IMR4895, IMR3031 and AA2495BR. Using 215 Fed primers I just might get it over 2500fps plus accuacy.

I will know in the next couple of weeks for sure.

 

[Retsoff]

358Win,

Your initial post caught my attention. I have a Ruger 77 MK II in 350 Rem Mag. I also was interested in trying the 225 gr AccuBond. However, in response to my question about this, Nosler e-mailed me and said that this bullet would not work in the 350 Mag (ie, bullet was too long). Now, I didn't measure the length of the magazine and I have not measured the COL that my Ruger will accept with this particular bullet, due to Nosler's response. I'd have to first buy a box of the AB's to do this. Maybe I need to go back and rethink this. I do know that for the Barnes 200 TSX, the limiting factor for cartridge length is the distance to lands and not the magazine, though both lengths are plenty long enough for this bullet.

Thanks for the info. BTW, if you don't mind my asking, where did you find reloading data for the 358 Win and the 225 AB? I don't own the latest Nosler reloading manual and on their web site for both the 358 Win & the 350 Mag, Nosler only lists the 225 Partition and not the 225 AB. So, I'm just curious, since I may want to "take a shot" (pun intended) at this combo in my 350 Mag.

Once again, thanks.

 

[358Win]

358Win,

Your initial post caught my attention. I have a Ruger 77 MK II in 350 Rem Mag. I also was interested in trying the 225 gr AccuBond. However, in response to my question about this, Nosler e-mailed me and said that this bullet would not work in the 350 Mag (ie, bullet was too long). Now, I didn't measure the length of the magazine and I have not measured the COL that my Ruger will accept with this particular bullet, due to Nosler's response. I'd have to first buy a box of the AB's to do this. Maybe I need to go back and rethink this. I do know that for the Barnes 200 TSX, the limiting factor for cartridge length is the distance to lands and not the magazine, though both lengths are plenty long enough for this bullet.

Thanks for the info. BTW, if you don't mind my asking, where did you find reloading data for the 358 Win and the 225 AB? I don't own the latest Nosler reloading manual and on their web site for both the 358 Win & the 350 Mag, Nosler only lists the 225 Partition and not the 225 AB. So, I'm just curious, since I may want to "take a shot" (pun intended) at this combo in my 350 Mag.

Once again, thanks.

I don't think it will work in the 350mag but will in the 358Win.

 

[Retsoff]

Thanks. That's not what I was hoping to hear but it's probably the right answer.

 

[358Win]

I think it might be possible to get 2500fps and more with the 225gr Sierra's and Accubonds, but the chrono will tell and I hope if I get there that accuracy is still present.

Well my Nosler Accubonds should be here tomorrow but no later than Monday and tomorrow when I go to Baton Rouge to shoot with my friend Jerry, I will pick up some Ramshot TAC that Jerry found for me and some mag primers he is giving me.

Tomorrow should be fun. He will be shooting his 300Win at 400, 500 and 600yds and I will be shooting my 358 out to 300, 350 and 400 using the 225gr Sierra SBT. Should be a real hoot. Also, seeing how my 300Wby does with my 165gr back up load at 400, 500 and 600 using a BDC on my Nikon.

Not a real big user of a BDC but did make a 610yds on a deer out west with my 300Wby using a BDC on a 3.5-10x40mm Leupold a few years back. If you practice with one and make sure it is hiting according to the marks, deer size game can quickly and easily be taken. But you must make sure and that can only be done by practicing at the range.

Can't wait to see what the Accubonds do in my 358Win.

 

[358Win]

The Accubond will fit in the 358Win ruger. I will be using TAC powder which will allow for great velocities and the bullet will not crowd the powder because a max load of TAC will not come all the way up to the base of the brass neck. I will post the results soon.

 

[358Win]

Just finished some 358win loads using the Accubonds. I set my OAL the same as Conley Ammo does which is 2.882" and they fit the magazine with some to spare and chamber easier than the 225gr Sierras do which had an OAL of 2.770". Will go to the range this Monday or Tuesday weather permitting.

 

[358Win]

With the Accubond should be -5" at 275yds, -10" at 315yds, at 320yds hold on top of shoulders of deer size game and will be able hit the kill area out to 400yds being -14" from top of shoulders out to 390yds. The best I can do with my 225gr Sierra load is 375yrds being 14" from top of shoulder.

Just was out yesterday shooting the 225gr Sirra at 300, 350 and 375yds so those figures are for sure. Was 3 3/4" group at 300yds and at 375 was just at 6" groups. All bullets did fall within a ten inch circle. Will know more about the Accubond soon.

 

[358Win]

Here is the 225gr Accubond 358Win load I will be testing Monday or Tuesday:

Here is the 208gr Amax 300Wby load I will be testing as my back up:

 

[358Win]

Well, I went to the range today with my 358Win and my new loads using TAC powder and Nosler 225gr Accubond.

It was a good day and I have a hot rod for a 358Win.

My OAL for the Accubond was 2.882" and my rifle has a magazine length of 2.935" so I have plenty of room in my 358Win Ruger Hawkeye for the Nosler Accubond.

I need to ask a question of you all at Nosler - "Does the Accubond like to be almost on the lands or does it like a jump? I need to know this to make any OAL adjustment to tighten my group. Now as you will see my group minus bore is just barely over and 1" infact 1 1/16" is the group size for my fastest velocity load of today which is the load I want to go with.


My rifle will take 50gr of TAC with out the base expanding past .0004" so this is my max load for my rifle. Here is a picture of the base of my brass using 50grs of TAC. Also, the powder with 50grs of TAC is just at the top of the shoulder and not up in the neck area of the brass.

Here is the group and the black circle on my home made target is one inch across.

Here is the consistency of my load if you will see my recorded notes on the velocity of 50grs of TAC.

This will be my hunting load and at 2555fps this 358Win using the Accubond will be a serious hunting rifle for what ever I want to hunt with it anywhere in North America.


Here is the ballistic card I will carry with me this year.
Ballistic Chart
358Win Ruger Hawkeye
225gr Accubond
2555fps

Sight in at 3" high at 100yds

1000 foot pounds energy as minimum on deer size game

Yards--------Velocity-----Energy-----(above/below line of sight)

0--------------2555------3261-------------(-1.5")

100-----------2348------2275-------------(+3")

220-----------2213------2232-------------(Zero)

275-----------2010------2095-------------(-5")

313-----------1941------1881--------(-10" P/B-hold top of shoulder)

371-----------1837------1686--------(-10" from top of shoulder)

390-----------1804------1626--------(-14" from top of shoulder)

 

[358Win]

Yes for a 358Win 225gr load this Accubond is smokin. The reason I decided to try the TAC powder and the Accubond is that I needed the extra down rang with retained energy because where I will be hunting 30-50yds extra could make the difference.

If the group tightens up I will be using it instead of the Sierra 225gr SBT. Plus both bullets need at least 1800fps to open up. The Sierra does not meet this requirement due to fact I can't push it as fast in my rifle and it's BC keeps it from maintaining energy at it's outer limit of range. On the other hand the Accubond has the energy needed to open the bullet even at the extreme range of it's use.

Yes, I have lengthen my OAL from 2.882" to 2.885" assuming that it would like to be close to the lands.

 

[358Win]

In going to the range today and increasing my OAL from 2.882" to 2.885" two things changed. 1. The point of impact and 2. The velocity.

Now the point of impact was a little to the right and just a little lower than the previous load. The velocities came up 20fps faster.

Now two things stayed the same. 1. The pressures stayed the same because the base of the brass expanded the same as yesterday and did not increase. 2. The size of the group ( although I was not pleased with my second shot as I felt I did not do a good job) was the same.

Here is the Target:

Here is the average velocity:

Ballistic Chart
358Win Ruger Hawkeye
225gr Accubond
2574fps energy 3310

 

[358Win]

Yep,
stopping right here and will load some more to sight-in correctly so as
to be ready to hunt with it. I have the same ballistics a a 30-06 with
a 180gr bullet but with a 225gr bullet that makes a bigger hole, has
more energy and that says it all. :lol: :lol:

 

[358Win]

Revised Ballistic Chart

Ballistic Chart
358Win Ruger Hawkeye
225gr Accubond
2574fps
Energy 3310

Sight in at 3" high at 100yds

1000 foot pounds energy as minimum on deer size game

Yards--------Velocity-----Energy-----(above/below line of sight)

0--------------2574------3310-------------(-1.5")

100-----------2373------2813-------------(+3")

223-----------2139------2285-------------(Zero)

279-----------2036------2071-------------(-5")

317-----------1968------1935--------(-10" P/B-hold top of shoulder)

375-----------1867------1742--------(-10" from top of shoulder)

394-----------1835------1682--------(-14" from top of shoulder)