150 accubond lr in 7rem mag

[john 800]

So, I picked up some 150grain accubond long range bullets that were on sale thinking to try them in my 7 rem mag. The load I have been using with 150 ballistic tips ar going about 3125 if i remember correctly with 7828 and the rifle shoots it plenty good enough for deer. My question is that assuming these end up around the same speed how much more explosive will they be at close range? I hunt deer mostly on a pipeline clearcut and have possibilities for close shots occasionally. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[WV Hitman]

I don't have a 7mm, but I have a 6.5/.284 XP-100 handgun. I killed 10 deer with the Long Range Accubond (the way I test bullets). I shot at all angles including rectal. They were extremely fragile as compared to BTs (which I've taken over 50 deer with), especially on frontal or rear angled shots. They penetrated poorly, expanded explosively and created much more damage internally.
I've taken deer with the BT from 150 to 420 yds. in my handguns. All had decent penetration, decent internal damage. I prefer them far more than the LRAB. I shot up what I have & will not buy any more.
That said, I've taken several hundred deer with a 130 gr. AB in my XP from 100 yds. to 18 from 500-565 yds. This bullet has decent damage at all distances and far better penetration than the BT & LRAB.

 

[AckleymanII]

I shoot the 168 and 175s in the 7 Rem mag. My brother shoots the 150 LRAB in his 7 Mag, deer don't run off...which is all he cares about. You will get good penetration and some massive expansion at close range, but the bullet will not blow up.

You may want to try a lower velocity load with IMR 4064 with a cci 250 primer, which is what we did with 120s at 3000 for antelope so it would not tear them up.

 

[ChrisNZ]

I used them in my .280AI at 3080fps, probably killed about 40 deer. Sika deer from 50-585yds. All I can say is they worked well.

 

[searcher]

I used to shoot the 150 BT's out of my 7 mm Rem mags for many years, mainly due to the fantastic accuracy I achieved with them. After several less-than-desired outcomes where shot placements were "perfect", I switched to the 150 Barnes TTSX, then to the 140 TTSX, then settled on the Barnes 120 TTSX for deer and pigs. Shot up close, they shed petals and do a lot of damage - and at distance they still drill through and open up nicely. While I have no experience with the 150 AB, if I wanted maximum penetration in a lead-core bullet, I'd go with a bonded bullet, such as that 150 AB. It isn't that I know it to be a better bullet - but I do know of the limitations of the 150 BT from drawing my own conclusions when shooting large mule deer and pigs. Too many of the BT's shed too much weight to finish the job adequately. I still really like the BT, I just think there are better options for certain-sized game. If I were after antelope and small(er) deer, I'd have no qualms with it, though I don't want numerous loads for one hunting rifle - so I picked one that I deemed best. Since switching many years ago, it turned out to be a good switch for my needs and what I shoot.