Partition or accubond for me

I have a new 6.5 PRC rifle that I am pulling together and I would appreciate any input from Nosler bullet users - factory ammo or hand loads.

Targets: whitetail and any hogs that dares venture out, 100-250 yards is my typical shot - I would say 180yds is average shot.

I have never used either Accubonds or Ballistic Tips.

My pre-conceived notions:

> Accubond is probably hard to find a negative.

> Ballistic Tips "tear up too much meat"...but are they really that much different than a Hornady ELD-X?

I always tell customers, I'll never talk you out of an Accubond (AB). The AB bullets are some of the best hunting bullets on the market. For the 6.5mm, I have the 130 and 140 AB in stock, as well as the 129 and 142 LR AB. I'm not that big of fan of the LR AB bullets, but the regular white tip AB are a good bullet. I can load them in the 6.5 PRC no problem. Thanks for the props!!

Not to hijack, but what's the issue with the LR? I've heard folks suggest they're soft or hard to tune a load, but the expansion at lower velocity seems at least attractive in a PRC for something deer/pronghorn size at range further than the OP indicated.

Im had extremely good luck with them on game with 6.5 CM but they arent the most consistent. Infact for 6.5 CM they are my favorite on game performance, but they arent near as consistent as accuracy wise as the Scenars or VLD’s

There's a few problems with the Long Range Accubonds (LR AB).

First, they are under sized. A typical 6.5mm bullet is .264" in diameter. I've measured several in the .261 to .263 range in diameter. On the 7mm LR AB, I've seen .281", which should be .284".

Second, to allow these bullets to expand at the lower impact speeds they were meant for, the bonding process softens up the lead. These bullets are VERY soft. So soft, that if I don't have the proper seating stem mated up to the bullet, it will ring the bullet from the seating pressure during loading. And if there is too much neck tension, it will still ring the bullet.

Third, I've done enough load work ups on these bullets to know that they don't shoot as good as other projectiles. Sure, so do shoot well. Bobo's 6.5 CM 129 LR AB loads shot very well, as some other customers have reported good accuracy with that bullet in the 6.5 CM. I've done some 300 WM with 190 LR AB that would shoot half moa. But there are multiple calibers I can't get them to shoot well in. The 150 LR AB in a 270 Winchester- Fuhgeddaboudit!! I tried like heck to get this bullet to work in my 270 Win. That rifle will shoot 3/4 moa with ease, but I was getting 2-3 moa with the 150 LR AB. It just isn't meant to be. I tried multiple powders and loads to get it to shoot well. The only thing I didn't do was slow it down for accuracy, but what's the point in that. I'm not sure if it's a stability issue in a 10" twist or what.

Now it makes sense why I could be sub moa close and have more random results at long range.

Under 300 zero issues. Still one of the better performing on game bullets for 6.5 CM IMO, and since they are really soft it makes sense why with the lower CM velocities

I was really optimistic about trying out the LR, but based on your experiences sounds like the regular ol AB is the better path. I'm personally never looking for a long range shot on an animal necessarily, but if the circumstances should arise I like to have confidence in my equipment. Even then, I doubt I would ever take anything beyond 600, which is where it seems many of the Accubond calibers reach their minimum velocity for expansion as it were. Probably better as Chad says to keep your efforts in maintaining velocity rather than hoping the construction of the bullet will do it for you. Appreciate y'all sharing your opinions.

Im a 139gr Lapua Scenar fan but dont think you can go wrong with the 130 AB in the prc