AccuBond vs Ballistic Tip: Which is Better for Deer Hunting?

Hunting with Firearms
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I’m trying to decide between using AccuBond and Ballistic Tip bullets for my upcoming deer hunting trip, and I’m hoping to gather some insights from those of you with experience in this area. Both options end up being recommended often, but they seem to have different performance characteristics that might make one more suitable than the other depending on the situation.

Terminal Ballistics

  • AccuBond: Known for its high weight retention and controlled expansion, many hunters swear by its performance on larger game.
  • Ballistic Tip: These tend to expand rapidly, leading to significant damage but often at the cost of weight retention. How does this influence your experience while hunting larger deer?

Expansion and Weight Retention

  • From what I’ve read, the AccuBond retains weight well after impact, which can be crucial when dealing with tougher hide and bone. Has anyone tested this against varying distances?
  • The Ballistic Tip, on the other hand, performs excellently at short to moderate distances but could struggle with penetration in tough conditions.

Suitability for Different Game Animals

  • I’m specifically interested in deer, but how do these bullets stack up against other game? Has anyone had a good experience with Ballistic Tips on deer? Or is it mostly a preference for smaller game?

Practical Experiences

  • I’m looking for any first-hand accounts of either bullet in action. What performance differences did you notice? Have you had issues with either type when it comes to cleanup post-kill?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Your advice will really help in making an informed decision for my hunting needs and hopefully improve my chances in the field.

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2

I’ve had great success with AccuBond bullets. They offer excellent penetration and expansion, which is perfect for deer hunting in various conditions.

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That’s interesting! I prefer Ballistic Tip for its flat trajectory and fast expansion on impact. It really drops deer quickly!

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Both have their strengths, but I’ve noticed AccuBond tends to perform better on larger game like elk, while Ballistic Tip excels on whitetail.

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I recently tried switching from Ballistic Tip to AccuBond, and I was amazed at how much steadier my shots were at long range. Very impressive!

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That’s a great point, but what do you think about terminal performance? Do both retain mass well after impact?

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Good question, vanessa48! AccuBond does retain weight better, which contributes to its deep penetration. However, Ballistic Tip expands faster and can create bigger wounds in softer tissues.

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I’ve successfully used Ballistic Tips in dense woods. The quick expansion is excellent for close-range shots where energy transfer is crucial!

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Weight retention is key! But don’t forget about the carbon footprint of manufacturing these bullets!

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Ha! Trust a hunter to think about eco-friendliness post-shot. Both bullets do great jobs; I think personal preference wins out in the end!

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The debate is fierce! Perhaps it boils down to which game you’re primarily hunting. I’ve found AccuBond works wonders for medium to large deer.

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I agree with johngonzalez. Different situations demand different bullets. I’m curious though, anyone here hunt deer past 300 yards? Which bullet has performed best for you?

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I’ve taken deer at 400 yards with AccuBond! The long-range accuracy was phenomenal, and the results were clean. Highly recommend for those distances!

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That’s impressive, raychristopher! I’m sold! AccuBond it is for my next hunt.

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Here’s a tip: if you ever doubt your choice, just bring both! You never know when a squirrel might wander by! :joy:

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Ha! Good one, samuel29! But seriously, consider your environment and hunting style when choosing. Each bullet shines under different circumstances.

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I’ve had great success reloading AccuBond projectiles with H4350 powder. It provides excellent velocity and accuracy. What powders are you all using?

18

That’s interesting! I typically use Varget for Ballistic Tips. It’s worked well in my .270 Winchester. Anyone else have different experiences?

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I like to go a bit deeper on the seating depth with AccuBonds, around 0.015 inches off the lands, for better stability. It’s made a tangible difference in my groups.

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I usually seat my Ballistic Tips at .020 off the lands. It seems to work well for accuracy in my .308.

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