Are AccuBonds Good For Elk?

Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman.

When you are hunting, there are many elements that you need to consider. You have to find the right place, buy the right hunting clothes, and track the elk. However, there is another vital element to think about, the type of bullet you are using. The AccuBond from Nosler is a popular option, but is it good for elk?

AccuBonds are great elk hunting bullets. The bullets will fly straight, making it easy for you to aim. When they strike, they will penetrate the target deeply and do a lot of damage. This will be more than enough to take down an elk.

If you are planning a successful hunt, you’ll need to get the right bullets. AccuBonds are known for being very powerful. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this ammunition capable of taking out elk. 

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Pros and Cons of the AccuBond

The Nosler AccuBond has earned a strong reputation amongst hunters. To decide whether it’s the right choice for you, let’s look at some of the pros and cons. 

One of the biggest benefits of an AccuBond bullet is how accurate it is. It will fly fairly flat. This is because of the shape of the bullet and the way that the weight is distributed. There aren’t any voids in the core of the bullet. Being able to predict where the bullet will land is key for hunters. Bull elk have strong bones, so you need to be confident that you will land a hit in their vital area.

When fired, it doesn’t lose a lot of its weight. This is because the core of the bullet is attached to the jacket. This will help to avoid over-expansion. As a result, it can provide deep penetration. The high velocity can make it a good choice for those who like hunting from a long distance. 

However, the biggest benefit is the amount of damage that AccuBond can do. To see just powerful the bullet is, look at one after it has passed through an animal. It has a strong mushroom shape, leaving a huge hole in its wake. Because of this, it’s unlikely that any type of animal will be able to withstand a direct hit from one of these bullets.  

Another important consideration is the reviews from those in the hunting community. Many of them are thrilled with the performance of the AccuBond. It is more than enough to take down anything that stands in its way. It can be lethal against elk. Hunters also report success with animals like antelope, mule deer, whitetail, and bears. The downsides of using this type of bullet tend to be fairly minor. For example, some people report a bit of muzzle jump. This is easy to manage and shouldn’t impact the accuracy of your shots.

How Are AccuBonds Made? 

When Nosler created the AccuBond, they wanted to combine characteristics from two of their most popular bullets. They wanted the damage that the Partitioner can deliver. But they also wanted the accuracy of the Ballistic Tip. To better understand what makes the AccuBond bullet so unique, we can look at how they are constructed. There are a few layers you need to be aware of. These are: 

• The polymer tip. This is pointed, which allows for deeper penetration. It also ensures that it will be easier for you to chamber the bullet with a smooth discharge. The tip is strong, so it won’t get damaged if you experience any recoil. 
• Bonded jacket with the core. This presents plenty of advantages. It will help to retain the weight, ensuring a deeper penetration. It also provides that the bullet will expand uniformly, doing more damage to your prey. 
• Well-constructed with unique bonding. You don’t want to risk the bullet coming apart when you fire it. This bonding system ensures that this doesn’t happen. 
• Shape. The AccuBond has a proprietary ogive shape. This ensures that it will be wind resistant. This means that it will fly true. It will also allow you to achieve a higher velocity, hitting the target with more force. It has a boat tail. This makes it easier for you to load and ensures that it will be reliable over long distances. 

Are Nosler AccuBonds Expensive? 

Bullets are an essential part of your hunting kit. However, for premium hunting bullets, like the AccuBond, you will need to be prepared to pay a little more. A package of Nosler AccuBonds can cost you around $85. While this is on the more expensive side, there they are more expensive. These are: 

• Improved performance. This is something that an ordinary bullet won’t be able to replicate. If you plan on hunting for big game, you will need to have something capable of doing a lot of damage. 
• Brand name. Nosler might want to add a premium price to reinforce the fact that they have a premium product. This is a good way of setting themselves apart in a crowded market. 
• Cost of the materials. The AccuBond wouldn’t be a cheap product to make. They need to source high-quality copper. Skimping on the materials will cause a sharp decline in performance. 
• Specificity. These bullets are made to hunt for a very select group of animals. In this case, big game species. As a result, they need to be able to meet these demands. 

Just because the Nosler AccuBond might be a little more expensive doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth the price. Compared with the other costs of hunting, the price of bullets is fairly minimal. In my book, anything that can increase the chances of taking down your target is worth the price. 

Plus, it’s worth noting that a pack of bullets will last for a long time. You’ll only need to use them when you have a good shot. As a result, a pack of 100 might last you for a few hunting seasons. You need to make sure that you are storing them properly.  Keep them in a cool, dry place. Preferably in a locked ammo box in your basement. 

If you are still concerned about the cost, there is a potential solution. You might want to reload them yourself. This can significantly lower the cost associated with shooting them. But it will require some practice to make sure that you are doing it correctly.  

What Types of AccuBond Bullets are There? 

Nosler offers two varieties of AccuBond bullets. These are the regular AccuBond and the AccuBond Long-Range. The difference between these varieties is the range at which they can be effective. AccuBond Long-Range has a lower minimum impact velocity, allowing it to be effective from over 1,000 yards away. 

At first glance, these varieties can look very similar. Both are constructed in the same way. Both are going to be effective against big game, making them an excellent choice for elk. Picking the right one for you will depend on the way that you like to hunt. As the name suggests, AccuBond Long-Range is built to be effective from a longer distance. 

They do this by changing the minimum impact velocity. The number of feet per second that a bullet will need to be traveling when it hits its target. This ensures that it will expand, causing the mushrooming damage that these bullets are known for. In a regular AccuBond, this will need to be at least 1,800 feet per second. However, in the AccuBond Long-Range, it will need to be traveling at a minimum of 1,350 feet per second. 

It should be noted that the Long-Range Accubond bullet can also be a good choice for close-range targets. It has been built to cope with a wide range of velocities. As a result, it can still do a lot of damage when shot very close to the animal. 

Because they are so similar, it can be hard to tell them apart. The key is looking at the top of the bullet. Regular AccuBonds will have a white polymer tip. However, the Long-Range variety will have a grey polymer tip. 

What Other Nosler Bullets are Suitable for Elk? 

The AccuBond is an excellent choice for elk. You can also choose the Partition, which delivers a lot of force for deeper penetration. Third, you might want to use the Expansion Tip, which will fragment on impact. 

So far, we’ve paid a lot of attention to the AccuBond. But it isn’t the only Nosler product you can choose from. Let’s have a quick look at the other two options. 

Partition

The Partition has a long history. Initially, it was developed by John Nosler in 1948. He had just been on a hunting trip where a conventional bullet didn’t have enough force to take down a moose. This is what inspired him to design and create the Partition. 

There are a few elements that the Partition has become known for.  These are: 

• Deep penetration
• A large amount of damage
• Dual jacket design. There are two lead cores. They are separated by a partition, giving the bullet its name. The front of the bullet is designed to expand for maximum damage. At the rear, the lead is added to increase bullet weight. 

The Partition bullet proved to be very successful. To this day, it is known as one of the best hunting bullets on the market. This is what has built the reputation of the Nosler brand, turning them into one of the premier ammunition suppliers.

Expansion Tip

Nosler also makes the Expansion Tip bullets. As the name suggests, this is an expandable bullet. It also comes with a few distinct selling points. These are: 

• Polymer tip. This is thin for enhanced penetration. It will also ensure that the bullet starts to expand when it hits the target. 
• Uniform expansion. This chamber is also known for being able to retain its weight after it is shot. 
• Made from copper. Some hunters will want to avoid lead bullets. In this case, they will want to check out the Expansion Tip. It meets all the requirements set out for lead-free bullets. 

The Expansion Tip has also proven to be very popular. The amount of damage these bullets can do has earned a place in many hunters’ toolboxes. 

Choosing the Right Bullet For Elk Hunting

The Partition, Expansion Tip, and AccuBond are all excellent types of bullets. Each of them will be capable of stopping an elk in its tracks. But if you want to find the right one for you, there are a few areas to consider. 

Penetration

One of the most important elements for you to consider is how deep the bullet will penetrate. The deeper it hits, the more damage you will be able to inflict. In this area, the Partitioner will usually be the best. However, all three will travel at a high velocity. Because of this, they are all capable of penetrating the animal deeply and doing a lot of damage.  

Caliber

The next thing that you need to consider is the caliber of the bullets. You need to make sure that it will be the right size for your rifle. 

Damage

This is something that you don’t need to worry about with any of these bullets. All three of these will pack a lot of power. They are each more than capable of taking out big game animals, like elk. 

Accuracy

When you are hunting for elk, you must put the shot into a vital zone. If you can do this with one of these animals, you’ll be able to put down the animal very quickly. But if you miss your shot, you might need to follow a blood trail to find the elk again. 

The good news is that all there of the Nosler bullets will fly straight and true. Because of this, there is an excellent chance that you will hit your target. This is because of the ogive shape that they have.  

Distance From the Target

The next thing to consider is how far away you will be from the target. This will impact what you are looking for in a bullet. All three are suitable for close to medium distances. If you plan on shooting from long range, it might be a good idea to turn to the AccuBond Long-Range bullets. These have been specially designed to put down targets from around 1,000 yards away.

Using Them in the Field

Ultimately, all three Noser bullets are more than capable in the field. Because of this, the one that you use will depend mostly on your hunting style. As a result, it’s a good idea to try each of them in the field. Put them through their paces to find what delivers the best results for you. 

Final Thoughts

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The bullet is one of the most important parts of your hunt. You’ll need to make sure that you are choosing the right one. If you don’t, you won’t do enough damage to take down the target. This is especially important when you are targeting big animals, like elk. The good news is that the AccuBond from Nosler is an excellent choice. It will do plenty of damage and be easy to aim at. So, try one of these on your next elk hunt.

Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.