I'm impressed with Noslers Accubond

[grayghost]

I decided to take my Remington model 700 Varmit Special in .223 and my Ruger M-77 in .280 to Africa for a 10 day hunt. The ammo I chose was Federal Vital Shok Premium loaded with Nosler 60gr Partitions for the .223 and 160gr Accubond for the .280. My report is listed in the African Hunting forum if anyone is interested. The post is: 10 days in South Africa. Good hunting, grayghost

[Baylian]

I tried 140 gr. Accubonds in my .270 CZ 550. I had 5 1/4 inch and 2 15/16 inch 5 shot and 3 shot groups respectively. They were spread way over the paper from left to right. Horrible!!! SST's did a much better but not super job.

Good Hunting, TJ

[grayghost]

Hey Baylian: You didn't state what range you were testing at, but sometimes it takes trying a good number of loads to find the one that shoots best in your rifle. Could be something about your rifle too. Is your barrel floated? I always want no stock contact with my barrel. I also have the action bedded. You might try to add a Limb Saver barrel De-Resonator. That's an inexpensive product that should bring in tighter groups. I'm considering buying a CZ .375 H&H for dangerous African game. Never owned a CZ but I'm hearing some good things about them. Keep us posted on your progress. Good hunting, grayghost

[Baylian]

Grayghost,

I'm just shooting at 100 yards. From a concrete bench with sandbags. I don't have the barrel on the bag. I'm trying to be consistant with my technique. I'm using my left hand to squeeze the rear bag to adjust for height. There was a quartering wind from the right rear at 5-15 mph both times. But other brands of ammo grouped better. Federal Powershok grouped 3/4 inch and 15/16 inch 3 shot groups sans flyers. I have now bought 10 different types of ammo and have yet to find a bonded bullet my rifle likes for elk hunting. The best heavy bullets (140 gr) have been the SST and BTSP from Hornady at 1 5/8 " and 1.5 " respectively. The range master checked my rifle with a dollar last Sat. and the barrel is free floated.

CZ's have many nice features, good looks, and a good value for price. The scope rings that come with them are a bit high but that is because they have to allow room for the bolt to clear. My personal rifle has a sticky action. When I was first shooting it I almost had to force the bolt back in (hit it with my palm) to load the cartridge. Since then it has loosened up a little but some times still sticks when chambering a round. I love the single set trigger having been raised with double set triggers on my muzzle loader. If you go with a CZ make sure the action cycles clean.

Great report on your Africa hunt. I love your webpage too.

Good Hunting, TJ

[grayghost]

Thanks TJ:
Africa was a dream come true for me. Always wanted to go and finally just stopped dreaming and went. I was surprised at how affordable it was compared to hunting North America. I'm going back next summer but a number of opportunities have fallen into my lap so I may be going to Zimbabwe sooner for Buff and Lion. I'm going to rename my African web site soon as the addy was one my wife wasn't using so she gave it to me for a temp site. There are other pics to add and a few things I want to rearrange also. Next trip I will take a video camera as still photos just don't do Africa justice. Thanks for the insight on the CZ's. I'm not going to overlook Ruger or Remington, but I'll ask some of our African guys before I buy. Sounds like the Hornady and your rifle get along better than other offerings. Maybe you can get a day with the wind not being a factor but I know how the West and the wind operate during the fall :D Could your action possibly have residue on it and that's what's causing the stiff bolt? It may take a good cleaning with acetone to remove it if so. I had that problem with a new Beretta Extrema last year. Fired without problem when it was cool, but on a frosty morning it would not eject the first fired shell; and the sky was full of Snow geese :( The bolt was stiff as molasses. Hope you have a great hunting season, grayghost