Accubond or XP3?

[Bogow]

I plan on using my 270 WSM for elk hunting this year and after much Googling I thought I had settled on the Winchester Supreme 140 grain AccuBond CT. Then I ran across a thread that said the new Winchester Supreme Elite 150 grain XP3 may be even better for elk.

I don't reload yet so for now I am stuck with factory ammo. What do you guys think? Anybody have any real world experience with these rounds? Is there something else out there that would be better than either of these?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Kachok]

XP3 is designed to drive a little deeper though the Accubond will make a slightly wider wound tract. Both are good bullets, but I have to go with the Accubond with this one, a 140gr .277 cal should have more then enough penatration for any elk you come across. I tend to side with Nosler bullets anyway, they have never let me down, terminal performance has always been remarkable. I load Accubonds for my 270WSM, never ran across anything that needed that much penatration around here, but I keep them around just in case.

 

[Bogow]

Do you think the AccuBond is tough enough to blow through the shoulder and stay together if my shot placement is off?

 

[Kachok]

YEP, seen it done. Don't let the poly tip fool you those things drive deep even when they hit bone. Heck even Balllistic Tips have always been through and through for me, Accubonds take it a step further.

 

[exbiologist]

totally agree with Kachok. I've seen and used Accubonds on elk and seen XP3s in use. Damage difference is night and day. You'll still probably get full penetration either way.

 

[Bogow]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. Sounds like the accubonds are going elk hunting.

 

[Kachok]

The difference in the wound canal is due to the Accubond expanding faster and fragmenting some weight (about 25%) this makes for a more intense wound canal vs the XP3 that retains near 100%, that extra weight retention is good for about an extra 4-5" of penatration, and if we were talking brown bear I would side with the XP3, but Accubonds, especaily those of a good sectional density are great penatratiors themselves, more then enough to get through the vitals of a thick bodied elk from any reasonable shot angle.

 

[Skyshot]

I like the Accubonds best, both are great bullets. I would say shoot both and see which one is the most accurate. Accuracy trumps!