I recently experimented with powders and bullet designs and penned an article below. Yes but not so fast…As a reloader, I reviewed my notes and …

6.5 Creedmoor: Hand-Loaded Nosler 129g ABLR and Hornady 160g Round Nose Deer Hunt Combo? Update at 150 yards

I looked back at my notes and decided, even though very pleased with the accuracy of the loads in the article, I felt as if I should have gotten more velocity and energy out of the 129 grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range bullet. This is where reloading your own cartridge can be so helpful. The round nose load is perfect but on the Nosler ABLR , can I get more velocity and energy? Yes!

Discovering that Hodgdon’s H4350 has velocity limitations with this bullet, I went back into research mode and compared notes by both Hornady and Nosler Manuals and found that Winchester 760 powder (a ball powder that meters well and in my powder cupboard) should be tested to increase delivered energy and speed, yet maintain accuracy. I gave it a go working up a max load, (read the manuals) and found that I could increase my muzzle velocity by 300 fps to an average  cold barrel velocity of 2968 fps and a 3 shot Standard Dev. of 10, thus increasing delivered energy by well over 300 ft-lbs. 

My rifle, a Weatherby Vanguard with a 24 inch barrel handled this new Winchester 760 load with the Nosler 129 grain AccuBond, in good order and maintained near MOA accuracy. Inspecting the cartridge and primer are important. Point of impact at 100 yards was essentially exactly the same as I had already established. Nice. What is great about the Nosler AccuBond Long range besides being a bonded copper/lead bullet that stays together is how it holds it’s long range energy for deer to 600 yards say on a western hunt. And has a Max point blank range MPBR of nearly 300 yards if you zero for 250 yards. Where you put your crosshairs on the shoulder or just behind and shoot at 295 yards if you are practiced at those ranges. See the table below.

All things considered, I am so glad that I chose to reload and design my own loads. May be it is time for you to consider reloading your own ammo.

GOOD HUNTING!

©Copyright 2021

When I deer hunt with my recurve, I use an attached bow quiver that shields and hold my arrows with cut-on-contact broadheads.

For safety sake I test my quiver to ensure that arrow don’t inadvertently slip down or pop out of the shield or rubber grippers.

A loose broadhead can severely injure you or your bow string. It is wise to carry a First Aid Kit with Pressure Bandages. I do!

I practice with the quiver attached because it can effect shot placement and gets me used to navigating the woods with broadhead arrows. Vibration can loosen your well protected broadheads thus, it pays to inspect the quiver and incorporate a visual check as you hunt or stump shoot to ensure they won’t come loose on the hunt. I look at the arrow length at the nock when it is in the quiver regularly and ensure no movement.

I have an attached recurve bow quiver that shoots quietly but it is not holding my arrows as tight as I would like. Often, arrows are either smaller diameter than the rubber gripper or the gripper is showing wear.  These grippers are parts that can normally be purchased from folks like 3 Rivers Archery or from Lancaster Archery et al. If your rubber gripper is worn then buy a new one or address the loose issue pronto.

https://www.3riversarchery.com/replacement-arrow-gripper-for-selway-bow-quivers.html

https://www.lancasterarchery.com/selway-bolt-on-quiver-take-down-recurve-quiver.html

This kind of problem is not new to bowhunters. With the advent of smaller shaft diameter and stiffer carbon spines, this is a common problem but be acutely aware that arrows that come loose an out of the shield are dangerous to you and your bow. 

Accordingly, I created a tighter fix for my, one of a kind, 6 arrow rubber grippers by crisscrossing elastic bands inside the arrow grip slots thus making my arrows snap in tightly. I tested my setup and inspect it regularly, you should too.

If you are target shooting a lot when not hunting,  I suggest you remove any broadheads from your quiver for safety sake and put the broadheads on when hunting.

Pass it on!

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2021