I loaded my 375jdj with 260 accubonds for a pig hunt. The gun, if I did my part was shooting sub moa at 100yrds. Early this morning I put one of the accubonds into a hog, at less than 75 yards. The pig ran off as if nothing happend. When I put the second round into the pig, I observed the same reaction. Assuming that somehow I missed twice (which happens), I went to reload again. When I got the animal into the crosshairs for the third time, it dropped before I fired. Upon inspection of the animal, I discovered that both rounds hit the mark, but failed to open at all. There were two holes through and through on the animal.

My question is: are the accubonds too heavy for expansion at those ranges? I purposely changed from the 220gr flatpoints to the 260 accubonds for the pig hunt because they are thick/tough animals.

What velocity are you pushing that load? It may not be fast enough to expand. I'm not real familiar with that bullet. Did you hit any bone?

I have to agree with cfish2, velocity is a factor with premium bullets. I have had Barnes and Nosler bullets fail to open up at lower velocity. These were in rifles though and at long range. This year, I'm sticking to my old stand by, Sierra Gamekings. Last year I lost a huge mule deer in Montana because the bullet did not open. The bullet was a Barnes 30 cal, 180 gr in a 30-06 rifle range was 270 yards, the deer was hit through the lungs and ran off at full speed never to be seen again. Remember countless animals have fallen to "standard" bullets.

Why fix what ain't broken, go back to where you were ;-)

The accubonds require 1,800 FPS+ to do their thing. Although the JDJ should have that at 75 yards easily, what does your chrony say?

I'm getting 2000fps+ on the chrony, sometimes more depending on temperature. I was told that it is a very destructive load on elk sized animals. Kinda realize now that I wasn't thinking this through too well. Obviously a 300 pound pig isn't the same as a 800 pound elk. I don't want to miss-quote, but I thought wapitirod was using them on elk with good success.

cfish2, the first shot was through the ribs/lungs; the second was right in the pocket. I just think I'm used to the fist size holes that the 220's make. Probably best to stick with them for deer and pigs.

Again........... the 270 Hornady has a looooooong and favorable record in the .375 JDJ...on all sizes and in between.

Personal experience with the 270 Hornady in my .375 JDJ agrees; from coyotes to elk, it works well.

You might want to try it, if you are unhappy with the 220's, et al.

The 260 grain Accubond was built with the 375 H&H and 378 Weatherby rifles in mind, which shoot from 700 to 1000 FPS faster than your 375 JDJ.

Doc Rodgers loves the bullet for game big and small, but he's shooting them out of a 375/284 in an XP-100. That cartridge shoots several hundred feet per second faster than your JDJ.

You are experiencing a common problem among handgunners - running into bullets that just won't open at typical handgun velocities. Any of the lighter for caliber Hornady's or Sierra's are your friend.

Brian.

I guess I've had good luck because the 260 accubonds have opened up on everything I've shot or seen shot when loaded in the 375 jdj.But since some like yourself have posted about problems they've had I have been wondering if Nosler has changed something (they thickened up the b-tips years ago without telling anyone)? It does seem funny that the 260 accubonds would expand on 250 lbs. whitetails (one load was doing 1900+ or -) and left an exit the size of a baseball 2 years ago. I guess maybe it's worth doing some testing when the weather gets better to see if the bullets made now act different then the ones made a few years back. Will try to post results if I can get to it.

In addition, IMHO pigs are just not that tough. It does not take a cannon to kill a 300 lb hog.

Another side note. Depending on how thick a grizzle plate of your 300 lb hog, shoting thru one of those with their thick hides and grizzle, would be darn close to shooting a medium sized elk. Almost!

How do you know that the bullets did not expand? Did you recover them? Pointed bullets do not penetrate straight and will tumble if they do not expand.

AccuBonds are nothing more than bonded core Ballistics Tips

Rarely do animals drop where they are unless the spine or brain is hit or both front shoulders are broken and I've seen stuff go 50 yards with broken shoulders. How much time elapsed between the first shot and the hog dropping? Where were your shots placed.

I had a hog three years ago absorb 4 rounds from my raging bull 480 with 325 gr handloads. The final shot in the head brought it down. It was only 250lbs. Shot two on that trip. First one shot in the head and didn't go anywhere. Animals are a lot tougher then folks give them credit for!

You are absolutely correct. I shot a 200 + pound hog a few weeks ago with my .416 and it had the audacity to run off. Oh, it didn't go far and the damage was extensive, but often times the body doesn't tell the brain immediately that it's dead.

Thank you all for responding. To answer a few quick questions, the nosler put a pin hole straight thru the animal, almost as if cut thru with a laser. I have some experience with BTips and Accubonds in rifles and am well aware that they can and will expand violently if put into enough media/tissue. However, I am also well aware that not every bullet will respond the same as the prior. Case in point is "XYZ" bullets I use in one of my LR rifles. These XYZ's shoot fantastic, and have high BC for long range work. I have witnessed those bullets enter a large animal, and completely devistate the internals. Conversely, I have witnessed the same bullet explode before entering the chest cavity...same rifle, caliber, velocity, and same size animal.

By no means was I questioning my 375, as it has served my flawlessly. I just heard some conflicting stories about the accubonds in this caliber and was curious to see what others have experienced. I don't think I am going to write these bullets off quite yet, but as recommended I will go to the 270gr Hornadys and give them a ride for a while. Thank you all again for the help.

Heavier, slower bullets often kill less quickly than the faster lighter ones (for example - black powder vs high velocity rifle). With handguns we are closer to the slow heavy category than we are the light fast one.

My experience is that I have seen many more animals run off when hit well with a handgun than I did back when I was hunting with high velocity rifles. Whitworth has it right. They were dead (or soon to be) but did not yet know it. One of the reasons that we like to see an exit --- provides a better blood trail.

If you want them to go down. Treat them like zombies!!!!

This has a been a great post and thanks for sharing!

I was thinking about this while on the road the last couple of days. I am not trying to question your competency in anatomy, I am just curious as where you hit your pig. Did you know that you are actually aiming for the bottom half of a pig?

TCMan, I must admit that the first shot was not exactly perfect. It was an obvious liver shot. The second went through the heart. I really must apologize for the stir. I guess that I was used to the violent knockdowns that I have witnessed when using the 220's. Even on a sub-perfect shot the damage on animals of that size has been incredible.

To be perferctly honest I was shocked to see what had happend. This handgun has taken down larger animals than that with ease. Every once in a while I assume all of us take an animal and scratch our heads after. Looks like this particular day was my turn.

Good Hunting,
ERIK

Thanks for being polite Bubba! LOL

Sounds like your shots were placed well, just one tough pig...

Every animal is a law unto itself. CNS shots are the only shots that produce consistent lights out reactions.

True words Whit.

Tough maybe, I think stubborn is more like it....lmao

It is amazing what an animal can take especially a deer. This past deer season I shot doe in head with .308 handloaded 150 grain hollow point looked like head was put in grinder but she still ran 30 yards. I'm really debating on a .375jdj I really would like to find someone local with one for me to try before ordering one