Bluedevil25
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, Sask.
Was just wondering if anyone has used both in hunting situations from deer to moose and everything in between? Just looking for first hand experiences with both bullets, thanks.
Nosler Accubond vs Partition
- Thread starter Bluedevil25
- Start date
mossyhorns
CGN Regular
- Location
- The city that rhymes with fun
I have used both and have had good results with them for the most part on deer, bear, mountain goats, moose and elk. The only time I had one fail was on a large BC black bear when the front end of a 30 cal (30' 06) 165 g partition separated and I got really poor penetration. We didn't find the bear until the next day and it was still alive. But on the other extreme I shot a bull elk with my 6.6x55 and a 140g partition at 260 yards and he dropped in his tracks.
My preference right now is Accubonds as they just shoot more accurately in the rifles I use and they have always performed well.
My preference right now is Accubonds as they just shoot more accurately in the rifles I use and they have always performed well.
Myself and my son have taken hundreds of animals with both in 30 cal as well as 35 and 375. I use them both and TSX depending on caliber and it's long range capabilities. They are both excellent bullets until you get a very close shot at extreme velocity, in these situations the Parts hold up better, the ABs tend to fragment. I have found the ABs to be very accurate and with the high BCs they fly well. Some of my rifles prefer the Parts and some prefer the ABs, either way I'm happy and know I've got a good bullet for game. I use ABs in my 257 Bee, 257 Bob, 7 RUM, 300 Wby and 350RM and 1 load in my Whelen. I use Parts in my 6.5X55, and 1 load in my Whelen, and am working loads for my 9.3X300 WM and one of my 375s right now, with Parts.
We have used them both on everything from impala and duiker to Yukon moose, eland and grizzly, they work!!
We have used them both on everything from impala and duiker to Yukon moose, eland and grizzly, they work!!
The Nosler Partition has been my go-to bullet for over 4 decades now, and is the bullet I judge all others by.
The Accubond is a relative newcomer on the block, and I will not live long enough to shoot as much game with it as
I have with partitions.
That being said, my experience with the Accubonds have been positive. [all 6 animals] I believe they work best
when velocity at impact is under 3000 fps.
There are reports of them disintegrating at close range/high velocity.
[Take note of c-fbmi's post above]
Today, there are so many excellent hunting bullets out there, it is difficult to make a decision.
One thing is certain, I will never shoot at any game animal with a bullet originally designed as a match bullet.
Regards, Eagleye.
The Accubond is a relative newcomer on the block, and I will not live long enough to shoot as much game with it as
I have with partitions.
That being said, my experience with the Accubonds have been positive. [all 6 animals] I believe they work best
when velocity at impact is under 3000 fps.
There are reports of them disintegrating at close range/high velocity.
[Take note of c-fbmi's post above]
Today, there are so many excellent hunting bullets out there, it is difficult to make a decision.
One thing is certain, I will never shoot at any game animal with a bullet originally designed as a match bullet.
Regards, Eagleye.
Noslers are the only bullets that I hunt with. I have never witnessed a Nosler fail on me or my son. I started off with ballistic tips, then partition and now accubonds, in fact, we still use all three today. My last 4 animals were killed with accubonds.................stone dead!
I got a bad batch of 30 cal 200 gn Parts one time, but wrote them off as an anomaly. Did cost me an gemsbok though. They were completely fragmenting on impact, but never figured it out in time. Bad batch of jacket material I suspect, no issues in the 20 years since though.
I still use partitions but have gone to accubonds cause they are more accurate in my guns and the weight retention (wet sand tests) is higher than in the partitions.
I've seen the 3-shot groups with my BLR in 308 Win shrink from 1 1/2" to less than 1" at 100 yards.
I've seen the 3-shot groups with my BLR in 308 Win shrink from 1 1/2" to less than 1" at 100 yards.
For hooved game, the Accubond with its excellent ballistics and superb accuracy is hard to beat......But for dangerous game, I find myself leaning towards the Partition bullet......Both are excellent bullets, as is the Barnes TSX and Hornady Interbond...
Would you be referring to Berger VLD's or just match bullets in general? I have a handful of the berger hunting vld's that my .270 is fond of shooting on paper. Am I looking at not so good on-game performance?
mossyhorns
CGN Regular
- Location
- The city that rhymes with fun
Well I shot a moose two years ago with a 150g VLD out of my .270 WTBY and it penetrated a few inches and exploded, never even made it to the far rib cage, not even a fragment. The moose did die however but it's just not what I look for in bullet performance on large game. I decided to try them and can say with certainly it was both my first and last time doing so.
I started hunting in 1957. I have had the uncommon good fortune to be born in a game-rich area of a game-rich province. Additionally, I have enjoyed hunting Alberta and a few other places on occasion.
The number of big game animals I and my family have eaten, is well into 3 figures.
You cannot shoot that much game without forming opinions.
I am a bullet digger, and have keenly pursued a course in order to come to valid conclusions regarding bullet performance.
The VLD's and other Match bullets WILL kill game, but from the several examples I have seen, I know that they would never suit my style of hunting.
You see, I am not averse to taking heavily angled shots on large cervids [Moose & Elk], Ditto for Bears. It is very easy to see that the VLD would have difficulty reaching the vitals on these shots, since penetration is needed, even through major bone.
On a broadside shot at longish ranges, these fragile bullets will work, but that presentation is seldom given, so I want a bullet that will get in, regardless of angle, and destroy the lungs/heart.
A number of bullets sold are lacking in this ability, and for anything but punching paper, I avoid them.
There are many proven designs to use: [Partition, Accubond, Interbond, GMX, TTSX, Scirocco, A-Frame, E-Tip,.....the list is long.]
Why on earth would I choose an "iffy" bullet when there is a great variety of truly successful hunting bullets.
Sorry for the long post, but I feel strongly about this matter.
Regards, Eagleye.
I have also used the partition and accubond for hunting,no problem with either one. But now i exclusively use the accubond for the accuracy i can consistently achieve, sometimes in hunting situations a soft lead tip can get mashed when loading/unloading. With the accubond the tip never seems to get mashed. I use it with 6.5x55-130 and 140 grain, 7x57-140 grain, 7mm rem mag-140 grain, 308 norma mag-165 grain, 300 win mag-165 grain. Have had deer kills with all of these and the deer never seem to get too far.
No apologies required! A strong thank you for your much appreciated advice is needed however. I'll be loading something different for on-game and leaving the VLD's for paper slaying,
Generally speaking, Accubonds are fairly explosive while Partitions hold together better but, again generally speaking, Accubonds are far more accurate in a wider variety of rifles and loads. Lots of rifles won't shoot Partitions well.
