Nosler Partitions

billbmcleod

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For years I have been using good old 30 calibre (0.308") 180 gr Partitions with somewhat exposed lead tip in my 30-06 700 Rem.
Today's box is P/N 25396 PPT. Because I had a supply of these bullets I used them to work up a load for my son's 300WSM.
We seem to have a reasonable load tested out to 250 yds.
I have used good old partitions for a hunting load I use for deer,bear,moose and the occasional coyote if I have the chance. By using the same load I never have to worry about sight adjustments for any game change. Just check it and go hunting.
However a friend of my son has told him he should be at least using an Accubond or some other spitzer to realize the potential of the 300WSM.
I asked how long his friend had been reloading and the answer was he doesn't but is thinking about it.
So I said to my son "well there you have it". I figure if you have something that works why fix it. We don't have unlimited income to be trying all kinds of different bullets.
By the way I have been loading without incident since the mid 80's except a handgun squib that cost me dearly.
Now secretly I am looking for some input from you guys.

Bill
 
Stick with what works.

Here is a bit of a story. My dad (67) shot a rem 760 30-06 with a straight two power scope all his life up until the past year. All he ever shot was the box of old Federal 150gr Hi-shock. And the old Imperial rounds. He shot everything from yotes to moose. He still is a amazing shot. There was always meat in the freezer. When i show him my custom guns and talk ballistics, he kind of nods off knowing full well, he doesn't need that.
 
There is a reason that all bullets are measured against the Nosler Partion. It just plain works great. I have shot deer , moose , pronghorns, impala, hartebeast , wildebeast, kudu and plenty more big and small without a single disappointment. I do use other bullets with success as well, but if I get a rifle and want to grab one bullet that I know that I can get to shoot well and can count on for performance that doesn't break the bank the nosler partion is my first choice.
 
The 300 WSM is a great cartridge but in truth the 180 grain Accubonds, or Ballistic Tips with their long boatails must be seated deep into the case. Flat-based bullets such as the Partition use up less space and tend to shoot a little faster. Also, within 450 yards there is very little ballistic gain with the boatails when compared to the Partition.
 
I have to agree. The partition is the bullet they are all measured against. My only beef is the tips deform. Had to be a reason to invent the accubond.

I shot a lot of 165 Grain Accubonds in my 300 WSM and to tell the truth the cartridges in the magazine would take a beating from recoil. I broke so many tips on the Accubonds that I was never surprised when it happened.
 
Nobler also makes a 'protected point' Partition, designated by PPT on the box. These are even more accurate then the regular Partition because the manufacturing process makes a more denser bullet.. I tried them in 30-06 and they are very accurate and the tips don't deform.
 
The reason for the 180 grain Protected Pt is the .300 Win with 3.340" mag boxes. Due to the shoulder being moved forward and the short neck not all bullets will work in that application without getting shoved too far into the case. It also enables the bullets to be set closer to or on the lands in other applications while still fitting in the mag. That flexibility in distance to lands is a huge factor in accuracy. The tip being protected a smidge is just a side benefit.
 
Thanks guys. I guess if the first eight people to respond think we are doing things right then I am happy.
I will show this to my son and leave it at that. He doesn't do any on line media stuff except for phone messages and text if necessary so he is not on on Gunnutz.

Bill
 
I may as well add my 2 cents. As most have indicated, the Partition has been proving itself admirably for decades.
If it is not broken, don't try fixing it. Dave.
 
Thanks guys. I guess if the first eight people to respond think we are doing things right then I am happy.
I will show this to my son and leave it at that. He doesn't do any on line media stuff except for phone messages and text if necessary so he is not on on Gunnutz.

Bill

A partition reloader here also and have been for many many years and will be until I die and have tried many of the others out there but returned to the old partitions
I am down to a 243 for my deer hunting since my shoulders hurt so much and I thought I may have issues with clean kills . Nope my partition reloads in 243 still do bang flops as my old 280 did for years
Cheers
 
Partitions are a great bullet and if it works for you, why change? This is from someone who loves the accubond and accubond-LR, I really like the idea of lead bonded bullets. But the partition will kill everything and has been the industry standard which all bullets are judged from. Make a good shot and the animal will never know the difference between a partition and a accudbond.
 
Previously the RWS H-Mantle was Partition like.The 160gr /7mm Accu-Bond at 2900 fps will do 40 " of moose.
 
The Partition is a great bullet. It's violently expanding and fragmenting at high speed , but no matter what at least a portion stays together to ensure adequate penetration. Even with the lead front end blown right off, the ragged edges of the expanded base are still not something you want twisting through your innards. Those fragments are also doing things a merely expanded bullet can't begin to do. Because the base is basically sure to stay together the front can be made a little softer than they would otherwise dare. That comes into play later when velocities have dropped. The Partition will still be opening easy and tearing things up when the show is over for a lot of bullets.

What's interesting is many bullets that are promoted as the greatest thing yet are opposite in every way possible. Seems odd, somehow.
 
I thought I should relate this story as it gives an example of how the Partition can get you out of a bad shot. I had this dandy whitetail buck stop behind a fallen tree. He was ready to run and I only had a small patch to shoot at. At the shot he took off fast and disappeared. I thought I missed him clean but he only went 100 yards.

The 165 grain from my '06 entered the left side just behind the ribs, missed the lungs altogether and angled backward and out through the paunch on the opposite side. Basically a gut shot. As Dogleg described it did the job. Another bullet may have done the job too but I probably would have a tough tracking job and may not have even found him.
 
I have been using the 180gr 30cal partition for years in my hand loads. Has never failed me and is a consistent performer in my books. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
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