Partition or accubond in 30-06

chuckwagon

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Nova Scotia
I am planning to hunt moose this fall. I have some 200gr Partitions and some 200gr Accubonds. Anyone use these in a 30-06. What would be better. Any load recamindations. I am thinking of H4831. First test load seemed to be good.
 
4831 is a good powder in the .30/06 although you might be fighting with a drop tube and compressed loads. If you are getting acceptable velocity and accuracy, why change?

The AB might have a slight trajectory advantage, but at common moose hunting ranges the Partition has a good reputation. I know that over the years the recipe for the lead in the front core of the partition has changed from time to time, and this did nothing it's reputation. I have a few boxes on my loading bench, but I always find an excuse not to use them. A modern solid shank bonded lead core bullet sort of makes an A frame design redundant. Take that Swift!
 
Chuckwagon,
I would rather go with H4350 or Re19.
As for the bullet selection, both are great, however Accubond is a bonded bullet and more ballistically "slicker".
 
H4831 is a good choice with the 200 grain bullets. I would go with the Accubond. They perform about as well on game as the Partition and cost less
 
Chuckwagon, if you're dead set on using 200-grain bullets in a .30-06 (and I'm sure you have your reasons), then I'd probably try the Partition first. The reason I say this is not to suggest that the Partition will perform better on animals. In fact, both are supposed to perform almost identically.

No, the reason I say this is because the 200 Accubond is a loooonnngg bullet. It is actually the longest bullet that Nosler makes. I tried them last year in my .300 Winchester Magnum at about 2,850 feet-per-second and they would not shoot accurately beyond 100 yards. My theory is that the twist (1-10") and velocity were not enough to properly stabilize those bullets. Nosler themselves apparently recommend a barrel twist of 1-9" for these bullets, or an Ultramag kind of velocity. I'd be inclined to believe them on this. I know that some people have had good luck with 200-grain Accubonds in lesser cartridges, but it's probably a bit of a gamble.

For myself, I went down to a 180 Accubond in my .300 Winchester at 3,060 f.p.s. and the accuracy is simply incredible -- under 1/2 m.o.a. for three shots at 200 metres. Last fall I placed that bullet perfectly in the center of a mule deer's spine from a lasered 250 yards down a steep canyon and the result was decisive and spectacular.

The 200-grain Partition, by contrast, is a little shorter, and it is a proven performer out of .30-06 barrels. It's pretty well guaranteed to work in your .30-06, assuming you use the right load and your rifle/scope are up to snuff.

As for powders, I'd go with either H4831SC, Reloder 22, or my personal favourite these days -- Vihtavuori N560, which should outperform the others.
 
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