Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Nosler Partition Discontinued

More and more I am seeing Partition bullets dropped from the line-up. The 44 and 45 cal have been gone for a while. Then 22 and now I see 24 and 25 cal have been dropped or rather Nosler has none in stock. Does anyone know why?

Accubonds, there is hardly a need for partitions.

I seriously doubt they're dropped out of production for good.

The handgun Partitions were indeed dropped, but not rifle models. If you check Nosler's website and see the particular bullet listed, they still make it, even if it's not in stock right now.

Most companies are having trouble keeping EVERYTHING in stock these days, because so many shooters are buying so much ammo and so many components, whether because of Obama or the possibility of Hillary.

I'll take a Partition over an Accubond for killing furry things.

Maybe Mule Deer will chime in an speak from more experience.......but in my limited experience of approximately 50 dead big game animals with 7mm AB's, and probably 100 dead big game animals with 7mm partitions, I've found little difference in the killing power of the two. They are bonafide killers IME.

I hate changing something that has served me so well though. I asked the same question on the Nosler forum but haven't had a reply yet.

I have never shot a head of game with an Accubond, but a lot with partitions. My buddy shot a caribou in the head with a 225 AB in a .338 that didn't exit, which I couldn't imagine, but I saw it. It was a base of the ear shot, and of course the 'bou died, but it didn't impress me much.

They dropped the 300 grain .458 partition which doesn't make too much sense. That bullet seems ideal for the 458 socom and 45/70 crowd.

Oh sh**, now you've done it....

No .22 cal NPTs?

And they don't make .22 cal Accubombs.


Whats a stunt shooter to do?

If Nosler stops making partitions for my rifles they will be replaced by Swift A-Frames.

If I don't do a lot of practicing with Partitions in my 7mm-08s, i've got enough to hunt with for three lifetimes. I'm a hoarder when it comes to something that works...........every time!

Only accubond I have ever had problems with was the 110 grain accubond out of a 257 weatherby. I thought I just got a bad batch so I bought a different lot number and had the same problem the next year so I switched to the 115 grain ballistic tip. Was only a sample of two deer but it didn't sit well with me. Both deer where between 250-300 yards so velocity wasn't exactly crankin. Never had a problem with 6.5, 270, 7mm, 30, 338 or 375 cal accubonds though.

Have you tried their 64 grain bonded bullet? Cant remember what it was called but they seem like they would be a pretty good stunt shooting bullet

Bonded Solid Base.

The folks over at Nosler said they haven't been discontinued. They have none in their store and they were listed as out of stock"discontinued" at one of my suppliers. I should note that the 44 magnum and the 45-70 300 are indeed gone. I apologize for any stress I may have caused with those of you who know what the best hunting bullet on the planet is. No apology to Barnes.

Paul, all bullet production is somewhat seasonal. Set up changes cost downtime, and hence money, but excessive inventory creates carrying cost as well. Trying to balance these two variables is critical for a bullet makers profitability.

Concerning the bullets you mentioned, my experience with Noslers non-partition heavy pistol bullets in give me such confidence, that I would consider the partitioning of these bullets as an unnecessary cost.

As for the 300gr bullets in the 45-70, IMO they really replaced the 300gr partition with the new 300gr(?) Silver ballistic tip. Although these two bullets may sound like they are on the opposite ends of the spectrum, I suspect the 300gr BSST would fill that needs better and cheaper then you expected.

As for .224 bullets of solid construction from Nosler, they recently ran out of the 60gr NPT's for the Shooters Proshop and the 64gr Bonded Solid bases are in stock. Thus far out of the .223 the 60gr NPT's have delivered the best groups for me, but the BSB's will still shoot right at an inch.

I wish they would make a 75 gr Accubond in 22 cal for fast twist 22 cal rifles

OK, so don't mention the fact that fires and hurricanes have brought the production of toilet paper to a halt.

Do you shoot a 44 Magnum and if so which Nosler do you like for it? I am visiting your great state as I type this. I really need to try to do an elk hunt out here sometime before I get too old.

Paul, yes I shoot the Noslers in the .44 Magnum

Here's my load:

240gr Nosler HP (seconds)
24gr WC297 (non canister version of 296)
Winchester Brass,
CCI 350 Primers.

They chronograph around 1400 and are pretty impressive on the water jug test.

Doh ... a third run in less than 15 years. Awwwwww No please stop

I actually like both.....depends on my particular rifle. My Interarms Mark X .30-06 doesn't shoot accubonds worth a damn, but the two most accurate loads that I have are with 180 & 200 grain partitions; my 200 grain load shoots 1/4" at 100 yards consistantly over the past 35 or so years. However, I've yet to get a partition to shoot as well in my .338 Win. mag....but I do have an accurate Accubond 225 grain load for that rifle (Ruger M77).
I am currently loading for a new rifle (Winchester 70 in 375 H&H), and have both Accubonds and Partitons loaded up.

If the folks at Nosler are reading this, please do not be like Winchester and D/C items that have been in inventory for years (such as their Silvertip bullets) in favor of something that is "trendy"........I have since quit using Winchester products as they bring something out, have it around for a few years, I spend a boatload of money working up handloads, find one I like and then..........they D/C the product!!! It's quite frustrating.......

I know the folks at Nosler pretty well, and I sincerely doubt they're going to discontinue any product as long as shooters are buying it. Nosler is a family-owned company and the family is full of hunters and shooters. Believe it or not, this isn't true of some other family-owned companies that make shooting products.

One of the reasons really big companies drop stuff is disconnects in the chain of command, often caused by people at the top who only care about the bottom line, not the actual business they're in.

Yes, I have actually, and killed a couple deer with it. It shot just fine but in my limited sample of two it was too destructive....I went back to Barnes but I'd say the 64 gr. bonded is a sure bet for a stunt shooter!

I have a lifetime supply of the 250 gr Partitions and was out shooting them in my Ruger Carbine yesterday. It was consistently keeping three inside two and a quarter inches. Plan to use it on spring best next year.

I dunno. I'm still mad at Nosler for discontinuing the Solid Base line of bullets.

That's quite the grudge! Twenty years or so? Gotta admit, I am still pissed about the 50 count ballistic tips.

Yeah, me too. Now the ABLRs come in 100 count boxes. I wonder when their bean counters will get around to cutting that amount in half. Probably if and when they become popular.
Paul B.

Nosler's success and reputation as a company wasn't built with the "side show" bullets. It was based on the success and popularity,and world wide "experience" of the Partition.

I doubt the Partition is going anywhere soon, so long as people are allowed to kill BG animals.

What's an Accubond?

Bob,

This may dismay you, but the Ballistic Tip has been Nosler's best-selling bullet, by far, for a long time. My guess (based on some knowledge) is Nosler became a really big bullet company only after BT's were introduced in the 1980's. There were other reasons as well, but the BT (which was also conceived by "Big John" Nosler) was a major factor.

The rifle and ammo business is also helping the company grow. They've already made as many rifles this year as they made all of last year. Luckily, more efficient manufacturing has allowed this growth with not nearly as much growth in the number of employees, so the family can still keep track of everything that's happening.

It took me a LONG time to use ballistic tips again. I blew apart too many deer with them, tried reduced loads etc, still it was ugly. Yes I never lost a deer to one but they were messy.

Of course that was in the days when they were between BT and solid base.

Me too--until they made the 200-grain .338.

I hated the first few years .284 BT's, so much I swore off of them "forever". Got persuaded to try the newer versions, namely the .284 120 and 150's, and they work very well, and are supremely accurate. I guess my forever wasn't really forever.

I'd like to see the deer I wouldn't want to shoot with the current issue 150 out of a 308.

I once shot lengthwise through a pronghorn buck with the 150 from .308. He stood facing me at about 250 yards and the bullet exited the right "cheek."

As mentioned the first BT I used after they started making them stouter was the 200-grain .338, because the late Chub Eastman told me it was indeed different. Tested some next to 210 Partitions in dry newspaper and found out he was right, of course. Killed the biggest-bodied caribou of my life with one that fall (1992), putting one behind the right shoulder at 200 yards. The bull dropped so straight down his legs folded up, ready for the hero photo. The bullet had busted the far shoulder joint and exited. Have shot a bunch of animals with the same bullet since (now only available as the Ballistic Silvertip) and only recovered one, from a big gemsbok bull shot quartering toward me. It broke the right shoulder and spine, ending up under the skin of the right "cheek," retaining 60% of its weight.

Since then have used BT's from .25 to .375 (the short-lived 260-grain) on big game, and have only recovered a very few, all either on angling or shoulder shots. The "standard" versions retain around 50% of their weight, about like Hornady Interlocks, and the heavy-jacket versions (which now include the 165-180 .30's as well as the 200 .338) retain 60% or a little more.

I too tried BTs when they first came out and they were dismal failures in the performance department. Refused to touch one ever since except for varmint bullets.
Then last year a bunch of Campfire members here told me how good ( and changed) the 95 BT was in a .243 so i decided to try them. They work great, they shoot great. End of story.

NBT's,

shoot like a match bullets
Great initial expansion, with 50-60% weight retention.
Inexpensive (well at least the seconds are).
Kill kill like lightning....

What's not to like?

That bullet is what turned me on to the 243.

They weren't always like that

I agree with you and ingwe, scary enough in itself...

Early NBT's were way too explosive and got a bad reputation for wounding instead of killing WT's. In our area, some hunting clubs banned them. I guess after chasing deer with gaping wounds you'd begin to feel that way, too.

The newer ones seem OK, they've always been accurate.

DF

antelope sniper,

The "seconds" are great, but I've also picked up BT's for prices almost as low (especially when shipping is added to second) at the local Wal-Mart. In fact, picked up a few boxes of the 95 6mm's there a few months ago.

The Combined Technology version of their Ballistic Tips are my new favorite hunting bullet. They must be popular as most of the places that would take backorders were out of the 308 168gr's for over a year. They finally started making them again and rest assured I won't be running out of them again anytime soon. I know you think the claims about the coating are largely BS, but I know I can shoot more w/o cleaning with the CT's. The regular version of the 168gr BT were pretty much available all along.

No, I don't the think the claims about the coating are BS. It helps, but isn't magic.

Have found I sometimes have to adjust the load slightly when switching from "naked" BT's to BST's.

John yup...I know you're right. Even I buy BT's. They are cheaper than Partitions and shoot good. I like the 7mm 150.

I get speed out of the black bullets that I can't get out of the naked bullets.

Those with ears, let them hear.

MidwayUSA has several CT's in stock.

https://www.midwayusa.com/brand/combined-technology

DF

Yep, Me, too!

When ahead and registered on their forum so I can let Nosler know.

Your Walmart must be way cooler then mine.

I've never seen reloading components in one is this state.

Fountain, Colorado ones actually has a prey decent supply of reloading supplies.

The one in Helena actually has a decent little reloading section.

Some other local stores that aren't known as conventional sporting goods outlets also have small but well-stocked reloading sections. One is a farm/ranch store. Have picked up some good stuff there over the past few years, often components that couldn't be found in conventional sporting goods stores.

Yup, a good portion of Wal-Marts in this area have reloading sections. Funny enough, I've never found them in the more rural Wal-Marts where you would think there were few to other alternatives in the area. I guess the market was just too small in the smaller towns to make it worth their while.

And like John said, sometimes farm/ranch stores have them as well. C-A-L Ranch is chain in that's been spreading through-out the mountain west that often carries reloading supplies, even when other stores are out. Their prices are a bit higher than elsewhere for reloading supplies, but if you need something in a pinch...

Every time I see this thread it startles me a little so up.

So for those touting the Ballistic Tip, What have you seen in the .257" versions? Does one stand out over the others?

I tried the 100s years ago and swore them off for anything but coyotes. I recently picked up some 110gr(?) Accubonds to try but just haven't done it.

You will like the 110's, they work very well....

Partition discontinued... ya right. Maybe certain models but not the partition line.

I have been tempted to try the 7mm 150 NBT from my .280 on elk...My hang-up being its not a partition

If the 7mm BT is built like the 338 BT, I see no reasons to not use the 7mm BT on wapiti....

I would not use them in lieu of a Partition for sure. Too much at stake on an elk hunt to wonder about the bullet in a marginal situation.

Partitions have served me so well that I have that same hang-up. I have noticed that through much of the increased run on reloading supplies, Partitions have been harder to come by than BTs. This has been a protracted run. I wonder why manufacturers haven't been able to adjust.