Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game when is a Nosler Partition not adequate?

The point was the above stated "526 yard shot" which the poster that made the comment feels is a limiter for a Partition in wind. I just frankly disagree with that. At that range, comparing an equal weight/speed ballistic tip to a partition, the difference in drift between the two will be around 4 inches. If you can't compensate for that you shouldn't be shooting at that distance, because regardless both are going to be way off target in, say, a 10 mph cross wind.

I've shot plenty at range in wind, and inside of 550 yards (which is pretty much absolute max I'd shoot at an animal) the ability to adjust a few extra inches isn't a deal killer.

Personally, I wouldn't shoot an animal in a 10 mph cross wind at 526 yards anyway. Farthest I've shot a critter was a bedded antelope at 548 yards, ironically, with a 180 Partition. There was no way to get closer, and the wind was blowing directly at me. I had plenty of time, knew the rifle, and could get a solid "nest." One shot kill. But it's generally possible to get closer. Much closer, which to me is what hunting is all about. But that's a separate discussion...

I have had two instances where Nosler Combined Technology slugs (partitions) hit a rib going in on elk and never touched the far side of the body cavity. Both were 30 caliber 180 grainers starting out at about 3,400+ ft per sec from a Weatherby 30-378. I think that's just a bit too fast for that construction. Both bulls died within a few feet shortly there after, so I can't say they were inadequate.

My experience with partitions is limited mostly to the rifle range as I have almost always (one instance) had much better accuracy with other bullets.

Before I went to Africa I compared 180gr NP, GMX, TTSX, plus a 200gr NP. The NP's could not group with the monometals.

I know this thread is about NA animals, but I have had the same results with the 130/150/160gr out my 270's. Just not as accurate as I would like.

The exception was a 210gr NP out of a 338-06. It shot just as well as the 200gr Interlocks and to the exact same point of aim. I could mix the two loads and get sub 1 inch groups.

I prefer not to use NP's because of the accuracy issue I have encountered. Not horrible accuracy, just not as good as other bullets.

But I do not doubt their effectiveness having using the 210gr NP on a couple of elk and a few deer.

With a few exceptions, my experience with NPt's is they don't group as small as other--accurate-- bullets. An example is NBT's may group 3 shots at 3/4", Npt's from the same rifle may do 1". But once I reach a threshold of accuracy, bullet construction becomes more important.

Casey

Talk about reading something into something that isn't there. You're obviously too thin skinned to have an honest and open exchange of ideas and PERSONAL preference.

Oh come on...

Why don't you expound on your "open exchange of ideas and personal preference" backtrack that hunters that consider BC in a hunting bullet you have no respect for...

Hell of an ignorant statement...

But I also have little respect for anyone that shoots game at the distances where a high BC bullet has to enter into the discussion. Targets are one thing, big game another.

Brad makes some good points.

B.C. is of more concern to a LR shooter fighting cross winds, not so much for the typical big game hunter, most shots under 400 yds and closer.

Terminal performance is a much bigger issue. IMO, it's an art, matching velocity with bullet construction for optimal effect.

DF

On the subject of thresholds, people have different and often multiple ones -
accuracy,down range vel-energy, drift, drop, penetration, exit holes, meat damage,etc
there are bullets today that improve on some of those things over a NP.

Nosler would not be offering designs like the LR-ABs if that wasn't the case.

What ingwe said..

too bad BobinNH isnt with use to weigh in on this discussion

Funny, I was thinking the same.

And you know if he's watching he's really pissed that he can't chime in....

For those who want to control as many of the variables as possible AFTER the bullet hits the critter.... there's the Partition. Variables here include: quick moving shots, angles, big bones, JeffO ass-shots, etc....

For those who want to control as many of the variables as possible UNTIL the bullet hits the critter.... there's a veritable cornucopia of high BC bullets. These variables include wind, extended range, accuracy, etc...

The shots you like to take... and the places you're likely to hunt... should influence you choice in projectiles much more than what a bunch of "get off my lawn" guys say on the internet.

Interesting that most of your "tinfoil bullets" are also heavy for caliber bullets shot at moderate speeds (2700-3000 fps). Seems to me that heavy for caliber, cup & core bullets, at moderate speeds have been killing the schitt outta stuff for 100+ years.... but all of a sudden they're inadequate because they're also "high BC long-range bullets".

I bet if you handed JOC a 7 Mag loaded with 162s he'd be aweful f'n impressed with its ability to a) hit schitt.... and b) kill schitt....