i'm curious if anybody knows why nosler makes 2 partitions so close together in weight...
why and how does a guy choose one over the other?? does the 5 gr +/- make a difference in some rifles??
forgive my ignorance, but i'm just moving into the .25s with a personal rifle...
i hate to sound like one of those guys that a 2 hole outhouse choice gives him an anxiety attack...
John:
IS a puzzlement! the Partition 120s are some of the most accurate bullets in my 257 Roberts, but the 115 gr. and Hornady SST 117gr. are disappointing.
Just more of what makes rifles handloading such a "fun" pastime.
If I remember correctly at one time the heavy 25 cal. offering by Nosler was the 115gr, there was also a 117gr, but it was a semi-spitzer and not very popular. Some of the reasoning for these weights and bullet design was because of an ongoing debate as to whether the 25's with a 1 in 10 twist shot their best with 120 grain bullets. When requests for a 120 grain became numerous they came out with the 120 and at one time made all 3 weights. Somewhere along the way the 117 was dropped and nobody seemed to miss it. Then due to less than spectaculer sales the 120 was also dropped, this created a hue and cry from the shooting pubic and it was brought back. They had continued to make the 115 uninterupted and are now in the position that if they discontinue either weight they will catch hell for it. In my experience neither will do anything in the field the other won't do. So choose the one that shoots best in your gun and go forth and slay beasties with it.
The 115-gr works great in the .257 Roberts. The 120-gr starts getting on the slow side.
A lot of .25-06 shooters like the 120-gr, which can be pushed really well by the powder capacity.
Like Lee24 said. In my three Bobs the 115 has always been the accuracy load plus at least 100 fps faster.
I've tried the 100gr. and 120gr. Partitions in my M77 Bob. The 100's are showing some promise seated closer to the lands and running hotter. The 120's I'm about to give up on. Nothing I've done with those is showing any promise. Of course I'm pretty much coming to the conclusion that my rifle likes nothing better than 100gr. TSX and 46gr. of H4350. I consistently get those into .625-.75" groups. Nothing else gets under 1".
If your rifle will shoot either the 115 or 120, pick one and move forward. Either will do a tremendous job at least up through mule deer and I wouldn't be afraid to use them on elk. As for me, I'm stick with the 100gr. TSX. They're about 10 cents each more expensive which realistically isn't much. And they just plain work. Most importantly, my rifle loves 'em.
More choices, the American Way. At least until the Obamanation has his way with Lady Liberty. God help us all.
David