Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Three Nosler Bullets

We think alike. I've killed deer, b-bears, elk with the 30 cal Partition in 30-06 to 300 WSM. It performs as expected with good penetration, expansion, and accuracy on all things furry I've shot them at. My limited experience with the Accubond mirrors my Partition experience although I've only killed 1 elk and 1 deer with them, saw them in action this year on an elk. If my guns don't shoot PT well, I go with AB's. I personally see no need for the BT with the invention of the AB - unless they shoot best in your rifle.

59-H4350-165 Nosler Partition for about 2900 in a 22" barrel(work up).Works for elk on down, near and far.

BT's or 165 Sierra's for range time(and likely same POI).

Done.

How recent is the "toughening" of the .308, 180 gr BT? I have several boxes that were given to me, along with some Solid Base in the same weight. Was planning to load them in my '06.

Thanks.

It took place maybe three years ago, when the box was changed to the style before the present "Jeff O. proof" box.

I appreciate Sam and Bob coming forth in defense of the Partition as an all-around bullet in the .30-06. I have taken well over 100 big game animals with the Partition, and it has worked every time I've done my job.

But I have also taken several truckloads of big game with Ballistic Tips, including game in the 500-plus-pound class in both North America and Africa. The thick-based BT's, such as the 180-grain .30 and 200-grain .338, perform so similarly to Partitions that any difference can only be found in test media, not in the field. I know this because I've done it over and over again.

At .30-06 muzzle velocities, I can't imagine the 180-grain .30 Ballistic Tip to the role of "practice bullet." It flat works.

Mine is the same. OF course in the meantime barnes came along and solved all the issues so no need to sample the BTs again at least for me.

I use a 257 Roberts with the 110 grain NAB on Eastern Washington
deer. So far I have never recovered one, they always leave an exit hole. ain't complaining.

Yea, but you like to track, so Barnes + Rost495= match made in heaven,LOL.

I have shot deer with all 3 Noslers. All 3 work. Deer did not go far when hit with ballistic tips. (130 gr .270, 150 gr .308)
But I've had 6 or 7 bang-flops with Accubonds and partitions. (130 gr .270 AB, 150 gr .30-06 AB, 165 gr .30-06 partition, 165 gr .308 AB) The AB and partition always exited.

They all work, but the AB and partition seem to put deer down quicker in my limited experience.

I know these bullets are much older than 3 years. Still should be OK for deer sized game, I would think?

So how do the 165 BTs compare to the 180s? (My supply of 165s was purchased in late '07 or early '08 if that makes a difference.)

Are those the ones that carry smart phones?

I am not a big fan of boat tail bullets for hunting, thou the one exception is the Barnes X 210 gr .338 cal in my 338 Winchester. I would just go with the Nosler Partition 180 gr for that 30-06 and shoot 180 gr Hornaday SP or RN' at the lighter stuff if it keeps you awake at night. At 30-06 speeds the 180 gr Hornaday goes with the 06 like Ham and Eggs.

Do the older Solid Base Noslers and the older BT have the same jacket, just differing by the plastic tip?