Partition accuracy. Any suggestions?

[Toby Bradshaw]

This year I used Barnes 130 TTSX bullets .. Great accuracy.. Can't comment on performance on big game ...

These are 180gr TSX shot from a Rem 700 Sendero 300WM and recovered from kudu and oryx (gemsbok). No complaints from me on their terminal performance.

The paper targets were shot at 200 yards to zero the scope. Scope adjustments after shot #2 and shots #3-#4 on Target 5. Targets 4, 3, and 2 to confirm zero. No complaints from me about accuracy, either. The 10-ring on 200-yard hunter BR target is 1" in diameter. RUAG brass, 76.4gr H4831SC, WLR magnum primer, bullet 0.050" off the lands.

 

[Bc'z]

I roughed in a load for my buddies Tikka 30-06 a few years ago with 165 partitions.
Minus a box of factory ammo to sight in rifle when new, this rifle only shoots partitions.
Wound up going with H414 sub 1/2" 3 shot groups.
I built him another 16 rounds this year.
He put 2 blacktail bucks to sleep with shots behind the ear.
Then he took this bull 1st shot dropped him in his tracks, 2nd shot lights out at point blank.
1st bullet was recovered from under hide on far shoulder.
Given his success and round count I probably wont need to load for my buddy for another 3 years.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

A 165 Partition, with 57. 0 grains of, IMR 4350 ( the Accuracy Load, in an older Nosler Book ) in a .30-06, 24" bbl., 1-10 TW went through, BOTH sides of, a 400+ Pound, 15 year old, Cinnamon ( Idaho Black Bear ) with, a NICE Exit hole ( Tennis Ball size ! ). Needless to say, he only went a few yards and let out, his Death Growl ! I watched the Bullet hit, just behind, the shoulder with 10X Bino's ( the shock wave on his Hide, at 110 yds ). My son was,.. very happy with, the performance of, this Bullet / Load and IF, I still had an 06 , THIS is the load, that I'd shoot ! My Dad, me and 2 of our old Hunting Buddies, killed a Chit ton of, Deer / Antelope and 2 Elk with the 150 Part's using 50.0 grains of, IMR 4895 in the 06. As with, MOST of Noslers Bullets, they "Jump" very WELL ! NOT fussy in seat depth,.. IMHO ** Use Caution, working up Loads as, Always ! Good Luck !

 

[msinc]

They will definitely kill, but they are not noted for accuracy. I have a couple rifles that will shoot them fantastic at 100 yards. I have never been able to get anything close to acceptable groups with the 60 grain .224 bullets in anything with any twist...they are just not accurate bullets. The ones that do work good are generally heavy for the caliber and used with slow powder.

 

[INTJ]

A few years ago I was messing around with some leftover parts. I had a pre 64 M-70 standard action, an old beater featherweight stock and a 22" skinny barrel in the white. I screwed the barrel on the the action and lined up the extractor groove, and the headspace checked good. I then bedded the barreled action. Here is the one load I tried in it. H4831SC/59.0 grains, new Lapua Brass, Fed 210s, 130 grain Partitons seated .020" deep. Yes, it is a bit slow, but I only shot 8 rounds through it and then took it back apart.

I really should put it back together and finish it.

 

[Mulligan]

When it comes to wacking elk, a partition is a superior bullet. Lots of bullets shoot smaller groups, but none of them drop elk like a partition in my experience.
You just dont spend as much time tracking when you shoot partitions.

Out to 500 yards, all of our hunting rifles (‘06, 270, 243, 708AI, 338 rum, 300wm) will hit a 10” plate with partitions. The 243 is actually very very accurate with ‘em.
If shooting farther, use a ballistic tip or accubond (not the LR Accubond).
CW

 

[INTJ]

When it comes to wacking elk, a partition is a superior bullet. Lots of bullets shoot smaller groups, but none of them drop elk like a partition in my experience.
You just dont spend as much time tracking when you shoot partitions.

Out to 500 yards, all of our hunting rifles (‘06, 270, 243, 708AI, 338 rum, 300wm) will hit a 10” plate with partitions. The 243 is actually very very accurate with ‘em.
If shooting farther, use a ballistic tip or accubond (not the LR Accubond).
CW

I don't know. A buddy of mine just took a nice bull at 650 yds with 190 LR Accubond from a 300 RUM with an MV of 3150. One shot in the shoulder and the bull went down for good.

 

[Mulligan]

I don't know. A buddy of mine just took a nice bull at 650 yds with 190 LR Accubond from a 300 RUM with an MV of 3150. One shot in the shoulder and the bull went down for good.

Fair enough, not my experience though.
Nosler makes good bullets, in my opinion, some of the best HUNTING bullets on the market. Their LRAB failed Me, from accuracy to BS advertised BS’s. I have a 7-08 and a 7 Mag that I burnt up three boxes of of them trying to find the love. In the end, just hit the easy button and the 7-08 eats BT’s and the 7 Mag eats partitions.
CW

 

[INTJ]

Fair enough, not my experience though.
Nosler makes good bullets, in my opinion, some of the best HUNTING bullets on the market. Their LRAB failed Me, from accuracy to BS advertised BS’s. I have a 7-08 and a 7 Mag that I burnt up three boxes of of them trying to find the love. In the end, just hit the easy button and the 7-08 eats BT’s and the 7 Mag eats partitions.
CW

I have never had good accuracy from regular Accubonds but they did perform well on game. I have had good results from Partitions. I haven't ever tried ballistic tips. I have only worked up the one load with the LRABs. It was for my friend and I didn't pursue them much past getting them to consistent sub MOA.

For years my preference has been TSXs and TTSXs. I never have an issue getting them to shoot and terminal performance is outstanding for me.

 

[MikeT49]

I shoot Partitions in 243, 25-06, 270W & 30-06. They all shoot smaller than 1 1/2" (3 shot) groups at 200 yards. Not exactly bench rest accuracy but excellent for hunting. Get 'em up to speed & voltage (ie, lean on it a smidge) and they shoot very well indeed. Mostly I run about .010 off. Except for the BAR 243, it shoots best at about .080 off. I gave up on Accubonds, go figure. YMMV.

 

[Kwahe]

I had always heard that Partitions were not accurate bullets. But to my amazement, and with my built-from-parts 7x57, I placed 3 160g Partitions ahead of a healthy dose of RL-19 into a 1/4 inch blob at 50 yards.This is with an aperture sight, as I am a Luddite. I have been afraid to retest that load for fear the group might grow, but I loaded several of that recipe for my elk hunt (no shots this season).

 

[xswanted]

What kind of group size are we talking when you say the gun “doesn’t like them?”

I’ve always ran with the idea of a Nosler Partition will shoot close to an inch or better, it’s a win.

I’ve hunted with them in guns where the beat load found was consistently 1.5” at 100 yards. They worked just fine on the deer they hit!

 

[Kittitas George]

I've shot bullets that shot better, but none have killed better. I've used Nosler Partitions in a 25-06, 270 and 300 Win Mag.

 

[john 800]

What kind of group size are we talking when you say the gun “doesn’t like them?”

I’ve always ran with the idea of a Nosler Partition will shoot close to an inch or better, it’s a win.

I’ve hunted with them in guns where the beat load found was consistently 1.5” at 100 yards. They worked just fine on the deer they hit!

I know some others have asked the same question, so here goes the answer.
The 270 mod 700 best so far has ben just under 2” at 100 yds. That gun is bedded and floated in a bell and carlson stock with aluminum block and will shoot balistic tips into groups of about 3/4 at 100. There are some spots i hunt where that would suffice, but there are open clearings in the area where uou can see a long ways, so if i get up and go for a walk and see a deer 300 yds away I would not feel very good.
The 308 savage goes from one hole to a slightly larger hole, i am happy with that. The 7 rem mag savage goes from almost 1/2 moa to just over 1 moa, not the worst but if i could improve it a bit I would take it.
The rem 700 is the one that really bugs me. Maybe i just try another bullet, maybe hot cors or hornadys

 

[Bc'z]

Stock Remington 700CDL 30-06
180gr partition 60gr RL22

 

[284winner]

I am a believer in the terminal performance or nosler partitions but i have a few rifles that dont like them, i have one 270 that shoots then well with imr 4350 and my brother has a rifle that likes the same load. I have another 270, a 7 rem mag, and a 308 that just dont seem to like them. I tried a bit with seating deapth, and small adjustments to charge but never really started from scratch or put to much effort in to it, just kind of wrote it off as the guns prefrence. I am thinking i may revisit this and try a little harder. Anyone have a pattern they have seen as far as prefering a faster or slower powder or seating deapth?

Try them at Saami spec for the cartridge. The Partitions love that seating depth in several of my rifles. Especially my 7RM

 

[john 800]

Try them at Saami spec for the cartridge. The Partitions love that seating depth in several of my rifles. Especially my 7RM

Worth a shot, ill give it a try.

 

[284winner]

Sometimes keeping it simple just works.

Worth a shot, ill give it a try.

It did for several of my rifles.

 

[xswanted]

I know some others have asked the same question, so here goes the answer.
The 270 mod 700 best so far has ben just under 2” at 100 yds. That gun is bedded and floated in a bell and carlson stock with aluminum block and will shoot balistic tips into groups of about 3/4 at 100. There are some spots i hunt where that would suffice, but there are open clearings in the area where uou can see a long ways, so if i get up and go for a walk and see a deer 300 yds away I would not feel very good.
The 308 savage goes from one hole to a slightly larger hole, i am happy with that. The 7 rem mag savage goes from almost 1/2 moa to just over 1 moa, not the worst but if i could improve it a bit I would take it.
The rem 700 is the one that really bugs me. Maybe i just try another bullet, maybe hot cors or hornadys

So just for argument sake if you’re shouting just under 2” at 100 yards and you’re thinking 300 yards will be your longest shot, your looking at just under a 6” group at 300 yards.

Figure 3” in any direction from your point of aim.

Plenty good to kill a deer.

However I completely understand your point as I had the SAME exact situation happen this fall prior to deer season. Same gun and bullet combo.

I opted against the partition. However, it would have worked if I needed it to.

 

[john 800]

So just for argument sake if you’re shouting just under 2” at 100 yards and you’re thinking 300 yards will be your longest shot, your looking at just under a 6” group at 300 yards.

Figure 3” in any direction from your point of aim.

Plenty good to kill a deer.

However I completely understand your point as I had the SAME exact situation happen this fall prior to deer season. Same gun and bullet combo.

I opted against the partition. However, it would have worked if I needed it to.

You are not wrong. Depends how you look at it , yes a 6 in group should kill a deer, should be good enough, but that is assuming I shoot the rifle as good out of my deer stand or standing as i do from the bench, i know i dont, as much as i wish i could, and there is not much room left for my error