60gr Nosler Partitions on DEER? Anyone Tried Them?

[sscoyote]

Have used the 60 Ptn on 4 doe antelope at distances to 400 yds. out of a 22-250 AI years past--was a very effective med big game bullet. 65 SGK has a reputation for being effective as well though I've only shot coyotes with that bullet out of a 223 AI AR. The 64 Win as Ackman suggests above also has a great rep as well.

 

[msinc]

I never could get a decent load worked up with that bullet. All I ever managed was a little under two inches at 100 yards. I insist on better accuracy...especially since shot placement is essential with such a small projectile.

Many shooters, myself included have reached the same results....all that said, for deer a 2" group will do the job. The Nosler Partition is a very effective hunting bullet and as good as any. I have had excellent results with the 62 grain Speer Bonded Gold Dot. Don't get me wrong, neither would be my first choice for deer, but I wouldn't hesitate to use either one. Just know that you are not going to touch bullets at 100 yards.

 

[Larryh128]

The 62 gr Barnes I shoot in 8 twist AR's, VERY good accuracy. I try to limit shots to 200 yds but I did kill a buck at 250 one time. I have also killed deer with the 60 gr Partition and 64 gr Winchester bonded, They both work quite well but the Barnes will give an extra amount of shooter error due to the composition of the bullet. I've had the good fortune to be able to cull literally pickup loads of deer of all sizes in a day using everything from 223 to 300 WSM. Some bullets I would never again use on a animal but the clear winner was a Barnes for sheer terminal effect. The hydraulic shock imparted by this bullet is unequaled in a cup & core bullet. That doesn't mean a cup and core bullet won't work because they have for a long time, just the copper is better. This isn't from a random few animals but hundreds, there was a time when I thought either a partition or a ballistic tip were all I needed, until I shot a Barnes.

 

[wboggs]

That is real world experience.
I haven't shot truck loads but maybe 50 deer with barnes and my experience is similar. You are able to take shots at any angle and be confident of a killing shot.

 

[Oso]

Barnes 62gr TSX all day

 

[hunter67]

Ive used sierra 65 GK out to 200 yards out of 223 and am now using Nosler 64 bonded in 22-250 and wow what a bullet out to 279 so far. Im waiting for the 70 AB to come out so I can get my hands on them and try them.

 

[3-300s]

I have shot around 40 deer and hogs with 60 gr partition. about 20 with 64 gr Winchester,55 ballistic tip,52 gr speer hp and 45 gr barnes. partition by far the best. all behind the shoulder on deer, some neck and head shots on hogs. 22-250, 3600fps for partition to 4000 for the 45gr barnes. I use a 260 now, lots more gun and still low recoil.

 

[Coonman300]

Shot a doe today at 198 yards with the 60 gr Partition from my 22-250. I have been trying to get a 50 gr Barnes bullet to group in this rifle with a 12 twist and literally had 3-10 inch groups at 100@ yards. I could not get any load to work. I read this thread and got some partitions. They were VERY accurate in my rifle. This doe was broadside and I shot her behind the shoulder. Double lung pass thru shot with a good blood trail. Ran about 70 yards. Very pleased with the performance. I always intend to shoot behind the shoulder though.

 

[clunker]

You guys are so lucky. Can't hunt whitetail with .223 in WA state. 60 gr is the sweet spot for my Tikka, too.

 

[AckleymanII]

22/250 or AI with 60g partitions with shoulder shots, means you throw away the front half of the deer.

 

[sw282]

Finally located some 60gr N Partitions for my 700 221FB.

Update- Shot 60gr Partitions at the range today. Large groups@100yds. My gun dislikes them.

282

 

[Coonman300]

Just killed another doe with my 22-250 shooting 60gr Partitions. Shot was about 120 yards. Behind the shoulder double lung pass thru. Ran about 100 yards across a field and dropped. Not as good of a blood trail as the first deer but good enough to track. It may just be me but it seems that deer running full out in an open field never leave as good a blood trail as one in the woods. I always shoot behind the shoulder but am curious if this small of a partition would work on a shoulder shot if the situation called for it?

 

[hunter67]

I high shoulder shot a whitetail this year with 22-250 and 64gr bonded and it never slowed down complete pass through. That was at 279 yards

 

[shooter65]

Shot a doe when I lived in Georgia with my Colt 6724. Dropped on the spot.

 

[Bill K]

Have used the 60 grain Nosler Partition for a good number of years now and have used them on several deer, pigs and one bear. Did the job well, with none going further than a average of 50 yrds after being shot. Mostly double lung hits. Like any decent bullet and caliber, you must hit the correct spot/vitals.

 

[Coonman300]

Shot my third doe this afternoon with the 60 gr Partition from 22-250. I wanted to try a high shoulder shot to see if I could drop her right there. Shot was an inch or so low so just another double lung pass thru shot. Deer was just under 200 yards. Pleased with the bullet. This is the entry wound going into the body cavity.

 

[sw282]

Deer season is almost over in South Carolina. Got the chance to hunt Cowden Plantation in Jackson SC last week but didn't get a shot. l chose to take my Rem 700 LVSF in 221FB for the hunt. 60gr sp Hornadys were in those 221 cases. ln an earlier post l mentioned the Partitions shot 'patterns' in this gun. The Partitions shot great in a pair of 223Rem varmint 700s, Avg groups were a little over inch and a quarter in both 223s... The 60gr Hornady sp grouped under an inch in ALL three guns.. Nosler box said the Partitions were for 12'' twist and faster...Both 223s are 12 twist. The 221 is a 14 twist... l believe the slower twist in my 221 is the reason for the ''patterns''. l may get the chance to test the 221FB on a pig after the first of the year.. A prairie dog buddy in Texas says he needs help with a pig lnvasion on his deer lease. Reading a news report on feral pig problem last week the article said there 6 million wild hogs in the USA. Almost HALF are in Texas..

 

[grovey]

Finally located some 60gr N Partitions for my 700 221FB.

Update- Shot 60gr Partitions at the range today. Large groups@100yds. My gun dislikes them.

282

Those 60's are a little too much for the 14 twist FB. Regular old Hornady 55gr sp's will get it done, but I'd still stay away from the shoulder. Rib shot's, or neck/head shots.

 

[Loudenboomer]

Cousins kids have been shooting the .223 60 gr partition with same good results most have stated above. Our "girls load" is the 85 gr. partition in the .243 win. More of the same devastation!