..... If a standard cup and core bullet isnt good enough (and i cant imagine when it wouldnt be) id be looking at the nos partition.
I always find it interesting to hear stories that differ from mine as it gives me an "outside the box" view. I will share mine as well..
I've killed enough critters with the .243 & good ole core-lokt to learn this, penetration is
limited. Although I was able to harvest every animal I shot at, I learned to pick my shots. I still use the 85grn Partition in a 6mmAI @ 3500fps for 'yotes, Badgers & jack rabbits. I realize I'm FAR outside the velocity window of the Partition, but dear god, violent expansion is beyond my grammatical capability (running 1-12twist). I have absolutely zero faith in this bullet to cleanly harvest medium game at any sane distance.
I moved to the original 95grn X-bullet in .243 for a long time with good success. At that time I didn't shoot long range & all shots were taken within 300yds, all one & done no tracking, no problems.
I've been reading your posts & had a lot of curiousity as to what would cause our experiences to differ
...Nothing wrong with hitting bone. But it isn't necessary.
At normal distances, where sufficient muzzle velocity is available, I agree with you bruce & have proved it to myself many times. At extended ranges where the velocity has tapered off, I disagree with you. The advent of the TTSX has made expansion easier & more reliable, however, even the TTSX is stouter than a "traditional" bullet & is going to require one of two things for maximum expansion. 1-Adequate velocity or 2- more resistance (ie bone). When the ranges get longer or the beastie gets heavier, I'm looking for a shoulder to break. No tracking, no fuss.
Just my .002