How accurate can you get Nosler Partitions?

[jasonco]

Contrary to what's out there, Nosler Partitions, can be very accurate. It's not intended for our purposes, but to 600 yards, it will kill, I've witnessed it.

 

[Dosh]

Very accurate, but not super long range. The best group I ever shot was a partition at 200 yards although the temp unstable powder had that load go south with warmer temps. Good luck.

 

[Reelamin]

Easily under .75" at 100yds. If I get .5" at 100yds I am very happy.

 

[KU_Geo]

I'm getting consistent .75" CTC 3-4 shot groups with partitions in 3 different rifles. Sure, I could tweak even more to maybe shrink the groups….but that seems like a waste of time and bullets.

.75 MOA is plenty good enough for me out to the 550-600yard range, which is a far I I have a need to use a partition.

 

[Rum River]

I was unsuccessful in getting the 180's to group under 1 MOA. Also had two 140 Gr 7mm partitions literally explode - one in a Mouflon Ram and another in an Axis doe. These were all older partitions - like pre 2000. The 7mm bullets did not exit and I found 3 to 6 grain chunks of copper/lead everywhere. Never was able to find/identify the shaft or core. I never loaded any of these bullets for hunting again.

Out of curiosity, what cartridges/velocities were you using?
Thx

 

[105Coues]

Extremely accurate in my 270 and 300.

 

[cabelasken]

Out of curiosity, what cartridges/velocities were you using?
Thx

The 30 caliber was a 30-06 and the 7mm was a 284 winchester. I never chrono'd the 06 but per the charts, it should have been 2700. The 284 Winchester (140 Gr Partition) had a Chrono'd velocity of 2975. The shot on the Mouflon was 295 yds and the Axis doe was under 100 yds. The Mouflon was an uphill slightly facing shot and the bullet glanced off the near shoulder and deflected slightly and hit the spine in the middle of the animal where it literally exploded. I don't remember the details of the axis doe as this happened 20+ years ago. I had only been reloading for about 10 years at that time and was still learning the ropes. Most of my shooting friends used partitions in various calibers and swore by them. Since then, I have tried nearly all of the premium bullets in my rifles, About $7,000 worth and about 25 different powders. I have learned a lot in 35 years of loading my own. When the cost of an out of state hunt is anywhere from $2K to 5K, a few dollars on premium bullets is cheap.

 

[dhbikerczar]

I had a very hot load of 180 gr partitions over RL22 in my 30-06 at 2950 FPS and always under 3/4 MOA, usually 1/2 MOA groups. It shot that for 20 years and I took it around the world hunting.

 

[fnlights]

They have shot really well in my .308 with IMR4064 - the only downside being is they can get pricy for a box of only 50. So far I have taken 3 whitetail with them and have no complaints!

 

[Rum River]

Cabelasken: What premium bullet do you use now? Given the calibers and shooting situation you described I would've thought they would have held together better. Goes to show bullet performance is never a guarantee.

I've used partitions in a variety of calibers. The 'heaviest' use was on an elk at 150-170 yards. A 300 Wby with 200 grain factory. Was quartering towards me and to my left. Bullet went in just forward of left shoulder - found the rear bullet core just short (couple of inches) of exiting the right hindquarter. The front core and forward half of the jacket was shrapnel.

 

[xsn10s]

They have shot really well in my .308 with IMR4064 - the only downside being is they can get pricy for a box of only 50. So far I have taken 3 whitetail with them and have no complaints!

I load them in my 308 Win using RL15, but will probably switch to H4895. Yeah they are pricey but so are any premium bullets. I know Chub Eastman used a 165 gr PT to take a Canadian moose. But that was with the 30-06.

 

[Teri Anne]

Bought some 180 gr Partitions to load over H1000 for my 300 Win Mag. Get great accuracy (sub moa) from Bergers at 168 and 215 gr and Barnes at 180 gr. Id like to load these 180 Partitions for an Aoudad hunt in Feb . Whats a reasonable accuracy expectation? Are they sensitive to seating depth?

I have been using Nosler Partitions for many years. I use the 130 gr in my 270, 165 gr in the 308 and 30-06 as well as 180 gr in the 300 WM. All shoot between 1/2 and 4/4 MOA all day using IMR4350 just below the max load listed. The 130 gr in the 270 shoots 1/2 MOA or less out to 400 yards which is the longest range that I currently have available. the 165 gr hold 1/2 MOA or maybe slightly more while the 180's in the 300 WM are good for about 3/4 MOA. The 270 , 308 and 30-06 have proven deadly with all one shot kills on probably 40 or more deer over the years. I like them, I use them and they work for me.

 

[Far North Hunter]

I've been shooting partitions since the '70's. Had excellent to very good accuracy in all my 7's and 300 chambered rifles. Never had a bullet failure from deer, elk or moose. i just trust that bullet and that gives confidence in my shot placement.

 

[TimLee]

Sub MOA with the same bullet out of a slow twist 30-06.
I understand that they're most accurate when pushed hard. Something to do with the exposed lead at the base.