Leaving for my first moose hunt here in 5 days. My 300RUM is finally ready. I have got great accurate loads for Swift 200gr A-Frames, and Nosler 200gr Partitions. I am just wondering which bullet would be the most appropiate. I trust in Noslers PT. But love the wieght retention of the Swifts and like that they are bonded. But hear reports from the likes of John Barshness and other writers saying, they penetrate extremely well. Maybe too well they say. And they claim that the perfect mushroom will not cause the internal damage like a Nosler would. What do you guys think? Please, no recommendations on other bullets. No time really to work up loads. Just out of these two.

Thanks,
BC

[ 09-23-2002, 17:46: Message edited by: bigcountry ]

If they shoot equal--the swift a frame is the best in my book. There is nothing magic or "sawlike" about a nosler mushroom. I say the swift wins because more weight equals more push and more energy. If the nosler was a better shooter it would get the nod. Either is going to get the job done real well.

The Swift A-Frame will create a larger wound channel than the Partition. I use the Swift in Africa and game like eland and Cape buffalo, both of which are as big or bigger and tougher than moose.

Please keep in mind that Nosler can send writers more freebies and 'comp' them on more hunts than Swift. Nosler also has a MUCH higher advertising budget, and the magazines like to keep their advertisers happy.

George

I like Noslers.....they don't cost as much...they come in a bigger variety of calibers with more bullet weights.....they are more than accurate enough for any kind of hunting....they don't plate copper in the bore (at least in my rifles) and they are usually easier to find than anything else. Typical weight retention as 65-70% and I think they penetrate deeper than the Swift but the bottom line is "No Moose Will Ever Know The Difference"

Nosler comps me nothing.........That said.......I have used the partitions for many species and they work very well. I haven't had any troubles getting the current partitions to shoot accurately in any of my 7mm, thirty cal, or .338 rifles, they all seem accurate enough.

I have used Swift A-Frames but only on African game and only in .338" and .375". They penetrate like crazy while maintaining 90%+ original weight. I do wonder if the rounded shape of the AF mushroom does as much damage as the more irregular Partition mushroom though. Something that Mr. Atkinson has posted here a few times.

Either bullet is just fine. I wouldn't waste a seconds time worrying about it. Don't OVERTHINK the situation, worry about the moose and not your ammo.

FN in MT

Howdy,

What a delightful dilemma. No matter what you choose, you win!

Coach

So Frank, when you run out the door hunting, you just grab any ammo, from Coreloks to Sierra's, and don't think about it at all? For me its a little harder. I have saved up for quite sometime for a hunting trip. Just really wanted some opinions and spark up some interested conversation.

The Nosler will have a little higher ballistic coefficient, which means (very) slightly better trajectory and downrange retained energy. At the distances most moose are taken, however, this is fairly irrelavent.

I've killed a few elk, but never a moose, so I have no first hand experience. Most who have hunted both seem to think that the elk, despite its smaller size, is harder to down than the moose. Also, a jillion or so moose have fallen to a .303 Enfield in Canada.

I think it boils down to this: If one bullet shows any advantage in accuracy, sureness in feeding or in any other way, go with that one. If they're equal, shoot the one you were really wanting to use before everybody had his say.

Both will work. I've used alot of Nosler Partitions on elk class stuff. At high impact speeds, they shear off their noses. The SAF bullet, from the reports and test data I've seen, doesn't. Try looking at a copy of Shooting Times. Rick Jamison just did a comparason.
If it were mine, I'd go for all the edge I can get - SAF. E

BigCountry,

The two choices given are BOTH fine for the job. My suggestion was to not worry about the ammo and worry about the moose. If You took that wrong I'm a bit puzzled.

FN in MT

Well, since you're shooting an Ultra Mag, and ranges on Meese are generally close, I would pick the SAF over the Nosler.....what if you're only offered a direct shoulder shot, or a quartering away shot? Either/or at close range (i.e. HIGH impact speeds) Is that Nosler going to keep all it's rear core after it has sheared off it's front section? These are the possibilities I had to consider this last week on an elk hunt I went on...I shoot the .338 Ultra Mag, and I knew my shots were going to be less than 100yds...for these reasons combined, I chose the SAF...I wanted assurance that my bullet would penetrate both shoulders to anchor my elk on the spot. However, having stated this, I'll have you know that the elk offered me a better shot than I expected, behind the shoulder and the added bullet integrity of the SAF was not needed....but it was nice to know I had it. Either way, you'll probably have a dead moose, but I like the added comfort I have when I'm loaded up with those SAF's.

BC, I think what Frank N. is saying is you are asking if you should throw a Valencia or Naval orange. They are both good, concentrate on the meal for best results.
For what it's worth, I have never had a NP fail & have only ever recovered (1), so my vote would sway to Nosler. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt the biggest of game w/ the Swift either, based on the positive comments I have heard from hunters who haev been there & done that. Good luck on your moose hunt, I am w/ envy.

Both bullets would be perfect!

Maybe the Partition shoots flatter from a academic point of view .

Choose the one that you like the most - they'll both do the job to an strait A+.

Best regards

Mads

Oh no Frank, I don't think I took you wrong. I just like discussing things like this. The A-Frames gave me better accuracy. I have hated them until this weekend. I have been working with this bullet for some time trying to load real long towards the rifling at 3.64 COL. So on the advise of GAhunter, I tried something totally different. I loaded them down to the cannelure and crimped. The COL now is 3.52". My groups magically went from 5" at 200 yards to 1.5" or less at 200 yards. I did this performance 3 out of the 5 groups. I was blown away. This gun has never shot that good. So now, my 200 gr Noslers I have ready for the trip, are not looking so good with 2.5-3" groups. Sure, thats great accuracy at 200 yards for moose, but I have never had good luck out of Swift bullets until now. Too bad this gun has expensive eating habits. Thanks guys for the replys

"the bottom line is 'No Moose Will Ever Know The Difference'"!! Plenty cape Buffalo have been killed with Noslers also. Just ask Ross Seyfried!!