I have had great luck loading and hunting with Nosler Partitions for many years. Most of my hunting has been with 180 grains in my 30-06. I have acquired a nice supply of the old screw machine manufactured Partitions in 308/180 and 277/150.
Who has experience with the old style bullets and can tell me how they compare to the current design?

I used to load the 150g Partitions in my 270. They were better. Same load that I use now worked with them.

I've loaded a lot of the old Partitions with the rebated "waist". Accuracy was excellent. The newer ones seem to work just as well with the same powder charges.

People who diss the Partitions (old or new) as somehow "less accurate" have either simply had poor luck or didn't know how to work up loads properly.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
I've loaded a lot of the old Partitions with the rebated "waist". Accuracy was excellent. The newer ones seem to work just as well with the same powder charges.

People who diss the Partitions (old or new) as somehow "less accurate" have either simply had poor luck or didn't know how to work up loads properly.

Agreed^^^

I've shot a ton of the old screw turned partitions and love the look and performance. Seating depth vary between the old and new styled to get the same "jump" but that's a super easy fix.

My little bro (65 years young) has a 300 WM that shoots the 200 Partitions almost as well as any of our custom high-dollar varmint rifles so they WILL shoot. Your mileage may vary and some guns are just too picky to like a partition but it's rare.

Zeke

The old Noslers with the relief belt were the best performing in my experience as a semi-pro animal control specialist. I used exclusively the 375 270 and 300 gr. bullets to cull Australian water buff on several occasions. Terminal performance was always stellar, even if my shot placement was less than perfect.

Sadly, industry will always discontinue something good for the new and improved model.

Lot of folks like the old stuff, I shot a lot of game with them, they blew the front portion off and the base exited, they worked just ok in my opine..

Todays partitions are much much better anyway you cut it IMO. I've shot a lot of big game with them for the last 50 plus years. Id say they are the bullet by which all others are judged..I also love the Nosler Accubonds..

I agree with Geoff’s last line. When Hornady produced 30 caliber 150 grain Interbond bullets in their light magnum line of ammo for 30-06 ,my wife and I thought they had produced the be-all end-all ammo for whitetail deer. Then they stopped with the light magnum line and then the Interbond bullets. What the heck! I called Hornady to inquire as to why they did this and the reply, in my opinion, was mambo-jumbo. My conclusion is that it’s gotta be about $$$$. Isn’t everything else?Oh well.

Yup. When you find a Hornady product that's just the ticket, then start stocking up a lifetime supply.

That's why I have a pile of 165 grain Interbonds.

The reason American hunters like the old bullets is because they are mostly unobtainable. Same with guns and old cars..they live in a dream world, those old bullets failed all the time, todays bullets are the best ever..I save boxes of old bullets and shoot them in wet magazines and white rocks on the mountain side!

Ray, what about Bitterroots? They had a sparkling reputation back in the day. I'm a big Partition fan, but never used a Bitterroot.

I've only heard good things about Bitter roots. I have some loaded up for some caliber in that cornucopia of bullets on my shelves if I can find them. Never got around to testing them on game as the ones I have didn't pass my accuracy requirement in my gun, not to say the bullets are inaccurate in all guns. I think I used a 308 and perhaps my very accurate 99F Savage. Id say they are a very good game bullet based on clients, guides and PHs Ive talked to. He was the father of glueing lead to copper, now all the rest followed his lead, that sez a lot.