I notice they make two versions, standard and protected point. What is the "real" difference? Is one to be prefered? Do they perform the same?

Thx.

The 180 gr. Nosler Partition, in both S.P. and Protected Point versions, are likely the two big game bullets that I've used the most, and on the widest variety of big game animals, literally from Alaska to Mexico and from Oregon to Tanzania, both in the 30-06 and the 300 Win. Mag. I have a whole box of them that I've recovered from various animals, and quite honestly, I can't think of any other projectiles that have provided more reliable and dramatic kills or that I trust more, other than counterpart Nosler Partition bullets in .338.

The main difference is that the Protected Point was originally developed in the 1960s, specifically with the 300 Win. Mag. in mind, conforming to the prevailing old wives' tale of the day that the "short neck" of the 300 Win. Mag. required a shorter bullet that it could grip properly (increasing caser capacity as well), thus the PP has more weight up front, and a shorter OAL, with significantly lower ballistic coefficient -- that's the real trade-off. The truth is, the PP was never necessary to begin with, and the 300 Win. Mag.'s neck has the same gripping surface to work with, no matter if the bullet is a SP of PP. So the concept was largely wasted on a semi-irrelevant theory, and even though the SP does get seated deeper into the case than the PP does, there is more than enough powder capacity available for any prudent load with any applicable powder that you'd care to work with.

As far as I'm concerned, the 180 gr. Nosler Partition Spire Point is the bullet to go with no matter what .30 caliber cartridge you're working with, simply to take advantage of the higher B.C that it offers.

The only reason to go with the PP is if your rifle shoots it with significantly greater accuracy. Other than that, it offers no honest practical advantage. If I had a rifle that shot 180 PPs into 3/4" and shot 180 SPs into 1", I'd take the SP and run with it anyway.......

AD

Thanks Allen. It occured to me after posting of course to vist the Nosler site.

First thing I noticed was the BC was, as you say, significantly lower.

I'd say Allen nailed this one pretty good.