I have been using 200 Grain NPs in my 300 H&H Mod 70. I killed buck last November with one at about 90 yards. I found the bullet that killed the deer in a cedar tree and it weighed 117 grains, shed all of the forward core and the front jacket was peeled back agains the shank, with a major diameter of .42".

I assumed that since the target was only 90yds downrange, the bullet shed as it did.

My loads are WW cases, CCI34 primers (had no other mag primers on hand at that time) and 64 grains of H4350 which produce a measured 2884 FPS at the muzzle.


Fast forward to yesterday- I decided to test a bullet against gallon water jugs (milk jugs) filled with a semi-thick solution of farina and water (makes a rather viscous slurry if done right-about the same density/consistency as 10% Gel.). Anyway, six jugs aligned and backed with a mild steel plate to hopefully collect the spent slug.

I fired from 200 yards and was amazed at the resounding WALLOP of the bullet striking the jugs-the "vapor" cloud was truly impressive, even from 200 yards distant. My berm and carrier are well covered in a glue-like slurry, however.

The bullet penetrated all six jugs (about 45") in a straight line, bounced lightly off the plate and fell to the ground. The first three jugs were shredded, the fourth was rather well split and the last two were penetrated but still standing. The slug apparently struck the plate sideways, evidenced by the slight flattening of the heel and a scuff mark on the side of the forward jacket.

Bullet weighed 119 grains, expanded to .53- about the same appearance as the deer bullet.

I was rather amazed that in both cases the entire forward core was gone, jacket peeled all the way down to the partition and the partition was plainly visible.

I understand that at a striking velocity still about 2500 fs at 200, that this pretty tough of an order.

Is this representative of expected performance of such a bullet fired at similar velocities?

I have no doubt that this bullet will kill any NA game cleanly-including big bears (at range) or moose. But the retained weight seems a bit light-what do you think?

Nosler Partitions generally retain about 2/3rds (66-67%) of their original weight. At 60% retention, your results are in line with the bullet's design parameters.

Everybody seems to fixate on penetration, but it is the "shrapnel" of the forward portion which causes the majority of organ trauma, and in turn, fatality.

I think it is a perfect example of why NPs kill so well. It did what a 30 cal partition does at speed. Shed the front core creating massive tissue damage and continued on it's way for deep penetration due to it's partitioned rear core, ie exit wound.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew cempa:
I was rather amazed that in both cases the entire forward core was gone, jacket peeled all the way down to the partition and the partition was plainly visible.

IMHO; that is business as usual with the Partition. They often shed their front core, but penetrate quite deeply due to their modest expansion diameter. A reliable bullet.

- mike

What you have discribed is classic NP performance.

The one and only .30 cal 200 gr partition I've ever recovered (bullet photo #1) Stem to stern on a blacktail. Shot under the neck (facing head on, found under the hide on a hind qtr) From a .30-06 at about 2,700 fps and a distance of 30 yds.

I use nosler partitions in 270, 7 mag, 338 fed, and 338 win mag. We have killed over 20 moose with 160's in 7 mag over the years and always find the bullet all the way through, inside against hide. but never seems to punch out. Never had any walk off either. Kids and me killed 3 moose last fall with the AR-10 in 338 fed, 210 nosler partitions. Like them so much in that 338 fed that I bought 8 boxes of those expensive nosler bullets so I will never want for nosler partitions if they get even more pricey down the road.

I use TSX's & GMX's for caribou, blk bear, wolves, ect in 6.8 & 30-378 and they work fine for longer shots for me.

Have been using those nosler partitions for many years and guess I have become superstitious with certain calibers & what I'm hunting. Here's a moose I got last fall with 338 fed & those 210 N.P's. I was hunting this same bull the year before when he had a nicer upper 50's rack, but never got him. It was hot previous year and the bugger wouldn't show his face until after 10:30 PM and just too dark with old leupolds. Well, I caught him this Sept in same area along side of road few hours before dark. Hit him with AR-10 at 150 yards. He did the 3 side step shuffle across our road and fell in the ditch; just where I like them to fall. The ammo was factory Hornady 210 N.P's.

Also, no more right after dusk, can't see the cross hairs on the moose with the Acogs; which I like about as much as Nosler Partitions.

I don't know of a better bullet for the 30-06.

Thanks for the replies and insights guys.

I guess I just tend to think the NPs look, well, kinda naked, after expansion.


Indeed, the buck shot last fall dropped w/o a step-I hope to use this old rifle for a whole lot more NA game, maybe some African plains game too.

Looks don't kill and it is difficult to argue with the distinguished record of the Partitions.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew cempa:

I guess I just tend to think the NPs look, well, kinda naked, after expansion.

They do, by design. Add to the 20 moose mentioned above a Shiras moose just shy of Boone & Crocket. Broadside shot from 175 yards from my 7mm Magnum using a 160gr NP. It only retained 50% of it's weight and the moose only went 10 feet.

I like NP RNs in all diameters well enough that about 40 years ago I bought almost a real barge-full of them...am STILL using them. In fact in my .30 rifles I am still using the old 200 RN NP bullets with the machined groove at the partition.
And they are still killing everything they hit.

I used a 200 grain Partition Round Nose for my 91/2 ft. Brown Bear I killed at Cold Bay. It was loaded to 2950 fps and hit the Bear square between the shoulders head on at 90 yards with it standing facing me. The bullet pulverized the heart area with a bang flop result. I did not recover the bullet with the skinning job facing me I didn't want to spend the time digging for the bullet, I now wished I had. It did not exit. I was very pleased with the performance and would use that same load again or possibly with a North Fork. At that time I purchased every box of the 200 grain round nose bullets I could find and was glad I did because they discontinued it. My grandsons will have the option of using them if they so choose. Good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
Looks don't kill and it is difficult to argue with the distinguished record of the Partitions.

Phil-
Not to hijack this thread, but a year or so ago you described the build of your 06. I for the life of me cant find it on AR. Is it still public knowledge? Thanks

Andrew,

What yo udescribed is perfect 200 NP performance. I think I could make a hefty wager that if Nosler had come out now rather than 50 years ago with the NP the NP would be the darling of modern designs. It was and still is a super bullet for all thin skinned game. They don't look pretty when retrieved but they are magvificent killers.

mARK

quote:

Originally posted by Jon Beutler:

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
Looks don't kill and it is difficult to argue with the distinguished record of the Partitions.

Phil-
Not to hijack this thread, but a year or so ago you described the build of your 06. I for the life of me cant find it on AR. Is it still public knowledge? Thanks

Don't know how public it is but I'll PM you the details

I have shot a fair amount of game with a 30 cal 180gr Nosler Partition in the 300 WBY Mag and the 300 Win Mag.
I have also used it in the 308 WCF.

It has always performed perfectly.

I can only think the 200gr NP would be
"mo betta".

I can only hope that the Partition ends up shooting well in my 30-06! Haven't shot her yet, but the NP is going to be one of the first bullets down the hole

It's been the finest all around 30cal. big game bullet i've found! And it's VERY accurate too,



DM