A friend of mine told me the other day that the Nosler Partition is not a long range bullet, even though he likes it. What is the efective range of a partition? In my case a .270 Winchester and we are talking about deer sized game. He traveles a lot and this has been bugging me and he's not around. I think he means the Balistic Tip, SST etc. are better long rang bullets. Comments please and thank you.

Depending on what you consider long range, range has very little to do with it. As long as you understand BC's, you can predict the velocities at different ranges, and that is what bullet performance is dependent on.
I'm not absolutely sure, but I think I read somewhere that Nosler Partitions will open reliably down to around 1700 fps. So, whereever your cartridge drops to that velocity, is probably where absolute reliability also drops off with that bullet. It's definitely not an exact science, though.
I wouldn't think that would be much of a concern with a .270, as your load should work at least as far as you should be willing to shoot. I've used the 130 Partitions in my .270 and I've got no complaints at average ranges of 50-250 yards or so.
Every bullet has its limitations, but range isn't usually what is being discussed when this comes up.- Sheister

due to it's construction, it would be a better long-range bullet than most.

The real difference in trajectory between a highly aerodynamic bullet (eg, Ballistic Tip) and a rather semi-pointed bullet at any distance under 300 yards is negligible or even arguably indiscernible by the typical shooter. Beyond 300 yards all bullet plummet from the sky so dramatically that making a fuss over a 2 to 4 inch drop difference wher the holdover is 18 to 30 inches is simply ridiculous. You should choose a bullet for its terminal performance and not fret whether its BC is .550 or .350, because it hardly matters. A further thought is that it is injudicious and unethical to take any shot beyond the range at which you know with certainty that you will hit on the first shot at a precise location. Even at this you will make mistakes. We all do.

The standard nosler-partition has an excellent aerodynamic shape that gives it a high balistic-coefficient compared with most other bullet types and as sectional density goes up then so does the BC. The exception being the 220 grain semi-point .30 caliber and the strangely less than sharp pointed 260 grain .375 bullet but then the 300 grain .375 bullet has a better/sharper point. The SST and balistic-tips have boat-tails and outstanding ogive shape for very high BCs so they will shoot flatter at the same muzzle velocity. As for long range goes, muzzle velocity generally is most important.

Not sure what you mean by "effective". I find the NP a bit too hard for shots beyond 300yds in std. calibers, (ie, muzzle vel. under 2800fps). For a magnum or even a .270/130gr, the NP will give you good exp. & penetration downrange when MV is in the 3000fps relm.

Typically spitzer Partitions have pretty good BC's and open up well at low velocities. They certainly aren't a bad choice.

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Beyond 300 yards all bullet plummet from the sky so dramatically that making a fuss over a 2 to 4 inch drop difference wher the holdover is 18 to 30 inches is simply ridiculous. You should choose a bullet for its terminal performance and not fret whether its BC is .550 or .350, because it hardly matters....

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It matters a ton for wind drift, Harold. Range can be accurately measured and drop compensated for, wind drift is much more difficult. At longer ranges shooting a bullet with that low a BC is just like shooting a rifle that's less accurate--unless you're doing it in an underground tunnel or something.

I know I take into consideration a bullets BC. Without a high BC, a bullet wont even stay in the air long enough to shoot the ranges we shoot. The lower the BC, the sooner it will hit the transonic wall. When that happens, its usually all over for accurate bullet flight. I also want to hit em with as much retained energy as possible. No I dont care how much it drops, but I do care how long it stays stable and hit with fatal energy.

How high is "up"?



The real answer is that flat-based bullets lose velocity faster than boat-tails, but not enough to matter to most normal hunters at ranges out to 250 yards.

Beyond 250 yards most shots should be passed, anyway. (Ducking and running for cover NOW.)

I've only shot about 40 big game critters with the Nosler Partition (whitetail to eland, including a moose, grizzly, two elk, water buffalo, couple kudu and gemsbok, etc). Calibers include 270,30-06, 300 Weatherby, 338 WM, and 375H&H. Ranges out to 300 yards, most under 150. My observation is that the Nosler Partition is very consistent/predictable: the front end of the bullet will open up or even break up, the rear portion will penetrate on.

I've some limited experience with the Barnes X. I have recently shot about 25 critters with the Fail Safe and believe it to be superior to the Nosler Partition as the front end seems to retain more weight.

However, I would not hesitate to use the Nosler Partition.

Nosler Partitions will open reliably down to around 1800 fps.

will ballistic tips like the accubond open at a lower speed than say the partitions due to the ability of the tip to initiate expansion?

In .30 cal the Partition will often fail to expand if terminal velocity is below 2100 fps. Above 2900 fps the front core will often be lost.

In answer to your last question Nosler's Ballistic Tip will expand well down to 1550 fps impact velocity. When striking at over 2700 fps expansion will be very rapid and penetration might only be adequate for a broadside heart/lung shot. Shoulders on larger species are to be avoided with the Ballistic Tip.

Nosler's Accubond is designed to be much tougher than the Ballistic Tip but I have no experience with it, either personal or observed.

In a 270, I'd feel fine shooting Nosler Partitions out to these ranges to ensure full expansion and good performance, 2000 fps impact speed .

130 gr. @ 3060 fps - 530 yards

140 gr. @ 2950 fps - 500 yards

150 gr. @ 2850 fps - 490 yards

160 gr. @ 2760 fps - 410 yards

I like the 270

The range has to do with the impact velocities. A Ballistic
tip opens up a lot better at lower velocity that a partition. However, the partition is still a great bullet.

The new accubonds, are suppose to be a ballistic tip with a partition rear core, or vice versa, a partition with a ballistic tip nose.

At 400 yrds with a 270 at the normal velocities they are loaded at, I don't think you will look at either bullet giving you unsatisfactory results.

Now take the Ballistic Tip with it's 1600 fps impact speed for full expansion...

130 gr. @ 3060 fps - 810 yards

140 gr. @ 2950 fps - 800 yards

150 gr. @ 2850 fps - 815 yards

Certainly a long poke for most

Another answer to your question-
I took a Whitetail @ 542 paces using the below Ammo-
in lots of open country
F E D E R A L �
No. Primer-210
No. 180- Grains/Grams-11.66
Style Hi-shok Soft Point
Caliber 30-06 Springfield
Velocity in Feet Per Second
(to nearest 10fps)
Muzzle 2700
Yds 100 2470
Yds 200 2250
Yds 300 2040
Yds 400 1850
Yds 500 1660
I hit him mid chest- lt side
it had enough punch to churn up both lungs and lodge in the lt side of his neck just below his ear-

" retreived 134 gr propeller shaped projectile"

hope this helps- I only use 180gr Ammo


stats are on the FEDERAL AMMO SITE

I am into long distance shooting

"The new accubonds, are suppose to be a ballistic tip with a partition rear core, or vice versa, a partition with a ballistic tip nose"

Not correct.The accubond has a single core with no partition at all.

"A picture is worth a thousand words."





Nosler AccuBond:

Stubble:

Thanks for the clarification.

'Effective range' with that bullet and caliber is the longest range you can reliably (be realistic) hit the vitals under your worst hunting condition. As noted previously, wind drift is probably the single biggest limiting factor.

One other thing I heard, directly from Nosler customer support (Mike, IIRC) is that they consider the partition normally to be a bullet capable of 1 MOA accuracy. At very long ranges (400+) that could also be a limiting factor. Lots of people claim better accuracy with partitions, but the 1" at 100 yards seems to match my experiences. I get .5" with ballistic tips regularly, in the same rifle, FWIW.

I can't speak for the .270, but in the Yukon Territory I shot a Dall Ram at 525 paces with a 7mm Remington Magnum. I was using the Federal Premium loading with the 160 grain Nosler Partition with a mv. of 2980 fps. At the shot, the ram took a couple of steps forward, then collapsed and proceeded to roll all the way to the bottom of the mountain. Fortunately, the horns and cape survived the plunge.

Leo M
I have no doubts useing partitions for shooting at distances that are ethicly correct. I don't like shoting an slong ranges if it's possible to get closer. It's perhaps more important to use a caliber that is capeable of launching bullets that carries enough energy. You don't take a 7X33 sako for long range varminting or a 9,3X57 for hunting wapiti were ranges can get long.

Next important question is if the hunter who is doing the shooting is suitable for longrange?

Partions are one of my favorite bullets

Cheers
/ JOHAN

Leo-I am sure there is a limit somewhere but I don't know what it is.I have seen the .270 with 130 Grain Nosler's drop a very nice trotting Bull at 425 stepped off yards on the second shot,The first was low.This was a Military Marksman,but it was a behind the shoulder shot with the bullet penetrating to the vitals of an Elk.

I would say the effective range would be past most of our capabuilities.I've seen the 120 grain 25-06 take a nice Mulie at a range that some would call me a liar,so I won't post it.I think the bullet is up to doing more than the average shooter is.

Just my opinion.Jayco.

I don't think it's a much of a distance issue as an expansion issue. At what point does the bullet fail to reliably open?

Here's images of the study they did on .30 caliber 180 gr bullets. Only the partition is shown here. I'd say keep the impact velocity at, or above 2,000 fps. This gives you a bit of safety factor - in case your range guesstimate is off a bit.



At 1,900 fps things start getting iffy. Of course, this is a single caliber and weight partition, so things may vary slightly. The heavier jacketed partitions (.338, .35, .375 and .416) may not open up as well at the lower velocities.