Updated Partition bullet

[Scoutfan]

I am loading some of the long range accubonds now. I have no complaints with performance of partitions or accubonds. No I want to see how the LR will do up close and at distance. Seems like it might be the best compromise for a couple of my rifles. Just need to kill a few things to find out.

 

[Choupique]

believe the Accubond is a replacement for the Partition

In my experience, the partition is more violent. They both kill really well, both the animals and the wallet.

 

[Formidilosus]

There's not a nickle's worth of difference between the two in on game performance IME.

One fragments the front half violently; one is bonded and holds the front half against the shank- and that’s the same to you? And the wound channels and vitals look the same when you pull them apart and examine them?

 

[Oregon]

I had my first experience with swift A frames in Africa this year. 180gr 300wm. I was thoroughly impressed. We killed 8 animals with that bullet. Recovered 4 bullets.
This was lodged in hindquarter after a frontal shot on a Blesbok.

 

[JGRaider]

One fragments the front half violently; one is bonded and holds the front half against the shank- and that’s the same to you? And the wound channels and vitals look the same when you pull them apart and examine them?

Violently (extremely poor choice of words)......not hardly, in fact not even close. They expand slightly more than the accubond, which is why they don't penetrate quite as much but the difference is nitpicking. Weight retention is virtually indistinguishable between the two. Entry/exits once again not worth arguing about as they are virtually identical. Wound channels........who gives a ratsazzz when they kill so effectively.

 

[SDHNTR]

One fragments the front half violently; one is bonded and holds the front half against the shank- and that’s the same to you? And the wound channels and vitals look the same when you pull them apart and examine them?

I’m on JGR’s side on this one. I’ve seen tons of game shot with both. The reactions are about the same and the end results are about the same. If you want to beat up semantics, yeah, the construction is different, and the academics may dictate there should be some terminal difference and bla bla bla, but in the real world they both kill about the same.

I give zero F’s about wound channels. I care about full freezers and mine is. Mostly due to steel “ammo” in the form of a broadhead.

 

[Formidilosus]

Violently (extremely poor choice of words)......not hardly, in fact not even close.

Yes- that’s exactly what the front of a Partition in most calibers/weights do. The front portion of most Partitions fragments as quickly as any bullet made- more similar to a ELD-M or TMK than any bonded bullet.
Have you ever actually looked at wounds from Partitions?

They expand slightly more than the accubond, which is why they don't penetrate quite as much but the difference is nitpicking.

Partitions of like weight penetrate about the same as Accubonds, but for entirely different reasons. Anyone paying attention would see why.

Weight retention is virtually indistinguishable between the two.

Exactly. “Weight retention”. That’s why people say “they are the same”. Not wound channel width, depth, or shape.

Entry/exits once again not worth arguing about as they are virtually identical. Wound channels........who gives a ratsazzz when they kill so effectively.

Once again- exactly. If all that matters is “killing”, then all bullets are “virtually identical”.

 

[Formidilosus]

I give zero F’s about wound channels. I care about full freezers and mine is. Mostly due to steel “ammo” in the form of a broadhead.

Neat. So then why do you engage in these discussions so much if you don’t care?

 

[SDHNTR]

Neat. So then why do you engage in these discussions so much if you don’t care?

To point out the silliness of such concerns.

 

[Formidilosus]

To point out the silliness of such concerns.

Concerns? Or desires? You say that it all doesn’t matter, yet any that pay attention find that there are can be, and are very different outcomes with different bullet types when seen in large numbers. There is an observable, demonstrable difference between animals shot with standard monos, animals shot with bonded bullets, and animals shot with rapidly fragmenting bullets…. All the ones between.


It shouldn’t be hard to understand the desire of the OP and others to want the shorter runs and shorter times to falling over of highly fragmenting bullets, with the higher incidence of exits with bullets that have a narrow frontal diameter- aka: the Partition. Combined with a higher BC, they would be the most consistent all range bullet made.

 

[NICKJ]

There is something about the ugly lead tips of the partition that takes me back to my childhood and long hikes….

 

[slatebuilder]

Typically, how much does impact velocity change the depth of the fragmentation damage with partitions?

 

[JGRaider]

Yes- that’s exactly what the front of a Partition in most calibers/weights do. The front portion of most Partitions fragments as quickly as any bullet made- more similar to a ELD-M or TMK than any bonded bullet.
Have you ever actually looked at wounds from Partitions?





Partitions of like weight penetrate about the same as Accubonds, but for entirely different reasons. Anyone paying attention would see why.




Exactly. “Weight retention”. That’s why people say “they are the same”. Not wound channel width, depth, or shape.




Once again- exactly. If all that matters is “killing”, then all bullets are “virtually identical”.

You obviously just like hearing yourself talk, and I'm not remotely surprised. What I know about partition wound channels is that a less than dime sized entrance coupled with a quarter sized exit means that this wound channel diagnosis is once again a huge waste of time, as the channel cannot be greater than the exit.

In spite of your "thousands, plural" big game animals you've claimed to kill, If you think all bullets kill the same, once again, you're sadly mistaken.....

169 VLDH (violent).......vs 160 partition (can't be described as violent except maybe from Mr Magoo)

 

[JGRaider]

Concerns? Or desires? You say that it all doesn’t matter, yet any that pay attention find that there are can be, and are very different outcomes with different bullet types when seen in large numbers. There is an observable, demonstrable difference between animals shot with standard monos, animals shot with bonded bullets, and animals shot with rapidly fragmenting bullets…. All the ones between.

You don't say......

Once again, very little discernable difference between the AB and Partition, except the AB tends to penetrate slightly more due to slightly less expansion. Bullet makers have been trying to emulate Nosler partition killing prowess for over 60 years and haven't done it yet.

 

[Chris in TN]

You obviously just like hearing yourself talk, and I'm not remotely surprised. What I know about partition wound channels is that a less than dime sized entrance coupled with a quarter sized exit means that this wound channel diagnosis is once again a huge waste of time, as the channel cannot be greater than the exit.

Actually, yes, the channel can be larger than the exit, for multiple reasons.

ETA: Every wound channel has a 3-dimensional shape. And every sort of tissue will respond differently to the passing projectile; a bullet can cause X damage to lung tissue then cause Y damage - seen in a permanent channel - to ribs and hide a few inches further in - and X can be larger than Y, or vice-versa, depending on the characteristics of the bullet and its impact velocity and the actual size of the vital cavity you're pushing it through.

 

[rookieforever33]

Your pictures demonstrate why people like the partition design. The entrance is not a violent as a vld, but greater than a bonded or mono. I have seen entrances to partition wounds larger than your picture, but not near the vld pictured. Of the 4 or 5 deer I have killed with a partition every single one exited. I believe that is because once the front fragment the smaller shank keeps going. Bonded and monos stay pretty large unless moving very fast.
Many people dont seem to like the middle of the spectrum, its not decisive enough for them. But many of us do want the best of both worlds. I didnt start this thread for the extremists. Just those of us who like this bullet in the middle, and would maybe like to see it updated before its gone.

 

[Chris in TN]

Your pictures demonstrate why people like the partition design. The entrance is not a violent as a vld, but greater than a bonded or mono. I have seen entrances to partition wounds larger than your picture, but not near the vld pictured. Of the 4 or 5 deer I have killed with a partition every single one exited. I believe that is because once the front fragment the smaller shank keeps going. Bonded and monos stay pretty large unless moving very fast.
Many people dont seem to like the middle of the spectrum, its not decisive enough for them. But many of us do want the best of both worlds. I didnt start this thread for the extremists. Just those of us who like this bullet in the middle, and would maybe like to see it updated before its gone.

I love the idea on paper but cringe at the thought of what they'd cost. Nosler already priced themselves out of my budget about the time they started the 50-count boxes of Ballistic Tips and while I love the predictability of Accubonds, they're kinda expensive and not really needed, maybe even counterproductive, for the speeds at which I seem to actually shoot stuff.

 

[06 SB]

I have a similar diagnosis to JGRaider's. I have killed several elk and many deer with the Partition and have a bunch of deer with the Accubond. Both bullets hits the animal, expands easily and usually exits. If I do my part, the bullet will do its part 100% of the time. In on game performance, there is no difference. I know the trend here is to use a bullet that stays inside the animal, but I want two holes. The Partition and Accubond do that for me.

 

[JGRaider]

Actually, yes, the channel can be larger than the exit, for multiple reasons.

ETA: Every wound channel has a 3-dimensional shape. And every sort of tissue will respond differently to the passing projectile; a bullet can cause X damage to lung tissue then cause Y damage - seen in a permanent channel - to ribs and hide a few inches further in - and X can be larger than Y, or vice-versa, depending on the characteristics of the bullet and its impact velocity and the actual size of the vital cavity you're pushing it through.

Analysis paralysis........with regards to what I was specifically addressing....partition/AB on game performance....you are nitpicking at best, and wasting your time.

Shooter's Pro Shop is your friend if you're concerned about cost. The 2nds and blems shoot identically to the new ones.

 

[rookieforever33]

I love the idea on paper but cringe at the thought of what they'd cost. Nosler already priced themselves out of my budget about the time they started the 50-count boxes of Ballistic Tips and while I love the predictability of Accubonds, they're kinda expensive and not really needed, maybe even counterproductive, for the speeds at which I seem to actually shoot stuff.

Agree about the cost. The nosler factory 165s in partition and accbond shoot great to 100 yards in my 1-12 twist .308, but spread out at further ranges. Their 150 accubonds are great at extended distances. Federal had the 150 partition in factory loads but has discontinued. Maybe some of the boutique loaders 165s will do better, but they are even pricier than nosler. I do not want to go down the reloading rabbit hole due to cost and time. I would hope if nosler innovated a classic design other manufactures would jump on as they have with eldx and other newer bullets. Also just wondering if anyone else would be as interested as I am. It might be an incremental change in many peoples eyes, but thats how we got to every bullet we have.