Nosler Ballistic Tip vrs Accubond or Partitions

[RP53]

I handload for 300wsm, 7mm08 .This year I loaded Nosler Ballistic Tip 140gr in 7mm08 and 150gr in the 300wsm for deer. Deer were shot with both calibers, a doe with the 7mm, a doe and a buck with the 300wsm. All were close shots, one doe dropped in it's tracks shot with the 300,the shot entered behind the left shoulder but fragmented and punctured the diaphragm and stomach and did not exit.The other doe shot with the 7mm had the bullet also enter behind the left shoulder, it mushroomed to the base and hung up under the hide of the right chest wall. The buck shot with the 300 ran 75 yards to a very dense spruce forest leaving no blood trail and was lost. Where we hunt the shots will be close range and I'm thinking it would be better to load Nosler Accubonds which should still expand well but might also leave an exit wound and a blood trail. Perhaps Nosler Partitions would be an even more reliable choice for producing an exit wound???

 

[troy fairweather]

Don't see a reason to use accubonds so close, I'd go partitions.maybe load the 300 down some.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd either download the 300wm, or go with a heavier, tougher bullet. It's plenty of kinetic energy either way, you're just pushing that bullet too hard. It's probably designed for 308/30-06 impact velocities.

Or shoot them much further away.

 

[stillquietvoice]

I shot 2 bucks left season with 140 nbt's inside 40 yds the first a double lung shot, large exit hole it's of blood
He went about 30 yds. The Second one hit high shoulder quartering forward, shattered the scapula no exit bullet fragmented he went about the same distance, relatively little blood, tracked him in fresh snow. Those were the older design that opened more rapidly.

I'd either download the 300wm, or go with a heavier, tougher bullet. It's plenty of kinetic energy either way, you're just pushing that bullet too hard. It's probably designed for 308/30-06 impact velocities.

Or shoot them much further away.

You definitely have a valid point. 300 win velocity is too fast for nbt's at close range, they act more like a varmint bullet, I'd go at least 165 gr in your 300 for deer.

Partitions are constructed more for penetration, breaking through bone, and still hiding together, downside is that they don't shoot as accurately in my rifles

 

[entropy]

I handload for 300wsm, 7mm08 .This year I loaded Nosler Ballistic Tip 140gr in 7mm08 and 150gr in the 300wsm for deer. Deer were shot with both calibers, a doe with the 7mm, a doe and a buck with the 300wsm. All were close shots, one doe dropped in it's tracks shot with the 300,the shot entered behind the left shoulder but fragmented and punctured the diaphragm and stomach and did not exit.The other doe shot with the 7mm had the bullet also enter behind the left shoulder, it mushroomed to the base and hung up under the hide of the right chest wall. The buck shot with the 300 ran 75 yards to a very dense spruce forest leaving no blood trail and was lost. Where we hunt the shots will be close range and I'm thinking it would be better to load Nosler Accubonds which should still expand well but might also leave an exit wound and a blood trail. Perhaps Nosler Partitions would be an even more reliable choice for producing an exit wound???

If you hit the right target, you do not need to worry about exit wounds needed for tracking. That said, Partitions are never a bad choice for a hunting bullet.

 

[jmorris]

You can add me to the Partitions group.

 

[jmr40]

All of those bullets, (AB, BT, and PT) are designed to work well with impact speeds between 1800 fps up to about 2800 fps. The AB might well stay together at a bit faster impact speed. The 140 gr 7mm bullet is a mid weight bullet in that caliber that easily falls into that impact velocity range. The 150 gr in a 300 WSM is way too light and is impacting way faster than it was designed to work. A 150 gr Partition at the same speed would have likely done the same.

 

[entropy]

Having recovered 2 180 Partitions from a moose fired from no more than 50 yards from a .300 Win. Mag., and a 165 Partition from a .30-06 from a deer at @ 65 yards, I can assure you that even striking large bones, Partitions hold together quite well above 2800. (True, not much over 2800 in either loading there) All three of them looked like the ones in the ads for them, and I'm sure the other three that didn't hit moose ribs and passed through did, too. I will agree the 150 is on the light side for the caliber for close work, heckuva antelope or muley round, though. The rear bases on Partitions tend to hold together well, even if the front loses some weight to velocity or striking bone.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've killed about 35 deer with Nosler BTs in .270, .260, 30-06 and 300WM, and haven't lost an animal yet.

Shots ranged from 30yds to a long of just over 450yds. The original BTs weren't constructed as well as the newer and I did have a couple fragment drastically from close shots with my .270 (dead animal, lots of bloodshot meat). Due to that, I basically had 2 deer loads for that rifle; 130BTs for normal conditions and 130 partitions for woods or stands with limited range. The 130 Part POI was close enough for 100yds and under. I've since gone to 130ABs for everything and haven't had an issue even with a MV of 3170 from my 24" .270, but my closest shot to date with ABs was a little over 100yds.

With the .260 I load 120 BTS exclusively as the MV is starting at 2900 out of my M7s 20" tube. I've yet to recover a bullet and the shots have been between 100 and 200yds.

One of the guys I hunt with has taken about 6 or 7 bucks with the 165 "Combined Technology" (fancy BT) in his 300WSM without a problem, but his closest shot to date has been about 75yds and he loads his 300 WSM to be about a 30-06+P. I shot a 5x4 mulie a couple years ago with that same bullet from my .300WM at 300WM velocity and a little over 200yds and it passed completely through a quartering heart/lung.

I like the ABs over the Partitions as they seem slightly more accurate in my rifles.

 

[Captcurt]

I have shot 165gr Accubonds in my 300 WSM for several years, no problems with shots ranging from 20 to 200+ yards. Last year I tried the 150gr AB. It made a mess of a bambi at 50 yards. I went back to my 165's. Had the same experience with BT's in my 243. The new 130gr 6.5 cal. Sierra TGK's tend to open up quickly and are pretty traumatic at close range. When these are gone I will go back to my AB or Partitions.

 

[Patocazador]

I have used Partitions for over 50 years. If I lost a deer, it was due to a bad shot not the functioning of the bullet .. all ranges from 450 yds down to 30 = no problem. The BTs I tried were very accurate and blew up consistently until I swore I'd never use one again. Then they came out with the "hunting" BTs, I bit. I loaded one in a .338-06 AI and shot a large buck that happened to show up ~50 yds away. He went 250 yds before collapsing and there were particles of the bullet almost everywhere. I was able to salvage less than half of the meat.
Another oath of swearing off BTs followed. I have not wavered and never will again.

I just recently picked up some 7mm Accubond blems and they look as if they are more accurate and maybe just as functional as the Partitions. If it comes down to choosing one for a big hunt, I will always opt for the Partitions.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I've killed about 35 deer with Nosler BTs in .270, .260, 30-06 and 300WM, and haven't lost an animal yet.

Same here. I use the 180 gr in 300 mag. I also used them in 7mm Rum and 257. All between 100-400. They are fairly cheap and I've seen no reason to switch for white trail

 

[Chuck R.]

Same here. I use the 180 gr in 300 mag. I also used them in 7mm Rum and 257. All between 100-400. They are fairly cheap and I've seen no reason to switch for white trail

It's not like they're hard to kill. Part of the issue might be the aim point. I'm a double lung kind of guy, so they seem to do well passing through ribs.

 

[Sudden Thunder]

I have previously used Nosler BT for hunting in .243 and .308 and found they performed fantastic at both close range and beyond 150 yards. I do tend to use medium-heavy bullets than some hunters, 100gr in .243 and 180gr in .308.

You’re extremely skilled or lucky if you know exactly what distance your game will be at and can select a type for a specific range.
But if your currently used projectiles are not performing properly for you perhaps consider trying the BT.

 

[jmorris]

You’re extremely skilled or lucky if you know exactly what distance your game will be at and can select a type for a specific range.

Or you could have placed the feeder in one spot, the blind in another and walked between the two once. Then you would know those two deer to the right of the feeder are 106 yards away…



Another thing you could do, is get a range finder. I keep one in my back pack if I am somewhere I haven’t been before. Can know the distances to many points around you in seconds.

Still in the Partition’s group this year.

 

[Chuck R.]

I carry a laser range finder in my Bino harness pack. Like jmorris, usual procedure in unknown terrain is to lase in some landmarks (trees, fence posts etc) and make a hasty "range card". Not exact, but that's why for pen country I'm either using my .270 or .300WM. There are times when the flatter shooting cartridge's come in handy. Also a lot of times in those conditions, the game is on the move and 200 can turn into 300 or greater pretty quick. I'm often amazed how much ground a deer can travel without even trying.

Buuut, my box blind to feeder/food plot is exactly 138 yards.

 

[wombat13]

I’ve shot several deer with 180 gr Nosler ballistic tips in my .300wm and several with 165 TSX, one with 165 gr partition and one with 150 gr TTSX. I also shot one with a 100 gr partition in .25-06.

Based on my experience, I’d recommend moving up to a 180 gr in your 300 if you want to stick with the ballistic tips. Switch to a tough bullet if you want to stick with.a mid to light bullet (165 gr or lighter). A 165 partition or a 150/165 gr TTSX would work well. I’ve gone to a 150 TTSX in my .300wm because they are super accurate in my rifle.

 

[Sudden Thunder]

Or you could have placed the feeder in one spot, the blind in another and walked between the two once. Then you would know those two deer to the right of the feeder are 106 yards away…

View attachment 1047269

Another thing you could do, is get a range finder. I keep one in my back pack if I am somewhere I haven’t been before. Can know the distances to many points around you in seconds.

Still in the Partition’s group this year.

Range finders like binoculars are great tools; food plots and feeders at known distances from a stand are easier than taking deer while walking.

I find NBT are great for accuracy with excellent performance at “Non-Magnum” velocities. But I use heavier-for-caliber bullets at regular velocity for the best accuracy I can achieve.
If you feel you really need High velocity at closer distances (e.g. white tail deer at <150 yards) then use a partion bullet that will work for you.
For “Non-Magnum” velocities I find the Nosler BT to definitely provide an edge in both accuracy and versatility. YMMV

 

[wombat13]

I was typing on my phone earlier, so I thought I'd add a little detail now that I can type quickly. The 180 gr nosler ballistic tips worked quite well on deer out of my .300wm, but I could never do better than 1.5 - 2" groups at 100 yards after trying several powders. That's the only reason I switched bullets. You'll have no problems with the 180 gr BTs out of your .300wsm if they shoot well in your rifle. I shot whitetails from 30 - 120 yards with mine and never had a bullet failure (but I prefer chest shots).

I dropped down in bullet weight to try to find better accuracy. I got fantastic accuracy with the 165 gr TSX but I don't think they open consistently on chest shots, so I moved on. The one deer I shot with the 165 gr partition was quartering toward at 30 yards. Deer tried to run but only made 20 yards. The one I shot with 100 gr partition in .25-06 was at about 50 yards quartering away and it dropped like struck by lightning. The partition will work very well in a mid-weight. I settled on the the 150 TTSX because it is just as accurate in my rifle as the TSX and I've seen it open quickly when used by my relatives. I worked up a load and took a buck this year at 60 yards quartering toward.

The one thing I'd say is that I think the TSX kills differently that lead bullets. I don't think it creates the shock that the disintegrating nose of a lead bullet makes. It kills a bit more like an arrow, slicing through. Even an excellent shot, they seem to run at least 20-40 yards. If I were the OP, I'd go with either the 180 gr ballistic tip or a mid-weight partition, if either provide excellent accuracy. If accuracy isn't good enough, try the TTSX.

 

[WisBorn]

I have only used the BT 165 out of a 30-06 and didn't recover the deer. It was a early version of the BT which I feel the new version would work better.
I have used the Accubond in 300wsm 180 grain and Partition in 300wm 180 grain. Both with good results. In my opinion the 180 grain of either bullet is the way to go. They will get the job done.

 

[Seedy Character]

Have shot many deer with 7mm 140gr ballistic tips. My bullet of choice for 7x57 and 7mm RemMag. Excellent results.
I have loaded the 140gr. Partition and AccuBond in the RemMag, with outstanding results.

The Partition is never a wrong choice. AccuBond works great, but costs more.

150gr for .30-06, Ballistic Tips, Partition, or AccuBond. All work great. Any of the .30Mag, too much for deer and 150gr is too light. The 180gr is much better choice.

For .260Rem, I used Partitions and TTSX. My rifle loves the 120gr, 123gr, 129gr and 130gr bullets. The 140gr are not as accurate.

Have never lost a deer. Most drop in their tracks, or within 20 yards. Farthest one went 70 yards. Shots were from 70 yards, out to 450 yards. Coincidentally, the closer shots, ran farther. Doe at 70 yards, 7mag BT, hit behind left shoulder, exit right side, between shoulder and neck, HUGE hole, ran 70 yards, uphill.
Buck at 75 yards, .260 123gr, left rib, exit right rib, both lungs destroyed and ran 70 yards.

Ballistic Tips and high velocity can react like a varmit bullet, especially when hitting heavy bone. They have performed flawlessly in son's 7x57. He has used it for 33 years. I would assume 7-08 would be the same results.

 

[jmr40]

Ballistic Tips and high velocity can react like a varmit bullet, especially when hitting heavy bone.

Technically true, but some clairfication is needed. Nosler addressed the issue several years ago and started making the jackets thicker on the Ballistic Tip bullets. If the box just says "Ballistic Tip" it is the older bullet that earned a reputation for over expansion. But to be honest, I've never had an issue with them. Of course, I've always used either 150 or 165 gr Ballistic Tips in my 308 or 30-06. I could see issues with 150's from a 300 WM at closer ranges.

If the box says "Ballistic Tip Hunting", it is the newer bullet with a thicker jacket. I have some 168 gr .308 bullets but haven't even loaded any of them yet. By all of the accounts I've seen and read from other hunters the performance of the newer bullets is on par with Accubonds.

Technically the Ballistic Tip, and Ballistic Tip Hunting aren't the same bullet. Nosler needs to do a better job of explaining the difference. But if they did, they wouldn't sell as many of the more expensive Accubonds.

The box with the newer bullets looks like this.

 

[Seedy Character]

Wasn't aware of the "hunting".

Bought 1200 7mm 140gr and 1200 .308 150gr. Ballistic Tips at a going out of business sale. Still have about 300 7mm and 200 .308.

When I bought my .260, i bought partitions, then the TTSX.

May have to try the "hunting" BT. Relegate the old stock to paper punching and coyotes.

 

[Eagle103]

Accubonds and Partitions would do the job in your 300 but as of a couple of months ago they've hard to come by and the prices have gone up a lot. TTSX's have been more obtainable, cheaper and will do exactly what you want out of a 300.

 

[Gooseman69]

Accubond is, nothing more then the partition with a higher bc