I am currently loading 180gr partitions for my 30-06 with reloder 22. Price of partitions has me shopping around for something else. I understand you can't beat a partition design in reliability but I'm curious to hear what people have used reliably for pronghorn up to elk in 180gr. With considerations in accuracy and durability for hunting.
Reliable 30-06 bullet
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troy fairweather
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Sps has partitions for a reasonable price, a good cheap bullet are the speer hotcors.
Nature Boy
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180gn Sierra ProHunters, if you want to stay in the same weight class. I also use RL22 for that load.
.30-06 hunting load work up 2.0
sitting at the bench this morning trying to decide on my course of action. I’m going to start with these: First question: would you use a regular LR primer or a magnum LR? I’ll start at 56.5g and go to 59.0g
www.thehighroad.org
lordpaxman
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I have the 150 Partitions loaded for whitetail. Nobler claims that’s a thin skinned animal bullet while the Accubond is for thicker skinned species. I wouldn’t hesitate using any of the name brand hunting bullets while doing my job with a well placed shot.
Chuck R.
Member
NABs..
Designed to emulate Partitions, but in my experience are more accurate overall.
From Nolser FAQ:
www.nosler.com
Really for deer they're overkill, I normally use Ballistic Tips. I like the NABs when I'm using a higher velocity cartridge and the shots might be close or far. They hold together better than the BTs.
I'm also not a fan of the "one bullet, one load concept", I wouldn't use the same bullet (or even rifle for that matter) on antelope and elk. You're asking a lot from any bullet to expand easily on an antelope, then get penetration on an elk.
Designed to emulate Partitions, but in my experience are more accurate overall.
From Nolser FAQ:
FAQ
Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.
www.nosler.com
Really for deer they're overkill, I normally use Ballistic Tips. I like the NABs when I'm using a higher velocity cartridge and the shots might be close or far. They hold together better than the BTs.
I'm also not a fan of the "one bullet, one load concept", I wouldn't use the same bullet (or even rifle for that matter) on antelope and elk. You're asking a lot from any bullet to expand easily on an antelope, then get penetration on an elk.
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ADKWOODSMAN
Member
Hornady Interlocks take 200lb. plus whitetails with one proper hit.
I'm a Partition fan for elk and moose. They are expensive but you don't use typically use many on a hunt or sighting in. I find that Hornady interlocks shoot to the same POA as Partitions and are a little cheaper for load workups and practice. They are primarily a cup and core bullet, but the interlock ring helps keep the bullet together under impact. I don't think that you'd be sacrificing much if you hunted with them.
Accubonds aren't cheap either. Check out Shooters Pro Shop; they have seconds from time to time for a discounted price.
Accubonds aren't cheap either. Check out Shooters Pro Shop; they have seconds from time to time for a discounted price.
Thanks a ton guys. Definitely have some good ideas on some other stuff to try. I do have a partial box of 180 accubonds I got at a garage sale a while back I might try and see what happens accuracy wise. As far as hornady goes anyone have better luck with interlock over sst's or vice versa ? I saw Laphroaig mentioned interlock and thought that might be one to try. Haven't heard the greatest results coming from eldx's either, anyone have experience with them?
Nature Boy
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ELD-X’s are long (secant ogive) and may not fit the magazine of a repeater. Same with the Sierra Tipped GameKings.
I like the Hornady Interlocks and SSTs. I have hunting loads for them both in .308
I like the Hornady Interlocks and SSTs. I have hunting loads for them both in .308
lightman
Member
I've never killed an Elk so I can't comment on that. But for Deer size game its hard to beat the Sierra Pro Hunter. Any similar bullet from Hornady, Speer or Sierra should work fine. Sierras have always shot slightly better for me.
In my opinion, you don't need a Partition bullet for Deer size game.
.38 Special
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I'm another who hasn't shot an elk with a .30-'06, so don't have anything useful to say about that.
Otherwise, one of the nice things about the '06 and similar cartridges is that they don't generally place any real demands on bullets. I've depended mostly upon Interlocks, for no more significant reason than that they're usually available, usually cheap, and almost always work.
Otherwise, one of the nice things about the '06 and similar cartridges is that they don't generally place any real demands on bullets. I've depended mostly upon Interlocks, for no more significant reason than that they're usually available, usually cheap, and almost always work.
bigpower491
Member
Check into the good old Speer Hot Cor 180s. Loaded some for an elk hunter a few yrs back and he always comes back from New Mexico with one.
Haven't priced em lately, but they've always been reasonably priced in the past. I just have a boatload of em and haven't had to shop for quite a few yrs
Haven't priced em lately, but they've always been reasonably priced in the past. I just have a boatload of em and haven't had to shop for quite a few yrs
Lennyjoe
Member
Partitions are my go to for Elk In my 06. I use 165 gr Sierra Gameking for deer.
.308 Norma
Member
I always used 165gr Hdy Interlocks in my 30-06 for antelope (pronghorns), mule deer and elk. They were reliable enough that the only animal I ever hit with one and lost was a buck mule deer. And I'm ashamed to say that was my fault - I got excited and shot too quickly, taking off his left hind leg at the knee.
At any rate, 165gr Sierra BTSPs are all I use in my .308 Norma Mag now that I've sort of retired my 30-06. I haven't used my 308 Norma for elk yet, but I'm sure those 165gr bullets will work fine for an elk too if I ever shoot one with it.
I probably won't though. I've grown old, and just getting a good-sized mule deer out and loaded into the back of the truck was plenty enough work for me last season.
Chuck R.
Member
I've used 165TGKs on mule deer but in a 300WM and at past 250yds (260 and a little over 300), both were double lunged. No issues with them, they sort of act like ballistic tips.
45/30-06OKIE
Member
Since @LoonWulf turned me on to SPS, I've been eyeing some stuff from them super closely.... That would definitely be a good choice for OP.
troy fairweather
Member
Ya I'm always looking and have no money lol, did miss out when they had 6.5 prc brass cheap. Sometimes there ammo is pretty cheap, then there's prices that don't make sense like $180 for 50 8x57 cases.
AJC1
Member
I was looking for an initial solution that was cheaper and still think for the money the 168 gold dot would run with the acubond. It's bonded and ready to go. I have the Speer 165 grand slam worked up and ready to hunt. I guess they used to be bonded but aren't anymore?????
Never were as far as I know, They were poured in hot core style and had little ridges in the jacket and a cannuler that were supposed to keep fused core stuck in also.
Some of them might have been bonded though, haven't really shot a lot of flat base in the last 20 years.
jmorris
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I feel the pain, if you are plinking with expensive bullets but if I am killing something with each one…well they seem cheap, as well as they work.
The only time I go for something else, is when I reach a velocity they quit working at. I’d probably just go down in weight, if I wanted a “reduced“ 30-06 load.
troy fairweather
Member
I've always found 300 and down I prefer flat base bullets, the speer hot cor have been the most consistent fb bullet I've used the partition being in its own fb category with swift and are great. Never recovered a hot cor so don't know if they come apart but they always seem to leave a 1.5-2 inch hole out the far side. I shot a doe with a 175 7mm partition last season from my 7x57 and it took a minute for the doe to die. Not a hot load and these were old partitions and maybe harder for back when most were using them in magnums, same exit hole as the hot cor tho. Was kinda funny I hit her at about 80 yards quartering to me, heart shot she ran like hell and hit a fence and shaved most of the hair off that side of the body, ran up the 50° hill about 150. I saw her hit the fence and the noise was like a guitar and there was a cloud of brown, after that a seeing her going up hill I took my eyes off her to get up from the tree I was against.
Tracked the blood and hoff prints to the fence, the hair looked like a Meteor hit of hair making a 10 foot circle that tapered off to a point past the fence. Climbed the steep as hill and blood stopped, tired by then I looked down the hill and there she was at the bottom 30 yards from the fence. This was the same spot the year I used the deer as a sled when the hill was snow covered with ice under it lol.
Tracked the blood and hoff prints to the fence, the hair looked like a Meteor hit of hair making a 10 foot circle that tapered off to a point past the fence. Climbed the steep as hill and blood stopped, tired by then I looked down the hill and there she was at the bottom 30 yards from the fence. This was the same spot the year I used the deer as a sled when the hill was snow covered with ice under it lol.
MauriceSam
Member
I use 180g SST with 53.5g IMR-4831. Instant one shot kills every time (head shots). Groups under an inch at 100 yards all day. In my rifle they are 3.385” touching the lands. I load COAL at 3.370”.
