partitions for dangerous game

[gajie270]

you hear so much about the swift a-frame in 375+ for dangerous game. so how then does the partition compare when it comes to game like buffalo?

 

[Philip Glass]

It won’t penetrate well. It is a highly expanding bullet. Use Barnes, Accubond, or A Frame for DG.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I have heard that Nosler recently changed the design on the Partition, and extended the "bonded" section in order to have more weight retention? Any truth to this?

 

[gajie270]

i had read in an article that they tested the heavy frame partitions and got 80-85% weight retention.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

i had read in an article that they tested the heavy frame partitions and got 80-85% weight retention.

With the original design, there are certainly better options. On the new design, sounds like they have something worth considering.

 

[TSIBINDI]

...270: You won't get an answer to your question unless someone who has actually used NP bullets on buffalo responds.

 

[crs]

This is not a buffalo, but some consider it dangerous game, even though thin skinned. It was taken with one .458 300 grain Nosler Partition PP at MV of 2200 fps while it was eating a farmers goat in the courtyard: It might even be an effective lion load in 400 grain.

A .411 or .458 Nosler PP at that velocity should get the attention of even a Cape Buff.
My Weldcore 400 grain .411 at 2100 fps shot through 40 inches of buff and exited between the front legs - bullet not recovered.

 

[Ryan]

You might have to do the testing yourself to get the answer. And David Petzl had a way of doing that. https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/guns/rifles/2006/04/how-make-your-own-ballistic-buffalo/

 

[gajie270]

thanks for the input

 

[Scott CWO]

The front of the NP disintegrates and that doesn’t leave enough material/weight in what’s left to either penetrate as deep or form a bigger mushroom compared to a Swift A-Frame or a Barnes Triple Shock. The NP is not designed for DG. I’m sure some guys will chime in that they used them on buffalo and the buffalo died but there are better choices with less risk. I don’t even like them for elk or large PG like eland and several guides I know don’t allow them for brown bear. IMHO, the NP is a great example of advertising the heck out of a so-so product and capturing significant market share when there were better products available that were overshadowed.

 

[jwp475]

I have heard that Nosler recently changed the design on the Partition, and extended the "bonded" section in order to have more weight retention? Any truth to this?

Partitions aren't bonded

 

[revturbo9967]

The front of the NP disintegrates and that doesn’t leave enough material/weight in what’s left to either penetrate as deep or form a bigger mushroom compared to a Swift A-Frame or a Barnes Triple Shock. The NP is not designed for DG. I’m sure some guys will chime in that they used them on buffalo and the buffalo died but there are better choices with less risk. I don’t even like them for elk or large PG like eland and several guides I know don’t allow them for brown bear. IMHO, the NP is a great example of advertising the heck out of a so-so product and capturing significant market share when there were better products available that were overshadowed.

They do lose a lot of the front.

This was recovered in a black bear

 

[Scott CWO]

They do lose a lot of the front.

This was recovered in a black bear
View attachment 451387

Exactly!

 

[crs]

Was that black bear dead?

If so, the bullet did its job.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Cats are completely different than elephant, hippo, buffalo...more frangible bullets do well on them. I agree that NPs are suitable, but there are even better choices (completely opp than that recommended for truly big 1" thick skin DG,) featuring low-SD (quick-expanding, quick energy download), thin jacketed (opens/separates quickly upon impact) higher velocity bullets such as ye ole Nos BTs, A-Sq lion loads (if you can find 'em!), and I'd even consider std Bergers for that job! Simply going down a notch on the weight of your favorite SP (i.e. 270 gr 375HH, 350 gr 416, 450 gr 458, or 200-225 in a hot 338) lowers the SD. But the nervous systems on cats is their enemy if struck in the right places with virtually any bullet! Read Kevin Robertson's books, which expound upon this very topic...A good rule of thumb is the use of any bullet touted as "terrible" for hunting by the masses, works well on big cats! 'Just look at the rather paltry ballistics used in (12 ga buckshot) follow-up shots by PHs on poorly hit cats. Besides the obvious pattern of numerous, rather weakly constructed insurance "bullets," it works quite well! I'm still awaiting buff and elephant follow-ups using buckshot...

 

[gajie270]

one advantage of the partition over the a-frame is when the front core sheds it helps limit rear core deformation.

 

[revturbo9967]

Was that black bear dead?

If so, the bullet did its job.

Sure, but there is a huge difference between a cape buffalo and a black bear.

 

[C.W. Richter]

NPs are just fine on NA game-All are rather thin-skinned compared to African counterparts (and fine on PG for that matter). One of my fav bullets for deer/antelope/sheep inside of 400-450 yds. Fine on black bear (even Elk-must select heavy for caliber, highest SD (i.e. 250 gr in 338, not 200, 140-160 gr in 6.5, 160-175 in 7, 200ish in 30) or it may break up. Same for short range shots using high velocity cartridges,) but if it's hit right, it'll expire! Last elk I got (338-06 A-Sq, 250 gr NP 100 yds. SD=313! Zebra, 2400 lb Eland. Chuck Eastman's Kodiak bear. DOA. Also like Barnes for PG.) "The bullet does all the work!" Choose wisely for your specific application (cartridge, game, distance.) Read Kevin Robertson's books. If Jerome required it, the forum would be shorter! Personally, on BIG bears and Moose I'd probably go with a Swift A-Frame (a more toughly constructed partition-type bullet featuring a larger frontal area) and Barnes banded solids on any follow-ups where the distance seems to be shortening fast!

 

[crs]

Ryan suggested that we do our own testing to determine which bullet to use for certain game..

I was on a bullet testing team 10 years ago that did just that to pick from a dozen or so .458 bullets which ones we would use on frontal brain shots on elephant. Test was a 50 yard shot at a suspended 5/8 inch thick steel plate. Only two bullets shot through the plate.
The actual shooting in Africa proved the test worked- the North Fork 450 grain FPS and the Punch brass bullet at 2150 fps shot through the brain, head and into the body and had to be cut out.
The Kodiak 450 grain bullet at 2150 fps stunned a bull, but did not penetrate the brain. The Kodiak proved very effective on Cape buff , shooting through on all but the full length body shots.

 

[WAB]

It won’t penetrate well. It is a highly expanding bullet. Use Barnes, Accubond, or A Frame for DG.

I would add trophy bonded bearclaw to your list. I am surprised that you included accubond. Are they tough enough for buffalo?