130g Partitions in 270 Win

[bobnob]

Does anyone have on-game experience with the 130g Partition in the 270 Win?

For use on pigs or deer, is the experience that velocity is best kept in the moderate range of around 3000fps for this bullet, or would I be better driving them at full speed? I have no trouble getting a safe 3150fps from 130s in my rifle.

The rifle is a Zastava commercial Mauser with a 24 inch barrel. Ranges from 50 to 300 yards or maybe more on a calm day.

The game ranges from fallow deer as small as 60kg to red deer up to 200kg. Also pigs of all sizes up to 100kg, some of those will be shot on the run after walking them up in thick cover, shot in the departing rear end.

I know this is a broad range of applications but I imagine the Partition being the compromise bullet that it is could do all these things at a pinch. I would qualify the above by saying I wouldn't shoot at a 200kg deer unless I had a very good opportunity to make as near a perfect shot as possible, ie under 250y and stationary, with a good angle.

What do you think?

 

[kelbro]

Should work fine. Even for the large red deer.

NSW huh? Near Mullumbimby?

 

[41 Mag]

I have shot a bunch of them over the years, in several calibers. For the most part I usually didn't worry about the velocity on the accuracy. If you have that the Partition will take care of the rest.

As for hogs, even the 115gr from a 25-06 has penetrated from ear to rear on several, and likewise from the other direction as well, on shots out to around 200yds or a touch more. With the larger calibers I have never had any issues with them.

Like you mentioned, and I above, I never worried much on the velocity, but most of my lads were right at 3000fps or slightly under except in the 25-06 and .243 Win. Those were in the 31-3200 fps range. I used the 95 and 115gr almost exclusively in those two calibers for many years simply due to not having to worry if they were going to blow up on a shoulder on a close in shot. They always worked just like they were designed to no matter the ranges, within reason.

I highly doubt you will have any issues with them loaded to your noted velocity range however I would again load for the best accuracy, and let the bullet do the rest.

Good luck.

 

[gamestalker]

I've used them off and on for years and always run them as fast as I can, which is about 3150 fps using either RL19 or IMR-4350. The groups have always held nice and tight at 200 yds.. I took an antelope at around 600 yds. with a 130 gr. Speer BT Hot Core back in the 1980's and the Partitions have dropped a few for me as well.

GS

 

[bobnob]

NSW huh? Near Mullumbimby?

About 7 hours inland from there.

 

[murf]

depends on your rifle. if your rifle likes them, they will do well on all the game you mention. if not, pick another premium bullet.

shooting over 300 yards requires a bit of accuracy. good luck

murf

 

[BBDartCA]

I've loaded some 30 cal Partitions on the hot side and had no expansion at about 50 yards in hogs. Just penciled through. Have also had massive expansion at 140 yards and beyond driven fast. I'm going to Accubons next time just to see. I've heard they can expand easier at high FPS / short range. Plus much more accurate beyond 200 yards.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

^you might also want to try the ballistic tip. in 30 cal, it's a "hunting" version with a thicker jacket than the ballistic tip varmint that is offered in the smaller calibers. it should expand well at just about any velocity.

 

[bobnob]

I've loaded some 30 cal Partitions on the hot side and had no expansion at about 50 yards in hogs. Just penciled through. Have also had massive expansion at 140 yards and beyond driven fast. I'm going to Accubons next time just to see. I've heard they can expand easier at high FPS / short range. Plus much more accurate beyond 200 yards.

Is it possible the front core peeled all the way back and ripped off completely, and just left the shank to exit with only a small exit hole? How sturdy is the front core?

 

[Captcurt]

I am with Hobnob here. Hot partitions nearly always shed their front half and can leave a small exit wound, but be assured, they do expand. I have been shooting the Accubonds in my 300 WSM and my 257 Weatherby. They always mushroon and stay together but, like the Partition, they will lose about 35% of their weight. Either bullet will do what you want.

 

[Jdillon]

I have not reloaded the .270 with partitions but with Sierra 130 gr. GK. We have used them on deer and elk here in NM and they have performed well even at distances in excess of 300 yds. Been loading it up to about 3,000 fps behind R-22.

 

[Clark]

I killed 4 deer in 2008 and 4 deer in 2009 mostly between 400 and 500 yards with a wimpy 270 load of 50 gr IMR4895 and 130 gr Nosler Ballistic tip. The muzzle velocity was an anemic 2875 fps, but it got the job done.
Nosler Ballistic tip, Hornady interlock, Sierra Game King, and Speer Spitzer BT will typically penetrate 14 inches with terminal velocities between 1800 and 3000 fps.
A Nosler partition will typically penetrate 18 inches over the same velocity range.
I shoot the animals broadside and aim for the front 1/3 of the body. The animals always get shot all the way through. I have never recovered a bullet.
Partitions cost more, are less accurate, are less aerodynamic, and over penetrate by under expanding on deer sized game. That does not stop the guys I hunt with from using partitions. You pay your money and take your choice.

 

[bobnob]

Its not so much a question of the cost, as I picked up 250 of them for less than half price. Just looking for the best as how to employ them.

I figure I will just drive them as fast as they will accurately go, and shoot some stuff with them. I won't be using them on paper though, they will be hunting only, at which rate they should last me a fair while.

 

[GooseGestapo]

If your Zastava .270wcf (Interarms MkX) w/24" bbl is like mine, you'll have to be doing 150fps when you shoot it to get 3,150fps.....
With 60gr of RL22 or 55.0gr of IMR4350, it gets right at 3,000fps. However, it is much more accurate at 58.0gr of RL22 or 53.0gr of IMR4350 for a little over 2,900fps.

However, don't worry, that 130gr Nosler bullet doesn't care, neither will what you shoot with it.
Expect the front section to "blow off" with a very broad permanant wound cavity, and 12-14" penetration from the rear section.
I've actually recovered more "Partiton's" than I have "Interloks" or "Corlokts"....
My only critisism of the Nosler Partition is that they are a little too "explosive" and don't penetrate as much as some other less expensive non-"premium" grade bullets such as the Hornady Interlok's and Remington "Corlokts".
That is why Nosler had a "Partition Gold" back about 10yrs ago, and why the Swift A-frame has a great following.

Being from Australia, why don't you just use some Woodleigh's bonded 130's.... Or do they suffer from the "invented here and nothing special" syndrome.... (ie: "exotic" "MUST" be better than "old joe's" from just down the road.....).

Sorry, I didn't see where you picked up 250 cheap. They should be very accurate and perform on most anything you'll run across "down under"....
When those are gone, try some Hornady 140gr PtSpt's. Thats what my Zastava really, really likes. Over 58.0gr of RL22 from a Winchester case, they get over 2,900fps and a friend shot two through a cow elk (500lbs) with 5" exit wounds... My rifle shoots 1/2"@100yds with that load. His Steyr shoots them even better....

 

[murf]

bobnob,

let us know how it turns out. feedback is good.

murf

 

[bobnob]

I will let you know how they go for sure. Thanks to all, Gooseetc that was great info, thanks.

My particular Zastava can run 'em fast it seems. 3200 can be done with the 130 Interlocks. 3100 or even a bit less will be fine with any 130g bullet though.

I will get back to you. There's pigs galore around at present. Might take a couple weeks to get out so sit tight.

 

[BruceB]

My wife selected the .270 and .338 as 'her' hunting cartridges for our Northwest Territories environment, largely due to their near-identical trajectories (and proven performance, of course).

The rifles were both tang-safety Model 77 Rugers.

One cool day (20 below zero) we were out after barren-ground caribou, so she was hauling the .270 with 130 Partitions. We lucked into a nice bull moose at about 200 yards....one round and he died right where he stood. That Partition displayed our typical results with the Noslers: deep penetration and deadly performance, one shot, one kill. The .270 was her "caribou rifle", but it's hard to improve on such a demonstration.

We amassed a lot of experience on big game in the NWT.... not difficult when we were often allowed as many as TEN caribou per year for each of us. The Partitions were VERY reliable performers.

 

[Patocazador]

I have shot 140 gr. and 100 gr. Nosler Partitions exclusively for over 40 years in my 7x57 and .257 Ackley Imp. I have never lost an animal due to poor performance of the bullet but have recovered quite a few that I made poor shots on. The simple but unique way that partitions function makes them almost fail-proof.