Bottom Gun
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Good choice.
Have you tried that powder with other bullet weights?
Have you tried that powder with other bullet weights?
Sierra Gameking 165gr in a 30-06 for hunting.
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Lennyjoe
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Just some Winchester 150gr Power Point bullets which were pretty darn accurate too.
I'm gonna load some Swift A-Frame 180 grain loads pretty soon and see how they perform with the 4350 powder.
I'm gonna load some Swift A-Frame 180 grain loads pretty soon and see how they perform with the 4350 powder.
Bottom Gun
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I haven't tried the A Frames. When I go up to 180 or heavier, I use Nosler Partitions.
I also load the 125 Speer TNT HP. They are accurate and a devastating varmint bullet. The Sierra 110 HP are good varmint bullets too but can be hard to find.
I also load the 125 Speer TNT HP. They are accurate and a devastating varmint bullet. The Sierra 110 HP are good varmint bullets too but can be hard to find.
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Lennyjoe
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I actually thought about loading up some 125's for varmints but ended up buying a 22-250 instead.
Partitions work ok for you?
Partitions work ok for you?
Bottom Gun
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I loaded up some 180 & 200 gr Partitions. They are slightly less accurate in my rifles than the 165 HPBT, but still adequate. The 180 gr is slightly more accurate than the 200gr.
I've shot elk with both and they both work well so I will most likely lean toward the 180's if I decide to use the '06 for elk again.
The reason I say that is because three years ago I started using a .338 with 210 gr Partitions for elk because they are so incredibly tough. To date I've shot two with the .338 and it just knocked them silly. It really puts them down with authority.
I use a .22 cal for varmints too only I use a .223. When I need more distance, I use the '06. I like the 125 TNT's because I can really reach out with them. Far beyond the range of a .22. I found the 125's stabilize a little better than the 110's which I used to shoot quite a bit.
I've shot elk with both and they both work well so I will most likely lean toward the 180's if I decide to use the '06 for elk again.
The reason I say that is because three years ago I started using a .338 with 210 gr Partitions for elk because they are so incredibly tough. To date I've shot two with the .338 and it just knocked them silly. It really puts them down with authority.
I use a .22 cal for varmints too only I use a .223. When I need more distance, I use the '06. I like the 125 TNT's because I can really reach out with them. Far beyond the range of a .22. I found the 125's stabilize a little better than the 110's which I used to shoot quite a bit.
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Lennyjoe
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Any expansion issues? Complete penetration?
Bottom Gun
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I really can't say anything about the expansion because I've yet to recover one. They do cut a large hole though.
I normally try for a behind the shoulder lung shot. The 200 gr Partition punched clear though at 200 yd. The 180 gr at 300+ yd stayed somewhere in the far lung but it was raining that morning when I was field dressing it so I didn't take the time to search for it. I went back that afternoon after the weather cleared to search for it but the coyotes had already been at the gut pile and I couldn't find it.
The .338 210 gr also both punched through at 150 yd and a quartering shot at 75 yd (I got lucky that day).
Overall, I'm very pleased with the Partitions.
In contrast, on our hunt three years ago, my partner was using Federal nylon tipped factory ammo in his 7MM and ended up shooting an elk five times at various ranges because the bullets were punching through without expanding. Very strange. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been watching it happen.
He later shot a coyote through the lungs at 200+ yards with the same ammo. That dog showed no sign of being hit and ran full bore for over 100 yd then suddenly dropped. I never saw anything like it before.
I normally try for a behind the shoulder lung shot. The 200 gr Partition punched clear though at 200 yd. The 180 gr at 300+ yd stayed somewhere in the far lung but it was raining that morning when I was field dressing it so I didn't take the time to search for it. I went back that afternoon after the weather cleared to search for it but the coyotes had already been at the gut pile and I couldn't find it.
The .338 210 gr also both punched through at 150 yd and a quartering shot at 75 yd (I got lucky that day).
Overall, I'm very pleased with the Partitions.
In contrast, on our hunt three years ago, my partner was using Federal nylon tipped factory ammo in his 7MM and ended up shooting an elk five times at various ranges because the bullets were punching through without expanding. Very strange. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been watching it happen.
He later shot a coyote through the lungs at 200+ yards with the same ammo. That dog showed no sign of being hit and ran full bore for over 100 yd then suddenly dropped. I never saw anything like it before.
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Lennyjoe
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The Partitions are just a bit cheaper price wise than the A-frame. Not that I would go cheap on hunting bullets but when your working up loads it can get pricey.
I will take a good hard look at the Partitions. Thanks for all the info.
I will take a good hard look at the Partitions. Thanks for all the info.
Bottom Gun
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You're welcome.
FYI, the Paritions are available in more than one configuration in certain bullet weights. For example, the 180's are available in a spire point and a blunt nose. They have different points of impact in my rifles.
FYI, the Paritions are available in more than one configuration in certain bullet weights. For example, the 180's are available in a spire point and a blunt nose. They have different points of impact in my rifles.
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Lennyjoe
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I'd think the blunt nose would not expand as fast as the spire point.
Bottom Gun
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Maybe, maybe not. There are lots of other factors involved such as speed, jacket thickness, etc. The only real way to find out is to shoot them into something. For big tough anilmals like elk, I would prefer the slower expanding bullet.
I mentioned shape because some rifles will not function with all shapes. My AR10 is a good example of that. It was designed for pointed bullets and is almost guaranteed to jam with blunt shapes such as round nose or flat point.
That was my reasoning for choosing the spire point because I didn't want to mess with two different styles of 180 gr Partitions.
If I ever have lots of time on my hands, it might be fun to experiment with penetration of different shapes.
I mentioned shape because some rifles will not function with all shapes. My AR10 is a good example of that. It was designed for pointed bullets and is almost guaranteed to jam with blunt shapes such as round nose or flat point.
That was my reasoning for choosing the spire point because I didn't want to mess with two different styles of 180 gr Partitions.
If I ever have lots of time on my hands, it might be fun to experiment with penetration of different shapes.
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Lennyjoe
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Dont think I'd have a problem with the blunt nose feeding in my Savage so I will most likely give them a try. I'm with you on the slower expanding bullets for elk.
I got turned down last year but this year am putting in for rifle and bow. Hopefully I will get an opportunity to hunt the wampiti.
I got turned down last year but this year am putting in for rifle and bow. Hopefully I will get an opportunity to hunt the wampiti.
Bottom Gun
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Good luck on your draw.
I'll be very lucky to get a tag this year. Ive had four rifle tags in the last five years and filled them all so I doubt my luck will hold this year.
I guess we'll see though because since we have to go back to fronting the permit fee this year that may lessen the competition a bit. (I hope)
I'll be very lucky to get a tag this year. Ive had four rifle tags in the last five years and filled them all so I doubt my luck will hold this year.
I guess we'll see though because since we have to go back to fronting the permit fee this year that may lessen the competition a bit. (I hope)
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Lennyjoe
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Hopefully we will be drawn this year. Do you ATV, horseback or manual labor your hunts?
Back to the bullets, I noticed that the manual calls for a C.O.L. of 3.185" for the 165gr Sierra. I tried them at that setting and the accuracy suffered. When I came out to 3.200" which is .010 off of my rifle lands the group came in conciderably. I reloaded 40 more rounds at the 3.200" and am going to sight the rifle in at 200 yards hopefully this weekend.
Back to the bullets, I noticed that the manual calls for a C.O.L. of 3.185" for the 165gr Sierra. I tried them at that setting and the accuracy suffered. When I came out to 3.200" which is .010 off of my rifle lands the group came in conciderably. I reloaded 40 more rounds at the 3.200" and am going to sight the rifle in at 200 yards hopefully this weekend.
Bottom Gun
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We use ATV for scouting and for game retrieval. We've made some small trailers with boat winches which are perfect for hauling elk out. Here's a pic.
OAL will affect accuracy quite a bit which is why I always note it and stay with it if possible once I establish a load. Crimping makes a difference too. Some people say you must crimp for autoloaders but whenever I do my group size goes wild. Consequently, I don't crimp rifle cartridges.
Good luck at the range. Let us know how you do.
OAL will affect accuracy quite a bit which is why I always note it and stay with it if possible once I establish a load. Crimping makes a difference too. Some people say you must crimp for autoloaders but whenever I do my group size goes wild. Consequently, I don't crimp rifle cartridges.
Good luck at the range. Let us know how you do.
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Lennyjoe
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I dont crimp either.
Nice trailer there.
Nice trailer there.
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