Nosler Partition. Why is this even a question?
My thought exactly.
Unlike a lot of the newer premium hunting bullets, the Nosler Partition isn't designed to retain 100% of its weight after impact.
A partition will generally expand very quickly and lose about 30% of its weight as shrapnel, the other 70% percent WILL drive through and leave a good exit wound as long as the cartridge you're shooting is reasonable for the game hunted.
This gives you the best of both worlds, the quick kills of a fast expanding bullet like a Hornady SST combined with the reliable penetration of a Barnes "X" bullet.
In other words, there's a very good chance that the animal will be DRT, but if not, you'll still have complete penetration and a very good (and probably very short) blood trail.
Most of my .25 caliber hunting experience has been with the .257 Roberts Ackley Improved, which pushes 100 grain bullets about as fast as the 25-06. For small Texas Whitetails I like the 100 grain Partition, but for large hogs the 115 grain seem to be more reliable, especially on quartering shots or when heavy bone is hit.
Bottom line, for smaller deer use the 100 grain Partition, for big Yankee Whitetails or Mule Deer, the 115 or 120 grain may be better.
For those that are put off by the price of Partitions, check out Shooters Pro Shop, the Nosler factory store. They currently have 100 grain "over run" (NOT seconds) .257 Partitions for sale at only $14.50/50.
http://shootersproshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=73_84&product_id=153
And no, I don't work for Nosler, I just think the Partition is about the best hunting bullet ever made.
The Ballistic Tip/Solid Base on the other hand...