.308 Win. deer bullet

[Jeff423]

I finally used up all my hunting bullets and for the first time in several years I need to buy some. I thought I'd try the Nosler Partition. Any reason not to - apart from their cost?

Thanks

 

[venomballistics]

Not really, They'll certainly do the job.
The only issue, if it is one, is that the partition design was developed to better cope with the various 300 magnums. At worst, the 308 simply won't utilize the design feature of the partition as a 300 win mag might.

 

[22hipower]

No, that is a good bullet and they've been around a long time. Wouldn't be my choice for accuracy but would be a good elk bullet. If you want something for accuracy and which is also fine for deer and pigs I've had really good luck with the Hornady AMAXs; 178s if you can find them, but the 168s too and that's what seems to be available lately. My 308s really like them. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2oUa8SX https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[rockquarry]

I like Partitions, never used one on a deer but have had good results with them on elk. However, I've found that about half of my rifles don't shoot them with the accuracy I get from other bullets. I enjoy load development and often use lots of powders and many different bullets and weights when working up loads.

You won't know how Partitions will do in your rifle(s) without trying them. What works in someone else's gun isn't worth much to you. If you're hunting animals no larger than deer, a more lightly constructed bullet may work just as well as a Partition.

 

[mtgianni]

I have shot a bunch of deer and antelope, along with two elk with the Hornaday 150 gr out of a 20" 308. Ranges varied from 15 feet to 365 yards. I probably shot s few of them twice but the raghorn bulls both went down with one shot. In Montana our seasons run concurrently, I just didn't expect to see elk where I did.
I save the partitions for 30-06 and elk.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

Certainly Nosler partitions are a first rate hunting bullet.

For about the same money I would just as soon go to an all copper option. Something like a Barnes TSX or TTSX. But that is just me.

 

[Miracle Man]

I've got excellent results in both performance and accuracy with the 165 gr. Sierra GameKing.

 

[rockquarry]

For about the same money I would just as soon go to an all copper option. Something like a Barnes TX or TTX. But that is just me.

I've used both the TSX and TTSX on elk only and they perform identically to a Partition - deep penetration, smaller than normal wound channel without a great deal of bloodshot meat, and they will generally exit the animal. They are easy to work up accurate loads for and they will shoot well in most rifles if you get the critical overall length right. The three bullets I've recovered mushroomed perfectly without loss of petals or weight.

I would assume they will work well on game smaller than elk, but I've never tried any of the Barnes copper bullets on deer. Again, you may not need such a stout bullet for deer.

 

[Rogeronimo]

You didn't mention distance, but I'd think a Speer HotCore, or Hornady Interlock would be quite adequate for such thin skin.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

In my 06 I like and use Federal Fusion 150 sp's........Great on deer.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The "Partition" is known for it's deep penetration and staying together on large game.
As mentioned, each rifle with shoot it differently in the accuracy department.

They are a top quality $$ bullet that can be trusted to drop game
however I have also had good rsults with the lower cost Sierra bullet on deer.

You might try the lower starting point to see if it will group in your rifle
and also save you a lot more meat, than a full blown "Atomic" meat distroyer load, that a lot of hunters, think that they need.

My .308 "Meat" saver loads are a;
150 at 2550fps ....... 300 yard ft/lbs at 1366
165 at 2370..................................... 1350
180 at 2300 .................................... 1447

Have fun.

 

[Jeff423]

Thanks for all the info. I may rethink my selection. I've used the 165 gr. GameKing up to this point. Somebody told me the Partition was the ultimate hunting bullet so that's what made me consider it.
I'm more of a target shooter so I don't know much about hunting bullets and only shoot about 10 per yr.

 

[Alk8944]

For Deer there is no reason to use a bullet like the Nosler or Barnes unless your state prohibits lead core bullets. Any 150 grain Speer or Hornady would be my preference. I used to like Sierra, but every Deer I shot with them walked off 50-100 yards. Every one I shot with Hornady or Speer bullets was dead right there! All were broadside behind the shoulder shots! This was probably 30 or so animals over a period of about 45 years.

 

[WR Moore]

I whacked my first deer with a frontal chest shot using a 150 gr Hornady Spire Point at about 25 yards. The recovered bullet weighed 33 gr and the rib cage was full of shrapnel. Went to 180 gr bullets of same make/type and haven't had that particular problem since. However, that was out of a .30-06. My load development with 165 gr 180 gr bullets in .308 seems to show both at about the same velocity. Slight edge to 165 gr I guess.

If you've gotta go lead free, the Hornady all copper bullets do well in my little 7 x 57 mm carbine. But I haven't managed to get a deer to cooperate yet, so no performance report.

 

[Jeff423]

For Deer there is no reason to use a bullet like the Nosler or Barnes unless your state prohibits lead core bullets. Any 150 grain Speer or Hornady would be my preference. I used to like Sierra, but every Deer I shot with them walked off 50-100 yards. Every one I shot with Hornady or Speer bullets was dead right there! This was probably 30 or so animals over a period of about 45 years.

Thanks.
I have to admit that I get confused about the various product lines. I also realize that white tails aren't Cape Buffalo and there are undoubtedly many bullets that will work. I'm hunting in S. MO at no more than 50-75 yds.
If I hadn't run out of GameKings I would just use them. But since I have to buy some bullets I just wanted to see if there was something better since this box will last a few yrs.
Was there a specific Hornady or Speer you liked/used?

 

[Jeff423]

I whacked my first deer with a frontal chest shot using a 150 gr Hornady Spire Point at about 25 yards. The recovered bullet weighed 33 gr and the rib cage was full of shrapnel. Went to 180 gr bullets of same make/type and haven't had that particular problem since. However, that was out of a .30-06. My load development with 165 gr 180 gr bullets in .308 seems to show both at about the same velocity. Slight edge to 165 gr I guess.

If you've gotta go lead free, the Hornady all copper bullets do well in my little 7 x 57 mm carbine. But I haven't managed to get a deer to cooperate yet, so no performance report.

Thanks,
I don't need to go lead free.

 

[Drm50]

Back when Springfield came out with the M1a they provided a loading manual. One of the accuracy loads used a Speer 130 gr HP. The M1a was my buddies and he bought a sleeve of these bullets. He didn't load and I loaded up 100rds. He didn't get into loading, he was buying GI spec ammo and gave me the bullets and what loads were left. I tuned my m70 308 with 6x for these loads figuring to use them up on varmits. My deer load had been Sierra 150 SP. These 130 Speers would literally shoot the roofing nails out of the target at 100yds. I've shot several deer with this load and rifle. Farthest being in 250yd range. I was using IMR-4895.
This is also my hustling bullet in my Marlin 336 30/30. Pointed they have to be single loaded but they make people walk away talking to themselves for accuracy out of 16" carbine. Also did really well in 300Win Mag in H&R ultra rifle. I've shot them out of various 30cals. Only really sub standard accuracy was in 300 Savage/ m99.
Might not be choice for long range but easily took groundhogs out to 300+
yards. * not enough resistance in GH to mushroom bullet.

 

[Marksman]

+1 on the Sierra Game King 165gr. both accuracy and performance on whitetails. I recovered one from las fall's buck, it was perfectly mushroomed and retained 66% of its original weight, also took a doe with this bullet result was a DRT. SGK 165's kill with authority in my experience, they're my go to bullet in .30 caliber.

 

[SMSgt]

I've used my -06 on everything from ground squirrels to AK moose and found the Sierra 165-grain SPBTs to be the best all-around bullet hands down.

 

[The Kid]

For deer at 308 velocities I would look at Midway's factory seconds and get whatever 150 or 165 SP or tipped bullets were cheaper. If they didn't have anything I'd just buy a box of the Hornady 150 spire points.

Part of the beauty of mild cartridges is that they are easy on bullets.