Nosler Accubond vs Nosler Partition

[@jefferywilliams7687]

No comparison in toughness. The partition is the champ by far. The Accubonds have a tendency to blow apart at high velocity impact. My son shot a bull elk at 30 yards on a charge to a bugle with a 180 accubond. Bullet blew apart and never exited. On the contrast, I shot a bull elk at 150 yards with a 300 Wby Mag with a 180 Partition and hit him in the ball joint on the right front shoulder. Bullet went thru joint, broke a right rib, took out the boot on of his lungs and top of his heart and exited opposite rib cage braking rib bones on exit. Bull went 25 yards and fell over dead. Impact velocities were about the same. Outstanding perform from the partition and total bullet failure from the accubond. Also, I have noticed that it is easy to knock the tips off of Accubonds. If you want a Partition to shoot well, as with any bullet, take care of the points. I clean all mine up with steel wool to keep nose sharp and uniform. I have shot many 1/4” 5 shot groups with 180 partitions out of a 300 Wby Mag (24” Wiseman Barrel) using RL 26 and Fed 215M. Muzzle velocity Reid 3,278.

[@doghousedon1]

To a hunter, BC means bullet construction. The ballistic coefficient hadn't really kicked in till you flirt with unethical hunting distances, or where you enter the realm of target shooting. Nosler broke a major rule in marketing. By not having their product available they forced a customer to look elsewhere (Barnes TTSX) and now that customer is having a very tough time coming back being happy with a new bullet. A guy has to go with what's available and affordable. Thanks for the vid.

[@m444ss]

People get excited about BC these days, but it's only pertinent at long range. If, for example, you're hunting deer in the woods, BC is inconsequential.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

Can’t go wrong either way. I’ve had great success with both over the years. AB’s group a little better for me and are more available but I wouldn’t hesitate to use either one. Nosler partition and AB’s have been my bullets of choice for most of my hunting years which span over 4 decades. The last three I have been hand loading. Thanks

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for commenting!

[@thomasjohnson7282]

Partition is my choice but definitely not going to shy away from the accubond

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your vote!

[@shootingthebreeze4432]

I think both are excellent bullets. The Partition is slightly tougher, the Accubond more accurate. I would gladly hunt with either.

[@chrisgraveswadvancedcarpet1796]

I use both on elk. I killed my whitetail this year with my 6.5x284 with a partition @ 534 yards. One shot kill. As for toughness i believe the Partition is tougher.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for sharing

[@paulmeek7964]

I’ve used both and my personal preference is partitions hands down. Accubond might be easier to load for but I reload and all my Partitions group 5/8 to 3/8 3 shot groups because there for hunting. Accubond didn’t leave the blood trails or the hydrostatic shock. 95 grains in 6mm and 243. 125 & 140 in 6.5 PRC 140 in 7mmWSM 165 in 300 RUM.

[@nmelkhunter1]

Both are great bullets. In my experience the Accubonds tend to be more accurate than the Partitions. However, I have a Model 700 Classic in 7MM Rem Mag that shoots 5/8” group with 160 Partitions at 2965. Obviously, I use this load in that rifle. I noticed the price on the 95 grain 243 Partitions and I wish that were still the case since my 243 shoots these reasonably well. I’ve since switched to 100 grain Sierra Game Kings since they are much less expensive.

[@reloadnorth7722]

I just bought a box of 30 cal, 180gr Partition. $110 for 50, and in early spring a bottle of powder at $100 both from Cabelas in Canada. Reloading is getting very expensive.

[@gerry6.8]

Accubond for me, higher B.C., more available, costs less and essentially gives the same performance as the Partition. Never had any accuracy issues either with the Accubond . I like the Partition and they usually group into moa for me with some work. Ironically the two Partition bullets that always seem to group well for me are the two remaining Semi Spitzers, In the 270 win the 160 gr shoots very well and in the 30-06, 308 Norma and 300 Win Mag the 220's always shot well. Both are fantastic moose and bear bullets BTW. The 180 gr Protected Point shot very well in the 300 WSM I used to have too.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

good choice

[@Lure-Benson]

I have been a Alaskan professional hunting guide doing Yukon moose hunts and coastal brown bears hunts. Those Nosler bullets are total crap for the very large game when the Accounts blow up like a bomb and the partitions are now made to blow off the noise of the bullet. If this is what you like to shoot good for you but for me I am done risking my life looking for wounded dangerous large animals that have been wounded by lead cored bullets.

[@gerry6.8]

@@Lure-Benson Total nonsense, they work just fine. I have also worked as a guide and most bullets these days work just fine.

[@stephanlopez7640]

My best load to date in my 300WBY is from the partition in 180gr. 3 shots for 1/2” group at 100 yards. The accubond, being bonded, will do better penetrating and be slightly more aerodynamic. That being said, I’ve gotten great accuracy with flat based bullets over boattail bullets, personally. My current load is running 3160fps. I can send you the picture of the target if you would like to share.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Yeah email me the target and I will share it

[@dimebag6982]

Partition 100%. I’ve had failures with the accubond at close range, never with the partition.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your comment

[@edwardabrams4972]

It’s funny that you say that because in the 60 years of hunting and reloading I have only had the Partitions come apart a close range on elk not the Accubond. When Nosler was in Ashland oregon my dad and his friend were reloading the Partition then in his 300 Weatherby and they were seeing separation then on some up close shots and that is one of the reasons they came out with the Accubond besides being more accurate then the Partition in most rifles

[@garyh1449]

Being used for hunting if either is accurate enough for hunting purposes, I'd go with the bullet that performed best on the animal. I never tried Accubond because I had no need. The Partition works quite well, no need to try anything else.

[@m444ss]

opinion: as far as availability of factory ammo goes, better to look at something like ammoseek than just looking at what's in local stores over a relative short period of time.

[@WillyK51]

Got the Speer Grand Slams on the waiting list of Midway last year( they let me know when available), The Patritions are on the expensive side to try a new reload, If not awailable register with Midway, but when they turn up you have to be quick, the day after they were gone

[@zgu88888]

Thank you for the awesome series of bullets comparison and competition. Both are great bullets for hunting in my opinion, it will really have to depend on which bullet the rilfe likes better. I had a weatherby that did not like 180 grain .30 Cal Accubond and another loved it. I will be expecting a backcountry ti 2.0 in 300 wby soon, and very luckily that I was able to buy 3 boxes of each Accubond and Partition as well this afternoon. These bullets in 30 cal were out of stock for like more than half a year in my area. Can't wait to test which one of them does the rifle like. I will vote for the Partition if I have to choose one between them.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your vote and congrats on getting that awesome rifle

[@jimpalmer4916]

Ballistic coefficients don't mean nothing because it's constantly changing as the bullet slows. The partition is not a boat tailed bullet plows dead ahead everytime. Boat tailed bullets tend to swap ends at impact, as they were created to be match bullets for shooting targets and not big game. I stand by this because of my 54 years of hunting experience with both.

[@stepabove2136]

If there can be only one it's the king partition. 🤴

[@bustabass9025]

Just found some AccuBond 250 grains to work up an elk load for my .340 Weatherby. Got a box of fifty for around $40 using Cabelas points.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Let me know how they shoot

[@bustabass9025]

@@ReloadingWeatherby 👍🏿

[@Lucysdad66]

I just picked up a used 300wsm and shot 180 accubond in it and got half inch at 100 yards not bad when I add up all the stuff the gun came with it was free... it was a grey wolf md85 for under a k

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Sweet!

[@larrybassett5559]

Partition all the way, have never let me down and have always been accurate in my rifles.

[@denisleblanc4506]

As you have shown there won't be a perceptible difference in trajectory or energy at reasonable hunting ranges. While I haven't measured them I suspect they are very close in length too for those worried about reducing the powder capacity. I actually haven't noticed a difference in accuracy but would choose the one my rifle shot best. One factor that might be important for you is lead in your meat. I haven't done any real testing for this but I feel that often the NP will completely shed the front core at high velocity impacts. In addition, the size of the lead fragments that are spread near the wound tract will very a lot depending on impact velocity. The Accubonds on the other will tend to keep at least a portion of the lead core bonded to the jacket and may contribute to slightly less contaminated meat. Just a guess but that's the reason I would choose the Accubond over the Partition. Another minor advantage is the plastic tip will be less susceptible to deformation when feeding the round or during recoil in the magazine. Decide what's important for your needs and rifle.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Good reasons to pick the Accubond

[@WillyK51]

In the 1980's it took me a lot of trial to find an accurate bullet for my 1917 Emfield in 30-06, Game, Deer. Bought 1 box Rem, Win and Federal in 150 grns, Paper plate sized paterns, Bought 1 box 165 Grns Rem,Win and Federal Same result, Ok Handloading, Bought CCI200, IMR 4350 and several bullets and 1 box of 168 Grns Match Sierra bullets( not for hunting) for comparison(on sale), OK the rifle liked the match bullets but it took quite a bit of reloading till I found the Sweet spot and they were Speer 165 Grns Grand Slam, and under 1moa. 1 Problem the bullets were on the tough side of expantion, yet they are so accurate that I changed aiming point to neck/backbone and always got my deer. Even shot one between the eyes at 50 yds as all I could see was it's head looking at me, Some guns make it easy on you, some make you work at it, I put a fine replacement trigger and free floated the barrel and glass beded the action. Was a fine shot since a kid, yet having confidence in your gun makes you a better shot, The rifle likes flat base bullets, have to try Partitions for next season, might have to take a running shot

[@JimBeck-z1d]

In my.30-06 Browning, I can sub-1/2”groups , with partitions from Federal .

[@samuelberryhill2804]

Out of these two if I'm only shooting to 400 or so yards I'd pick the partition but they can be a pain to load for in some calibers/rifles some rifles just won't shoot a flat base bullet.the accu bond is a easier bullet to load for and more accurate out past 400 yards than a partition because of better b.c they are both very good bullets and I would call it a tie as well it would have to come down to what I was hunting and at what ranges I like both bullets and they both work very well

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your comment

[@samuelberryhill2804]

@@ReloadingWeatherby your welcome

[@jefferywilliams7687]

All benchrest bullets were originally flat base. Should not matter. Keep the points consistent on the Partition and look the over good. The can get dinged up in shipping.

[@michaellane4003]

Both are good and I would like to compare them with my old German made 300wby. I just ordered 3 boxes of Weatherby 180gr interlock. I paid 54$ per box and am hoping for good performance. I think a 200 or 210 grain bullet might show a better bc though. Happy hunting 😃

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I've heard the 300 WBY shoots the interlock really well

[@Lure-Benson]

These Norsler bullets have become total crap bullets when the company changed the partition bullet to blow off the noise of the bullet turning the shank into a blunt FMJ. I found out about the change of the partition bullet at the very worst time when I was guiding a hunter in Alaska on his coastal brown bear hunt. We found a Brown bear boar that was 9'-9" at around 1400 pounds, the client shot this bear 9 times with a 300 WM that the 200 grain 30 cal Accu Bond bullets blew up on entering the 10 inches of fat and not one of these bullets entered inside the bear rib cage. I then took over the shooting with my 338 win mag that I had loaded new Nosler 338 225gr partitions. After putting 5 338 win mag 225gr partition bullets into the bear it jumped into the river then drowned to death due all the bullet wounds caused the bear unable to swim ! This could have coast us very serious danger if we had to track this bear through the thick jungle of brush the bear has come out of to the river bank. After that day never again have I used any brands of lead core bullets and now the only bullet I shoot is the Barns all copper expanding bullets. During skinning this bear I found the total crap Nosler bullets without the bullet noises where all 4 of the bullets are stuck in the bears 10 inches of fat with only one of the bullets had passed all the way through the bear which I seen that bullet hit the river after the pass through in the bear.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Interesting.. thanks for sharing. What bullet do you recommend?

[@Lure-Benson]

@@ReloadingWeatherby Barns TTSX or TSX is the only bullets I shoot for hunting. I have 30 cal 165 Gr GMX but never shot any animals with them.

[@rcord12]

Nosler is number one!

[@cottonkiller8081]

I use Accu bonds in 243 Winchester 308 Winchester and 7 mm mag that's my three gun combo for hunting out west

[@KeystoneTexan]

I’m going with the partition

[@docholiday6650]

Partition is my vote!

[@randyguapo7793]

Right I've Had To Buy Speers Grand Slam Bullets In 165gr .308 And 150gr Grand Slam .277 Because Couldn't Find Any Partition.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Extremely hard to find right now

[@sha6mm]

The only reason I quit buying Partition is the bullet tips get flattened during recoil in the magazine box. I use the AB in Magnum rifles.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

That's fair. Don't your Accubonds get flattened as well though?

[@sha6mm]

@@ReloadingWeatherby No they do not

[@anders-krarup]

@@ReloadingWeatherby polymer instead of lead

[@tripplebeards3427]

The partition between the two. I’ve used both n deer and bear. The Accubonds are junk. I’ve shot several deer with hand loaded accubonds chambered in 30-06(180 grain) and 375 RUM(260 grain). Deer shot with the 06’ have stood there like they weren’t shot with broadside heart and lung shots. They act like a FMJ. A follow up shot on the first couple of deer with a high should shot dropped them. All the deer still needed to be put down after walking up to them. The accuracy with several ladder tests and a half dozen powders would shoot MOA. The same gun shoots. 3” at 200 yards with hand loaded cup core bullets. In the 375 RUM same exact thing happened. Pencil holes and 100 yard runs on Whitetails. I cheap energy dumping thinly constructed cup core bullet drops them in their tracks with the exact same shot placement and is more accurate. The Nosler partition I’ve never got to shoot under MOA as well accept for the discontinued golds in 300 RUM. They will consistently shoot .2 to .3 at 100 yards and them the pencil barrel heats up and my group opens. The partition at least has an extremely thin copper jacket on the front nose for rapid expansion. Shot a 350 pound black bear with a 200 grain partition in my 300 RUM loaded a little over 3000 fps. Bear still traveled a good 35 yards with a heart and double lung shot, massive destruction internally with a bullet sized hole in and out of its hide. After all the fancy marketing projectiles tried on deer over the decades I’ve found nothing does better than the plain old not exciting cup and core projectiles. I like vmax and ballistic tips for predator hunting to drop them on the spot but it wrecks the pelts most of the time with huge holes. I also use ballistic tips in the 243 for deer hunting because it dumps most to all of its energy inside the animal so no tracking is needed.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Hmm interesting. I took an elk last week with a 200 gr Accubond. Elk took a couple of steps and dropped. Hit him in the lungs

[@zackogden716]

Partitions is more versatile at ethical hunting distances. It gets my vote.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for voting

[@zackogden716]

No problem keep up the good content!

[@tonygslc801]

Both are Great Bullets and each have their own place but a high BC will not matter when shooting under 500 yards (Normal Hunting Range) out past 500 the advantage goes to the Accubond. Can't go wrong with either bullet 👊😎🇺🇸

[@Lure-Benson]

That is going to depend on the game hunted. Don't use these crap lead core bullets on largest of Moose the Alaskan Yukon moose or coastal brown bears because the bullets will fail every time and the partitions blow the noise of the bullet clean off .

[@Gearsofchocolate]

Accubond gets my support!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your vote

[@JT-og1jy]

Gonna have to go with the accubond. Only because here in montana with longer shots the higher bc is better.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Good choice

[@gunman-6646]

I have to go with partition.

[@burtgummer9144]

Accubond is my preference

[@leeadams5941]

Partition for me...availability no problem....several hundred on hand

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Lucky

[@tomlarue654]

For your 300 wby mag I would choose the accu bonds

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I'm going to try them next year

[@tomlarue654]

@@ReloadingWeatherby the host of another channel I was watching says he thinks Winchester/ Browning will come out with a 7mm version of the 6.8 Western. What is your opinion on this?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

@@tomlarue654 You talking about backfire TV? I think it's pretty likely they do.... but it will have identical performance or a little less than a 7mm Rem mag. Don't most 7mm Rem mag have 1 in 9 twist barrels? I would be surprised if the 7mm Western became popular.

[@davidfranklin3782]

I vote Nosler Accubond. Just can't get away from that great BC, and it still performs really well against game like elk. I do shoot magnum cartridges, so I'm not too worried about any expansion issues.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your vote!

[@michaelanderson-wl9hm]

In my opinion the nosler partion penetrates and holds together better

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for commenting!

[@equalopportunityguns]

Nosler Partition

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Good choice

[@yeetyeet8365]

Nosler partition

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks

[@b01tact10n]

I hunt in ranges enough to get a clean headshot with my ironsighted Rem700 chambered for the 30'06. 200 Partition dialed in, great round when developed into an accuracy load, unmatched performance. 1 shot Bull Moose kills are proof that BC means squat when taking big game. Long Range shooting... 150 Partition rounds then attach my quick release 3 - 9 x 40 Leupold scope for caribou. I perfer headshots vs body too much meat damage kinda breaks the heart when I see alot of damage 💔. Big difference seeing the effects, ballistics gel doesn't even come close to the true effects the energy dump creates when hitting live. So I'd rather try make a clean headshot, no adrenaline taste in the meat 🤣. 180 accuracy loaded Partitions are my mainstay, enough for all Alaskan big game with my 30'06 😁.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for sharing!

[@b01tact10n]

@@ReloadingWeatherby Heyyyy got a reply, My ranges are extremely close, so far the 180 Partition hasn't let me down when I attempt to take the headshot. Patience for the perfect headshot is key! I'd take an engine room shot if I had no choice. That's how much confidence I have in Nosler Partition, I've tried the 150, 165, 180, 200, 220 on moose. 150 do the most skull damage, but 220s are a bit too much 180s are the sweet spot best of both. I'll give you and update if I have a successful moose season 2022!

[@b01tact10n]

DONE! I was floating down the river via 14' skiff early 0445. I got within 15 paces, I took clean aim dropped that 6 point Bull right where he stood, headshots are the only way Alaskans hunt. People may claim these are inaccurate, I beg to differ, how so? I'd blame that people have too many rifles and follow mainstream news with the latest and greatest according to advertising😂 I've met my grandfather's standards for accuracy thus my confidence in the Partition same as him, I think only Alaskans choose headshots vs body I hate chasing down prey😁 We've had only great luck this year and completing the tasks my father called me for so I'm satisfied. 7ft Kodiak bear 1 headshot 200gr Partition, a blkbear w/my .243WCF headshot and moose '06 1 headshot 0 meat damage and no adrenaline tainting the meat👍

[@cottonkiller8081]

I have to go to Accu bond

[@Longtrailside]

Partitions

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your vote

[@yooper7753]

The Nosler Partition bullets are superior hunting bullets. Any reloader worth his or her salt can develop accurate Partition ammunition. High BC Accubond bullets have nothing over the better constructed Partition bullets. The proof is in the pudding. Instead of talking about construction, do some field work. Shoot an elk with both and you will clearly see the difference.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

The only elk I've killed was with a Partition

[@paulmeek7964]

A ccubond

[@jefferywilliams7687]

Partition: Consistency on expansion - Partition. Accuracy no difference. Both shoot below .300 out of my rifle. (5 shots). Wiseman Barrel. 300 Weatherby Mag. Take care of the tips on a Partition “any soft lead lead point”. I smooth them up with steel wool similar to the way a pencil is sharpened. Pack the in good carriers that protect the points. Pre-Covid, no issue finding Partition bullets. The supply chain will fill up after ammo chain is full. Saw the same thing under Clinton.

[@brent338]

I vote LRX, ur... umm... Partition

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Haha

[@chug-a-lug6842]

Ab

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Good choice