ORIGINAL: statjunk
I asked this question because I've now tried three different bullets, Nosler Partition 180gr, Nosler Ballistic Tip 168gr and a Nosler Silver Tip 150 gr and they all shot the same out of my Ruger MK II in 300WM. They were all loaded with the same powder. They all have the same relative accuracy but if I had to choose I'd say the 180's were slightly better.
They were all made with the recommended starting load. Do I increase from here or change to a different powder?
The accuracy was ok. Maybe 1.25-1.5" at 100yds.
Tom
Tom, I think you're confusing apples, oranges, and bananas here! Those three bullets are intended for entirely different applications! Those Nosler Partition 180 grain loads you have there are excellent for elk, moose, and big bears. But, although they'd no doubt work, they areoverkill for deer-size game. OTOH, either of your 150 or 165-grain loads are much better forsmaller game up to the size of mule deer.
If you are getting 1.5" groups with the starting load, you have room to experiment by increasing the loads, say 1 grain at a time, and see if the groups don't get smaller for you when the charges are increased. I really would NOT consider changing powder type until I have seen what the one you're using now is capable of! (Actually, 1.5" is really pretty good, despite what you may read!!)