Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

For my new 7mm-08. Federal loads these two bullets in their 140 gr. premium line. I also have a box of win ballistic silvertips but am interested in a bullet that won't explode. I hear the sbbt is more accurate than the partitions. Any help is appreciated. Shooting smaller whitetails in texas.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

I would say a Nosler Solid base would be ideal for medium game and in some calibers larger game..It should be considerably cheaper when loaded in Federal Ammo compared to a Partition.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

Barnes X

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

The Partition is a much tougher bullet. Either will do fine for deer hunting. Anything bigger and I would move up to the Partition.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

DUNC have you used BT's before? Just curious if it is experience or internet forums that make you say EXPLODE. Yes they are rapid expansion but I have never had a BT not do its job and at that extremely well on deer sized game. Let me qualify why I think so, first I don't aim for the shoulders or large bone, second my shots are not under 100 yards on most occasions (however I have taken game at under 100 yards and at high velocity they do frag but a lot of others will do the exact same thing) and they are used only on deer sized game in my CF's. One must pick the right bullet for their needs not what others who may have completely different needs say...rapid expansion is not failure it is by design! If you aim for bone or close shots or bigger game(in most cases) your right it is not the right bullet for you. Sorry I get a bit miffed at the hersay or slamming about different bullets on these forums (all to often they are not by experience). You have a right to choose but wondered why you even bought the BT's if you had a poor experience & not use them(this is what makes me question your source of EXPLODE).

Anyway to the question, either bullet will be fine for deer. Accuracy is only determined when at the range if a coin toss then pick the bullet best suited. If you shoot close range, aim bone or may be hunting larger game the partition is the winner. If its ribs, any distance on deer sized animals either will be fine so price will probably rule the roost.

Best of luck.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

Thanks for the replies guys. BTW, Barnes X not an option as I don't reload. Skeeter, my hesitancy is a mixture of both observation and internet rumor. I have destroyed the front of deer using Hornady SSTs when I wobbled a little and took out the shoulder at close range. I am setup on a fenceline on the edge of a field hlafway up a hill with my feeder 100 yards away in the bottomof the draw. I can see about 200 yards past the feeder so my likely shooting ranges vary from 10 yards to 300-350. Reaching out over 100 yards I feel more comfortable with the BT but up close I would prefer a soft point. I guess the answer will lie at the range. If the Winchester BST shoot better that's what I'll shoot. I know alot of people on this forum shoot those in their 7mm-08. New gun for me this year and I wanted to try a few different acceptable deer rounds.

Edit to add: What about hogs, we have alot of them, will the Win BSTs do the job on their heavier frame/ bone structure? This is another reason I was looking at other bullets.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

Thank you skeeter 7mm, the BST exploading myth is BUNK. I have used them for at least 6 seasons if not more and have never had a problem. They were designed to expand easily for long shots where velocity is lower than typical. At close range they expand very rapidly and sometimes partially fragment but the base will still punch through bone and ribs. I use the CXP 2 BST for whitetail and black bear, not sure about a hog, never hunted them. Nosler is introducing a bonded ballistic tip bullet soon if it is already not out, it is supposed to expand at a more controlled rate for larger game or higher velocity. It is called the Accubond bullet, this bullet is supposed to have a higher ballistic co-efficient than the BST.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

All I will use in my 270 Win on deer is Ballistic Silvertips. They do a really good job and I have yet to have one "explode".

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

When it comes to the Nosler Ballistic tip, the lighter ones are intended for Varmit hunting. The heavier ones in each caliber above 223 are intended for medium game use. The older Ballistic tips had a habit of comming apart at high velocities. The newer ones when used as intended do a great job. This is from pure expierence as I have used a lot of them in all caliber since they first came out. For deer they just do a great job. For bigger game use the partition. The Partition are available in most calibers factory loaded by Federal and others. PMC loads Barnes X bullets in some of thier loads.

RE: Nosler partitions vs Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail
 

DUNC, we all make mistakes but how the rumors start is we assume it is a bullet failure when it was actually a shooter failure. I have made this exact same mistake once too, it lead to a busted shoulder, one lunger and bit of a track..in the end I still notched my tag and never once put the blame on anybody but the guy behind the crosshairs. Now granted in the same case a nosler partion or similar could have yielded a better result and as I stated if that was my intended target I would not use the BT bullet.

I know nothing about hog hunting, so can't really answer that question for you. While I prefer a BT for deer, the nosler partition will also work very well for your dual purpose. I have found them to be very accurate and work jim dandy on all times of game-close and moderate long range. If you contact heavy bone they will not come a part by design. NP will shed the front portion and leave the rear portion(shank) for penetration, this is why so many favor this bullet it serves dual purpose in wound channel/energy release and controlled expansion for penetration. I would pick up a box of these and see how your rifle chucks them in comparison to the WBT's.

BTW I have found the SST to be similar but a bit more violent than the Nosler version at closer ranges. At distance they are almost identical. I loaded them for a season before switching back to NBT's after 150 gr SST darn near ripped off the opposite shoulder on a big body whitetail that I rattled in tight. Granted this was only one case so I shouldn't say it as verified but it was enough to sway me back to Nosler.

Let us know how she likes the parts?