Nosler Partition vs Trophy Copper

[HowSwedeItIs]

Hey there everybody, in anticipation of elk season I've been trying a few different factory loads in my .30-06 to see how they group. I had always seen myself using the 180 grain partitions as they group decently and the partition has a long and celebrated history. Recently I tested some Federal vital shok trophy coppers in 165 grains and they grouped just as well, and the guy at my LGS told me they would do the trick just as well. The fact that they are lead free is interesting.

If you had the choice between the trophy coppers and the partitions for a shoulder shot on a good sized bull which would you choose?

EDIT: I think I put this in the wrong forum, sorry about that

[bobly]

Nosler Partitions are the best hunting bullet ever, often imitated but never outmatched. They have been around since the sixties and will be around in the next sixties.

[Bobbydee]

Originally Posted by bobly

nosler partitions are the best hunting bullet ever, often imitated but never outmatched. They have been around since the sixties and will be around in the next sixties.

yuppp

[Qtip]

Which ever you choose remember to consider the expected velocity at the distance you are shooting to ensure proper expansion.

[Opa]

Partition is one hell of a bullet. Just wish they would put a nylon tip on it rather than having a lead tip. Deforming from recoil has been a major bittch of mine.

[elkhunter11]

Based on my experiences with both Partitions and the Barnes TTSX which the Trophy Copper closely resembles, I would probably go with the Trophy Copper myself.

[kraftiest1]

I'm not a big partition fan myself. I prefer Interbonds and Accubonds. But I would still pick the Partition over the trophy coppers.

[craig82]

I was using sst and they worked well out of my 7mm but almost to we'll. Meaning if you catch bone inside 100 yards the meat lose was more than I wanted to see. Then I switched to the partition and shot one doe at 50 yards and had to track her for 150 yards. I hit her broad side and took both lungs. Very little meat lose but I was expecting her to drop. So I switched again to federal vital shock. I LOVE this round in my gun. Groups well and I have shot 1 doe and 1 buck and 1 bear daughter shot a buck and a doe with them as well and not 1 animal went more than 2 yards except the bear.... it tryed to run but on the first step it folded and rolled 40 yards down hill. I know these are not elk but I know for me it's all I will be shooting this fall.

[1Heavyhitr]

Originally Posted by HowSwedeItIs

Hey there everybody, in anticipation of elk season I've been trying a few different factory loads in my .30-06 to see how they group. I had always seen myself using the 180 grain partitions as they group decently and the partition has a long and celebrated history. Recently I tested some Federal vital shok trophy coppers in 165 grains and they grouped just as well, and the guy at my LGS told me they would do the trick just as well. The fact that they are lead free is interesting.

If you had the choice between the trophy coppers and the partitions for a shoulder shot on a good sized bull which would you choose?

EDIT: I think I put this in the wrong forum, sorry about that

165 Federal Copper. Both are outstanding bullets but when it comes to punching through heavy bone I don't think you can beat a copper bullet. Plus no lead in the meat is just an added bonus. You can't go wrong with either. Good luck on getting your elk

[Riverbc]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Based on my experiences with both Partitions and the Barnes TTSX which the Trophy Copper closely resembles, I would probably go with the Trophy Copper myself.

This, as I'm a big fan of Barnes TTSX.

[kujoseto]

I've had fantastic accuracy with the trophy copper. If I could buy the 165 gr trophy copper bullets to reload, I would switch immediately (currently using 180gr bt and accubond in 300wsm). Either bullet you're considering will do its job on elk.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by kujoseto

I've had fantastic accuracy with the trophy copper. If I could buy the 165 gr trophy copper bullets to reload, I would switch immediately (currently using 180gr bt and accubond in 300wsm). Either bullet you're considering will do its job on elk.

Have you tried loading the 165gr TTSX for your rifle?

[kujoseto]

Nope, I haven't tried the Barnes. I've heard of challenges with loading it and I like what I have. I was impressed with the trophy copper accuracy so I was disappointed they don't sell the bullet. I suppose I could look for a box of loaded ammo with the ttsx to explore it too

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by kujoseto

Nope, I haven't tried the Barnes. I've heard of challenges with loading it and I like what I have. I was impressed with the trophy copper accuracy so I was disappointed they don't sell the bullet. I suppose I could look for a box of loaded ammo with the ttsx to explore it too

I have found the TSX/TTSX to be very easy to obtain accuracy with, in several rifles. The only issues that I have seen is when people tried to set them close to the lands or that tried them in barrels that had significant copper fouling.

[kujoseto]

Ok thanks. They're probably close enough to the trophy copper that they're worth trying then

[Deer_Hunter]

I have been shooting Barnes VOR-TX for years now and am not only a huge fan of this bullet specifically; but also a strong advocate of copper bullets themselves.

Specifically I shoot factory loaded Barnes VORTX 7mm Rem Mag 160gr TTSX BT (boat tail).

- In terms of Ballistics it is an excellent load – with my Sako 85 I am shooting at well under ½ minute at 250m.


- Excellent expansion and retention. Most deer I have shot with this load go about 20-40 yards (although this has more to do with shot placement I believe).

- No Lead! No lead to foul and contaminate meat with a heavy metal

I have have shot deer and elk with this bullet all with ethical shots and kills.

I am a strong advocate of lead-less bullets for hunting – no lead to contaminate your meat and no lead left in the gut pile to poison higher-order predators through bio-magnification.

Bullets fragment much more than people think they do, and many people end up eating meat with significant amounts of microscopic lead particles in it.

This fragmentation only increases if you end up hitting bone in your shot (ribs, shoulder, spine etc…). Look at the photo below of an x-ray of a neck shot mule deer – this lead is either consumed by the hunter or left in a gut pile/carcass to be consumed by higher order predators.

Lots of info on the merits of copper bullets on the internet – some US states have, or are in the process of, further regulating the use of lead shot in hunting (much like we have for waterfowl hunting).

I am sure that not everyone here will share this perspective however I believe that given that copper bullets are so effective in the majority of hunting contexts that I personally find it difficult to find a reason to switch back to lead based bullets.

Prior to shooting the Barns X I shot lots of different leaded bullets.

I began hunting many moons ago using good old Core-Lokt in 185gr – an excellent load, other than the lead. Although I stopped using these because I felt I wanted better retention (I think – it was decades ago) even though their retention was excellent.

I then switched to Federal Nosler Partition in 165 gr – excellent bullet as well, flies well, excellent expansion and retention. But full of lead! Also I agree with what has been said already in their thread that the lack of a polymer tip on these bullets leads to the tip being damaged in the magazine by recoil which probably has a negative impact on ballistic performance.

I have no direct experience with Federal Trophy Copper however it has been my experience that Federal makes excellent factory loaded ammunition and I would expect that they are an excellt bullet.

My only gripe about Barnes is that in &mm Rem Mag in 160 grain they do not have a polymer tip (although the 150 and 140 gr varieties do). I don’t know the specifications of other calibers.

There are more options of course if you are into reloading – Im not there yet but perhaps in few years.

Anyways – to each his own but I cannot see myself hunting with leaded bullets any time soon.

[Gilly]

The good ol partition may lack a fancy name and a coloured tip but it just simply works. It's the bullet I've trusted most from deer to moose. She's loses some weight upfront but that arse end always holds together. The swift a frame is even better with its heavier partition construction. Either way u will b in good company with either bullet.

Gilly

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Deer_Hunter

Specifically I shoot factory loaded Barnes VORTX 7mm Rem Mag 160gr TTSX BT (boat tail).











My only gripe about Barnes is that in &mm Rem Mag in 160 grain they do not have a polymer tip (although the 150 and 140 gr varieties do). I don’t know the specifications of other calibers.

Which is it?

[Roughneck Country]

I am using the Barnes TTSX now in my smaller calibers. I see copper bullets being the norm in the near future as they gain hunter acceptance and prove performance. Lead is toxic and will likely be banned like they did in CA even though the risk of lead poisoning is marginal.

Once my array of 270 shells dry up I will likely switch to the ttsx or GMX for it as well

[Deer_Hunter]

Originally Posted by chuck

Which is it?

I meant 7mm Rem Mag

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Deer_Hunter

I meant 7mm Rem Mag

I meant the bullet.

[rem338win]

Either would be just peachy. I'd personally lean towards the Troohy though....it will penetrate further all things considered.

[Pathfinder76]

It aint going to make one whit of difference to the health of the Elk, you, or any apex predator.

[HowSwedeItIs]

Wow thanks for all the feedback guys, much appreciated