270 gr Partition or 260 gr Accubond?

[Guy Miner]

For the .375 H&H Number One, on an African plains game hunt with the emphasis being on Gemsbok...

Which would you choose and why?

I've been relying on the superbly accurate 260 gr Nosler AccuBond at 2620 fps for my black bear hunting and it does very well, near or far. My supply of these particular bullets is running a bit low.

I've got about 100 of the old 270 gr Nosler Partitions... No longer in production, replaced by the newer 260 gr version. These bullets of mine are old, but still shoot well. Not as good as the crazy accurate 260 gr AccuBond, but not bad at all. No problem keeping them on the 9" gong at 300 yards. I've never used them on game, but they're a Partition, I think I can make a guess... :grin:

Velocity is roughly the same from either bullet. Have a couple of loads that put them between 2600 - 2700 fps.

Thanks for the input!

Guy

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I would go Partition for the simple reason that in a big round like the 375 H&H, they just look cooler.

In all honesty, they will both do the job. It is what makes you feel comfortable and capable is what matters.

 

[FOTIS]

The 260 AB has taken Cape buff in the 375 HH mode. FYI!

 

[lhsako]

partitions are the proven bone buster!

 

[6mm Remington]

Guy if you have enough of the Accubonds around for the trip, they will work great! If not the Partitions will work just as well. I know that did not help one little tiny bit!

 

[JD338]

I'd go with the 260 gr AB. Nothing wrong with the older Nosler bullets but to my way of thinking, the newer bullets have the latest improvements.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I'll be that guy (not that Guy, but that guy.. :lol: ) I'd love to see you swat something with the old 270's. You've got great loads for them, I'd imagine your 375 would shoot one of the other 270's out there close to the same POI for practice and the old bullets worked pretty well too...

Good luck and show us a few of them old buggers loaded up.

 

[DrMike]

I do like the Partition. You've got it shooting; seems a shame not to carry it with you.

 

[Vince]

You're shooting a classic African caliber so I'd suggest a classic bullet that had proven itself, the Partition.

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm real tempted to go ahead and use the old 270 gr Partitions.

Have two nearly full boxes, whereas I only have one partial box of the 260 gr Accubonds.

Have been told that in Africa, where I'll be hunting, 250 yards is a long shot. So the enhanced BC of the AccuBond wouldn't really matter much, nor would the edge in accuracy.

I like the way Vince put it: classic cartridge, classic bullet.

What else am I going to do with these things if I don't burn a few of them in Africa? Rockchucks? :mrgreen:

Am sitting on quite a pile of good .375 hunting bullets, about 800, but they're from several different makers (Speer, Nosler, Sierra & Hornady) and in weights from 220 - 300 grains. So there aren't more than 300 of any one kind... Quite a few are the old Nosler Partitions from the screw-machine days, and quite a few are the old round-nose Hornady bullets. So far everything I've shot has done really well on targets, and only the 270 gr spire-point Hornady seemed a little fragile. All the rest, even the stubby 235 gr Speer, held up well to the water jug test.

Might just go with the 270 Partitions...

Save the 300 gr Partitions and other 300 grainers for bigger or dangerous game...

Guy

 

[DrMike]

The mass and frontal area of the bullets you've amassed will ensure that the cartridge continues to perform brilliantly. Vince surely appears to have put his finger on the heart of the issue. You have two lovely rifles, though I confess that I'm partial to the Winchester.

 

[SJB358]

Do the 270 Hornady's shoot similar enough to work out a load for practice?

Seems like a good pair of bullets, and those 270 Nosler's were a pretty danged hot item back in the day I believe.

 

[big rifle man]

I've used partitions in a number of different calibers and have been very satisfied with their performance. A long time ago I was the owner of a number 1 in 375 and the partitions shot lights out. With the size of game you are going to be hunting 1/2 inch is not going to make a bit of difference and the partitions performance has been proven time and time again.

 

[Guy Miner]

Mike, it's funny, much as I like the Ruger... And I've used it a lot more.

That Winchester is something else... Really a very special rifle.

They're both great rifles. If I ever go for dangerous game, the Winchester is the obvious choice. This is for plains game though, and frankly my .30-06 would be just fine. So I'm using the Ruger because I like it.

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Gemsbok are about 500 pounds or so, and are pretty tough animals to stop with one shot is what I have read, never having hunted them. I would think that the 270 or 300 grain Partitions would kill the Gemsbok pretty consistently. I used mostly 270 gr Partitions in my .375 H&H, just for a little better trajectory.

 

[Guy Miner]

That's what I hear too OT3, that they're tough. So, I don't feel too silly taking a .375 for plains game.

This single shot Ruger has taken gemsbok, cape buff, and I believe kudu along with other plains game in past trips to Africa. Sadly I wasn't with it.

Looking forward to accompanying it on the return journey!

I have no fear of the AccuBond's performance, but do think I'll use this trip as a great excuse to burn up some of those 270 gr Partitions. They're not sleek like the AccuBond, but I imagine they'll do just fine.

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

In 60 years of reading hunting magazines and books, I have never heard of a 270 gr, .375 H&H bullet failing in the field on plain's game and with the same trajectory as a .30-06 180 grain, they should serve you well, Guy!

 

[.300winmag]

Either would be a great choice. I would probably go with the Partition, just for historical value, compliments the history of the good ol' H&H well. Very envious; Guy!Wish you best and I'm sure you'll have an absolute blast! Wish I could go. Gemsbok are one of the most beautiful african antelope in my book; right up there with Kudu and Sable.

 

[andrewctillman]

Guy,

My Ruger #1 in 375 had a really long throat and I cold get almost improved level velocity by seating bullets out to nearly 3.75 inches. Dont recall actual OCL but it was Looong!

In case you have to borrow a rifle, say you get your ammo to Africa but not your rifle, I would certainly load a std length and pressure. 4064 works great with the old Noslers, at least it did in my Ruger and pre 64.

I dont recall if yo ever purchased one of my 18 page 375 test reports from Bill Steigers ($2), but it compared penetration, expansion and Frontal Area of the original screw machine 270 and 300 grain Noslers to the impact extrusion bullets.

I would vote for the old partitions. What a great way to use them!

 

[Guy Miner]

Andrew, yes, my .375 Number One has a very generous throat, and when I load specifically for that rifle, I do usually load quite long:

260 AccuBond:


300 gr Hornady spire - point boat tail:


I also load for my Model 70 (Douglas barrel) and it takes standard, factory length cartridges. The Number One shoots ammo loaded for the Model 70, just fine.

Frankly I get torn between the two rifles. If I was after cape buff, I'd take the Model 70 in a heartbeat. Since it's plains game I'm after, and I shoot the Ruger well, I think I'll take it.





Right now, unless I change my mind for the 12th time... I'm planning on the 270 gr Nosler Partitions.

Guy