Looking for anyone's experience with Partitions in Africa. I just got back from SA on a plains game hunt and was unimpressed with factory ammo performance. I'm planning to hunt Cape Buffalo next year with my 375 H&H and my bullet of choice would be the 300 grain. Any first hand experience would be appreciated.
Nosler Partition for Buffalo
- Thread starter nodogs
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Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,038
- 3,437
While I cannot personally comment on the .375 300 gr Partition on cape buffalo, I can comment on the 260 gr AccuBond on bison...out of a 376 Steyr with a muzzle velocity of 2632 fps out of a 21" barrel.
I had a complete pass through on a mature bull broadside at 200 yards went 5 yards, laid down, raised his head once, and expired, and on a friend's cow, my follow up shot on his wounded cow, quartering to, achieved almost 3 feet of penetration (ended up in the offside rear quarter), retained over 90% of its original weight and expanded over 2 times its original diameter.
I have also had great success on bison, with Partitions, in Federal Premium factory ammo, in both the 300 Win Mag (180 gr), and 338 Win Mag (210 gr) over the years.The large bulls weigh about 2500 lbs on the hoof.
The Nosler Partitions have proven themselves over many decades on big game all over the world, including the Big 5, and you should have no issues as long as you accurately place your bullet(s) in the vitals of your cape buffalo.
Find the load that your rifle prefers and practice with it. Then go forth with confidence!
As a note, I used the S&B ammo is SA last year in my PH's 300 Win Mag, and found the 180 gr SPCE (controlled expansion bullet) to perform well on the 7 animals my wife and I took, including springbok, sable, nyala, impala, bushbuck, kudu, and warthog, at distances ranging from 77 to 235 yards. All were cleanly taken with one shot (6 were heart shots), where only 3 bullets were recovered (nyala @ 202 yds, kudu @ 235 yds, and warthog @ 77 yards), as all others were complete pass throughs. I would not hesitate to use this ammo again.
While I do handload, and hunt with tailored loads in many of my rifles, I still use factory ammo in various rifles and cartridges, because they have provided excellent on-game performance over the past 38 years, on game ranging from pronghorn to bison. This ammo has included the following bullets: Nosler Partitions, AccuBonds, and Ballistic Tips, Speer Hot Cors, Sierra SGKs and Pro Hunters, Winchester Power Points, Hornady Interlocks, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, Trophy Copper and Trophy Bonded Tips, and the new Federal Terminal Ascent bullets.
My favourite is the AccuBond. Accurate, great on-game performance, and easy to develop loads with!
My 7MM STW will shoot the factory Federal Premium 160 gr AccuBond ammo into 1" groups @ 300 yards, and the 160 gr SGK ammo into 3" groups @ 400 yards, so I haven't even tried handloading for it as yet. It has accounted for over 3 dozen animals (pronghorn to elk) over the past 27 years, from 5 out to 475 yards.
I am also very impressed with the new Terminal Ascent (5 one-shot kills to date on red stag, fallow buck, arapawa rams and caribou, at ranges from 43 to 296 yards, with the 130 gr TA in the 6.5 Creedmoor). As it shooting very well (sub-MOA) in my 270 Win, 270 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, and 7MM PRC, I look forward to taking game with it in these rifles too. It is shooting right at MOA in my 6.5 PRC, and although my 300 WSM is the only one that is over MOA (best at 1.334" group @100 yards) - it is still accurate enough for hunting out to 300 yards for the hunting I do with this rifle (moose, elk and bear).
I had a complete pass through on a mature bull broadside at 200 yards went 5 yards, laid down, raised his head once, and expired, and on a friend's cow, my follow up shot on his wounded cow, quartering to, achieved almost 3 feet of penetration (ended up in the offside rear quarter), retained over 90% of its original weight and expanded over 2 times its original diameter.
I have also had great success on bison, with Partitions, in Federal Premium factory ammo, in both the 300 Win Mag (180 gr), and 338 Win Mag (210 gr) over the years.The large bulls weigh about 2500 lbs on the hoof.
The Nosler Partitions have proven themselves over many decades on big game all over the world, including the Big 5, and you should have no issues as long as you accurately place your bullet(s) in the vitals of your cape buffalo.
Find the load that your rifle prefers and practice with it. Then go forth with confidence!
As a note, I used the S&B ammo is SA last year in my PH's 300 Win Mag, and found the 180 gr SPCE (controlled expansion bullet) to perform well on the 7 animals my wife and I took, including springbok, sable, nyala, impala, bushbuck, kudu, and warthog, at distances ranging from 77 to 235 yards. All were cleanly taken with one shot (6 were heart shots), where only 3 bullets were recovered (nyala @ 202 yds, kudu @ 235 yds, and warthog @ 77 yards), as all others were complete pass throughs. I would not hesitate to use this ammo again.
While I do handload, and hunt with tailored loads in many of my rifles, I still use factory ammo in various rifles and cartridges, because they have provided excellent on-game performance over the past 38 years, on game ranging from pronghorn to bison. This ammo has included the following bullets: Nosler Partitions, AccuBonds, and Ballistic Tips, Speer Hot Cors, Sierra SGKs and Pro Hunters, Winchester Power Points, Hornady Interlocks, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, Trophy Copper and Trophy Bonded Tips, and the new Federal Terminal Ascent bullets.
My favourite is the AccuBond. Accurate, great on-game performance, and easy to develop loads with!
My 7MM STW will shoot the factory Federal Premium 160 gr AccuBond ammo into 1" groups @ 300 yards, and the 160 gr SGK ammo into 3" groups @ 400 yards, so I haven't even tried handloading for it as yet. It has accounted for over 3 dozen animals (pronghorn to elk) over the past 27 years, from 5 out to 475 yards.
I am also very impressed with the new Terminal Ascent (5 one-shot kills to date on red stag, fallow buck, arapawa rams and caribou, at ranges from 43 to 296 yards, with the 130 gr TA in the 6.5 Creedmoor). As it shooting very well (sub-MOA) in my 270 Win, 270 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, and 7MM PRC, I look forward to taking game with it in these rifles too. It is shooting right at MOA in my 6.5 PRC, and although my 300 WSM is the only one that is over MOA (best at 1.334" group @100 yards) - it is still accurate enough for hunting out to 300 yards for the hunting I do with this rifle (moose, elk and bear).
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salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,445
- 6,813
No dogs, Welcome to the forum. The 300 grain partitions, frankly, the entire line of partitions has a solid reputation. I am curious if the factory ammo you used was loaded with partitions, were you using the PHs rifle or your own, and what was unimpressive to you? I have been to Africa and will go back next spring. I’ll be shooting Accubonds most likely as they are generally more accurate in my rifles. In my 65 + years of hunting from Alaska to Arizona and now Africa I’ve made a few poor shots. I”m absolutely convinced that the Partition and more recently the AccuBond led to a successful and quick recovery.
You’ll find I’m not the only 375 fan here, the cartridge is popular with this group. I’m sure you’ll receive quite a bit of insight on the cartridge and bullet in short order.
Please share your experience in Africa with us. There are a couple of folks there this spring and at least four going in 26. Reloaders are detail guys and gals, quite a few are formulating plans for the near future and would appreciate your insight.
Again, Welcome aboard.
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Salmonchaser,
Federal no longer sells the premium ammo with partitions. It was their own bullets and the one I got from the zebra was completely separated and I goy a portion of the lead and jacket. Had it been a Partition, it would have gone through. I lost nearly 50 years of reloading data, with partitions, when my computer died and didn’t have time to start from scratch. These billets performed ok but that’s not going to be good enough on a buffalo.
I just wanted reassurance that it is the correct bullet and you’ve provided that.
I’ve heard horror stories about rented rifles and wouldn’t risk it unless mine were lost. I did shoot the PH’s 470 NE double and was thoroughly impressed. This is the first time I’ve hunted with factory ammo since I was 14 and that was long ago. Time to start working up new load data for most everything. The 375 is new to me so it will be a first.
Thanks.
Federal no longer sells the premium ammo with partitions. It was their own bullets and the one I got from the zebra was completely separated and I goy a portion of the lead and jacket. Had it been a Partition, it would have gone through. I lost nearly 50 years of reloading data, with partitions, when my computer died and didn’t have time to start from scratch. These billets performed ok but that’s not going to be good enough on a buffalo.
I just wanted reassurance that it is the correct bullet and you’ve provided that.
I’ve heard horror stories about rented rifles and wouldn’t risk it unless mine were lost. I did shoot the PH’s 470 NE double and was thoroughly impressed. This is the first time I’ve hunted with factory ammo since I was 14 and that was long ago. Time to start working up new load data for most everything. The 375 is new to me so it will be a first.
Thanks.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,936
- 6,860
If don’t have a stock of Partitions , they may be hard to find.
Welcome aboard.
Welcome aboard.
- Thread starter
- #6
Blkram,
I’ve seen the reports on the accubonds and have used them in 30 caliber with good results. I’m kind of resistant to change until I have to, and have used them in partitions my whole life. I’ve killed truckloads of elk with them and provided backup on many elk and moose when I was guiding and never had a failure. It’s hard for me to change from that, especially on something that can spoil your day. If I were to build a new rifle for long range or hunting, I would definitely give them more of a test.
Thanks for the input
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,176
- 11,576
Welcome to the forum.
The PT's are a great bullet but they are not available these days.
The AB is also a great bullet. Nosler just made a run of the 300 gr AB. It would definitely work on the big stuff. The 260 gr E-Tip is another excellent bullet for the 375 H&H Mag.
There are several fellas here who have 375's and we are happy to help you out with load data.
JD338
The PT's are a great bullet but they are not available these days.
The AB is also a great bullet. Nosler just made a run of the 300 gr AB. It would definitely work on the big stuff. The 260 gr E-Tip is another excellent bullet for the 375 H&H Mag.
There are several fellas here who have 375's and we are happy to help you out with load data.
JD338
- Thread starter
- #8
I’ve been picking up every box I see.!
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,445
- 6,813
Good looking mutts. Kinda partial to the GSP myself. I agree on the 470, an impressive cartridge. I owned a 577 for a while, it garnered quite a bit of attention when it went off.
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- #10
Me too. This is my first GWP and first trained dog. What a difference.
I was looking at double rifles and I can buy one or go hunt a cape buffalo. Easy choice!
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,074
- 7,596
My 375 H&H in Africa back when John Barsness owned it. I'm sure he took that buffalo with a 300 grain Nosler Partition, however he took a second shot to drop the fleeing buffalo - with a different and larger bore rifle. I've got the details somewhere. He does give the 300 gr Partition credit for that first killing shot and for whatever reason he grabbed the different rifle for his second shot.
With the 300's, H4350 is excellent. Expect velocities somewhere in the neighborhood of 2500 fps using 75 grains of it, and good accuracy. Hodgdon shows 76 grains as their max load with a 300 gr Swift bullet. Barsness recommends the 75 grain load in several of his books. I've loaded it and practiced with it at the range, with no problems at all.
I've only taken a couple of black bear with that rifle since I've owned it, both with the 260 grain Nosler AccuBond.
Best of luck to you with your load development and particularly with your hunt!
Regards, Guy
With the 300's, H4350 is excellent. Expect velocities somewhere in the neighborhood of 2500 fps using 75 grains of it, and good accuracy. Hodgdon shows 76 grains as their max load with a 300 gr Swift bullet. Barsness recommends the 75 grain load in several of his books. I've loaded it and practiced with it at the range, with no problems at all.
I've only taken a couple of black bear with that rifle since I've owned it, both with the 260 grain Nosler AccuBond.
Best of luck to you with your load development and particularly with your hunt!
Regards, Guy
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks guy, I’ve got 4350 so I’ll try that!
