Partition vs Accubond

[joelkdouglas]

How would one choose between a 180-grain Partition and a 180-grain AccuBond out of a 30-06?

If one shot incredibly better, the choice would be easy. But I can get them to both shoot about MOA. Accubonds are typically a bit tighter, but not enough to matter hunting.

I have to sort through more Partitions for load development to find exact bullet weight sets. But that doesn't really matter.

I have 5 boxes of Partitions and 6 boxes of Accubonds, so there's no issue of running out of either.

Game is anything a 30-06 can be used to kill, which means about anything. I especially love elk meat.

Would you pick the AB for the higher BC? Or the Partition for the time-tested performance?

I realize this choice is difficult because they are both similar performing, great bullets!

 

[Oldtrader3]

For elk, I would be inclined (just slightly) to use the Partitions for better penetration but they both are good bullets.

 

[remmy1187]

Good question. Dont have the answer but I will tell you that you wont lose either way.

 

[hunting1]

Both are great so it comes down to which one flies best. 0-400 yards it will kill anything youpoint it at! I like Hunter and RL22 with 180's, good luck!

 

[DrMike]

Delightful problem; there's no wrong answer. Either will carry the load for you.

 

[Guy Miner]

Delightful problem; there's no wrong answer. Either will carry the load for you.

Exactly! :grin:

 

[JD338]

Both will get the job nicely.
I think I would lean towards the 180 gr PT.

JD338

 

[Sas874runner]

I load both for my 06. Been said on here a lot. Can't go wrong with either! I have used both for elk. And both drop them were they stand when you do your part. I base my loads off of the terrain I'm hunting. Here in colorado I have hunted places were the longest shot you take is 80 yrds and other places were the closest you get is 300.

 

[gerry]

Like others have said they are both great bullets that should give similar performance. With as many boxes as you have you could just alternate for fun

 

[sask boy]

I have used both for many years and have always had success.
I personally use the AccuBond now because it is a boattail.
But out to 300 yards u would not notice a difference.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Elkman]

Having never fired one round loaded with an AB at one head of big game I am at a disadvantage in this discussion. Butttttttttttt having used the 180 PT in an 06, 300 WM and a 300 B to take way more big game than I will admit, I would use nothing else. It is the standard for controlled expansion bullets, there are some perhaps equal, but few better.

Actually, there are only two classes of people posting here: Those who use Partitions, and those who wish they had.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Thank you, Bill, I am of the group that uses Partitions for about 50 years now. I have shot quite a few Accbonds but not at anything living, just paper. I have only killed game with Partitions mostly and a few TBBC, Barnes and others. I have it under control both ways shooting Partitions in Winchester Model 70's.

 

[Vince]

Like others have said they are both great bullets that should give similar performance. With as many boxes as you have you could just alternate for fun

What Gerry said. :grin:

I have a rifle that won't shoot the Accubonds worth a flip but likes the Partitions and a Hornady Flat Base bullet. That makes my choice easy for that rifle.

 

[elkeater2]

Like everyone says, not really a wrong choice. You could use up a couple boxes trying to come up with loads that have the same point of impact @ 100 yds, that could be fun! Then you could carry both deep woods and cross-canyon loads and chamber what's needed :lol: :lol: You won't see any difference in trajectory inside 500 yds. though, when fired at identical '06 velocities. At least that's what my ballistics software says.
EE2

 

[joelkdouglas]

Agreed on the ballistics difference--nill.

I can get both to the same velocity also, 2730ish out of a 23-inch tube. 58.4 grains of Ramshot Hunter will get me there with the AccuBond, and 58.9 grains of Hunter with the Partition. And I don't mean to brag, but I ran across an 8-lb jug of Ramshot Hunter last year at Midsouth Shooter's Supply that was on sale for $87.50! When it's your go-to powder already, on sale for half price...I probably should have bought 2!

And the beauty of Shooter's Pro Shop is I can check periodically for overruns or seconds and keep my stock up, for much cheaper than I can purchase bullets elsewhere!

 

[SJB358]

Joel, I can't see picking one over the other, and for elk, I think the PT's give you a little extra penetration. If they shoot the same, I would count myself as lucky that you have plenty of bullets for hunting for the next few years.

 

[Dr. Vette]

If one shot incredibly better, the choice would be easy. But I can get them to both shoot about MOA. Accubonds are typically a bit tighter, but not enough to matter hunting.

I'd then see how they group at, say, 300 yards. That would probably pick my winner.
If you've done that, and it's a 3 vs 3.25 inch group, don't worry about it.
2.5 vs 3 inch group I'd still pick the smaller one.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I would stretch the distance out to your max and check them both again to see if there's a standout winner. Otherwise you have two great options. Since they use different powders you have a fallback in case you can't find one or the other.

edit - beaten to the punch!

 

[OU812]

It's already been said but either will serve you well. I've shot several elk with partitions and 1 with an AccuBond and for penetration doubt you would ever see any difference. I don't know, flip a coin, have the wife or GF pick one. Nice thing is no matter which one you go with it's the right choice.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Joel, loads for what caliber???