Partitions vs Ballistic Tips Price Differential

[C Broad Arrow]

I picked up a box of 150 grain Partitions today at Bass Pro. They were almost twice the price of the Ballistic Tips. Can anyone give me an explanation as to why they are so much more expensive?

Also if anyone has some great recipes for 150 grn Partitions in 308 I would be interested.

 

[DrMike]

I picked up a box of 150 grain Partitions today at Bass Pro. They were almost twice the price of the Ballistic Tips. Can anyone give me an explanation as to why they are so much more expensive?

Time to create the Partition and the requirement for extra steps all contribute to increased costs. Also, that is what the market will bear.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Thanks...I thought it must be in the manufacture of the bullet, but was surprised by the delta. I have tried E-Tip but there is nothing like a Partition. I plan to use N-140 powder for my first batch but like all reloaders I am always interested in other peoples experiences. I shoot a Model 7 in 308 with a 20 in. 1:10 twist.
Looking forward to your replies.

 

[Guy Miner]

Yeah, those doggone Partitions are a little spendy. Keep your eye on Shooters Pro Shop for sales, and pick up a lot of them when they go on sale.

BTW - the Ballistic Tips have proven to be excellent bullets in recent years. That base is STOUT and they're no longer the relatively fragile bullets of the 1980's.

With the .308 and 150's or 165's, I look to Varget or RL-15 for good results, near or far.

Regards, Guy

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Thanks GM... I have some RL 15 I will try out with the Partitions.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Swift makes the A-Frame partitioned bullet that are stronger than the Nosler and cost even somewhat more than Nosler's do. Paying a buck a bullet for the better premium brands is cheap insurance if you are trophy or big game hunting and absolutely refuse to lose shot game, except under the most trying circumstances.

I do not compromise on bullets and have been using Partitions in almost all of my rifles, except small bores, since losing an elk in 1964.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Making a Partition is almost like making two bullets.
The jacket is extruded in two directions, (which is a modern wonder in and of itself) two cores to cut, two cores to seat, one point to form, and another core to lock in place....and you have to perform all these extra steps in a way that maintains accuracy.

For the money, BT's are hard to beat.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

I have to agree the Partitions are hard to beat. What I now need are some good recipes for a good hunting load for whitetail.

 

[Idriflenut]

My .308 has been my go to gun for Mule Deer for many years. Mulies are a little bigger and heavier than whitetails.
That said, I actually prefer Balistic tips to Partitions for deer. They leave a bigger exit hole and more internal damage. My favorite load is imr-4064 46gr. under a 150gr BT or a speer Hot cor 150gr. I get just over 2800 fps from either bullet out of my 22in barrel Sav99. Another powder I have had good luck with is W-748 but I can't remember the charge weight.

I have used 165 gr partitions on elk and they work great on the bigger stonger animals.

Good luck!

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Thanks Idriflenut!

Do you crimp the cartridge? And if so how?

 

[Elkman]

broad arrow, I don't crimp my 300 WM, nor my 308 ammo, never saw the need.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Thanks Elkman. I had not crimpled my rifle cartridges previously, but something that I read recently in an article got me wondering if anyone on this forum did this. The premise was that it allowed the pressure to build in the case. Hence the question.

If others have an opinion I would be interested.

 

[sask boy]

Another good powder for the 308win is Varget. I have also used IMR-3031 with some success .

Blessings,
Dan