.30-06 & 220 gr Nosler Partition

After much waiting, I finally got to the range to slam this Big Boy of a .30 cal hunting bullet into the infamous water-filled one gallon milk jugs. Was limited by my ammo supply, had only loaded five cartridges, because I only had five empty .30-06 cases! 52.5 grains of Ramshot Hunter, CCI 200 standard primers, WW cases, and of course the big 220 gr Nosler Partitions!

This is a big ol' heavyweight .30-06 cartridge - decidedly nose heavy when picked up:


Test platform was my ancient M1917 .30-06 with the original barrel bobbed to 21", topped by a 6x Leupold. The rifle has earned it's keep and then some. These loads shot low and left compared to my standard 165 gr load. Interesting. Muzzle velocity is 2380 fps. Hardly blistering, but it's a middle of the road load from a short barrel. Recoil was mild. I didn't do any serious accuracy testing. I did line up 12 jugs at 25 yards, just in case...



Immediate aftermath of the shot:


The Nosler was recovered from the 7th jug. It had dented the off-side of that jug, almost, but not quite, making it into the 8th water jug. Recovered weight is 137 grains, and it measures .477" in diameter now.








There was some speculation that it would penetrate even deeper, but I just didn't know. It looks, not surprisingly, like an expanded Nosler Partition.

To put the penetration in perspective, let's compare it with some other results we've posted, slamming bullets into the jugs:

.458" 350 gr Swift A-Frame @ 2040 fps = 7th jug
.458" 405 gr Remington SP @ 1330 fps = 8th jug

.375" 300 gr Nosler AccuBond @ 2550 fps = 7th jug (Gerry)
.375" 300 gr Hornady BTSP @ 2521 fps = 6th jug
.375" 260 gr Nosler AccuBond @ 2650 fps = 7th jug
.375" 235 gr Speer SP @ 2700 fps = 5th jug

.35 Whelen, 250 gr Partition @ 2450 fps = 7th jug (JD338)
.35, 250 gr Speer SP @ 2580 fps = 7th jug (Rovert)

.30, 200 gr Nosler AccuBond @ 2800 fps = 6th jug
.30, 165 gr Nosler Partition @ 2750 fps = 5th jug

It all makes the penetration into the 7th (almost into the 8th) jug look pretty good. Re the retained weight - well heck - the Noslers do seem to shed a lot of weight from that front half. They've always been famous for that, and for the rear section continuing to penetrate. Looks like another good big game hunting bullet to me.

Dad used to always keep a box of 220 gr Winchester Silvertips around - just in case he wanted to go bear hunting again I suppose. This is the first time I've fired 220 grainers from the old .30-06 in a long time. They appear to go together quite well. I'd hunt with the 220 gr Partition!

Guy

That looks great Guy, this bullet ranks with some of the best as you pointed out. Thanks for posting.

Very impressive results, Guy. It makes me want to take a more in depth view of that particular bullet in both by 30-06 and my 300 WSM.

Great test for a great bullet!..Thanks for sharing..

Guy that is a thumper. I'm going to have to try my boys 90 gr. E-tip 6mm and my 165 gr. AccuBond out of my 30-06 at 25 yards. All my testing was at 100 and 300. Now you have me wanting more! :grin:

Guy,

Excellent! I was thinking 8 jugs and it was darn close to that. I agree with you, the 308 cal 220 gr PT is a serious big game bullet.
It will be interesting to see Brian's results with his 300 RUM.

JD338

Those are some great results Guy. Pretty impressive and I can see why Mr. Shoemaker likes them so much on big heavy boned game. I am with Mike, might have to load some of them up in the 300WSM and see what they do. They are certainly up there in the penetration department. Great test.

What do you think a normal speed would be for them out of a 22-24" barrel? 2500-2600?

QL projects that with a max charge of RL22, I can generate 2775 fps and 3762 ft-lbs of energy. I believe it would work very well for moose, or grizzly, or elk, or mule deer, or ...

DrMike":rnk7a3et said:

QL projects that with a max charge of RL22, I can generate 2775 fps and 3762 ft-lbs of energy. I believe it would work very well for moose, or grizzly, or elk, or mule deer, or ...

Click to expand...

That is alot of steam right there. I think it might be worth messing around with some of them. might need to order a few boxes before they go away... Anything around 2750 would be pretty awesome for them, while still giving some excellent ballistics for regular hunting. Heck, it really matches most of the 30-06 180 loads and there isn't anything short range about that.

"What do you think a normal speed would be for them out of a 22-24" barrel? 2500-2600?"

The fastest load I see in Nosler's manual has RL-22 pushing them at 2602 fps - that seems pretty stout. None of the other powders break into the 2600 fps level.

My rifle has an old, well-worn barrel, only 21" long, so I'm not at all surprised with the 2380 fps velocity. I could see the old girl churning up 2500+ fps with the right load though.

Your old 30-06 pushing a 220 grain Partition at 2400 fps will still generate a wallop on any game you draw down on.

Guy Miner":1ztxzg9o said:

"What do you think a normal speed would be for them out of a 22-24" barrel? 2500-2600?"

The fastest load I see in Nosler's manual has RL-22 pushing them at 2602 fps - that seems pretty stout. None of the other powders break into the 2600 fps level.

My rifle has an old, well-worn barrel, only 21" long, so I'm not at all surprised with the 2380 fps velocity. I could see the old girl churning up 2500+ fps with the right load though.

Click to expand...

Without a doubt Guy. That would be alot of power in your old 30-06.

Mike,

You should work up a load in your 300 WSM and give it a field test on a freezer bull (moose). :wink:

JD338

Now, that is a great idea, Jim. I just may do that. Among other good reasons, this particular 300WSM has not been blooded as yet. It needs the attention such an action will give it.

DrMike":2s528ai5 said:

Now, that is a great idea, Jim. I just may do that. Among other good reasons, this particular 300WSM has not been blooded as yet. It needs the attention such an action will give it.

Click to expand...

Now your talking! I might have to steal some of the 220's Brian has stashed for a try out in the 300WSM as well. I wouldn't feel too awfully handicapped using them 220's at 2700. Just a couple extra clicks on the turret and they should surely leave a mark on them bulletproof elk!

A penetrating machine right there!

Thanks Guy,
Interesting and informative as well. Wonder what they could do out of WM or RUM? Probably a bigger splash, less retained weight and 8 jugs deep. There is something about those big high sectional density bullets chugging along at those "mid-level" speeds. They seem to really work.

Scott

Heavy for caliber, moderate velocity = dependable performance and penetration.

DrMike":370tch4r said:

Now, that is a great idea, Jim. I just may do that. Among other good reasons, this particular 300WSM has not been blooded as yet. It needs the attention such an action will give it.

Click to expand...

Good plan Mike, glad you thought of it. :mrgreen:

JD338

Nosler shows a 2600 fps .30-06 load for this bullet! Rather doubt that can be safely reached using this old, well-worn 21" barrel. Still, it's an interesting thought...

My son and I have a little plan percolating that may result in a short range shot at a bear when the season opens in August... Am thinking I may pop the little 2.5x scope back on this rifle, and zero the 220 Noslers at 50 yards. Might even just stay with this 2400 fps level load. It's real easy on the shoulder.

We were tossing that idea around recently, when we figured out how we just might manage to get a 20 - 75 yard encounter with a bear this year. No baiting allowed here in Washington, so our bear hunting is spot & stalk, but we just might have a sneaky option available to us...

More on that later. It's an intriguing idea and the 220 Nosler might just play a role.

Guy