Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
John Nosler developed the Partition in 1946 after a frustrating encounter with a moose that absorbed multiple hits from a conventional soft-point without stopping. The bullet he was using expanded rapidly on the front end but shed its core before reaching the vitals through heavy muscle and bone. His solution – mechanically separating the front and rear sections of the bullet with a solid copper wall, so the rear core could not escape regardless of what happened to the front – went into commercial production in 1948. The Nosler Partition has been in continuous production since, making it the oldest commercial hunting bullet design currently available.
That 76-year production run is the Partition’s most significant credential. More important than any single specification is the simple fact that this bullet has been used successfully on every species of North American big game, most species of African dangerous game, and virtually every hunting cartridge manufactured in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The field record is not anecdotal – it is documented across generations of hunters who chose the Partition precisely because other bullets had failed them in difficult situations.
One critical clarification: the Partition is not a chemically bonded bullet, despite being frequently described that way in comparisons. The original article for this page listed it as “dual-core bonded” – this is incorrect. The Partition uses a mechanical copper partition wall that physically separates the front and rear lead cores. There is no electrochemical bonding between lead and copper. The retention mechanism is architectural, not chemical. This distinction matters because it affects how the bullet behaves at velocity extremes – the partition wall’s mechanical separation is immune to the chemical stress that can theoretically affect bonded designs at extreme temperatures, but the front core will still expand and partially fragment in high-velocity impacts, by design.
The caliber range runs from .224-inch to .375-inch, with 34 distinct variants covering weights from 60 to 300 grains. BCs range from 0.228 to 0.519. This breadth – including calibers like .257-inch, .323-inch (8mm Mauser), .358-inch, .366-inch (9.3mm), and .375-inch that few other premium bullet manufacturers still support – makes the Partition unique in the premium hunting bullet market. If you hunt with an obscure or old-world cartridge and want a premium bullet, the Partition may be the only option available in your caliber.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Nosler, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lyman) before loading any cartridge. Start at minimum charges and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Technical Characteristics
The Partition’s architecture is its defining feature and the reason it behaves differently from every other hunting bullet design.
The partition wall: A solid copper ring is mechanically formed into the jacket approximately halfway along the bullet’s length. This ring creates a sealed rear cavity that completely isolates the rear lead core from the expansion process in the front section. When the bullet impacts tissue, hydraulic pressure rapidly expands the front section – the thin-walled nose peels back and the front core mushrooms outward – but the partition wall prevents any of this expansion energy from propagating rearward. The rear core, sealed behind the partition, cannot deform, cannot escape, and cannot shed. It drives forward through the expanded mushroom and continues penetrating in a straight line.
Dual-mode terminal performance: The practical result of this architecture is that a Partition effectively performs two tasks simultaneously. The front section delivers a large mushroom and significant energy transfer to tissue – equivalent to or exceeding most conventional soft-points in wound channel diameter and temporary cavity creation. The rear section, intact and moving at essentially the same velocity as the original bullet, delivers deep, straight-line penetration that reaches the vitals regardless of how much bone or muscle the front section had to work through. This dual-mode performance is what makes the Partition reliable across the widest range of hunting scenarios of any bullet in this review series.
Fully tapered copper-alloy jacket: The jacket tapers progressively from thin at the nose to thick at the shank. The thin nose section ruptures immediately on impact to initiate expansion. The progressive thickening controls the rate of expansion and prevents the mushroom from folding back too aggressively at high impact velocities. This jacket design is functionally similar to other premium soft-points, but the partition wall supplements it by ensuring that even if the jacket/core separation occurs in the front section – which it sometimes does at very high velocity – the rear section continues to penetrate.
Expansion threshold and velocity range: The Partition expands reliably from 1,600 fps through over 3,000 fps. This is the widest reliable expansion velocity range of any conventional lead-core hunting bullet in this review series – the 1,600 fps lower threshold matches the Hornady ELD-X and beats the Hornady SST and Nosler Ballistic Tip at 1,800 fps. The practical meaning: a Partition expands reliably at ranges where most other hunting bullets have dropped below their expansion threshold, and handles close-range magnum impacts without the over-expansion fragmentation that affects non-bonded polymer-tipped designs.
BC considerations: BCs from 0.228 to 0.519 are honest figures for a bullet that prioritizes penetration reliability over aerodynamic optimization. The partition wall adds mass and length that limits the aerodynamic profiles achievable compared to premium polymer-tipped designs. The 175-grain .284-inch at BC 0.519 is the strongest aerodynamic performer in the lineup. Many weights trail the Nosler AccuBond, Hornady InterBond, and Hornady ELD-X at comparable weights by 0.05 to 0.15 BC. At 400 yards in a 10 mph crosswind, 0.10 BC difference is roughly 1.5 to 2 inches of additional drift – meaningful for precision hunters, manageable with a proper wind call for most hunting scenarios inside 400 yards.
The table below includes several entries worth specific explanation. Two 180-grain .308-inch variants appear with different BCs (0.361 and 0.474) – these are a round-nose design and a spitzer design respectively. The round-nose is intended for lever-action tubular magazines where pointed spitzer bullets create a safety hazard. The spitzer is the standard choice for bolt-action and single-shot platforms. Similarly, the 170-grain .308-inch at BC 0.252 is a round-nose flat-point specifically designed for 30-30 Winchester lever-action use.
Ballistics and Performance
Expert Ballistics Table – Nosler Partition Variants
Data from Nosler specifications. BCs are G1 values. Note two 180-grain .308 variants: BC 0.361 (round-nose for tubular magazines) and BC 0.474 (spitzer for bolt-action). The 170-grain .308 at BC 0.252 is round-nose for 30-30 Winchester. Verify current figures on Nosler’s website before load development.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 60 | 0.228 | 0.171 | Varmints, small game in 223 Remington |
| .243 | 85 | 0.315 | 0.206 | Deer, antelope in 243 Winchester |
| .243 | 95 | 0.365 | 0.230 | Deer in 243 Winchester and 6mm Creedmoor |
| .243 | 100 | 0.384 | 0.242 | Deer, antelope – standard 6mm weight |
| .257 | 100 | 0.377 | 0.216 | Deer, antelope in 25-06 Remington and 257 Roberts |
| .257 | 115 | 0.389 | 0.249 | Deer in 25-06 Remington |
| .257 | 120 | 0.391 | 0.260 | Deer, antelope – heaviest .25-caliber option |
| .264 | 100 | 0.326 | 0.205 | Deer – light 6.5mm, not for large game |
| .264 | 125 | 0.449 | 0.256 | Deer, bear in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .264 | 140 | 0.490 | 0.287 | Deer, elk in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser |
| .277 | 130 | 0.416 | 0.242 | Deer, antelope in 270 Winchester |
| .277 | 140 | 0.432 | 0.261 | Deer, elk in 270 Winchester |
| .277 | 150 | 0.465 | 0.279 | Elk, large deer in 270 Winchester and 270 WSM |
| .277 | 160 | 0.434 | 0.298 | Heavy elk, moose in 270 WSM |
| .284 | 140 | 0.434 | 0.248 | Deer, elk in 7mm-08 Remington and 7×57 Mauser |
| .284 | 150 | 0.456 | 0.266 | Deer, elk in 7mm cartridges |
| .284 | 160 | 0.475 | 0.283 | Elk, bear in 7mm Remington Magnum |
| .284 | 175 | 0.519 | 0.310 | Elk, moose – highest SD in 7mm lineup |
| .308 | 150 | 0.387 | 0.226 | Deer in 308 Winchester |
| .308 | 165 | 0.410 | 0.248 | Deer, elk in 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield |
| .308 | 170 | 0.252 | 0.256 | Round-nose for 30-30 Winchester tubular magazine only |
| .308 | 180 | 0.361 | 0.271 | Round-nose – lever-action tubular magazine |
| .308 | 180 | 0.474 | 0.271 | Spitzer – bolt-action and single-shot, elk and moose |
| .308 | 200 | 0.481 | 0.301 | Elk, moose, bear – maximum penetration in 30-cal |
| .308 | 220 | 0.351 | 0.331 | Large game – very heavy for caliber, deep penetration |
| .323 | 200 | 0.426 | 0.271 | Elk, large game in 8mm Mauser cartridges |
| .338 | 210 | 0.400 | 0.263 | Elk, moose in 338 Winchester Magnum |
| .338 | 225 | 0.454 | 0.281 | Elk, moose, large bear in 338 Winchester Magnum |
| .338 | 250 | 0.473 | 0.313 | Dangerous and large game in 338 Lapua Magnum |
| .358 | 225 | 0.421 | 0.250 | Large game in .358 Winchester and .35 Whelen |
| .358 | 250 | 0.446 | 0.278 | Dangerous game in 35 Whelen |
| .366 | 286 | 0.482 | 0.305 | Dangerous game, large African game in 9.3mm cartridges |
| .375 | 260 | 0.314 | 0.264 | Dangerous game in .375 H&H – lighter option |
| .375 | 300 | 0.398 | 0.305 | Dangerous game – standard weight for .375 H&H |
The 175-grain .284-inch at BC 0.519 and SD 0.310 is a standout in the lineup. SD 0.310 is among the highest available in any conventional 7mm hunting bullet, providing penetration depth that exceeds most alternatives regardless of design. From 7mm Remington Magnum or 7mm PRC, this bullet penetrates through the heaviest muscle and bone on elk and moose and reaches the vitals from any realistic shot angle.
The 200-grain and 220-grain .308-inch options are specialized tools. SD 0.301 at 200 grains and SD 0.331 at 220 grains are the highest SDs in the .308-inch caliber, making these the deepest-penetrating hunting bullets available from 30-06 Springfield or 300 Winchester Magnum. The BC figures (0.481 and 0.351 respectively) are modest – these are penetration bullets, not long-range aerodynamic tools.
The .366-inch 286-grain at BC 0.482 and SD 0.305 deserves specific mention for hunters using 9.3mm cartridges like the 9.3×62 Mauser or 9.3x74R. The Partition is one of the very few premium bullet manufacturers that still supports these calibers, making it a unique resource for hunters carrying original-configuration African or European rifles.
Comparison Bullets
The Partition’s comparison set is different from every other bullet in this series, because the Partition is not trying to compete on BC or price. It is competing on terminal reliability across the widest possible range of conditions.
The Nosler AccuBond is the in-house comparison that Nosler itself often uses. AccuBond uses electrochemical bonding to achieve 90%+ weight retention with a polymer tip and boat-tail for better BC. At most comparable weights, the AccuBond has meaningfully higher BCs than the Partition – the AccuBond 175-grain .284-inch at approximately BC 0.540 versus the Partition at BC 0.519, and more significantly at lighter weights where the gap is larger. The AccuBond’s bonded construction provides excellent weight retention but without the architectural backup of the partition wall. In practice, on North American big game at normal hunting ranges and velocities, the two bullets produce comparable field results. Where the Partition has historically outperformed the AccuBond is in the most extreme conditions – very heavy game at very high velocity close range, or situations where the shot angle was so severe that maximum penetration was required regardless of what the front section encountered.
The Hornady InterBond provides the chemical bonding plus InterLock ring combination at competitive BCs (0.365-0.547). At comparable weights, InterBond BCs generally exceed the Partition’s by 0.03 to 0.08 BC. Terminal performance on elk and moose inside 400 yards is essentially equivalent between the two designs in most field scenarios. The Partition’s architectural advantage is most apparent in the extreme scenarios – frontal shots on very large game, angles that require maximum penetration through the maximum amount of resistant material.
The Federal Trophy Bonded uses electrochemical bonding and covers a narrower caliber range (.277-.338) than the Partition. For hunters in those calibers, both perform reliably on large game. The Partition’s broader caliber range – particularly in .257-inch, .323-inch, .358-inch, .366-inch, and .375-inch – fills gaps that the Trophy Bonded cannot.
The Barnes TTSX and Barnes TSX are monolithic copper designs with 100% weight retention and lead-free construction. For lead-free hunting zones or hunters who want absolute maximum penetration, monolithics achieve this at the cost of higher pressure and the need for more freebore clearance. The Partition’s 76-year field record on dangerous game is comparable in depth to the Barnes reputation, though with different penetration characteristics.
The Nosler Ballistic Tip is instructive as the same company’s deer-optimized alternative. The Ballistic Tip achieves better BCs and more explosive expansion on deer at the cost of lower weight retention and a higher failure rate on large, heavy game. The Partition sacrifices some BC and open-country trajectory advantage to provide reliability across the full spectrum of hunting conditions. For hunters who do both – deer and elk, or deer and bear – the Partition is the more conservative single-choice bullet.
Comparison Table – Premium Big Game Bullets for Reliability in Difficult Conditions
| Bullet | Diameter Range | Weight Range | BC Range | Core Retention | Expansion Threshold | Caliber Breadth | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Partition | .224-.375 | 60-300 gr | 0.228-0.519 | Rear core 100% (partition wall) | 1,600 fps | Maximum | Premium |
| Nosler AccuBond | .224-.375 | 55-300 gr | 0.310-0.620 | 90%+ (chemical bond) | 1,800 fps | Maximum | Premium |
| Hornady InterBond | .243-.338 | 90-200 gr | 0.365-0.547 | 90%+ (chemical + InterLock) | 1,700 fps | Limited | Premium |
| Federal Trophy Bonded | .277-.338 | 130-200 gr | 0.430-0.520 | 95%+ (electrochemical) | 1,600 fps | Limited | Premium |
| Barnes TTSX | .224-.338 | 50-225 gr | 0.295-0.586 | 100% (monolithic) | 1,800 fps | Standard | Premium |
Applications and Practical Aspects
The Partition’s application range is defined not by a specific game species or distance but by a simple principle: any hunting situation where bullet failure would be catastrophic and where you cannot guarantee an ideal shot angle.
Varmints and small game (.224-inch, 60 grains): The 60-grain .224-inch Partition at BC 0.228 and SD 0.171 in 223 Remington is the most lightly loaded variant and exists to cover hunters who want a single bullet design across multiple rifles. For dedicated varmint work, purpose-built designs like the Sierra Varminter or Hornady V-MAX are more appropriate. The 60-grain Partition is best understood as a light deer and coyote bullet for hunters who are already standardized on Partitions across their rifle battery. Hodgdon Varget and Hodgdon H335 work well in 223 Remington with this weight.
Deer, antelope (.243-inch, 85-100 grains): The three .243-inch Partition weights in 243 Winchester are thorough overkill for deer at normal ranges – a Sierra GameKing or Federal Fusion produces identical field results on deer at lower cost. The Partition’s value in .243-inch is for hunters who also encounter black bear, who hunt in country where a second shot through heavy cover at an unknown angle is possible, or who are standardized on Partitions across a battery that includes heavier cartridges. Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, and Hodgdon H4350 are standard powder choices.
Deer, antelope (.257-inch, 100-120 grains): The three .257-inch Partition weights are among the most relevant applications for the design – these are calibers where premium alternatives are scarce. Hunters using 25-06 Remington, 257 Roberts, 257 Weatherby Magnum, or 25 Creedmoor who want a premium bullet have very limited options outside the Partition and the Nosler AccuBond in .257-inch. The 120-grain at SD 0.260 handles deer reliably and provides adequate penetration on lighter elk at moderate range. Hodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, and Alliant Reloder 19 are appropriate for 25-06 Remington with the 120-grain.
Deer, elk (6.5mm, 125-140 grains): The 140-grain .264-inch at BC 0.490 and SD 0.287 in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 260 Remington, or 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser is one of the Partition’s strongest applications. SD 0.287 provides genuine elk-level penetration from these mild cartridges, and the partition wall ensures reliable performance even on quartering shots where the bullet must traverse the maximum amount of tissue. Hodgdon H4350 and Alliant Reloder 16 are the primary powder choices for 6.5 Creedmoor.
Deer, elk, moose (.277-inch, 130-160 grains): Four .277-inch weights make the Partition one of the most versatile 270 Winchester bullet options available. The 130-grain for deer, the 150-grain for elk, and the 160-grain at SD 0.298 for moose and large bull elk where maximum penetration is the priority. The 160-grain is the heaviest .277-inch hunting bullet commonly available and the most appropriate Partition weight for 270 WSM elk and moose hunters. Hodgdon H4350 and IMR 4350 cover the 130-grain in 270 Winchester; Hodgdon H4831SC and Alliant Reloder 22 handle the 150-grain and heavier.
Deer, elk, moose (7mm, 140-175 grains): The 7mm lineup is particularly strong. The 175-grain at BC 0.519 and SD 0.310 from 7mm Remington Magnum or 7mm PRC is a reference-level elk and moose load with deeper penetration potential than virtually any other 7mm hunting bullet available. Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, and IMR 7828 SSC are appropriate for magnum 7mm applications.
Deer and 30-30 Winchester (.308-inch, 170-grain round-nose): The 170-grain round-nose Partition at BC 0.252 is specifically designed for 30-30 Winchester tubular-magazine lever-action rifles. It is the only Partition weight in a round-nose flat-point profile for tubular magazine use. Hodgdon Leverevolution and IMR 3031 are appropriate powder choices.
Elk, moose, bear (.308-inch, 150-200 grains in standard calibers): The 165-grain .308-inch at SD 0.248 handles deer and elk reliably from 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield. The 180-grain spitzer (BC 0.474) is the standard elk load – SD 0.271 and the partition wall make this one of the most reliable elk bullets available for 30-06 Springfield and 300 Winchester Magnum. The 200-grain at SD 0.301 is the choice for moose, large bear, and any application where maximum penetration takes priority. Hodgdon Varget for 308 Winchester 165-grain; Hodgdon H4350 and IMR 4350 for 30-06 Springfield 180-grain; Hodgdon H4831SC and Alliant Reloder 22 for 300 Winchester Magnum 180-200 grain loads.
Large and dangerous game (.338-.375-inch): The heavier caliber Partition weights serve hunters pursuing the largest and most dangerous North American and African game. The 250-grain .338-inch at SD 0.313 in 338 Lapua Magnum or 338 Winchester Magnum provides penetration that few other hunting bullets in any caliber can match. The 286-grain .366-inch for 9.3mm cartridges and the 300-grain .375-inch for .375 H&H represent the traditional African dangerous game weight-caliber combinations where the Partition’s 76-year field record is most directly relevant. Slow powders Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 25, and Hodgdon Retumbo are appropriate for the heaviest .338-inch loads; published data specific to each cartridge and weight is required.
Reloading
The Partition’s dual-core construction behaves somewhat differently from single-core bullets during the sizing and seating process.
Primers: Standard large rifle primers cover most applications. CCI 200, Federal 210, Winchester WLR, and Remington 9-1/2 are reliable for standard rifle cartridges. For magnum applications – 300 Winchester Magnum, 338 Winchester Magnum, 338 Lapua Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum – magnum primers CCI 250, Federal 215, or Remington 9-1/2M ensure consistent ignition. For 30-30 Winchester with the round-nose 170-grain, standard large rifle primers CCI 200 and Winchester WLR are appropriate.
Cases: Standard brass from Lapua, Federal, Winchester, Nosler, and Remington are all appropriate. Lapua brass is available for most popular hunting calibers and provides the best case consistency for precision loads. Military surplus brass with crimped primer pockets requires swaging before repriming.
Seating depth: The Partition’s construction creates a specific seating consideration. The exposed lead tip at the bullet’s nose – there is no polymer tip on most variants – means the bullet can be seated at any depth without concern for tip deformation. However, the partition wall’s position along the bullet’s length means the bearing surface geometry changes as seating depth varies. Start at 0.020 to 0.050 inches off the lands and test for accuracy. Some rifles show a strong preference with the Partition that differs from their preference with other bullet designs in the same cartridge.
Pressure behavior: Nosler notes that the Partition may generate slightly higher chamber pressure than a plain jacketed bullet of equivalent weight and diameter due to the partition wall’s interaction with the rifling. Begin at the published minimum charge and work up conservatively – 0.5-grain increments – while monitoring for pressure signs. Flattened primers, sticky extraction, and cratered primer pockets all signal the need to reduce the charge.
Crimp: The cannelure present on most Partition variants allows a light roll crimp for tubular-magazine lever-action rifles, semi-automatic platforms, or heavy-recoiling magnum applications. For bolt-action hunting rifles, proper neck tension without a crimp is sufficient.
Barrel twist: Standard twist rates apply. The 170-grain and 180-grain round-nose .308-inch variants perform best in 1:12 to 1:14 twist barrels common in lever-action rifles. The heavier 220-grain .308-inch spitzer requires a 1:10 minimum. All .338-inch and larger weights require the standard twist rates for those calibers – typically 1:10 for .338-inch and 1:12 to 1:14 for .375-inch.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varmints | 223 Rem | 60 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H335, IMR 4064 |
| Deer | 243 Win | 95-100 gr | Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, Hodgdon H4350 |
| Deer | 25-06 Rem | 115-120 gr | Hodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, Alliant Reloder 19 |
| Deer/elk | 6.5 Creedmoor | 140 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 16, Alliant Reloder 23 |
| Deer/elk | 270 Win | 130-150 gr | Hodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, Alliant Reloder 19 |
| Elk/moose | 7mm Rem Mag | 160-175 gr | Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, IMR 7828 SSC |
| Deer/elk | 308 Win | 150-165 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Alliant Reloder 15, IMR 4895 |
| Deer | 30-30 Win | 170 gr RN | Hodgdon Leverevolution, IMR 3031, Hodgdon H4198 |
| Elk/moose | 30-06 Sprg | 180-200 gr | Hodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, Alliant Reloder 19 |
| Elk/moose | 300 Win Mag | 180-200 gr | Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, Alliant Reloder 26 |
| Large game | 338 Win Mag | 225-250 gr | Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 25, Hodgdon Retumbo |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.002-0.004 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.020-0.050 inch off lands; test for rifle preference |
| Crimp | Light roll crimp for tubular magazines and semi-auto; optional for bolt-action |
| Starting charge | Published minimum – work up conservatively in 0.5-grain increments |
| Minimum expansion velocity | 1,600 fps at target distance |
| Extreme spread target | Under 15 fps for hunting accuracy |
| Pressure note | Partition may run slightly higher pressure than plain jacketed equivalent – monitor carefully |
Load data note: Nosler publishes Partition-specific data in their reloading manual and at nosler.com. Data is comprehensive across the full 34-variant lineup and should be used as the primary source. Start at published minimum charges and work up in 0.5-grain increments while monitoring for pressure signs.
Conclusion
The Nosler Partition is the oldest premium hunting bullet design in continuous production and the most broadly proven hunting bullet in terms of species covered and conditions survived. The dual-core partition wall architecture solves the core-shedding problem with a mechanical solution that does not depend on chemical bonding, polymer technology, or manufacturing tolerances that vary between production lots. The rear core cannot separate because the partition wall physically prevents it – a constraint that holds at any impact velocity, any shot angle, and any temperature.
What the Partition trades for this terminal reliability is aerodynamic efficiency. BCs of 0.228 to 0.519 are honest figures that trail the best polymer-tipped designs by 0.05 to 0.15 at most comparable weights. At 300 yards, this difference in drop and drift is manageable. At 500 yards it requires a more careful firing solution. For hunters who regularly shoot past 400 yards on medium game where bullet failure is unlikely, a higher-BC design like the Nosler AccuBond or Hornady ELD-X is a more aerodynamically efficient choice.
Choose the Partition if: you hunt elk, moose, or bear in conditions where shots at difficult angles are possible and bullet failure would be unacceptable; you use cartridges like 25-06 Remington, 257 Roberts, 9.3mm, .35 Whelen, or 375 H&H where the Partition may be the only premium bullet available; you hunt mixed deer and elk with one rifle and want a single bullet design that handles both reliably; or you hunt dangerous game and want the deepest field record in commercial hunting bullets.
Choose something else if: your hunting is exclusively deer at moderate ranges inside 300 yards and cost is a concern – the Sierra GameKing, Remington Core-Lokt, or Federal Fusion provide equivalent deer performance at lower cost. If you regularly shoot past 400 yards and want maximum BC from a premium bullet, the Nosler AccuBond provides comparable terminal reliability at higher aerodynamic efficiency. If you need lead-free, a monolithic like the Barnes TSX or Barnes TTSX is the appropriate choice.
The Partition does not need to be the best bullet in any single category. It needs to be reliable in every category it covers – and in 76 years of continuous production, it has demonstrated exactly that.
Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from published manuals. Note that the Partition may generate slightly higher pressure than plain jacketed bullets of equivalent weight due to the partition wall’s interaction with the rifling – start at published minimums and work up in 0.5-grain increments. The 170-grain and 180-grain round-nose variants are specifically designed for tubular-magazine lever-action rifles and must not be seated with spitzer loads in tubular magazines. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage resulting from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
Have you hunted with the Nosler Partition? Leave a comment with the specifics: weight, cartridge, game, range, and shot angle. The Partition has been used on more species and in more difficult conditions than any other bullet in this series – if you have taken unusual game, shot at extreme angles, or used the heavier caliber variants like the .366-inch or .375-inch, those accounts are especially valuable. Failures are as important as successes. What other bullet have you compared it against and what was the difference?
Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. The update corrected the original article’s classification of the Partition as “dual-core bonded” – the Partition uses a mechanical copper partition wall, not electrochemical bonding. Added the 1946-1948 design history context and explanation of why John Nosler developed the design. Expanded the ballistics table to cover all 34 variants with notes distinguishing the round-nose and spitzer versions of the 180-grain .308 and the purpose-specific 170-grain round-nose for 30-30 Winchester. Added discussion of the .257, .323, .358, .366, and .375 caliber variants which serve hunters in cartridges where premium alternatives are scarce. Expanded the comparison section to cover the AccuBond as the in-house aerodynamic alternative and clarified the Partition’s position relative to chemical bonding. Added the pressure note specific to the partition wall’s rifling interaction. Added a full powder selection table and applied full internal linking throughout.
