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Tom:

What caliber Contender?

I have not spoken to Nosler about that specific bullet, but in-general, Hornady and Speer on many occaisions have told me the threshold for expansion is roughly 1800 fps on most of their bullets. I'm guessing Nosler is the same.

As you know, I have shot fairly extensive tests on a variety of bullets over the years and my view is that the Partition will probably open up somewhat. The front end is not "hard" per se. Assuming short range striking velocities of 1700-1800 you'll probably get it to open if it hits any resistant medium {bone, cartilage, etc}.

Having said that, I have seen strange things happen to bullets at the lower threshold of their expansion parameters. Problem is, at the lower velocities, bullets become somewhat unpredictable. That is no baloney. The 150 Nosler, even if it doesn't open at all, will still act as a spitzer solid, which is to say it will punch a hole and probably veer off to some unpredictable amount, or maybe go straight.

On heavy game at low velocity {as in shot from a T/C Contender or for example, a .303 Savage}, for interest's sake I would go with a heavy bullet and then trick the tip IF start speeds could be had that would be in excess of 1700 fps. I am thinking something like a 180 grain Hornady RN or even a 180 Spire Point, with a Hollow Point/Flat Point added. Such a point would reduce the weight of the bullet by 4 or 5 grains. Another option would be the 170 grain Hornady Flat Point as used in .30-30. Making modifications to bullets is easy and can/will alter the performance to a significant degree. The beauty is, you can set up a test and then make your bullets do exactly what you want them to do.

The 150 FP you cite is another good example.

Not to be ignored are the various 125's, too. I have killed a number of deer, coyotes, dogs and butcher sheep with the 7.62x39 with 125's & 123's and they are killers at the 2350-2400 fps velocities of the AK. Some "harumph" and roll their eyes at the 7.62x39, but frankly, it represents in my opinion a superbly-designed cartridge for game in the 50-250 lb class as long as long raking shots are avoided. I've used FMJ's, Wolf HP's, and the excellent 123 grain Remington Power Points.

Finally, whatever medium/media test you use, make sure to shoot your desired bullet against a control or two. Expansion tests don't reveal anything of value unless you can compare the results of the unknown bullet to the results of a known performer. I would think for your purposes a really good control would be a .30-30 carbine with factory ammo and shooting the same bullet you intend to use in your T/C.

Everybody has spare pocket change. This is just $.02 from mine...

{PS: My initial inclination was to use the 150 Wolf bullet for deer hunting in my 7.62. It was rolled out sort-of as a "deer load" so I about took it and ranwith it. Then I started reading reports on Forums of poor expansion, the bullet acting as a FMJ. I never even tested it, but rather used the 123/125 bullets, tested them, was impressed, and went with them. No complaints at all.}

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Edited by 9.3x57 (02/04/09 11:30 PM)