.375 H&H 300 grain Nosler Partition vs Swift A-Frames

[358 Norma]

Not always, there are exceptions!

 

[Nevada Mike]

I am a great fan of Nosler Partitions for most soft skinned game. I think the Swift Aframe has the edge for buffalo in my experience.

The two bullet designs are 'similar' but are made with different goals in mind - the PT is made to expand on contact, but provide good penetration after initial expansion. The AF provides penetration first and foremost while expanding without fragmentation.

 

[TERMINATOR]

I am a great fan of Nosler Partitions for most soft skinned game. I think the Swift Aframe has the edge for buffalo in my experience.

The two bullet designs are 'similar' but are made with different goals in mind - the PT is made to expand on contact, but provide good penetration after initial expansion. The AF provides penetration first and foremost while expanding without fragmentation.

This is where I am.

I LOVE the Nosler Partition for DRT killing of soft skinned game.

But on Buffalo or other animals that soak up lead, I want the TBBC or Swift A-Frame. Lots of people like the solid metal bullets but I want the TBBC or Swift A-Frame.

I have heard great things about but never seen used or used the South African made Rhino Solid Shank Bullets which I understand to be a solid metal bullet. I hear they are not available in the US, but don't know where.

375 Solid Shank (25-units) | Rhino Bullets

These are bond-core bullets with a drilled hole in the front part of the bullet and it features a solid copper shank at the rear, which is indestructible. The thick wall jackets attempt to keep petals intact, and expansion gets arrested where the drilled hole stops. The net result is that it...

www.rhinobullets.co.za

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

Contemplating the Partition and the A Frame for buffalo in Africa.

It seems the general consensus is A Frames are the go to bullet. However, do the Partitions lack in some way; and if so, how?

I am very early in planning a safari, so no, I have not asked a PH/outfitter what they prefer.

John

Night and day difference in both quality and in quality of construction. 40 plus buffalo felled to the A-Frame over the years. Those true dagga boys do NOT like that first A-Frame. I wouldn’t give my worst enemy a partition on thick skinned game. With the big doubles, .470 and up, those A-Frames leave a visible impression on those buff when that first round hits home.

 

[dlmac]

My South African friend, Hannes Swanepoel told me of a client who insisted the Nosler Partition bullet is the best one for ALL game animals, large and small.
But then after being asked to not use them for his buffalo hunt, did it anyway.
His first shot was into the brisket of a good bull, facing directly at the hunter & PH.

The shot was at close range typical of hunting African buffaloes.
The caliber was .375 H&H and the NP bullet was 300 grains.
I do not recall all of the details of what happened next, throughout the resulting dangerous ordeal.
However in the end, it was determined that
the bullet had shattered against the stout brisket bones and not even a sliver of it had made it into the body cavity.

Hannes always recommends that for buffalo hunting, his clients should bring Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets and / or Swift A-Frame bullets.

My personal experiences with Nosler Partitions has convinced me that they are a great bullet, if used on other than truly heavy game, especially if the hunter favors some of these extra high velocity cartridges.
They are not constructed nearly as stout as the Swift A-Frame.
For N. American animals and most of Africa’s non-dangerous game, I think the NP is a great bullet.
Too bad they’re not available in round nose configuration, except the ones intended for .30-30 —> tubular magazines and similar concepts.

I would never use the NP bullet on African buffalo, in any caliber but, perhaps the .416 in 400 gr and .458 in 500 gr might work.
That said, since we have A-Frames now days, why take the chance by ignoring the known tougher bullet (A-Frame).

Well, yes we have Swift A-Frames, when you can get them, or know someone at Swift. I agree they and the Bear Claw are the best. When was the last time a reloader got any Trophy bonded bear claws. If they are not available, the the discussion starts getting irrelevant.

 

[steve white]

I will repeat the preference you have heard many times--A Frame
BUT--the Nosler Partition in the heavier calibers is a THICKER WALLED bullet than say, the 30 cal. Partition. It would likely work, but when talking DG, "likely" isn't as comforting.

 

[DLSJR]

I’ve decided that since it’s virtually impossible to find Bearclaws or A Frames, it’s time to try Northforks. I expect they’ll be every bit as good and they’re available.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I’ve decided that since it’s virtually impossible to find Bearclaws or A Frames, it’s time to try Northforks. I expect they’ll be every bit as good and they’re available.

In what caliber and weight are you finding the NorthForks?

 

[DLSJR]

In what caliber and weight are you finding the NorthForks?

I’ll be looking for .338 in 225 & 250 grain. .375 in 300 grain.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I’ll be looking for .338 in 225 & 250 grain. .375 in 300 grain.

Don't know about the .338's, good luck on the .375 in 300gr, I can't find them.

 

[DLSJR]

Don't know about the .338's, good luck on the .375 in 300gr, I can't find them.

Phil, fortunately I have a pretty good stock of .264, .338, .375 & .416 bullets; Barnes, Bearclaw, Swift & Nosler, which are the four calibers I do nearly all my hunting with these days. Definitely enough to get me through the year. But I still want to try Northforks!

 

[Rick HOlbert]

Well, yes we have Swift A-Frames, when you can get them, or know someone at Swift. I agree they and the Bear Claw are the best. When was the last time a reloader got any Trophy bonded bear claws. If they are not available, the the discussion starts getting irrelevant.

Dimac, If unable to get A-Frames I would also go with the North Fork semi Spitzer. Bonded lead core in the nose and a mono metal shank. They flat work! they are my 2nd choice after the A-Frames for a soft.

 

[doctari505]

No comparison.
The frontal core of the Nosler Partition is not bonded so it gets shed as soon as the bullet expands - this reduces it weight by 30% which in turn reduces monentum and therefore penetration.
A-Frames retain their frontal core and therefore weight and so penetrate a lot better.
NP's are great for plains game and the cats but they are not the best choice for buffalo.

 

[Ruraldoc]

Partitions in 375 and 416 made in the last decade will typically out penetrate Swift A frames of the same weight.

This is a demonstrable fact due to the smaller frontal area of expanded parttitions.

One of the reasons modern PHs like A frames on buffalo is that they are much less likely to exit on broadside shots.

Phil Shoemaker did a lot of testing of modern 375 and 416 Partition bullets on Brown Bears and Cape Buffalo for Nosler. Also used them on a lot of test media.

Phil said they work as well as any lead core expanding bullet made.

Partitions failing to penetrate due to being to soft is based on very old information on bulllets that have not been made in more than 20 years.

Thinking that the bullet with the highest percentage of retained weight will always penetrate more based on greater mass and momentum is a falacy.

Frontal area has a huge impact on penetration as well. Modern monolithic bullets designed to loose their petals on impact leaving a core of essentially bore diameter will out penetrate Swift A frames with their greater mass but larger frontal area.

A frames work fine, but there are a lot of other bullets that are just as good.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Buffalo are tough, with dense muscle tissue and thick hides. No matter which bullet you choose you will want penetration. The Partition has a softer, un-bonded core and this will expand faster and more violently in most cases. The rear section is still going to penetrate OK but the A-Frame will retain more weight in almost every case. It expands a bit more slowly and that is way they are one of the go-to choices for DG. For my buff, I used the 300g Barnes TSX, which is also well known for weight retention and deep penetration. I made four well placed shots on the bull and NONE of them over penetrated. The 1st shot killed it but bulls have a bad habit of raging around for a while before they realize they are dead. So, we keep shooting until they get the memo.