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

[Mountaineer]

We have shot whitetail deer with 300 grain partitions from a 375 H&H. It leaves about a 3 inch exit hole. You might want to shot smaller antelope behind the shoulder to help out your taxidermist.

 

[Quaticman]

A-Frame

 

[RayAtkinson]

I always got the impression that the Swift was too smooth in its perfect toad stool expansion whereas Nosler and Woodleigh's had ragged edges and more internal damage, and Nosler's were more likely to give an exit hole. Mi an old bullet digger and that's my story and I'm sticking to it! but that's what makes a horse race

All that said, my favorite bullets for DG not counting solids were the 350 gr 375 and 450 gr 404 Woodleigh . the North Forks cup points and softs..

 

[dogcat1]

I have used both on buff. All buff were killed. I prefer the A-Frame, the TSX and the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw over the Partition for the reasons stated above. All of these will kill the buff. I feel, based on having shot 8 buffalo and my sons have taken 4, that the AFrame, the TSX and the TBBC are better choices with less room for error.

 

[DLSJR]

Partitions in dangerous game calibers like 375 and 416 are very tough bullets.

The partition portion of the bullet is farther forward as opposed to the smaller partitions. As a result, they tend to retain at least 70% of their original weight. The front core is designed to expand rapidly and loose mass creating secondary fragments and larger wound channels.

Having lost a significant portion of the front core, the front of the expanded bullet has a smaller surface area than bonded bullets.

The smaller frontal area together with the 70% weight of the rear core tend to penetrate very deeply. Generally deeper than bullets with larger frontal surface area.

It’s not hard to test this for yourself. Using dry paper( news paper or magazines), you can test partitions against other bullets. Use 36 inches of paper and test the bullets side by side.

Modern dangerous game partitions compare very favorably with A Frames in test media as well as cape buffalo and large bears.

I just had three well known PHs spend a few days at my Alabama camp. One of them told me he had recently guided John Nosler. Nosler killed 4 buffalo bulls with Nosler bullets. Nosler bullets are field tested very carefully. They work.

All three PHs said that modern bullets from Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, and Swift are excellent and none of them make bad bullets today.

This nails it!

The Partitions in .375 & .416 are tougher bullets than they used to be. They’re very good. The one Ruraldoc left out, IMO, are Trophy Bonded Bearclaws. They‘re Actually my personal favorite of the non-mono metal bullets. I’m on my way home from Cameroon as I write this, enjoyed great performance with 300 grain Bearclaws in my .375 H&H on both Lord Derby Eland and Roan. Eland was about 225 yards, broadside. High shoulder shot and it collapsed on the spot, never took a step. Roan went about 30 yards after shot in center of shoulder.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use any of the bullets mentioned, even for Cape Buffalo. They’re all very good.

 

[DLSJR]

We have shot whitetail deer with 300 grain partitions from a 375 H&H. It leaves about a 3 inch exit hole. You might want to shot smaller antelope behind the shoulder to help out your taxidermist.

If using a .375 on the small antelope, it’s best to shoot them with solids. I shot an Oribi last week with a 300 grain TSX. It was quartering away hard and I could only see its ass. Shot what I could see and when we turned the Oribi over most everything behind the diaphram was opened up with about an 8” hole on right side. Fortunately, the bullet exited before reaching chest cavity or there wouldn’t be anything left to mount.

 

[dogcat1]

I have used both successfully. Dead buffalo with each.
I prefer the Barnes TSX or A Frame.
The Partition is fine but I got more penetration out of the slightly harder bullet.
I use TSX's or TBBC's exclusively now. A-Frames are a bit harder to get.

 

[Ruraldoc]

Bears claws may be the best dangerous game expanding bullet made. Certainly there is nothing better.

I used to get them from Jack Carter.

 

[Velo Dog]

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).

 

[Luvthunt]

Keep reading/hearing that Nosler a few years ago toughened up the Partitions and they are a stronger (tuffer) bullet then they were in the earlier years.
Point being is there any way we might get a statement from the Nosler folks that that happened. Will AH allow?

 

[Ruraldoc]

The information about the current design of partitions came through John Barsness.

It’s possible to test this for yourself if you want to compare using dry news print which is very tough on bullets. I did this with my 9.3x62 last year.

John has written extensively about the testing. I can’t remember which book but I look for it when I get time.

 

[John the Electrician]

Thanks for all the information everyone. The .375 Nosler Partitions I have are old new stock. I’m guessing pre any hardening processes.

It looks as though I am on the hunt for some 300 grain swift A frames or some 300 grain Trophy Bobded Bear Claw.

That being said if anyone has any to sell, please do reach out to me.

I have various reloading components to trade if you like, including small pistol, small rifle and large rifle primers and a variety of brass and bullets.

John

 

[Andrew62]

A-frame

 

[Luvthunt]

Not interested in high jacking the thread but info from the Company has more validity as to actual modifications then from other scoures

 

[Puddle]

Not interested in high jacking the thread but info from the Company has more validity as to actual modifications then from other scoures

I'm more interested in valid tests performed from an independent party rather than statements from a product manufacturer.

 

[EarlT]

Partitions in dangerous game calibers like 375 and 416 are very tough bullets.

The partition portion of the bullet is farther forward as opposed to the smaller partitions. As a result, they tend to retain at least 70% of their original weight. The front core is designed to expand rapidly and loose mass creating secondary fragments and larger wound channels.

Having lost a significant portion of the front core, the front of the expanded bullet has a smaller surface area than bonded bullets.

The smaller frontal area together with the 70% weight of the rear core tend to penetrate very deeply. Generally deeper than bullets with larger frontal surface area.

It’s not hard to test this for yourself. Using dry paper( news paper or magazines), you can test partitions against other bullets. Use 36 inches of paper and test the bullets side by side.

Modern dangerous game partitions compare very favorably with A Frames in test media as well as cape buffalo and large bears.

I just had three well known PHs spend a few days at my Alabama camp. One of them told me he had recently guided John Nosler. Nosler killed 4 buffalo bulls with Nosler bullets. Nosler bullets are field tested very carefully. They work.

All three PHs said that modern bullets from Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, and Swift are excellent and none of them make bad bullets today.

Good post, and greetings From Hoover Al!

 

[EarlT]

Thank you for all the info on these bullet choices. I picked up some 270 grain cup and core bullets and some 300 grain Partitions for cheap and was wondering how to best put the 300’s to use.

Next question, would the 300 grain Partitions work well for PG? If so, which animals and which ones not? With Impala being the smallest game of interest.

Thank you. John

Yes NP would be fine for anything smaller than Eland. And probably fine for them too. Not buffalo

 

[EarlT]

I m not doubting you, but am qurious why
"Nosler Partitions are better suited for lions and leopards than Swift A- Frames are."
Thanks David

Cant speak to lions(i want the howitzer for them !), but leopards are much smaller and bones less heavy than Buffalo so the NP should have more than enough penetration. In fact you need fairly quick expansion so NP should work great on Leopard

 

[IvW]

Never understand why folks want to use very old style bullets in the modern age....especially on DG......I guess if the saving in bulets does not affect the pocket use what you like......but in that case surely someone booking a dg safari can afford better bullets for the job.....or so my calculater said......

 

[Monski]

Cape Buffalo are amazing at stopping and/or deflecting off course bullets in my experience shooting(only) 8 of them. That of course is limited experience compared to many here. I have had a highly touted solid bullet not exit and deflect, a couple of solids exit but be recovered next to the buff on the ground and well regarded expanding bullets either fail or not penetrate as much as expected. I could specify which bullets another time but don't want to go too far off course in the aframe vs partition debate. I haven't (and won't) use a partition on one so can't add anything there but used an aframe on one and it worked great. Tougher bullets are better for me anyway.