Contender Bullet Selection / Pressures

[stoutstuff]

I read on another sight that Barnes and even Nosler Partition bullets may create too much pressure in Contenders. Can anyone shed some light on this subject?

[Graybeard]

JD Jones of SSK Industries has long recommended NOT using Barnes X bullets in Contenders due to higher pressures they CAN cause. You do need to load them differently than convential bullets for sure. Supposedly the newer Triple Shock bullets have changed that and run pressures no higher than cup and core bullets.

I've never considered partition bullets to be a problem but yes they might raise pressures a wee bit more than normal cup and core bullets but darn little more. Unless you are exceeding book loads I don't think they are likely gonna cause a problem.

[sweetwyominghome]

There are no problems with the Partition, and it is in fact on of Jones' favorites. In the 6.5 JDJ, he used the 125 grain Partition at 2350 fps to take a ton of African game.

Solid copper projectiles create special problems for the contender. But as Jones and many others will tell you, the X bullets aren't the best choices for game anyway given the reduced velocities of specialty pistols.

[stoutstuff]

Good information - Thanks!  Looks like I need to rethink & retire my 35 Remington loads.  I guess I'll post a subject for a new load to work up for the 35 Rem.

[Lone Star]

Nosler Partition rifle bullets are too hard to expand at .35 Remington pressures - this from JD.   The 180 handgun bullet would work, but it is tough to beat the Remington 200 RN Core-Lokt on deer-sized game.  In a 14" T/C it can be safely loaded to equal or exceed the velocity of factory rifle ammunition, and it is cheap to boot.


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[EdK]

Solid copper bullets raise pressure in all firearms. Because copper is not as dense as lead, any monolithic copper bullet of a given weight will have a greater bearing length resulting in more friction and thus raising pressure. Adding the raised rings was an attempt to alleviate this.

I'll second Lone Star's Rem RN suggestion and add the Hornady 180gr SSP bullet.

[RonF]

Amen to the Hornady 180 SSP; also, the 180 Speer flat nose works great on deer.

RonF

[kennisondan]

I have killed deer with a WW silver tip 200 grain... dropped like a rock.... great penetration and exit wound after major bone was around a half dollar sized hole...
dk

[quickdtoo]

The minimum impact velocity for Nosler partitions is 1800fps with one exception that I'm aware of, there may be more, the .458" 300gr protected point has a minimum impact velocity of 700fps, and a recommended max of 2300fps, info provided by Nosler.

Tim

6. Minimum Impact Velocity: 1800 fps
Maximum Impact Velocity: Unlimited

http://nosler.com/index.php?p=3&bullet=3