A have been looking at another load for my 260 Rem. I am looking at the 120 ttsx or the 125 nosler partition. Or maybe a 100 grain partition or ttsx. On paper the performance is so near identical as to not make a difference. I am trying to decide which one to go with. I thought of the way the partition is designed to shed its nose, and was wondering if I would have small pieces of lead left in my meat due to this. And if so, should I be concerned about it? If not for myself, what about small children? Is this enough reason to go with the Barnes? Or is this just a bandwagon on which people jump? Not wanting an argument here but an honest look at the issue. Thanks.
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Another question (lead vs copper)
- Thread starter Jevyod
- Start date
A Partition doesn't shed anything. Its expansion is controlled. It's designed to expand then stop at the 'partition'.
Neither you nor any kid has anything to be concerned about regarding lead in bullets. It's really not an issue of any kind. It's primarily an anti-hunting gang load of nonsense. Kind of doubt anybody did any kind of real research into ducks eating lead shot either. Don't recall ever seeing any real scientific papers about it.
The bullet should be expending its energy in the innards not the meat.
"...another load..." To do what?
Neither you nor any kid has anything to be concerned about regarding lead in bullets. It's really not an issue of any kind. It's primarily an anti-hunting gang load of nonsense. Kind of doubt anybody did any kind of real research into ducks eating lead shot either. Don't recall ever seeing any real scientific papers about it.
The bullet should be expending its energy in the innards not the meat.
"...another load..." To do what?
Actully there were several studies. Here is one: http://www.parislanding.com/toxic_shot.htmKind of doubt anybody did any kind of real research into ducks eating lead shot either. Don't recall ever seeing any real scientific papers about it.
603Country
New member
I shoot the 120 Nosler BT in my 260 during deer season, then switch to the 100 gr version for varmints. They do a great job, though they rarely exit a large pig. Kills em, but rarely exits.
As to the Partition, I do believe that the bullet does actually shed the front end, or most of it. I use them in my 223, but haven’t recovered one yet for examination. For years I was under the impression that Partitions didn’t group that well. They didn’t in the first 223 barrel, but man, they shoot great in this new barrel. Can’t wait to try them on big pigs.
As to the Partition, I do believe that the bullet does actually shed the front end, or most of it. I use them in my 223, but haven’t recovered one yet for examination. For years I was under the impression that Partitions didn’t group that well. They didn’t in the first 223 barrel, but man, they shoot great in this new barrel. Can’t wait to try them on big pigs.
Colorado Redneck
New member
Partitions can shed up to 40% of their weight. At higher velicities some of the lead in front of the partition will be shed in the game animal. Fact of life.
Yosemite Steve
New member
If the cost does not bother you, the ttsx has excellent retention and does more damage.
Partitions typically break in half and does leave lead inside. The front half creates a lot of damage like a soft bullet, the rear half continues on for penetration. But I'd not make my choices because I was worried about consuming lead.
The Copper bullets typically retain 100% or very near it and penetrate very deep. For a couple of reasons it is advisable to drop down 1 or 2 bullet weights with copper.
Copper is lighter than lead, a 120 gr copper bullet is about the same length as a 140 gr lead bullet. A 120 gr copper bullet will still weigh 118-120 gr after impact whereas a 140 gr bullet may only weigh 70 gr or less after impact. The weight retention means a 120 gr copper bullet will out penetrate a 140 gr lead bullet. When shooting larger game this is a huge plus for the copper bullets. Especially in calibers normally considered marginal for the game hunted.
The 2nd reason for going lighter with copper is expansion. Since copper is harder, it must impact at faster speeds to expand. Typical lead bullets will still expand at around 1800 fps. Copper needs 2000-2200 fps at impact for good expansion. Shoot lighter bullets in copper and to get the speed up. Even a much lighter copper bullet will still penetrate.
Since copper needs more impact speed it is not the best choice for long range work where bullets have slowed below 2000 fps. But since it penetrates so well it makes a 260 much closer to a 30-06 with conventional bullets on elk size game.
For deer either the 120 TTSX or 125 Partition is fine, the 260 will still get enough speed with 120's, but the 100 gr TTSX should do just fine on deer too, maybe better. On game larger than deer the 120 gr copper bullet would be my choice. On bigger game I'd use 140gr or heavier with a lead bullet. I wouldn't use a 100 gr Partition on big game. That bullet is designed for varmints. The 125 Partition is a deer bullet, not an elk bullet. The 140 Partition is.
The Copper bullets typically retain 100% or very near it and penetrate very deep. For a couple of reasons it is advisable to drop down 1 or 2 bullet weights with copper.
Copper is lighter than lead, a 120 gr copper bullet is about the same length as a 140 gr lead bullet. A 120 gr copper bullet will still weigh 118-120 gr after impact whereas a 140 gr bullet may only weigh 70 gr or less after impact. The weight retention means a 120 gr copper bullet will out penetrate a 140 gr lead bullet. When shooting larger game this is a huge plus for the copper bullets. Especially in calibers normally considered marginal for the game hunted.
The 2nd reason for going lighter with copper is expansion. Since copper is harder, it must impact at faster speeds to expand. Typical lead bullets will still expand at around 1800 fps. Copper needs 2000-2200 fps at impact for good expansion. Shoot lighter bullets in copper and to get the speed up. Even a much lighter copper bullet will still penetrate.
Since copper needs more impact speed it is not the best choice for long range work where bullets have slowed below 2000 fps. But since it penetrates so well it makes a 260 much closer to a 30-06 with conventional bullets on elk size game.
For deer either the 120 TTSX or 125 Partition is fine, the 260 will still get enough speed with 120's, but the 100 gr TTSX should do just fine on deer too, maybe better. On game larger than deer the 120 gr copper bullet would be my choice. On bigger game I'd use 140gr or heavier with a lead bullet. I wouldn't use a 100 gr Partition on big game. That bullet is designed for varmints. The 125 Partition is a deer bullet, not an elk bullet. The 140 Partition is.
Marco Califo
New member
O.H. What was the last real scientific paper you did read? I do not recall you ever citing any real scientific evidence of any of your opinions you state as if they are accepted facts. Your posts are usually just wrong, bad information.anti-hunting gang load of nonsense. Kind of doubt anybody did any kind of real research into ducks eating lead shot either. Don't recall ever seeing any real scientific papers about it.
Here are a couple for you to SEE, READ, and cognitively process:
A review of lead poisoning from ammunition sources
in terrestrial birds
http://endangeredink.com/campaigns/get_the_lead_out/pdfs/Fisher_et_al_2006.pdf
Effects of low level lead exposure on cognitive function in children
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/9216005
Greenland Ice Evidence of Hemispheric Lead Pollution Two Millennia Ago by Greek and Roman Civilizations
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/265/5180/1841
Exposure to lead in petrol and increased incidence of dementia
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31466-6/fulltext
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Short answer: Don't worry about it. Yes, expanding lead bullets leave tiny pieces of lead in the wound track, but proper butchering removes that damaged meat.
Lead is bad to consume, especially for children. But exposure from big game is not at all the same as with birds. Scavengers such as vultures can eat lead since they are not as picky as people and eat the organs too. Wildfowl can ingest loose lead shot from the water and that collects in their gizzards. I'm not honestly sure how big a danger that is, (to the ducks) but we've had steel shot mandated for decades. Again, not a big game issue.
Lead is bad to consume, especially for children. But exposure from big game is not at all the same as with birds. Scavengers such as vultures can eat lead since they are not as picky as people and eat the organs too. Wildfowl can ingest loose lead shot from the water and that collects in their gizzards. I'm not honestly sure how big a danger that is, (to the ducks) but we've had steel shot mandated for decades. Again, not a big game issue.