Nosler markets its Trophy Grade 180-grain Partition for elk- and moose-sized game. The Partition is a jacketed soft point with a wall of jacket across its middle that splits the lead core into front and rear sections. Nosler rates the bullet at a G1 BC of .474, and the load leaves the muzzle at 2,750 fps. At 300 yards it still carries 1,944 ft-lbs of energy.

Compared with Federal's 180-grain Trophy Copper, a polymer-tipped copper bullet with no lead core, the Partition starts 50 fps faster, but the two are level by 300 yards. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Partition about 20 inches sideways and the Trophy Copper about 19. Compared with Remington's 180-grain Core-Lokt Tipped, the Partition is nearly a twin on paper. The Core-Lokt Tipped starts just 5 fps slower, both drop about 56 inches at 500 yards from a 100-yard zero, and the two kick the same in the same rifle.

Buy the Partition if you hunt elk- or moose-sized game and want Nosler's two-core bullet. Pick the Trophy Copper if you want a bullet with no lead core; it stays within half an inch of the Partition's drop to 300 yards and drifts a little less beyond that. Pick the Core-Lokt Tipped if you prefer a polymer-tipped bullet on the same path. For practice with less recoil, Hornady's 168-grain Vintage Match kicks about 14 percent less, but Hornady markets it for target shooting, not hunting.