Stacking Berger VLD /Partition for Long/Short Range work in 28 Nosler?

First, let me state that I'm a big fan of frangible bullets. I've used them almost exclusively over the last decade on javelina, deer, wild pigs, sheep, tahr, red stag, elk. I've used them in various calibers...6.5 CM, .308, 28 Nosler, 300 WM. I've been very fortunate as I haven't lost an animal and the vast majority have deceased in the bang/flop variety. But I have also been very cognizant of bullet placement, weight of bullets and animals, shot angles, etc. On everything up to mule/deer sheep size game, I've been extremely happy and really wouldn't consider the need for any other type bullet! That being said, I've been a little less impressed on the larger species (stag/elk) and those kills took place at moderate distances 250-400 yards..

It's often made me wonder, what would happen if the bull elk of a lifetime showed up in the timber at 75 yds quartering to me? In all honesty, from what I've learned/discovered over the years w/ frangible bullets, it scares me to think about decision that I would have to make....pass or risk a much lower percentage shot?

That being said, I've been considering "stacking" the 175 Partition with the 180 Berger VLD in my 28 Nosler. The primary purpose of the Partition would be shots inside 200 YDS on elk, moose, bear sized game and the 180 VLD for everything else. Has anyone else ever done this with these two bullets. How significant is the POI difference between the 2 and what results have you found via terminal performance between the two at various ranges? If it makes a difference, I run the 180 VLD at a very moderate 3050 in my gun.

Yes, I know that I would have to be very careful/conscious to make sure I know which bullet is in the chamber at all times, but I honestly don't view this to be overly problematic. I still archery hunt a lot as well, and if I can pull an arrow from a quiver and load if in rushed/tense situation, I feel as though I can focus enough to make sure I'm shooting the right bullet.

Also for the record, I'm not trying to fuel the fire on the age old frangible vs bonded debate as I believe both have their place.....but I do appreciate any particular feedback relative to using both as described above!

LHP

I have to agree with you on all bullets have their place. If it were me I might favor a mono in close over the Partition. Some will disagree with me but they have never let me down in close or out to 400yds. The Bergers are hard to beat as the distance grows.

Thanks. I'll do some homework on mono's. Anything specific you would recommend to consider pairing w/ the 180 vld in 28 Nosler....keeping in mind I want POI to be as close as possible to the VLD?

BY POI, I mean at short ranges obviously.

For a 28 Nosler I stack the 195 Berger and 177 Hammer BUT that's just for that bullet, a 180 VLD I don't worry about it. If I had a quartering to shot just put it at the neck shoulder junction and it's all done but the kicking, I've shot a LOT of Bergers through elk shoulders and I honestly will take many of them over a Partition up close. I have yet to see a Berger actually fail to penetrate an elk shoulder, though it surely happens but it's an anomaly.
You do have to use bullets that the jackets get along, Berger and Nosler Accubonds do not play nice together, you have to experiment and watch if it coppers up following another jacket, if not your good.
For running two bullets just sight in for the close range bullet, and then input where the long range bullet lands for the zero and when you go long and dial you'll be dead on every time without trying compromise a single zero for two bullets.

I did this for a moose hunt in kamchatka. I have a 300 win loaded with 200gr a frames and 215 bergers. A frames were always in when we were walking. They were really accurate to 400 yards and then if I needed to shoot further I had the bergers. If I needed the bergers, I figured i had more than enough time to swap them as the animal would be far enough away to be comfortable and not getting the f outta d. Ended up shooting a 62" bull at about 200 yards with the a frames. At 100 yards both loads were within and inch of each other.

I would have absolutely no qualms about shooting any Bull Elk at 75 yards with my 28 Nosler/180 Hybrids, if you're shot angle is hard quartering, shoot him in the neck and watch him drop. If he's quartering hard away, stick it behind the last rib and he may run a few yards before expiring. I've seen some wild stuff guiding Elk hunters every year, but one thing I haven't seen is a Bull get away with a Berger anywhere in the chest cavity.

One of my guys used my 264 WM to shoot a big Bull at 40 yards last year, 140 HVLD, no problem breaking the shoulder and getting into the lungs. In fact, the various 6.5's shooting Bergers went like 5 for 5 on one shot kills last year. Creedmoors, a couple 6.5-284, one SAUM, and my 264 Win.

If you want to shoot partitions for close stuff, that will obviously work also.