Federal Premium Vital-Shok .30-06 Springfield 180gr Nosler Partition — 500 Rounds

The Federal Vital-Shok 30-06 is the premium hunting load in the .30-06 Springfield category.

A 180-grain Nosler Partition at 2,700 fps and 2,910 ft-lbs, in Federal’s Vital-Shok production with nickel-plated brass for extended carry.

At $1.00 per round for 500 rounds, this delivers Nosler Partition performance at approximately one-quarter the typical 20-round box retail cost.

The Nosler Partition — 75 Years of Engineering Context

In 1948, John Nosler was elk hunting in British Columbia when his conventional soft point failed to penetrate on a large bull moose.

He spent the following years engineering the Federal Vital-Shok 30-06 Nosler Partition: a bullet in which jacket separation — the failure mode that caused the problem — was structurally impossible.

The result was the Partition: a copper cup divided by an integral internal wall.

A soft lead core sits in the front section; a harder core sits behind the partition.

When the bullet strikes game, the front core expands — but the rear core cannot pass through the partition and cannot separate from the bullet body.

The Federal Vital-Shok 30-06 Nosler Partition guarantees that regardless of what happens to the front of the bullet, a solid mass continues to the vitals.

180 Grains at 2,700 fps

At 180 grains, the Federal Vital-Shok 30-06 is loaded to the standard heavy .30-06 specification, producing 2,910 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

For elk, black bear, and large deer, the 180-grain weight provides the sectional density for deep penetration — combined with the Partition’s structural guarantee against jacket separation.

Nickel-Plated Brass

The nickel-plated case improves corrosion resistance for ammunition stored in a chamber or carried in a magazine during wet weather.

For hunters who keep a round chambered for extended periods in variable conditions, nickel-plated brass is the correct choice.

Specifications

• Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
• Bullet: 180 grain, Nosler Partition (dual-core, copper partition)
• Muzzle velocity: 2,700 fps
• Muzzle energy: 2,910 ft-lbs
• Application: Elk, black bear, large deer, medium to large game
• Lead free: No
• Cartridge case: Nickel-plated brass, reloadable
• Primer: Boxer, non-corrosive
• Quantity: 500 rounds (25 × 20-round boxes)
• Federal SKU: P3006F

Browse the .30-06 Springfield ammunition category. Specifications are published by SAAMI and by Federal Premium directly. Safe storage guidance is available from the NSSF.

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SHORT DESCRIPTION (above Add to Cart)

Federal Premium Vital-Shok .30-06 Springfield. 180-grain Nosler Partition, 2,700 fps, 2,910 ft-lbs. Dual-core design with integral partition — front core expands, rear core cannot separate from the bullet body. Guaranteed penetration on elk, black bear, and large game. Nickel-plated brass, Boxer primer, reloadable. Federal SKU P3006F. 500 rounds (25 × 20-round boxes) at $1.00/round.

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💬 Before You Go — Hunting Elk or Large Game With Nosler Partition?

Running Vital-Shok Partition on elk, black bear, or moose-class game? Leave a review with the rifle, caliber, distance, and game taken. The Partition’s performance at range on large game — documented shot data, not just at-the-counter opinions — is the most valuable content in this category. And if you came looking for a .30-06 load we don’t carry, tell us. 🎯

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Please purchase and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. Ammunition cannot be shipped to all jurisdictions — verify legal shipment to your address before ordering. Buyers must be of legal age in their jurisdiction. Not for sale to prohibited persons. Verify state and local hunting regulations, including season dates and species restrictions, before field use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nosler Partition and what problem was it designed to solve? The Nosler Partition was designed in 1948 by John Nosler to solve the specific failure mode of conventional hunting bullets: jacket separation. When a conventional soft point hits bone at close range and high velocity, the jacket can peel back and separate from the core, leaving the front of the bullet in the animal and the heavy rear mass failing to penetrate to the vitals. The Partition’s integral copper wall makes this physically impossible — the rear core cannot separate regardless of what happens to the front.

How is a dual-core Partition different from a bonded bullet? A bonded bullet chemically bonds a single lead core to its jacket, so the core stays with the jacket through expansion. The Partition uses two separate cores with a physical copper wall between them — a structural solution rather than a chemical one. Both prevent jacket-core separation; the Partition does it mechanically, which some hunters prefer for extreme conditions where chemical bonds can fail.

Is the 180-grain .30-06 appropriate for elk? Yes — the standard elk-hunting specification for .30-06 is 165–180 grain. At 2,700 fps and 2,910 ft-lbs, this load provides sufficient velocity and energy for elk at .30-06 hunting distances (inside 400 yards). The Nosler Partition’s structural depth-of-penetration guarantee makes it specifically appropriate for quartering shots and shoulder hits where conventional bullets can fail.

What does the nickel-plated brass case provide? Corrosion resistance and smooth feeding. Nickel plating resists oxidation and moisture better than bare brass, which matters for ammunition stored in a wet field environment, carried in a magazine for extended periods, or kept chambered in a rifle during hunting. Nickel-plated brass also feeds more smoothly in bolt-action rifles due to the lower-friction surface.

How does the Vital-Shok Partition compare to the Federal Barnes TSX in Related Products? Both are premium .30-06 180gr loads at $500/500rd — same price, same caliber, same weight. The Partition uses a dual lead-core design; the Barnes TSX is solid copper, lead-free. For hunters who need lead-free (California, lead-restricted areas), TSX is the choice. For hunters who want the Partition’s proven 75-year track record on large game, this is it.

Is the brass reloadable? Yes — nickel-plated brass, Boxer primer. Nickel brass reloads similarly to standard brass with minor adjustments for the slightly harder case material.

How many rounds is 500? 25 × 20-round boxes.

What’s the per-round cost? $500 / 500 = $1.00 per round.