Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders TC Shock Wave Vs. Shock Wave Bonded

Does anyone have any hunting experience with either or both of these bullets in 50cal?

For deer...is one better than the other?

I used the Barnes 300gr MZ Expanders in my Remington 700ML but I'm thinking of making a switch to one of the above mentioned bullets in my new Triumph.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

WN

The bonded shock wave bullet made by Hornady for T/C is likely the .452 250 Gr. .450 bushmaster bullet which does have a much thicker jacket than the standard 250 gr shock wave.

The only difference between the Hornady 250 gr. SST bullet and the T/C shock wave is the color of the tip. For 2010 the Hornady 250 gr. SST will have the flex-tip only, Hornady has stopped production of their SST ML bullet with the solid red tip.

The results I had last season with my 20 gauge reloaded slugs tells me the flex tip bullets do open faster than the solid tip shock-wave or SST bullets

Doc

Were you happy with the way the flex-tip performed or did they perhaps open too fast?

Thanks for the reply.

WN

WN,

I was more like shocked. Shooting the .452 flex tip bullets in my reloaded 20 gauge rifle slug loads at 1625 FPS which is 375 feet slower than the 2200 FPS they were designed for ( 450 bushmaster). Each bullet left a larger exit hole than I have seen with the .452 SST ML( hard tip) bullet from a T-C Pro hunter with 105 grains of 777 powder.

If you rifle will shoot them accurately, try the T/C 200 gr. for .50 caliber shock wave. It absolutely crushes whitetails. The 200 gr. shock wave is my groups primary bullet for whitetails.

Doc

Wow. That's quite an endorsement. I'll be giving them a try, for sure.

Thanks.

WN

I shot some bonded powerglides one last season and I didnt care for them. I did get two deer but only the two that were really close when I shot them. I lost one because I know I hit it but it left no blood. I got another but it left no blood for a ways, these things didnt open up they just went through. I have always used TC xtp black mags and have never lost a deer and never had one go more than 20yrds. I must admit I havent tried the standard shockwaves but I wont be using bonded anymore.

My results will differ from those shooting the SW/SST at lower velocity as I use them in my Savage smokeless ML10.

I prefer the bonded version, but I have to admit it's not an apples to apples comparison in my case. I killed quite a few deer with the 250 nonbonded version. The results were good at times and terrible other times. After I had a few explode, I switched to the 300grn bonded version. That's why I say not apples to apples as I may have gotten better results just moving up to the 300grn nonbonded version.

The 250 bonded SWs I purchased were slighlty under .452" and opened my groups when compared to the regular 250s. I moved to the 300 and the accuracy was similar to the regular 250.

The 300s have a higher BC and trajectory was very similar to the 250 at 200yds even though the MVs were less.


loder

I shot 9 deer & a coyote last Fall with the regular 250 grn SST M-L bullet/sabot combination. There were all 1 shot kills & fell within sight. Most were soft tissue shots(pass-thru), just behind the front leg. They shoot very well in my Knight & I use about 115 grns of B-209. I hear different things about the SST's but myself & the partner like them. Of course you have to put them in the right spot too. I was hunting 2 States, & one location has an over load of deer with plentiful anterless permits.

Doc

I took my Triumph to the range this morning. I shot both the 200gr and 250gr SW's using 110gr of BH209 @ 100yds. Both shot very well and nearly to the same POI.

Very pleased so far with both the rifle and the bullets.

Thanks for the tip about the 200gr SW's.

WN

Whelen Nut,

The 200gr. shock waves were softer on the shoulder I'm sure.

With 110gr of BH-209, the 200 gr SW are 2100+ FPS and 6-7 inches less drop at 200 yards.

You will be very pleased with this load once you start shooting deer.

Doc

Doc

I got 2180 fps with the 200gr/110gr BH combination but never got to check the 250's cause a sabot took out my Chrony! I was planning to upgrade to a ProChrono Digital anyway so this just forced the issue.

I'll be giving both of them a try at 200yds next trip to the range BUT I'll have a sheet of plywood along for Chrony protection!

WN

WN,

I should have warned you about sabots and chronographs. You have to place a block of wood in front to protect them.

If you are shooting a 3X-9X scope hold the intersection of the thin and thick crooshair at 9X "DEAD" on at 200 yards you should be dead on at at best 1 to 1 1/2 inches low. The deer won't mind the low impact. "grin"

Doc

Right in the boiler.

I'm fired up about the 200gr Shockwaves.

First confirmed kill with the new Triumph!

Its less expensive to field dress you first confirmed kill than to replace it.

Doc

Is the 200 grain shockwave the same as the 200 sst. If so I'm headed to the gunshop right now. My KP1 loves the sst's, but I have a hard time finding them.

Denny

ouch that chrono took a hit!

i got this RCBS in a small gun shop and it comes with 20' cables so you can bring it back to you and watch it.

WM,

Yes, the SST bullet is the same as the shock-wave but Hornady markets their .40 cal SST for the .45 in-line only.

The sabot packed in the Hornady SST box is the "Tan" colored sabot intended for .45 rifles.

Doc

I always set my chrono around 6' when checking the MLers and shotguns.

WN, the 250s clocked 2150 over 110grns of BH209 in my Omega. That was with HPH12s and CCI 209Ms. The 200s gave me 2175 with the same charge.

I was able to get descent groups with the 200s, but haven't hunted with them. I've heard a few guys say they are very expansive.

Have a good one,

loder