Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Federal Trophy Bonded Tip

I did a search on this and got tired of looking at irrelevant posts........................

Any use these on game? Ideally, I'm looking at the 165 gr at 308 velocities on elk size critters out to 400 yards or so. Federal website says they expand down to 1600 ft/sec but would really like to see what they look like at those vels. They might be a little over-kill on deer at 308 vels but I'm also curious how they work in that application as well. From my google-fu, it appears they hold up well to higher velocities even at close range. With their mono-esque construction, I'd expect that.

Thanks.

I’ve used a bunch of the original best claws made by Jack Carter. They were as good as the Partition in my opinion. The new bear claws ( trophy bonddd tip) is better. They will kill anything you encounter while hunting.

I have a bunch of 270, 7mm, and 308’s I need to load and try. I wish they made a 6.5 -140 grain.

I really wish they made the .338 200gn available to handloaders. My informal tests indicate it is a really tough bullet, yet opens reasonably wide. I can’t bring myself to use factory ammo when hunting thus no on game performance experience.

I shoot the Federal 200 gr TBT out of my 338 Federal. I killed a decent sized buck last fall with one thru the last rib and out the opposite shoulder - dropped on the spot. Decent sized exit wound but didn't lose much meat. Also shot a cow elk this fall at about 250 yards thru the lungs - she turned and walked about 35 yards towards me and dropped. Small sample size but I agree with prm. They seem like a pretty tough bullet that can still be used on smaller animals. If I was strictly hunting deer with them I'd lean towards a lighter bullet if one was available.

I used factory loaded 165 Federal Trophy Bonded Tips in a 308 last year on a DIY elk hunt in New Mexico. Flattened a 6x6 with one shot at 139 yards through both shoulders, in one side and out the other. Rifle shoots 5 bullets into an inch at 200 yards. Measured velocity was 2740 FPS out of a 21" Bartlein.

Subscribed to this one. They have always had my interest. The Edge TLR look like the LR version of the TBT?

I’ve used the 160 grn. trophy bonded in my 280 rem for elk for the last 4 yrs. with great results. Very good accuracy and terminal performance with kills being made out to 400 yds. My pet load is RL 22 with an avg. vel of 2850fps. I’ve recovered 2 bullets from 5 kills with textbook mushroom and upwards of 85-90% wt retention. Great penetration and most dropped in there tracks....it’s my go to bullet for elk in that rifle! I’ve also shot the 140 trophy bonded out of the same rifle and point of impact was very close to being the same as the 160. A very good bullet, use with confidence even if heavy bone is hit.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Took this buck with my 270 Win and a 130 Tipper TBBC started at 3150. Deer was about 140 yards. I thought I was going to find the bullet but my old man caped it before I could get there. I suspect it was balled up in the hide. Broke far side leg and the deer ran 50 yards or so. Decent blood for only having an entrance hole.

Last year we took a good sized Wyoming cow at 250 with the 140 version started at 2900. High shoulder and spine put it down pretty neatly. Blew right on through.

I like them so far. They have been easy to get to shoot, in jugs they expand wide and hold up real well and seem pretty sleek.

I

I’ve got some 200’s I’d like to try in my RUM. If they work like the 130’s in the 270 they should be some kinda hard on animals.

Heres a group I shot yesterday out of my pre 64 M70 in 280 Remington at 100 yards... Almost shot the same group at 200 yards but I pulled 1 out for 1-1/2 " for 5 shots.

I still have a couple thousand 22-62 grain bear claws. The FBI tested bear claws years ago. It was the only bullet that would hold up reliably through auto glass. They were testing .22’s and 308’s. Those were 100%
Copper. They are made out of a touch tougher copper alloy now, so they are even better at holding together.

Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I knew guys on here had the info! I think some 0.284 and 0.308 need to head my way via the brown truck. I really want my 308 to like the 165. I love that gun and have killed a few animals with it since I've owned it. Thanks again.

Midway has 308-165’s and 270-140’s

I spent several weeks this summer developing a load for my Bergara 270 and finally settled on a 140gr Sierra game king which is MOA out to 300 yds only to try the Federal trophy bonded tip in 130 gr later and shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yds. This stuff is so accurate no need to reload.

That wouldn’t break my heart. Great shooting.

That is good shooting. Those bullets are silver. Will they kill a werewolf if need be???

Thank you for the compliment...Rifle was bought for the action and stock. Made a mistake shooting it.... Pre 64 M70 with a Sako barrel and an MPI ? fiberglass stock. Don't know what to do with it now.

I’ve been using the Edge TLR which looks to be a more aerodynamic trophy bonded tip. I’ve now taken a mulie and an elk, I posted two recovered bullets from my elk in another TLR specific thread.

Have not hunted with them but have gotten nice groups from a number of different rifles with them.