Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Trophy Bonded Bear Claw "Tipped" version Performance

Has ayone run these this year, and if so how did hey perform? Have always been a big fan of the TBBC bullets and really like the idea that they have improved the BC's and that they fly a little flatter (at least on paper). So lets hear it.

I killed a bull elk with two last fall, at 250 yards with a .30-06, using factory Federal 180-grain loads. I couldn't tell if they flew flatter or not. The elk couldn't tell if they were tipped or not.

Details please Mule Deer. Did it perform equally as well as its previous version?

I have killed a ton of game with them, from deer to elk in North America to leopard and a bunch of plains game in South Africa and Namibia. Longest shot was a gemsbok at 467 yards. The leopard was shot charging very close. I also shot a client's wounded kudu as it was running straight away. That is the only tipped TBBC I've recovered. It had about 93 percent weight retention and looked perfect. I would be happy to e-mail a pic to someone to post it.

Just for clarification Greg, the Tipped version came out this year. Are you talking about regular bear claws or the new tipped version?

While on the topic of Trophy Bonded, please note they will no longer be available as components.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...owflat/Number/2763027/page/1#Post2763027

AlaskaCub,

Neither bullet was recovered. Judging from the autopsy, they acted just like the TTBC's I've shot into anything else: expanded well and penetrated deeply.

Do you mean that they couldn't tell if they had been tipped (over) when hit - or that the bullets were tipped with plastic?

What do you think?

I find that really, really irritating. I'd really like to know why they won't be offerred as component bullets. The only apparent reason not to offer them as component bullets is to drive folks to buy factory ammo. Ain't gonna happen.

Long live the Partition.

I was shooting the tipped Trophy Bonded before they went into production. I just got home and looked at my notes - I have shot over three dozen animals in total with the production version in various cartridges, though the majority were shot with a .300 WSM.

Thanks for the info, I have always been fond of the TBBC's and wondered if this new change in design was gonna turn them into an Accubond or something. On a sde note, I went and bought a box of them today and headed to the range. My Kimber loves em, ended up zeroed at 225 yards with a 3 shot group that was less than an inch MOA. Might have to gobble up a bunch of these!

In my experience, they lose more weight (93% vs. 96-97% for the originals) but are more accurate and perform better at long range. I am pleased with that trade-off on my sub-.375 rifles.

Sent you a PM regarding the pic you have Greg

We have shot 5 elk with 200 gr 300Win Mag. One shot each 5 dead bulls. Federal factory nickel cases. Expensive for factory and a low BC but they work if you do your part.We will use Nosler 200 Partitions in my new 300 wby. Son still has enough factory for a few more years.

I wish I had bought those older TBBC that Mule Deer had for sale a few months back. Stupid I guess.

I just picked up the PM and sent your address to my assistant. He'll shoot you that photo in the morning.

Well,sounds like they will be a great bullet......for factory load shooters..

The handloaders got screwed on this one.

I still wonder whether the folks got to Federal and got them to change the recipie back to copper like the old version...that was the better recipie.

godogs: I'll bet not,but sounds like they tweaked them right.GregR seems happy with them.

BTW, I run across boxes of the old one's once in awhile....you want me to grab them for you and keep you posted?Drop a PM and tell me what weights and calibers;I will keep a beady eye peeled