Has anyone heard of this new tipped, bonded bullet from Federal? I just learned of it but noticed this video was posted on Youtube back in February of this year. Sorry if this is old news, call me a slacker.

(dial up, don't bother):

New bonded tip Federal bullet

Here's some more info with their intended offerings.

http://www.federalpremium.com/promotions/press_releases...75&brand=5&year=2008

I don't think I'm too keen on a nickel coated bullet. I do not know how true it may be, but I know I read and/or heard somewhere that nickel coated brass is risky on a bore anyway, if any happens to see its way there.

Anyone have any theories on nickel coated bullets down the bore...pros/cons?

I did read the link also where they've continued their partnership with Barnes. Looks like I'm not the only fan of the 110 grain bullet in .277:

It is ONE of 2 offerings available

P270WSMF 270 WSM 110-gr Tipped Triple-Shock 3500 fps

P270Q 270 Win 110-gr Tipped Triple-Shock 3400 fps

It's news to me....but then it's only in loaded ammunition.....and a spin off on the Speer Trophy bonded bullet.

If it's priced like the TBB from speer they won't sell many boxes of it.....

Specials of Federal in TBBC bullets for $20 a box have been around for some time.....Maybe this is intended to correct the image of the (quite frankly) over priced TBBC!

I'm just wondering how long it will be before they put a tip on the partition, and possibly bond the front core, like Swift did for the Aframe.

Seems like we all discussed it here at AR some years ago. Only time will tell I guess.

Doc, Just think of the performance parameters of the Nosler Accubond, they have already done it!

Midway has it listed, but not in stock yet, looks to me to be priced the same as other premium ammo.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=956107&t=11082005

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=547284&t=11082005

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=553294&t=11082005

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=853469&t=11082005

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=138044&t=11082005

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Doc, Just think of the performance parameters of the Nosler Accubond, they have already done it!

Well, I considered that until I reflected back a few years when I shot a mule deer with a 140 AB from my 270 at ~45 yards and didn't get enough penetration. In the exact same scenario, (which I've been in before), a partition would have outperformed the AB, in 130, 140, 150, or 160 grain, OR their new 130 E-tip. I still strongly believe in the partition regarding total performance, but throwing a tip on it would make it that much better for longer ranges!

Think of it this way, most all of the bullet makers already have tipping machines. I can't imagine that it would take that much re-tooling.

When Nosler first introduced the AB I was developing some loads for my Bro in Law and had an opportunity to expend a few nuisance tags for whitetails back east... First round was about 125 or so IIRC, bang flop. 140 gr .270 3190 ft/secs. The shot was a frontal quartering on smashed front shoulder and exited near last rib... inside was a memory. Second round was the Hornady offering at 3250, 90 yards and though I was using Nuclear tipped rounds from the carnage, had to be a 5 inch entry... sada story for Hornady's bonded. Anyway, Nosler expects their AB's to behave as their Partitions... so they say.

It's the new Trophy Tip bullet. It's a variation on (or modification of) the original TBBC. It basically keeps the same internal design, but adds a polymer tip and boat tail for "better BC," pressure relief grooves in the shank, and a fancy new "nickel" coating for pressure/fouling reduction. They're going to be replacing all the TBBC bullets with these from .338 down.

I read an article in American Rifleman a few months ago where they did the first field test, and it performed just like the old TBBC - which is one of the finest bullets on the market, IMO. The reps at Federal, when asked about the redesign of the bullet, said many of the changes were to make it appear "sleeker and more appealing to twentysomethings..." That must be why I'm so drawn to it - the fancy colors!