was wondering if anyone uses this ammo and what do you think of it? I used it last year out of my 300 RUM and just got a box for my 300 WSM groups better than Nosler Partitions out of my rifles.plus the nickel plated cases look cool

Is this the same as the Speer trophy bonded?

If so, it's a darn expensive bullet and on a Par with A-Frames and Northforks.....and that puts it in some extremely good company.

Yes, I believe it is the trophy bonded bear claw, now with a plastic tip and grooves cut into the bearing surface just like a Barnes TSX. I think they even nickel coat the bullet too. I'm not sure I'm good with that in a rifle barrel. Don't know what could come of that if anything.

quote:

I think they even nickel coat the bullet too.

Could be.....speer made some nickel coated .224 HPs years ago.....They stopped it very quickly for reasons I never discovered.....bear in mind a "flash nickel" will look good at .00005 thickness.....that's 50 millionths.....and frankly, I'm not sure why.....it might be solely for looks......and IMO looks sells!

I would sure be glad to see those bullets available as a component!

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
I would sure be glad to see those bullets available as a component!

they were some time ago.....but at $2.50 a piece folks didn't buy many!

IIRC you CAN buy them as components, directly from Federal.

It looks to be a good bullet, up there with the tipped TSX and Winchester XP3. XP3 is the only one not available as a component yet. Hope that changes!

Ok I just double checked. They are available directly from Federal, and they have 3 bullets

Trophy Bonded Tip
Trophy Bonded Bear Claw *the old style*
Sledge Hammer

Federal has been talking about making components for over a year. So far, I don't know any internet wholesaler/retailer that carries them. They list them on the website but they are not really available yet.

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
Federal has been talking about making components for over a year. So far, I don't know any internet wholesaler/retailer that carries them. They list them on the website but they are not really available yet.

my experience as well, but I will try again, just sounds like a cool bullet

Geez, just looked at Federal website, pitiful lack of info. NONE of the dealers they show come close to stocking anything that is a component from Federal other than primers....and them from a distributor, all theu really have from Federal possibly is their ammo, which probably comes from some distributor too.....

can't believe they don't show an online vendor link, or break out bullet descriptions--WEAK.

quote:

NONE of the dealers they show come close to stocking anything that is a component from Federal other than primers.

With all due respect sir, The trophy bonded bullets, while excellent, aren't really better than A-Frames or Northforks. If they don't want to make it easy to buy them, I'd look to the competition.....darn good stuff.

right on Vapo, already have soem A-frames, but haven't ever purchased any North Forks, prolly should!

PS, you are right, a flash coat of Nickel on them, which they even said something to the effect of 'makes em look cool'

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but haven't ever purchased any North Forks, prolly should!

Northforks are a bit more spendy than A-Frames but rank among the finest one can buy.

I use the 120 Northfork in my 6.5 X 55 and love it. The trouble is that I really don't think they are any better than A-Frames and run about 40% more.

If you should find some TBBCs hold on a few seconds until the sticker shock subsides.

Speer also made some solids with carbide inners and a copper jacket.....about $5.00 each.....I've always wondered who they sold them to.....There's plenty of solids adequate for Cape Buffalo and Rhino and Ele.....and at a helluva lot better price.

I think the marketing guys totally over ran Speer for a while!

grafs has trophy bonded bullets listed, all are sold out. prices I think are quite fair, $20 for 50 of the 180gr .308, $30 for the .338... but when will they be back in stock? the price might go up when they get back in stock too...
chrome and soft usually don't go in the same sentence... I think I read somewhere that it was to prevent corrosion.
*correction*
yeah it is nickel not chrome... I'm trying to find some reviews to see if anyone finds it to be bad on the bore

quote:

Originally posted by sagi:
grafs has trophy bonded bullets listed, all are sold out. prices I think are quite fair, $20 for 50 of the 180gr .308, $30 for the .338... but when will they be back in stock? the price might go up when they get back in stock too...
chrome and soft usually don't go in the same sentence... I think I read somewhere that it was to prevent corrosion.
*correction*
yeah it is nickel not chrome... I'm trying to find some reviews to see if anyone finds it to be bad on the bore

They have never had them in stock. I doubt those prices are correct but we'll see. It's a neat looking bullet but to VAPO's credit, it is just another premium bullet that has similar performance to several that are already out. I don't shoot magnums so Accubonds are about as premium as I go.

I have used the new Trophy Bonded Bullet, and have effectively and efficiently killed plenty of game with it in the U.S., Africa and Mexico. Great bullet and deadly in my custom Winchester Model 70 in .300 WSM!