It seems that trophy bonded bear claw bullets have sold out to federal. And I have heard they have put a tip on the bear claw to improve its long range performance by BC increase. Does anyone know if you can buy the bullets only, and if you can where?I am interested in 7mm bear claws.

The latest from Federal is - Trophy Bonded bullets are not presently available. There are a few retailers who seem to have a few left in stock. It is my understanding the Federal is undecided if they will sell the bullets or not.

I have already sent several E-Mails to them asking that they consider offering the bullets. I am sure Jack Carter would have wanted the bullets to be made available.

[This message has been edited by Zero Drift (edited 10-31-2001).]

Frank and Zero Drift -- Try the Northfork, it is an improvement on the Trophy Bonded bullet, in my opinion. Phone 307-436-5780, location in Glenrock Wyoming. Good Shooting.

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[This message has been edited by phurley (edited 10-31-2001).]

Frank,

As remaked Federal bought the Trophy Bonded
Bear Claw design from Jack Carter -- who died earlier this year.

Federal has said maybe they will sell them in a "couple of years". I got this from a staffer at Jarrett Rifles, she said they can't get TB bullets now.

You will have to find bullets from the distributor pipeline, some garage or a gunstore shelf.

Or you could try the Swift A-Frame...jim

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

I hate to post this but, I have some of the original bear claws in several calibers. They cost $1.70 ea--(i am not kidding). If you want some I'd sell 'em for what I have in em. I still remember the day my wife found out that "shoebox size" packet of bullets showed up and I had spent over $400!!
Onthe other hand I have rarely fired more than 5 shots on a hunting trip!

The original Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets are still around on some dusty shelves, BUT they are no where near the quality or accuracy of the Federal version. Federal bought the "rights" to use the original design from Bear Claw, but only call the bullet Trophy Bonded, no Bear Claw added. Federal has GREAT dies and machinery as well as metalurgy engineers that "tweaked" the bullet into a true premium bullet. I have seen the Factory 7mm 160 grain Federal Trophy Bonded bullets go into 3/4" at 200 yards!!! Over 30 head of African and NA game have fallen to this load that I have witnessed. It just HAMMERS critters and is usually found under the skin on the opposite shoulder on the big stuff. All bullets have been perfectly mushroomed and weigh around 95% of original weight. Close range, long range shots, it doesn't matter, they always perform perfectly. Federal has never offered component bullets and I doubt they ever will due to liability other bullet makers are feeling due to lawsuits. Federal sells more loaded ammo than any other maker, so I don't see them taking a step backwards, just to make a few handloaders happy. Besides, their High Energy loadings are hotter and faster than anyone can hand load anyway. I can't even come CLOSE to the velocity safely. They kind of have the corner on the market. They load everone's bullets in their factory offerings. Why would they do that if they intended to start selling component bullets? Don't hold your breath on them doing it. Just my opinion. Flinch

Graf & Sons have a few left, but they are showing to be out of 7mm on their web page.

Andrew V. McGee

Phurley hit the nail on the head posting that the Northfork is an improved Trophy bonded bullet..I sure except that as an accurate statment. Plus the Northfork will shoot circles around the trophy bonded any day....The trophy bonded was a good bullet for plainsgame, no doubt about that.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com