ive been messing around with my 300 win mag with bullets for ever it seems like forever. ive spent a small fortune on barnes and im convinced none of my guns enjoy these bullets. used scirrocos but they didint hold up well enough on some of the bigger african stuff at close range. plus i live in alaska where we shoot moose and bears and such that are bigger. ive killed a couple of black bears with 200 grains bear claws and was very impressed. went all the way through the rear and lodged in his neck and weighed about 180 grns. (texas heart shot. i want to go with a lighter bullet to make use of the better trajectory. i dont hear as much about TB as A frame. i like to use one gun and one load it keeps things simple and i get to know it.any suggestions or experience?

I've shot about the same number of animals with A-Frames and TBBC's. Both are great and both are accurate. All were elk size or larger, with perfect expansion and about perfect weight retention every time.

Dude,

For what it is worth, my .300 Win Mag, .375 H&H and .416 Rem Mag have all shot better with A-Frames than with TBBC. Because of that, I have no field experience with TBBCs. However, 20 African game animals (from Thomson's to buffalo) think the A-frame is deadly. I'd pick the one that your gun likes the best and go with it. They are both premium bullets and should stand up to anything you can challenge them with.

Regards,

Terry

[ 12-09-2002, 06:19: Message edited by: T.Carr ]

I have killed hundreds of animals with TBBC with great results. It is by far my favorite bullet. The A-Frame is very similar, and I would probably pick the one that shot better if I were you. You will be pleased with either.

I've used TBBCs and A-frames in Africa on a wide variety of large and small game, both worked well but I prefer the TBBCs. You might also try the 180gr Fail Safe bullets, they've been a real killer for me on everything from brown bears to moose and elk, plus more African game than I'll ever shoot again. They outpenetrate either of the others and accuracy in my 300s has been exceptional.

I'm with Terry - pick the one that your gun shot the best!

I my self have settled for 200 grains Bearclaw in my .300 win. I don't think the 180 grains gives my a better trajetory which I can take advantge of during hunting.

Regards

Mads

AK Dude,

I've shot the 300 gr.A-frames in my 375 since they came out and have been really happy with them.

3 years ago I started loading the 180 A-frames in my 300 Win Mag. and once again I have been very pleased. I honestly have shot everything from a big lion to a 100 pound deer with them and all but 3 animals actually have died in their tracks.
The lion flopped left, flopped right and died. A lechwe ran flat out for 100 yd. and died in a dust ball. A feral hog ran about 50 yd. with a broken right shoulder after the bullet had entered his left hip. Tough pig.

I personally have only shot 6 animals with the TBBC. I never recovered a bullet but I was shooting a 338 with 250's.

Actually I think you would be very pleased with whatever one shoots best in your rifle.

alaskadude -- Let me throw another bullet into the mix. Try a 180 gr. or 200 gr. North Fork bullet. I have shot the A-Frame and TBBC. The North Fork is more accurate than those in my rifles. It also performs at less pressures, becouse of it's design. I recently worked up a load for a buddy who went to New Mexico on an Elk hunt. He hit a Bull twice at 420 yards and the 200 grain North Fork at 3000 fps performed perfectly. Your rifle will eventually tell you what it likes, as Terry and others have stated, try the three, then make that decision. Good luck and good shooting.

I'm sure either bullet will serve you well. But if your goal is better trajectory, why not go to the tried and true Nosler Partition? It is more streamline with a higher ballistic coefficient than the other two makes, and its terminal performance is unquestioned.

As John indicated, Winchester Fail-Safe bullets are superb if your rifle will shoot them well. For moose, elk, or big bears, I don't think you can choose a better .300 Winchester bullet.

I don't really think you can go wrong, in terms of terminal performance, with the Fail-Safe, Trophy Bonded, Nosler Partition, or Swift A-Frame. It appears as though the newish Northfork bullet is another sterling performer (I haven't tried 'em yet) that combines great terminal performance with fine accuracy. Choose the one that shoots best in your rifle and run with it.

AD

AK DUDE,

I've had extensive experience with both bullets as well and in the long run the A frame has worked better for me and my .300. Also have used them in 30-06 .375 and .416. I've actually had the TBBC on a few occasions come apart into several pieces on large DG so I don't use it anymore. I've had nothing but great results with A Frame. Good luck!

Now that Keith mentioned the TBBC coming apart, I will relate an experience of mine. I was preparing for a Moose hunt in Big Bear country in 1999. I had a good load for a .340 Wby in Barnes XLC and was considering trying the TBBC. My outfitter said absolutely, do not bring the TBBC, as he had a hunter almost lose his life when the bullet fragmented and a Bear charged. At the time he stated, you can bring anything you want, "as long as it is a Nosler Partition". I worked up a load with a 250 grain Nosler Partition Gold, and got my Moose. That outfitter hunts the Big Bears exclusively on Kodiak Island now. Good shooting.

Phurley, I have had two TBBC bullets come apart on me so far and find them not trust worthy on bigger game animals. I would never use them on a big bad bear. I will stick with Nosler's and Swift A Frames.