I have looked all over for this "TB sledgehammer" bullet. I have found TB bearclaw but no "sledgehammer", is there a difference, and what is it? Thanks for answering.

If I'm not mistaken, the Sledgehammer is the solid bullet from Trophy Bonded. It's called the Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid and has a very good reputation. Do a Google Search for Trophy Bonded Solids, and you'll find what you're looking for.

The bearclaw is a lead core front half and solid copper rear half bullet and the lead core in the front is bonded to the jacket. These have fine reputations for performance.

The Sledgehammer is a copperclad tungston solid that while extremely expensive ($5 each) are also with a fine reputation for being the best there is.

Here's the link. I think they call them Grand Slams now.

http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.asp?s1=3&s2=7&s3=20

If you go to the Federal Ammunition webpage and go through the Bllistics Catalog, and click the "rifle" and then "Cape Buffalo" then choose any of the listed cartridges you will find a listing for the Trophy Bonded Sledghammer.

Vapodog:

The Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer is a bonded bronze solid with a flat nose and a lead core. You are thinking of the Speer African Grand Slam Solids.

Currently the Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer solids are not available to reloaders but the Speer African Grand Slam solids are. The Sledgehammers are available from Federal in their Premium Safari Rifle line.

I cntacted Federal and they said that at this time they do not plan to offer the Sledgehammers to the reloading public but the Trophy Bonded Bear Claws are available. Go figure.

RCG

This bullet as someone else has said is a solid, the company was bought out by speer a few years ago and that particular solid is now only available in factory loads from Federal in 375, 416 458 and 470. I have some when I get a chance I take a phot of a 458 cal 500 Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer [image][url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=222391&c=500&z=1"]



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Also included is a 458 cal 500 grain Hornady for comparison

The reason I did not find them I guess is that I was looking for a reloading component, I have not bought factory ammo in years. Thanks all. p.s. I guess I could buy factory stuff and pull bullets (cost prohibitive).

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Vapodog:

The Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer is a bonded bronze solid with a flat nose and a lead core. You are thinking of the Speer African Grand Slam Solids.

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You are so right.....I stand corrected.


http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000212486

The Trophy Bonded line was created by Jack Carter. Just before Jack�s death, he transferred much of the manufacturing to Speer who now is in control of the bullet. Speer would rather sell their AGS so the Sledgehammer will only be available via loaded ammo.

The AGS is a great bullet for the .458 WinMag since it maximizes case capacity. Furthermore, the tungsten core is unstoppable. Unfortunately, the price is a little ridiculous.

If you are looking for a comparable solid to the Sledgehammer, consider Woodleigh Solids. They perform similar to the Sledgehammer.