28 October 2005, 23:16
ManCannonT/C Shockwave Bullets
Hey guys... Just wanted to give the you a better view of the T/C Shockwave bullets.
From the T/C website: "The polymer tip of the Shock Wave bullet does double duty; it increases the Ballistic Coefficient for sustained high velocity down range, and it punches into the pocket to open up the nose cone for fast expansion. The result; 3" less drop at 200 yards, and devastating energy at velocities between 1,000 ft/sec & 2,200 ft/second. The Shock Wave has a harder lead core with walls interlocked with the jacket for maximum weight retention and expansion."
Ever wonder why T/C advertises increased BC but doesn't give actual numbers? Because their claims can not be backed up with real data!!
After extensive testing that I've done with the Shockwave bullets versus XTP's, they possess absolutely ZERO advantage in regards to BC. The retained velocity of a 200gr Shockwave is exactly the same as a 200gr .400 cal Hornady XTP. The same goes for the 250 and 300 grain Shockwaves with respect to the appropriate caliber XTP's. This is not speculation by any means. This is real range data that I've obtained on several occasions.
Also, recovered Shockwave bullets show a tendency to seperate the jacket from the core. Multiple bullets have shown this. The recovered XTP's have never seperated in these same tests.
Moral of the story? Before you go out and spend $10 on a box of 15 bullets, consider using Hornady XTP's. They will deliver the same velocity profile and provide better terminal performance at roughly a 600% savings!! And no, I don't work for Hornady. I'm just tired of bullshit marketing hype.

31 October 2005, 17:45
DavePDAMN! I just bought a mess of them!
Actually,I walked away from XTPs a decade ago,after a few jacket separations.Maybe they're better made nowadays?
I wasn't too impressed back then.Dave
01 November 2005, 18:10
conchoManCannon at my expence I agree with your findings , I agree that Hornady is the best for my many rifles , I do use the T/C Sabots I have figure 8 hits at 50 yards and 1.200 at 100 yds some 8's at that range.don't need 200 yards here in PA where I hunt 50 yds is max
21 November 2005, 19:43
Flatland Hunter2It's all about accuracy... if one shoots more accurately than the other use the accurate one. In my case it's the Barnes MZ 250gn.
01 January 2006, 23:17
VersifierWhile I like a lot of T/C's products, I don't swallow any company's hype. I do think T/C makes the best commercially made traditional locks available today, though I prefer the accuracy of Green Mountain's barrels. What I do buy from T/C is their sabots sans bullets which I fill with ones I have cast myself. I shoot a .54 T/C Renegade caplock with a GM drop-in loaded with 228gr Lee .45cal RNHP's over about 100g (vol. equiv.) of Pyrodes RS. They are as or more accurate than any of the dozens of commercially made bullets I have tested in the last several years and you never, ever hear a single complaint about their performance from any of the dead deer in the freezer. Not one has ever needed a second shot. I switched over from Maxi Balls after seeing a dramatic difference in accuracy (MB's would shoot into 3" - deer never complained about them, either). I've never been one to jump onto the "newest is best" bandwagon and prefer to test things out and see for myself what works and what doesn't. My load puts five shots into one ragged hole at 75yds and I figure I've got about $.02 per bullet, $.10 per sabot, $.005 for lube, and maybe $.25 of powder cost per shot. I can live with that.