Any love for the federal terminal ascent?

[CBeck]

Any experiences with the federal terminal assent? I see very little talk about them on this forum… From what I read, they are an upgraded version of the trophy bonded bullet…. according to federal better in every department.

I found a pretty good deal on them in 280 Ackley improved, 155 gr…. before I started squirreling a few boxes away I was looking for any experience.

 

[Hooked Now]

My .300 didn't care for them. No idea how they perform, but it just wasn't a great group. Factory TBTs, now it loves those. And that's what I used on all of my PG last year.

 

[375Fox]

I know it’s @Mtn_Infantry preferred bullet. He’s had some good experience with them. The cut outs appear to be a very good design. Just newest version of trophy bonded bear claw.

 

[CBeck]

I know it’s @Mtn_Infantry preferred bullet. He’s had some good experience with them. The cut outs appear to be a very good design. Just newest version of trophy bonded bear claw.

Thank you sir. That my understanding as well… just doesn’t seem to be many using them unless it’s an A-frame, partition, Accubond or Barnes. You don’t hear much about it.

 

[Cornell Cowboy]

I tried the 200gr this year out of my 300 Win Mag. Killed a buck mule deer from 200 yards and a bull elk at 90 yards. Both were heart shots, so the bullet probably didn't matter, but they grouped okay out of my Sako S20. I'll be using them again this year.

 

[pilar]

I like them and wish they came in 375
My uncle brought them in 300wm when we went moose hunting up in Alaska, we didn’t get a moose , but he did kill two caribou with one shot on accident when the bullet held together enough to punch two ,
I definitely think they would be great for any PG in Africa , and probably good enough for buffalo if they where loaded in a 375 & larger

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Thank you sir. That my understanding as well… just doesn’t seem to be many using them unless it’s an A-frame, partition, Accubond or Barnes. You don’t hear much about it.

As @375Fox said, these are my preferred bullet, but unfortunately they're not loaded or sold as projectiles in all the calibers I shoot or it's likely the only thing I'd shoot.

I shoot the 155's in my 280AI and the accuracy is sub 1/2 MOA if I'm doing my job. Over the last 2.5 years I've used the 200gr .300WM on Elk and an Oryx in New Mexico, and the 175gr .308 on Whitetail, Hogs, and 20+ African Animals. Shots were 20yds to 480yds, and included Steenbok up to Eland with a lot of Zebras, Wildebeest, Impala, and Warthog culling and baits.

If a .25 Cal was offered I'd try handloading them for my .257Wby (currently use a 100gr TTSX in it) as well as the .250 Savage and .257 Roberts. I'd love to see a .375 Cal offered since the standard Bear Claws is so hard to find. I personally prefer the Bear Claw over the A-Frame but won't hesitate to shoot an A-Frame and have killed 2 buffalo with A-Frames. I'm not sure we need a .375 cal version of the Terminal Ascent over the standard Bear Claw, since most don't need the improved long range accuracy and expansion it brings.

IMO most on AH are using larger calibers for Africa (375, 404, 416, and 458) and without offerings in bigger calibers it's why you hear more about the A-Frames, Partitions, or Barnes bullets being used on this forum. The members that are taking their standard deer rifle to Africa for Plains Game seem to be using the same bullets they've hunted with for years. I've read a couple reports here on AH where someone shot the Terminal Ascent bullets in Africa and haven't seen any negatives. During my 2023 Eastern Cape Hunt the PH asked if I'd leave the leftover .308 rounds because he liked how well they shot and killed.

 

[CBeck]

As @375Fox said, these are my preferred bullet, but unfortunately they're not loaded or sold as projectiles in all the calibers I shoot or it's likely the only thing I'd shoot.

I shoot the 155's in my 280AI and the accuracy is sub 1/2 MOA if I'm doing my job. Over the last 2.5 years I've used the 200gr .300WM on Elk and an Oryx in New Mexico, and the 175gr .308 on Whitetail, Hogs, and 20+ African Animals. Shots were 20yds to 480yds, and included Steenbok up to Eland with a lot of Zebras, Wildebeest, Impala, and Warthog culling and baits.

If a .25 Cal was offered I'd try handloading them for my .257Wby (currently use a 100gr TTSX in it) as well as the .250 Savage and .257 Roberts. I'd love to see a .375 Cal offered since the standard Bear Claws is so hard to find. I personally prefer the Bear Claw over the A-Frame but won't hesitate to shoot an A-Frame and have killed 2 buffalo with A-Frames. I'm not sure we need a .375 cal version of the Terminal Ascent over the standard Bear Claw, since most don't need the improved long range accuracy and expansion it brings.

IMO most on AH are using larger calibers for Africa (375, 404, 416, and 458) and without offerings in bigger calibers it's why you hear more about the A-Frames, Partitions, or Barnes bullets being used on this forum. The members that are taking their standard deer rifle to Africa for Plains Game seem to be using the same bullets they've hunted with for years. I've read a couple reports here on AH where someone shot the Terminal Ascent bullets in Africa and haven't seen any negatives. During my 2023 Eastern Cape Hunt the PH asked if I'd leave the leftover .308 rounds because he liked how well they shot and killed.

Thank you sir…exactly the info I was wanting.

As I mentioned, I’m wanting them for my 280ai as well, which is my do all light rifle caliber. So glad to hear they are accurate in yours.

Odd it’s not available in 375…that would be convenient for my 2 gun battery.

 

[Sabre]

Thank you sir. That my understanding as well… just doesn’t seem to be many using them unless it’s an A-frame, partition, Accubond or Barnes. You don’t hear much about it.

The Terminal Ascent are also my preferred bullet since they came out.

I know it’s @Mtn_Infantry preferred bullet. He’s had some good experience with them. The cut outs appear to be a very good design. Just newest version of trophy bonded bear claw.

I always thought of them as the newer version of the Trophy Bonded Tip by federal. Which to be fair, I used to consider those mostly a tipped version of the Trophy Bonded Bear claw.

Any experiences with the federal terminal assent? I see very little talk about them on this forum… From what I read, they are an upgraded version of the trophy bonded bullet…. according to federal better in every department.

I found a pretty good deal on them in 280 Ackley improved, 155 gr…. before I started squirreling a few boxes away I was looking for any experience.

I have considerable time and experience behind both the Trophy Bonded Tip, and the Terminal Ascent. I like them both quite a bit. As mentioned above I feel like the TA is a slightly improved TBT. I find that the TA group slightly better out of most my guns than the TBT does. Although, they have both been very satisfactory for me.

I believe I have now taken about 30 species with the Terminal Ascent from duiker/coyote sized game, up to eland. I have loved it so far. I have been very impressed with how it has done on very large game. I hope that that continues, because I plan to keep using it.

One thing to be aware of is that, what was it, about a year ago, federal sold off to another company. They were owned by Vista Outdoors, and then were sold to a foreign company if I recall. I just say that to say that all my stock I have been shooting was bought before they sold off to another company. I do have some new ammo from after the sell off, but I haven't shot it yet. So can't speak to that.

The members that are taking their standard deer rifle to Africa for Plains Game seem to be using the same bullets they've hunted with for years. I've read a couple reports here on AH where someone shot the Terminal Ascent bullets in Africa and haven't seen any negatives. During my 2023 Eastern Cape Hunt the PH asked if I'd leave the leftover .308 rounds because he liked how well they shot and killed.

My PH also asked me to leave my leftover .308 Terminal Ascent ammo because he also liked it quite a bit.

 

[coreydb]

Federal's Terminal Ascent line uses different bullets, but their propellants are top notch, very consistent lot after lot, and proprietary. I have/use them for my .308.

 

[WoodFire]

I was very interested in this bullet when it came out and I've spoken to several people who report fantastic results. I've tried them in my .270 and .280AI (factory loads) and neither of my rifles liked them.

 

[Sabre]

I was very interested in this bullet when it came out and I've spoken to several people who report fantastic results. I've tried them in my .270 and .280AI (factory loads) and neither of my rifles liked them.

I also like Barnes Vor-Tx with the TSX and TTSX bullets. They grouped really well in so many guns and calibers. Until I tried them in 6.5 creedmoor. None of my guns in 6.5 creedmoor would group at all with them. I have friends that had great results with them in 6.5 though.

 

[KY Hunting Guy]

I used the terminal ascent this last year for whitetail. 7 mag 155 grain did the trick at 150 yards. The only thing I didn’t like was no exit wound. The deer was angled away from me and the bullet entered in between the last 2 ribs and came to rest in the off shoulder. The good thing was the deer didn’t take a single step but dropped right where it was. I am going to try it again this year and will see what the results are. For right now I am happy with it and intend to keep using it because it groups around 3/4 inch in my rifle. YMMV

 

[Tbitty]

I'm a big fan of these (and the previous generation Trophy Bonded Tip) bullets. Between both versions, Ive used them in 308, 30.06, 7mm Mag, & 270, with reliable accuracy in any version.

I originally bought some Trophy Bonded Tip (before Terminal Ascent existed) for 7mm Mag to take on a Caribou hunt in Alaska, where we had a chance at also taking moose if a legal bull showed up. Unfortunately I didn't take anything on that trip, but subsequent use on deer and hogs was extremely lethal. Since then and with the other calibers, I've used them personally or in the presence of others on many game animals from coyotes to elk sized game, with quality results across the board. I would not hesitate to buy/use/recommend these to anyone for almost any application.

I have heard a few say they didn't get great accuracy out of their rifles, but I've not seen that in any of my applications or friends/family that have tried them. I always recommend to anyone with a new gun or trying new ammo to do a single box test run first (regardless of brand or bullet) and if you're happy with the results then stock up while trying to buy several from the same place at same time, or buy a whole case full, to get a supply from same lot for maximum consistency.

Hope this helps!

 

[WoodFire]

I also like Barnes Vor-Tx with the TSX and TTSX bullets. They grouped really well in so many guns and calibers. Until I tried them in 6.5 creedmoor. None of my guns in 6.5 creedmoor would group at all with them. I have friends that had great results with them in 6.5 though.

I'm a big fan of the TSX and TTSX - I have also found them to shoot well in nearly everything. I have not tried them in my 6.5 though.

 

[Osama Mahdi]

I shared the range with the guy who developed them. I tested them not on an animal but on a setup I made to stress the bullet alongside other brands. They performed very well.

 

[Sabre]

I'm a big fan of the TSX and TTSX - I have also found them to shoot well in nearly everything. I have not tried them in my 6.5 though.

I'd be interested in hearing how they work for you once you give them a shot.

So far for 6.5CM I have found the Hornady Precision Hunter to be the most accurate, but I'm not as impressed on performance on game with them as I am with Barnes TSX/TTSX and the Terminal Ascent.

I have some Terminal Ascent for 6.5CM that I will try this summer and hopefully they work as well in my 6.5CM as they do the other calibers I have already used.

 

[Fatback]

I’ve used the them out of my 300 Win and 7PRC with good effect on whitetail and pigs, out to 300 yards. They are accurate in both rifles. My 270 didn’t like them as much so I didn’t shoot anything but paper with them in my 270. I plan on using them in my 7PRC in September on a My. Goat hunt.

 

[Wooster]

I was very interested in this bullet when it came out and I've spoken to several people who report fantastic results. I've tried them in my .270 and .280AI (factory loads) and neither of my rifles liked them.

+1 on this. Tried the TA in my 280AI hoping for good accuracy and they just didn't group very well compared to the TTSX and Accubond. Wasn't terrible, but enough to choose the others over it.

 

[WoodFire]

I'd be interested in hearing how they work for you once you give them a shot.

So far for 6.5CM I have found the Hornady Precision Hunter to be the most accurate, but I'm not as impressed on performance on game with them as I am with Barnes TSX/TTSX and the Terminal Ascent.

I have some Terminal Ascent for 6.5CM that I will try this summer and hopefully they work as well in my 6.5CM as they do the other calibers I have already used.

I've got some on Barnes LRX on hand to try - I will let you know. Precision Hunter is also the best round so far for my 6.5CM. I usually get better groups with those than anything I've hand loaded for it.