Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Bullets

[Ridgewalker]

Well apparently if you want to reload TBBC bullets you can forget it according to an email reply I received from Speer. In essence, they said TBBC bullets are actually a Federal bullet that was distributed by Speer for a short time. Now they are just loaded into Federal ammunition and not available as a reloading component.

So if your gun doesn’t shoot the Federal TBBC ammo well, you have to find another option.

Just thought you guys would like to know.
Have a great day!

 

[CAustin]

The Federal ammo shoots well through my 458Lott and 375 H&H. Not a reloader myself so no matter what I have to pay the retail price,

 

[Hank2211]

I’ve only ever shot the Federal loads, and I have to say the TBBC is up there with the A-Frame, barely behind the Barnes in my experience.

 

[sheephunterab]

They were available for a short period of time about 15 years ago but ya, Federal keeps pretty tight wraps on them.

 

[Ridgewalker]

In my MRC 375 H&H the 300gr Fed TBBC shoots 3 in 1 1/2” groups at 100 meters @2,478 FPS. Fine for most African species but not crocodile IMO.
I need to consistently hit a golf ball at 100 meters from a Harris bipod in prone position. So I’m told. My 250 TTSX Barnes will do 1/2”@100 meters consistently. I guess that will be my croc load.
Best

 

[Bullthrower338]

What cal are you looking for?

 

[Ridgewalker]

What cal are you looking for?

.375 particularly 300gr.

 

[IvW]

.375 particularly 300gr.

Try North Fork bonded in 300 gr or 350 gr.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Try North Fork bonded in 300 gr or 350 gr.

Thanks IvW. Got some coming in the end of the week. They also emailed me some reloading data.
Thanks to you I get to start all over figuring out loads for my 375 H&H...LOL! Luckily I enjoy working up loads!

 

[Shootist43]

Although I plan to hunt with North Fork in July, I picked up some Swift A Frames for the Jeffery at less than half the price for range use. If I have a few of them left over no one is going to criticize their use on African game. I'm using the 400 Gr Hornady Interbond bullets I bought off tarbe in the 416 Rigby.

North Fork provided me with loads for my 416 Rigby and my 404 Jeffery, without a doubt they are good folks to talk to and deal with. Now if Rhino could get a U.S. distributor we'd have more load development to do.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Although I plan to hunt with North Fork in July, I picked up some Swift A Frames for the Jeffery at less than half the price for range use. If I have a few of them left over no one is going to criticize their use on African game. I'm using the 400 Gr Hornady Interbond bullets I bought off tarbe in the 416 Rigby.

North Fork provided me with loads for my 416 Rigby and my 404 Jeffery, without a doubt they are good folks to talk to and deal with. Now if Rhino could get a U.S. distributor we'd have more load development to do.

@tarbe is working on the Rhino connection for us I believe.

 

[Shootist43]

Tarbe, is that correct? I would think that it would take a large volume distributor like Midway to bring in enough quantity to get the shipping charges down to a reasonable cost.

 

[tarbe]

Tarbe, is that correct? I would think that it would take a large volume distributor like Midway to bring in enough quantity to get the shipping charges down to a reasonable cost.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

What remains to be seen is if the principal parties can make a plan that works for everyone.

I am sure the effort will be made.

I just know that it would be good for U.S. hunters to have the option to purchase and use Rhino bullets...and I hope it can happen.

 

[Goose Cracker]

My new 35 Whelen loves the Federal TBBC ammo - sub MOA. But, not only are TBBC bullets not available as a component, Federal has discontinued the TBBC ammo for 35 Whelen as well! When I found that out, I bought everything I could find. So I've got that going for me and won't have to cook up a new load until it runs out, which should be a few years. When I do start reloading for it, I'm planning to start with the A-frames or TSXs. The A-frames are not cheap!

I did notice that Federal/Speer has started to offer the TBT bullets as components recently, at least in smaller calibers (270, 7mm, and 30).

 

[Ridgewalker]

I did notice that Federal/Speer has started to offer the TBT bullets as components recently, at least in smaller calibers (270, 7mm, and 30).

What is the “TBT”? I cannot find anything listed that on the Speer website.

 

[tarbe]

Trophy Bonded Tip (or Tipped).

 

[Ridgewalker]

https://www.federalpremium.com/components/family/federal-premium/trophy-bonded-tip

Found it on the Federal site. No large calibers (over 308) yet as you said Goose Cracker. But it does sound like the TBBC as in solid copper shank and bonded lead but with a plastic tip. Maybe bigger bores are around the corner.

 

[John J]

From what I have seen I would prefer the TBBC for larger game like elk. The trophy bonded tip blew a nice hole clean through an antelope. But a few days later a bull was shot twice with no signs of being hit. Yes the bull died, but I wasn't impressed with the performance compared to the smaller animal. 200 yards from a 300 WSM they seemed to pencil through with minimal damage. Same box of ammo so I have no idea what may have happened. Two animals isn't much of an experiment, however it isn't a confidence booster.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Good info John J! Thanks! Losing an animal here which just costs a few hours of hunting (I live in Colorado) vs losing a $2,000 animal in Africa after traveling two days to get there and days of hunting...ugh! Not a good option. Back to Northfork bullets.

 

[John J]

Good info John J! Thanks! Losing an animal here which just costs a few hours of hunting (I live in Colorado) vs losing a $2,000 animal in Africa after traveling two days to get there and days of hunting...ugh! Not a good option. Back to Northfork bullets.

I lived in Colorado for 16 years, recently moved. Except for antelope, I hunted with a Marlin 45 70. Iron sights and my cast bullets. They never let me down.