Trophy Bonded Sledgehammers .458 500 gr

[Luvthunt]

Have been using the Sledgehammers since the early 199os, but recently have been unable to buy any. Was going to try North Forks but with their shutting down need to look else where.
I prefer a non mono metal bullet as they take up less space in the case. It appears that Hornady and Sledgehammers are the only two lead and jacket bullets produced in the USA. Am I right?
Any suggestions would be appreciated but I want a flat meplat.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Luvthunt]

Anybody?

 

[enysse]

Why not use Swift-A-frame 450 grain bullets?

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Why not use Swift-A-frame 450 grain bullets?

I think the same as you Enysse.

 

[Luvthunt]

I have used 500 gr Aframes for 30 years and have a few samples of what they can do or do . Love them !! Looking for a lead/tungsten and jacket solid. Yes, I am aware that a few PHs are ok with using only Aframes on buff but I like to back up my Aframes with solids and I prefer none mono solids.
Is my only alternative Hornady if I cannot get Sledgehammers.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Woodliegh FMJ but they are round nose

 

[CTDolan]

Swift's new solid is definitely worth a look, in my opinion. I'd consider it a blend of the Sledgehammer and Woodleigh's Hydrostatic solid.

http://echolsrifles.blogspot.com/2015/02/sci-2015-high-lights-swift-bullet.html?m=1

 

[Luvthunt]

Yes to the Woodleighs, have thought that may be an alternative even with the lack of a flat nose BUT thank you CT, I was unaware the new Swift solids were not mono. So will go that way, if I can find any. Will keep trying to buy Sledgehammers but it is great to have a possible alternative and will call Swift today.
Thank you all for the help.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

If your gun , is a .458 Winchester Magnum , l would never recommend 500 grain Monolithic bullets either. A monolithic solid in 500 grain weight is longer than a full metal jacket bullet in 500 grain weight , so it takes up more combustion space. With the .458 Winchester Magnum , this can be problematic , because the case capacity issues in .458 Winchester Magnum are already well known , as it is. A 500 grain Monolithic would , without a doubt make things worse. That's why the safe weight for a Monolithic meplat solid in .458 Winchester Magnum is 450 grains.
Now , to Answer your question , l wouldn't recommend Hornady bullets. They have caused problems in the past for my guns.
Have you considered Noslers ?
Also , David Little of Kynamco lists a .458 Winchester Magnum Loading on his website. I know for a fact that he doesn't sell monolithic solids. Which would indicate that he is selling Full metal Jacket Bullets . He also sells loading components. It's worth emailing them if they can make you a special run of flat nosed .458s

 

[Luvthunt]

Hoss,
458 lott and it dates back to when theLott was wildcat only. Have 8/900 rounds thru and, based on chrony data my rifle loses at least 75fpm or pressure is such that bolt handle is a hard lift. Gave up on mono bullets 25 years ago and never looked back. With the chambering and 22” barrel in this rifle 2225 is tops with 500 gr. AFrame and sledgehammers.the monos require a further powder reduction hence the 2125/ 2150 velocity.
I believe the Noslers are mono and I load my own that is part of the enjoyment of shooting.
By the way, having a new Lott put together based on a 602 Brno, the rifle is at AHR at this time. It also shoots Aframes and sledgehammers in a nice group.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

BTW , for anyone that knows :
Did Federal discontinue the Sledgehammer solids in .375 HH Magnum and .458 Winchester Magnum ?
I cant seem to find any either

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Have been using the Sledgehammers since the early 199os, but recently have been unable to buy any. Was going to try North Forks but with their shutting down need to look else where.
I prefer a non mono metal bullet as they take up less space in the case. It appears that Hornady and Sledgehammers are the only two lead and jacket bullets produced in the USA. Am I right?
Any suggestions would be appreciated but I want a flat meplat.
Thanks for the help.

From what I’ve read you’d do just fine with a Cutting Edge Bullets 450gr solid. The lighter weight is easily overcome by the flat meplat and shoulder design.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

BTW , for anyone that knows :
Did Federal discontinue the Sledgehammer solids in .375 HH Magnum and .458 Winchester Magnum ?
I cant seem to find any either

I found a site with some vintage .375 caliber Trophy Sledgehammer Solids and posted it up a whole back. Did you snag those @Hoss Delgado?

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/original-375-trophy-bonded-bear-claw-component-bullets.52740/

As for North Forks, Reloading International has inventory they've put on clearance.

http://www.reloadinginternational.com/search.php?s=cl.bullets

 

[Hoss Delgado]

I found a site with some vintage .375 caliber Trophy Sledgehammer Solids and posted it up a whole back. Did you snag those @Hoss Delgado?

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/original-375-trophy-bonded-bear-claw-component-bullets.52740/

As for North Forks, Reloading International has inventory they've put on clearance.

http://www.reloadinginternational.com/search.php?s=cl.bullets

Bro , thanks to you , l snagged these and have only just started realizing how good they are I decided to buy some new factory ammo and suddenly realized that Federal MAY have discontinued their trophy bonded sledge hammer solids in .375 HH Magnum and .458 Winchester Magnum .
I wish someone here knew the answer

 

[Mr. Zorg]

@Hoss Delgado, Federal / Speer discontinued offering TBBC & Sledgehammer Solid component bullets years ago AFAIK. But factory loaded ammo is still in production.

https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/premium-safari/

Federal has announced offering TBBC component bullets recently in larger calibers only, and these have been slow to show up available for retail purchase.

Federal's web site shows Trophy Sledgehammer component bullets in similar (same?) calibers as the reintroduced TBBC's, including .375 & .458 calibers.

https://www.federalpremium.com/reloading/bullets/

As you can see, only the .375 caliber Sledgehammer Solids show any availability at this time, "In Store Only". You could contact Federal directly to ask about projected availability of .458 caliber Sledgehammer Solids.

https://www.federalpremium.com/support.html

These still may not *exactly* match the vintage Sledgehammer Solids you purchased, as I understand Federal / Speer made some changes to facilitate mass production, but I doubt those changes significantly affect performance.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

@Hoss Delgado, Federal / Speer discontinued offering TBBC & Sledgehammer Solid component bullets years ago AFAIK. But factory loaded ammo is still in production.

https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/premium-safari/

Federal has announced offering TBBC component bullets recently as component bullets in larger calibers only, and these have been slow to show up available for retail purchase.

Federal's web site shows Trophy Sledgehammer component bullets in similar (same?) calibers as the reintroduced TBBC's, including .375 & .458 calibers.

https://www.federalpremium.com/reloading/bullets/

As you can see, only the .375 caliber Sledgehammer Solids show any availability at this time, "In Store Only". You could contact Federal directly to ask about projected availability of .458 caliber Sledgehammer Solids.

https://www.federalpremium.com/support.html

These still may not *exactly* match the vintage Sledgehammer Solids you purchased, as I understand Federal / Speer made some changes to facilitate mass production, but I doubt those changes significantly affect performance.

Thank you so much , bro