Trophy Bonded Bear Claw

[grayghost]

Have any of you used the TBBC on Elk? I'm considering taking 160gr in .280 for my African hunt this summer, but have never used them. Plains game ranging from Cape Kudu, Gemsbok, Hartebeast, Wildebeast, Lechwe etc will be the largest I attempt to take. These all weigh less than a bull elk. Any insight will be appreciated. Good hunting, grayghost

[M.T. Pockets]

My partner shoots them in his .300 Win. Mag. I've been with him when he's killed 3 elk and a caribou. Kills them dead all right. He shoots the Federal Premium 180 grainers.

I'm a bullet nut and can't help but dig through the carcass to see what kind of damage was done and try to revover the bullet. From my limited experience, we usually found the bullet in a nice mushroom on the far hide.

Dead is dead, and they didn't separate inside the animal.
I prefer a blood trail but when it kills an animal in it's tracks I guess you don't really need one do you?

I was at a large sportsman's show this winter and talked quite a while with a heckuva nice PH from South Africa. It seems hunters in Africa argue abuot bullets about as much as we do. For plains game he said show up with your .270 or .308 with standard bullets, or Nosler Partitions, nothing heavier needed. He had a Barnes display at his booth and said he didn't like them for plains game, "not enough shock".

I'm more of a magnum & heavy bullet guy, but I'd gladly hunt elk with a .280 & Bear Claws. I'd be even more happy to hunt plains game.

[grayghost]

Although Federal has replaced their .280 TB's with the Nosler Accubond (160gr) I have a friend who is going to load my .280 with 160gr Speer Grand Slams. I've used this cartridge on Deer, Bear and Elk and am extremely happy he's going to reload them for me. The GS is my favorite bullet on big game. Now if I can stand the wait until July :) Good hunting, grayghost

[M.T. Pockets]

I'm sure the Speer will do fine too. I didn't know you could bring handloads to Africa. I know when Remington started loading the Swift A-Frame in it's factory line they stated it was designed for the American hunter wanting to bring a premium bullet to Africa in a factory load.

By the way, I'm going to try the Swift A-Frame on my next elk hunt. 200 grainers in a .300 Win. Mag.

[grayghost]

Hey M.T.; I haven't read anything about bringing (or not) handloads into SA, but I decided to buy the Federal's with 160gr Nosler Accubond. TBBC's were discontinued (thanks again to slow sales) so I decided to see how they perform in my rifle. If they pass the range test, I will take them on to SA in July. I've decided to wait until I can reload my own Grand Slams. Also taking my .223 with 60gr Nosler Partitions for the smaller antelope. Good hunting, grayghost

[M.T. Pockets]

Looking forward to hearing how your hunt goes. Africa is on my list of things to do, my tentative date is when I retire from the Fire Department in 14 years.

[BradC]

Hey M.T.,

The longer you wait the more expensive it will be. I have been twice, and believe me, there is nothing that compares to Africa. If you can at all afford it, go ahead and begin planning a trip in the next few years. Besides, Africa, animal for animal, is much cheaper than an Alaskan hunt or many other US hunts.

Just my opinion,
Brad

[grayghost]

The reloading gig didn't work out so I tried Federals 160gr Nosler Accubond. They shoot very well in my .280, so I'll be taking them to Africa. Less than 3 weeks and I'll be there! Good hunting, grayghost