Federal Trophy Bonded Tip for .300 Win. Mag

[dcopas78]

I have been shooting several different loads through my .300 win mag Savage model 111 in an effort to try to find the best shooting round for the upcoming season. I am stuck with factory rounds this season since I haven't yet picked up the dies for the reloader. I was planning on using Barnes TTSX 180 grain, but the gun just doesn't like them all that well. I was shooting about a 2.5" group at 100 yards, but I definitely knew the gun could do better. I believe that lighter 165 Barnes would do better, but at $45.00/box it gets expensive trying. I definitely will after I get the reload dies though.

I bought some Remington 180 grain corelokts that shot well through it, with a 1" group at 100 yards, but I am leary about fragmentation if I would happen to hit an elk shoulder. I know they will do the job, but I just wasn't comfortable taking a chance on an elk. Just me personally. They also tended to spread out a little more at 200 yard, and 300 yard.

I have always liked Federal ammo as well, so I went to the local sports store and saw the Trophy Bonded Tip 180grain. They had them on sell for $35.00/box so I picked up a box to try. They shoot really well through the gun, 1" group at 100 yards, and they hold the grouping well through 300 yards (about 1.75").

My question is; since I have never used the Bonded Tip bullet can anyone on here enlighten me with there experiences with the bullet? Weight retention/ bullet expansion?

Thanks,
Derek

 

[zachthebowhunter]

I used them in my .270 before I got my .300 and switched to accubonds but I loved them. They took a few elk with ease. I couldn't tell you weight retention or anything cause I don't remember finding any bullets but I know that they hit hard and shot well. It's not much info but hope it helps!

 

[Gr8bawana]

I would not hesitate to use Remington Core-Lokt bullets.Eastmans did tested several bullets quite a few bullets by firing them into ballistic gel and the Core-Lokt bullets penetrated and held together as well as many of the "premium" bullets costing much more.
I have shot 2 cow elk using these bullets and they performed perfectly.
Three years ago my brother shot his AZ bull with a 30-06 using 150 grain core-lokt bullets and they worked perfectly. The one I dug out had penetrated through the shoulder angling rearwards through the liver and lodged just under the offside hide.

 

[mthillrunner]

I've used the trophy bonded tip on several elk out of my 270. Only recovered 1 bullet, retained about 90% of its weight. Took one with my 308 with the same stuff and didn't recover a bullet. I've been pleased with it, accurate and does the job for me.

 

[dcopas78]

Thanks for the input. I think I will like them considering how accurate they shoot from the gun.