Trophy Bonded Bear Claw or Swift A-Frame

Both are flawless, but equally difficult to source these days. Federal & Swift practically never have either in stock.

I took these all with 300Gr Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claws fired out of a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum.
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I have used both on buffalo. IMO their terminal performance is as close to identical as one can get. Both are beyond excellent. Use whichever you can get your hands on.
 
They are equals in the field. It would take more buff than you could shoot in a lifetime to choose one is better and it would be inconsequential anyway. Dead is dead.

If you're reloading, they are tough to find. If you are buying premium/custom ammo, it's what you can source. No losers on this question except the supply chain issues.
 
I think both are equal in performance. Use what is available without worry.

8 ft, 800 lbs Grizzly estimated weight taken in Alaska 2004 with 300 Win Mag factory federal 200 grain TBBC at 200 yards broadside, 3 rounds through the lungs, all 3 bullets exited leaving lung tissue scattered across the tundra, stopping the bear before it made it to thick cover.
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Hippo taken in Mozambique 1996, Save River, partially out of water, taken with 416 Rem Mag, 400 grain SAF. I missed the brain shot and had to follow up with several body shots to the vitals.
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if your rifles shoot both Hammer likely HHT or similar monolithic and Barnes TTSX equally well same accuracy, no issues, and performance feels identical in the field, they're basically tied on the dream bullet front both are proven copper monos with excellent expansion, penetration, and weight retention.

Barnes TTSX edges it out slightly for most guys right now. It's the more established, widely trusted option decades of real hunts, consistent petals expansion, and factory ammo in VOR TX is easy to grab. Availability is strong Barnes ramped up production and new loads e.g., 7mm PRC, .400 Legend, 6mm ARC hit shelves early 2026, with bullets in stock at most retailers Midway, Graf's, etc. in common weights calibers. No major shortages reported lately.

Hammer is fantastic often praised for easier loading, slightly better accuracy in some rifles, consistent weights, and devastating on game results, but availability can be spottier Hammer is a smaller outfit, so certain weights colors styles go out of stock faster, and shipping delays pop up more often than Barnes. If you're reloading and can snag what you need, Hammers feel like a step up in consistency for many.

Since you're indifferent and both perform the same for you, go Barnes TTSX for the edge in easy sourcing bullets loaded ammo when you need to restock quick peace of mind without hunting for components. If Hammers stay in stock for your calibers and you like the feel, stick with am no wrong answer here.
 
Which is better in your mind but please include availability in the criteria.

My experiences so far with both have been very very similar. Both bullets are a dream and my rifles like both and shoot both equally well.

I am indifferent now at this point. I think they are equal in performance.
As to availability, another option for a solid shank, bonded lead nose, similar to the TBBC is the North Fork SS.
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As to availability, another option for a solid shank, bonded lead nose, similar to the TBBC is the North Fork SS.
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I was going to suggest the same bullet. Except for .366, A Frame has largely been unobtanium for a couple years.
 
Which is better in your mind but please include availability in the criteria.

My experiences so far with both have been very very similar. Both bullets are a dream and my rifles like both and shoot both equally well.

I am indifferent now at this point. I think they are equal in performance.
Check at MidwayUSA, Reloading International, or directly at North Fork bullets for caliber/weight availability.
 
As everyone else has said, both bullets are excellent. I’ve always favored Bear Claws and I think the last 7 buffalo I’ve shot have all been with a .416 400 grain Bear Claw for my first shot. They’re simply excellent.
Yes, they’re both difficult to source now so I’m really eager to try some Northfork SS bullets.

I tried to buy some Swift A Frames & solids at SCI on Wednesday, but neither Bill or his son paid me any attention at all after me standing there waiting for over 5 minutes ( neither was that busy when I walked into their booth) so I figured they could care less about my business even though I’ve bought 375 & 416 A Frames and Solids from them before at previous shows. So I walked away and figure I’ll order Northfork bullets instead of Swift going forward. I’ve got a decent supply of Bear Claws, both loaded and bullets, so between those and Northfork I’ll be one less guy absorbing future Swift production.
 
Swift had a decent supply of .375 300 grain Aframes at the SCI show. I don't know if they still do.
 
I tried to buy some Swift A Frames & solids at SCI on Wednesday, but neither Bill or his son paid me any attention at all after me standing there waiting for over 5 minutes ( neither was that busy when I walked into their booth) so I figured they could care less about my business even though I’ve bought 375 & 416 A Frames and Solids from them before at previous shows. So I walked away and figure I’ll order Northfork bullets instead of Swift going forward. I’ve got a decent supply of Bear Claws, both loaded and bullets, so between those and Northfork I’ll be one less guy absorbing future Swift production.
It's sad when a company forgets the people who made them what they are.

Paul
 
Haven’t seen consistent supply from either for years.
Barnes TSX or TTSX would be my first choice.
They all work well. I use the one I can get when I need them.
 
Can´t go wrong with either, mostly shoot Swift AFrames in my :338WM, shot my buff with TBBC in my :375HH.

Great results with both.
 
Haven’t seen consistent supply from either for years.
Barnes TSX or TTSX would be my first choice.
They all work well. I use the one I can get when I need them.
I have switched to Barnes for exactly that reason. Supply is easy to find.

I’m also trying some NF, Hammer and CEB.
 
Both swift a frame and trophy bonded bear claw are equally reliable. Use whichever one you have access to or shoots better in rifle. I’ve never pulled a swift from an animal that didn’t perform exactly as designed. I was really impressed with trophy bonded bear claw also. The photo below is a trophy bonded bear claw at 70 yards then a finishing shot at full muzzle velocity on a kudu. 375 H&H.
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Which is better in your mind but please include availability in the criteria.

My experiences so far with both have been very very similar. Both bullets are a dream and my rifles like both and shoot both equally well.

I am indifferent now at this point. I think they are equal in performance.
Your spot on…both are excellent and both are hard to get which opens the door to Barnes TSX with great supply and equal performance in my experience. Of the three if I have a choice I would take the Swift but strictly due to my brand preference not better performance
 

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