TomBob Balls for Hunting

[Crane Senior]

OK, deer muzzleloading season is coming up in a couple of months and I drew a tag. In CA you cannot use lead so I'm clearly going to have to go to an alternative. Has anyone used TomBob's? I bought some last year but wasn't able to go so we're going to make it happen this year. Any experience with these is appreciated, thanks.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Never heard of them but good luck with your hunting season. I hope you get the second biggest buck ever...

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Load a lead ball in the rifle and carry something else for the warden to see. Like a few steel ball bearings.

 

[Mad Professor]

I just a search and rotometals is selling a bismuth alloy that is cast able. $17/lb

Castable bismuth alloy

 

[George]

I have no experience with them, but their specifications mean they will do well. They are of almost the same density as lead but a little harder. They should shoot essentially the same trajectory as lead and penetrate well. The material they are made from is approved for waterfowl.

Spence

 

[George]

Load a lead ball in the rifle and carry something else for the warden to see. Like a few steel ball bearings.

Shame.

Spence

 

[Crane Senior]

Load a lead ball in the rifle and carry something else for the warden to see. Like a few steel ball bearings.

Not sure I’d do that, not a good idea.

 

[Crane Senior]

I have no experience with them, but their specifications mean they will do well. They are of almost the same density as lead but a little harder. They should shoot essentially the same trajectory as lead and penetrate well. The material they are made from is approved for waterfowl.

Spence

Thanks, I’m pretty sure they will penetrate. I’m guessing that there is a great chance of total pass through because they are harder and won’t expand like lead. They also have a strange “belt” around the middle, but as they say, it is what it is.

 

[Nuthatch]

Haven’t shot an animal with one yet. But they shoot right in the same group with my lead RB. I’d have no problem using them on deer or elk at reasonable ranges.
If you’re not dead-set on RB, the Thor conical is also a good bullet. Took a nice coastal blacktail with one last year in my 1:48 twist rifle last year. Took a longer shot that blew right through and a shorter follow-up at close range that fully expanded but was recovered on the off-side rib. It’s basically a Barnes HP so expect good performance there.

 

[Nuthatch]

I should add that if you choose the ITX RB, make sure you have a safe backstop. They don’t deform at all. I recovered a few from the dirt after shooting and they barely have a scratch on them. Ricochets could be bad if you hunt rocky terrain. Bismuth might shatter but ITX is tough stuff.