I cannot speak as to the strength of the Cattleman. My previous truck was a 2005 F-150 Supercrew, 4x4 and I had a Diamond B brush guard. It protected me from a doe, while I was doing 80 mph one evening outside of Gonzales. Broke the fog light mount and pushed the left side of the brush guard closer to the body. A tractor, chain and about 20 minutes and the brush guard was back into shape. Diamond B was probably one of the best brush guards on the market, but they are no longer around.
The way I look at it, a front replacement bumper is going to run more than my collision deductible ($500). A brush guard costs as much as my deductible. I’ll take my chances with the brush guard. Additionally, on a half-ton truck, replacements are pretty heavy unless you get the light-duty ones. If you get the light duty one, then do you really gain anything?