Federal Power-Shok copper bullets

[elkboy]

I am not a huge ammo expert, not like a lot of you on here, so please comment with your insights.  I just want to report my experience with a new ammunition!

I have been wanting to find a non-lead alternative for the rifle I use for the Idaho general season (for whitetails), which happens to be a Savage Model 16 (16FXP, I believe, was the package) in .243 Win.  A recent trip over to Tri-State resulted in picking up a box of Federal's new Power-Shok Copper (85 gr.).  On Sunday, I headed to a friend's rifle range, and dialed the gun in to the new ammunition.  I was impressed with the accuracy- these bullets seem to fly pretty well from my particular gun.  On my last round of shots, taken at 100 yards, I was able to keep three bullets within 5/8", which I am pretty happy with! (These are the circled shots on the paper below.)  I was aiming to dial it in 2" high at 100 yards, giving me some ability to hold dead on out to 200 yards or so (about max range I will take on a deer). I dug a bullet from the silt loam soil, and the four wings of the nose had mushroomed back very nicely. 

I will probably get out to chase whitetails around this weekend- I hope to report soon on the bullet's effect on deer! 

Any of you shoot copper rounds from your modern deer rifle? 

[dreamunelk]

Consider Barnes.  Friend tried federal copper last year.  Two double long punches on a cow elk a 150 yards and both bullets failed to open.  We have both shot  many deer and elk with Barnes with no failures.  Federal once used Barnes and have switched.  I am considering trying Hornady for kicks and giggles.  Remember speed is important with copper bullets.  Don't reach out to far.

[elkboy]

Thanks, Dreamunelk!  Since I am not a handloader at all, do you think the Barnes Vor-TX factory load ammunition is worth a try?  They have it in 80 grains for Win .243. 

[dreamunelk]

I shoot factory in two riffles and am happy with it.  I also shoot federal ammo for trigger practice.  Every  gun seams to be a little different and will shoot different ammo different.  One of mine seams to prefer lead.  Still get acceptable groups with copper.  Lots of good bullets out there.  I have no complaints and no of at least fifty elk with no complaints.  Still, bullet placement is the key.

[wadu1]

As dreamunelk said I would go with the 80 Grain Tipped Triple-Shock X Barns. I don't have any info on the Federals, but Barns have not let me down at all. I will say I do hand load all my center fire ammo all but my 9.3 and 45-70 are all Barns. But that is my 

[yorketransport]

I've moved all of my hunting guns over to lead free bullets in the last year or so. I've had great luck with the Barnes Tipped TSX bullets and never seen a failure to expand with the tipped versions. The non-tipped versions are similar to Bergers; if the nose cavity gets plugged or damaged they give erratic performance. My Father in Law shoots the Barnes Vor-Tx ammo in his 308 with good results.

I'm running all Hammer Bullets now except in bore diameters that they don't cover at the moment (over .416). I tested a bunch of their different bullets last winter during my bullet test project and all the Hammers (and the Barnes) bullets expanded very reliably for me.They're a handloader only option right now, unless you have them do a custom load for you. They'll do a custom load development for your gun too and then provide loaded ammo using their bullets.

Right now I'm shooting (or did shoot) a couple different Hammer Bullets:

- 88gr Hammer Hunter in a 6mm BR
- 130gr Sledge Hammer in a 6.5 Grendel (just switched recently from the 130 NAB)
- 117gr Hammer Hunter in a 270 AR
- 152gr Sledge Hammer in a 30-06
- 181gr Hammer Hunter in a 300 Win Mag
- 260gr Hammer Hunter in a 338/375 Ruger
- 304gr Hammer Hunter in a 338 SnipeTac
- 275gr Sledge Hammer in a 375 Ruger (just switched from a 260 NAB)

I've tested more of their bullets than this, these are just the one's I've settled on in my guns for now.