Federal's American Eagle 165-grain FMJ leaves the muzzle at 1,130 fps with 468 ft-lbs, the most energy of any load in its comparison set. Power factor is 186, 21 points over the 165 USPSA major floor. From a 25-yard zero the bullet sits 1.4 inches low at 50 yards and 10.3 inches low at 100, still carrying 393 ft-lbs at 50.

The set runs from PMC Bronze at 989 fps to American Eagle's own 155 at 1,160 fps, and this load kicks hardest of the group without being the fastest. In the same pistol it produces about 8 percent more recoil energy than the 155, about 5 percent more than Blazer's TMJ and about 25 percent more than the PMC. It leaves 30 fps ahead of the Blazer and keeps that edge downrange, 29 fps and 21 ft-lbs ahead at 50 yards, with drop within 0.1 inch of it there. Against the PMC the gap is 141 fps at the muzzle and 95 fps at 50 yards, where the Federal carries 69 ft-lbs more, and by 100 yards the PMC has dropped 2.7 inches further. Winchester's white box, at 1,060 fps, gives up 70 fps and 56 ft-lbs to the Federal.

This is the 165 for a shooter who wants more energy from a ball load than a 165-grain carry round delivers. PMC Bronze 165 JHP leaves at 1,040 fps, 90 fps behind, so the Federal is harder practice than that carry load, not softer. If you want ball ammo that feels like the hollow point, Winchester 165 at 1,060 fps is the closer match. If you want nearly the same speed with less kick, Blazer 165 TMJ at 1,100 fps is the milder choice, though its aluminum case cannot be reloaded.