Atomic's 240-grain bonded match hollow point leaves the muzzle at 1,500 fps with 1,199 ft-lbs, near the full-power end of the .44 Magnum range. The bonded hollow point is built as a hunting bullet. Its power factor of 360 is more than twice the 165 USPSA major floor, and every load in this group clears that floor by a wide margin. Zeroed at 25 yards, it is 0.6 inch low at 50 yards and 5.6 inches low at 100.

Only Ammo Inc Signature 240 JHP runs harder. It is 89 fps faster with 148 ft-lbs more, and the Atomic produces about 10 percent less recoil energy than it in the same revolver. The other two comparisons sit toward the mild end. Sierra Sports Master 240 is 250 fps slower and 366 ft-lbs lighter, while CCI Blazer 240 trails by 300 fps and 432 ft-lbs. That gap shows up in recoil: the Atomic generates about 37 percent more recoil energy than the Sierra and about 47 percent more than the Blazer.

This suits a hunter who wants a bonded bullet at close to full power and already shoots a heavy revolver accurately with stout loads. Anyone who plans to practice often with their hunting load will be happier with Sierra Sports Master 240, which still carries 833 ft-lbs. For range practice at nearly the same level, Ammo Inc Signature 240-grain TMC is a non-expanding ball load 70 fps slower, with about 8 percent less recoil energy in the same revolver.