Remington markets its Core-Lokt 120-grain PSP for big game. It uses Remington's Core-Lokt pointed soft point, a jacketed bullet with exposed lead at a pointed tip, rated at a G1 BC of .362. It leaves the muzzle at 2,990 fps.

Compared with Federal's Fusion 120-grain, the Core-Lokt matches it at the muzzle but falls behind downrange. The Fusion leaves 10 fps slower on a G1 BC of .468. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing straight across the range pushes the Core-Lokt about 25 inches sideways and the Fusion about 18. Zeroed at 100 yards, the Core-Lokt drops about 52 inches at 500; the Fusion drops about 47. Compared with Federal's Power-Shok 117-grain, the Core-Lokt flies much the same. The Power-Shok starts 40 fps faster and drops about 50 inches at 500 from the same zero, and it kicks about 3 percent less in the same rifle.

Buy the Core-Lokt if you want a plain soft point Remington markets for big game and your shots stay at moderate range, where it keeps pace with the Power-Shok. Pick Federal's Power-Shok 117-grain if you want the same flight with a little less recoil. Pick Federal's Fusion 120-grain if you shoot farther; at 300 yards it carries 1,536 ft-lbs against the Core-Lokt's 1,353. If recoil matters most, Winchester's 85-grain Ballistic Silvertip kicks about 40 percent less in the same rifle.