Federal markets its 165-grain Swift Scirocco II load for big game at long range. The Scirocco II is Swift's polymer-tipped hunting bullet with a bonded core. It has a G1 BC of .45 and leaves the muzzle at 2,800 fps. Zeroed at 100 yards, it drops about 13 inches at 300.

Compared with Sellier & Bellot's eXergy 165-grain, a lead-free bullet with a G1 BC of .398, the Federal holds its speed better. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Federal about 21 inches sideways and the eXergy about 25. Zeroed at 100 yards, the Federal drops about 55 inches at 500 and the eXergy about 59. Compared with Fiocchi's Hyperformance 165-grain, which loads the same Scirocco II bullet, the Federal leaves the muzzle 75 fps slower and kicks about 3 percent less in the same rifle.

Buy the Federal if you hunt big game at longer range and want a bonded, tipped bullet that holds up well in the wind. Pick the Fiocchi if you want the same bullet with more muzzle speed and can accept a little more recoil. Pick the eXergy if a lead-free bullet matters more to you than the extra drop and drift. For practice at a similar bullet weight, Hornady's Vintage Match 168-grain ELD Match is a target load that leaves the muzzle 90 fps slower.