Federal sells the PowerShok Copper 150-grain as a non-lead load for big game. Its Copper HP bullet is a copper hollow point with no lead core, rated at a G1 BC of .278, and it leaves the muzzle at 2,910 fps. Zeroed at 100 yards, it sits about 4 inches low at 200.

Compared with Norma's Dedicated Hunting Whitetail 150-grain, a soft point, the PowerShok Copper flies almost the same path. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the copper bullet about 37 inches sideways and the Norma about 38. The two start within 23 fps of each other and kick about the same in the same rifle. Compared with Federal's Fusion 150-grain, which Federal built for deer hunting, the copper load loses ground past 300 yards. Zeroed at 100 yards, the PowerShok Copper drops about 65 inches at 500 and the Fusion about 53, and the same wind pushes the Fusion only about 22 inches.

Buy the PowerShok Copper if you want a bullet with no lead core for big game and most of your shots fall inside 300 yards, where it still carries 1,318 ft-lbs. Pick the Norma if you want a conventional soft point on nearly the same path. Pick the Fusion if your shots run longer or the wind blows hard, since it carries 1,695 ft-lbs at 300 yards and drifts much less. For practice, Remington's UMC 150-grain FMJ is a full metal jacket load that Remington sells for target shooting, and it leaves the muzzle at the same speed.