Federal markets its Power-Shok 150-grain for big game hunting. Power-Shok is Federal's soft point, a jacketed lead-core bullet with the lead exposed at the nose. It carries a G1 BC of .330 and leaves the muzzle at 1,900 fps with 1,202 ft-lbs of energy. It has the heaviest bullet of the hunting loads it is compared with, and it starts the slowest.

Compared with Hornady's Custom 135-grain FTX, the 150 starts slower and drops more: zeroed at 100 yards, the 150 drops about 37 inches at 300 yards and the 135 about 33. The 150 handles wind a little better. At 300 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing straight across the range pushes the 150 about 17 inches sideways and the 135 about 19. The 150 also kicks about 13 percent harder in the same rifle. Compared with Ammo Inc's 110-grain Spitzer, the 150 leaves the muzzle 500 fps slower and kicks about 48 percent harder.

Buy the Power-Shok 150 for the big game hunting Federal markets it for, if wind worries you more than drop. Pick Hornady's Custom 135-grain FTX if you want a flatter path and less recoil; Hornady markets it for medium and large game. Pick Ammo Inc's 110-grain Spitzer if you want the most speed at the muzzle. If recoil matters most, Black Hills' 110-grain TTSX kicks about 37 percent less than the 150 and uses a copper bullet with no lead core. For practice, Federal's American Eagle 150-grain FMJ leaves the muzzle at the same 1,900 fps and kicks the same in the same rifle; Federal markets it for target shooting and competition.