Hornady's Superformance CX pushes a 165-grain all-copper bullet to 2,750 fps, roughly 100 fps faster than most factory loads at this weight. That extra speed translates to 2,771 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and a noticeably flatter trajectory through 400 yards. The CX bullet is monolithic copper with a polymer tip that starts expansion on impact, and the solid construction retains nearly all of its original weight after passing through hide, bone, and muscle.

This is a purpose-built big game round. The combination of high retained weight and controlled expansion makes it effective on elk, moose, and large boar where deep penetration through heavy shoulders matters. Quartering-away shots that would shed jacket material from a traditional cup-and-core bullet barely slow the CX down. The lead-free construction also makes this load legal in California and every other state with lead ammunition restrictions, so you can hunt anywhere without swapping loads.

Hornady's Superformance propellant blend is temperature-stable, which means your zero holds whether you sight in during a warm September afternoon or hunt in a 15-degree December dawn. The 0.440 G1 ballistic coefficient is competitive with heavier match bullets, and the CX design produces less copper fouling than older monolithic projectiles. Expect to pay more per round than standard soft points, but the consistent terminal performance on large game justifies the cost when the shot counts.