Federal markets its Gold Medal 130-grain for target shooting. It carries Berger's AR Hybrid OTM, an open-tip match bullet, and at 130 grains it is heavier than the 123-grain bullets in Nosler's and Hornady's Grendel match loads. It is rated at a G7 BC of .287 and leaves the muzzle at 2,400 fps.

Compared with Nosler's Match Grade 123, the Gold Medal leaves the muzzle at the same 2,400 fps but holds up better in the wind. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Gold Medal about 20 inches sideways and the Nosler about 23. The heavier bullet also kicks about 12 percent harder in the same rifle. Compared with Hornady's 123-grain ELD Match, the Gold Medal starts 180 fps slower and drops more: zeroed at 100 yards, it drops about 73 inches at 500 and the ELD Match about 64. In the same wind at 500 yards, the ELD Match drifts about 21 inches, one more than the Gold Medal.

Buy the Gold Medal if you shoot steel and paper out to 500 yards in wind and want Federal's target load with the heavier 130-grain bullet. Pick Hornady's 123-grain ELD Match if you want a flatter path and a lighter kick while giving up only about an inch in the wind. Pick Nosler's Match Grade 123 if you want the same muzzle speed with less recoil and can accept more drift. For hunting, Alexander Arms markets its 129-grain SST, a polymer-tipped hunting bullet, for medium game; it leaves the muzzle 162 fps slower.