Nosler markets its 140-grain Ballistic Tip load for elk- and moose-sized game. The Ballistic Tip is a polymer-tipped hunting bullet with a lead core and a boat tail, rated at a G1 BC of .509. It leaves the muzzle at 2,900 fps, the slowest start of the hunting loads it is compared with, and carries 1,521 ft-lbs at 400 yards.

Compared with Hornady's 143-grain Precision Hunter, another polymer-tipped bullet of about the same weight, the Nosler starts 60 fps slower and the gap grows with distance. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the line of fire pushes the Nosler about 17 inches sideways and the Hornady about 13. Zeroed at 100 yards, the Nosler drops about 27 inches at 400 and the Hornady about 24. The Hornady kicks about 7 percent harder in the same rifle. Compared with Federal's Fusion 140-grain, a bonded soft point of the same weight, the Nosler starts at nearly the same speed and kicks about the same, but the same wind pushes the Fusion about 20 inches.

Buy the Nosler if you want a polymer-tipped bullet for elk- and moose-sized game, as Nosler markets it, with a little less recoil than the Hornady. Pick the Hornady if your shots run long and you can accept the extra recoil. Pick the Fusion only if you prefer a soft point without a tip. If recoil matters most, Federal's Terminal Ascent 130-grain kicks about 10 percent less and drifts about 16 inches in the same wind at 500 yards.