Federal's American Eagle 120-grain OTM is a practice load for steel and paper. Its open-tip match bullet is a hollow point with a boat tail, made for target shooting, and it is rated at a G1 BC of .421. It leaves the muzzle at 2,900 fps, and the light bullet keeps recoil down, which makes long practice sessions easier on the shoulder.

Compared with Hornady's 120-grain ELD Match, the American Eagle is a near twin at the muzzle: the ELD Match starts just 10 fps faster and kicks about the same. The difference shows up downrange. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the American Eagle about 22 inches sideways and the ELD Match 120 about 18. Compared with Hornady's 140-grain ELD Match, the American Eagle starts 190 fps faster, but the heavier bullet handles wind better: the same wind pushes the 140 about 14 inches at 500 yards. Zeroed at 100 yards, the American Eagle drops about 52 inches at 500 and the 140 about 53. The 140 kicks about 26 percent harder in the same rifle.

Buy the American Eagle 120 if you want a light-kicking load for steel and paper practice, and most of your shooting is at distances where a few inches of wind drift will not make you miss. Pick the ELD Match 120 if you want the same light recoil with less drift at 400 and 500 yards. Pick the ELD Match 140 if wind at long range is what makes you miss and you can take the extra recoil. The American Eagle's open-tip bullet is made for targets; for deer, Winchester markets its Deer Season XP 125-grain as a hunting load.