Hornady markets the 150-grain Precision Hunter for large game, and it is the 7mm-08 load that best resists wind and holds its speed at long range. It uses Hornady's ELD-X, a polymer-tipped hunting bullet. It is rated at a G1 BC of .574 and leaves the muzzle at 2,770 fps. At 300 yards it still carries about 1,783 ft-lbs.

Compared with Winchester's Ballistic Silvertip 140, the Precision Hunter starts at the same speed and pulls ahead downrange. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Precision Hunter about 16 inches sideways and the Silvertip about 21. Put simply, that is how far the bullet misses your aiming point if you make no allowance for the wind. The 150 kicks about 15 percent harder in the same rifle. Compared with Barnes' VOR-TX 120-grain TTSX, the Precision Hunter leaves the muzzle 235 fps slower, yet zeroed at 200 yards the two drop about the same, about 43 inches at 500. The same wind pushes the TTSX about 24 inches at 500 yards, and the TTSX kicks about 30 percent less.

Buy the Precision Hunter if you hunt large game, as Hornady markets it, and your shots can stretch toward 500 yards in wind. Pick the Silvertip if you want a lighter bullet from the same starting speed and a little less recoil. Pick the TTSX, which Barnes markets for big game and medium game, if you want a copper bullet with no lead core and much lighter recoil. Federal's Fusion 120, which Federal built for deer hunting, is the light-kicking lead-core choice: it kicks about 30 percent less than the Precision Hunter.