Aguila sells its 139-grain SP as a hunting load. SP stands for soft point: a lead-core bullet with exposed lead at the nose, the plainest kind of hunting bullet. It leaves the muzzle at 3,150 fps with 3,063 ft-lbs of energy.

Compared with Hornady's American Whitetail 139-grain InterLock SP, another lead-core soft point at the same weight, the Aguila is an even match at the muzzle: the two leave at the same speed with the same energy, and they kick the same in the same rifle. Compared with Sellier & Bellot's 140-grain SP, the Aguila starts 33 fps faster and carries 43 ft-lbs more at the muzzle, while recoil in the same rifle is the same for both.

Buy the Aguila if you want a plain lead-core soft point for hunting at 139 grains. Pick the American Whitetail 139-grain InterLock SP if you want the soft point Hornady sells for whitetail deer season; it matches the Aguila at the muzzle. Pick the Sellier & Bellot 140-grain SP if you prefer a slightly heavier soft point and don't mind a slower start. Pick Hornady's Superformance 139-grain SST if you want a polymer-tipped bullet that Hornady markets for large game; it starts 90 fps faster. Pick Black Hills Gold 139-grain CX if you need a copper alloy bullet with no lead core. For a heavier bullet, Winchester's Super-X 175-grain Power-Point, which Winchester markets for "whitetail and big game," kicks about 42 percent harder in the same rifle.