Federal's 175-grain Power-Shok is a traditional hunting load that Federal describes as suited to "a wide variety of medium and big game." The Power-Shok bullet is a jacketed soft point with exposed lead at the nose. It carries a G1 BC of .436 and leaves the muzzle at 2,860 fps with 3,178 ft-lbs of energy.

Compared with Winchester's Super-X 175-grain Power-Point, there is almost nothing to choose on paper. Both leave the muzzle at 2,860 fps and kick the same in the same rifle, and at 500 yards a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes each about 21 inches sideways. Compared with Federal's Fusion 175-grain, the Power-Shok starts 100 fps faster, but the Fusion is the faster of the two by 300 yards and drifts less: the same wind pushes it about 17 inches at 500 yards.

Buy the Power-Shok if you want a plain soft point for medium and big game and your shots stay well inside 500 yards, where wind matters less. Winchester's Super-X Power-Point is an equal swap. Pick the Fusion, which Federal says is "specifically built for deer hunting," if you expect longer shots in wind. Pick HSM's Trophy Gold 180-grain Berger VLD if you shoot out toward 500 yards; the same wind pushes it about 13 inches there. If you need a lead-free load, Norma's EVOSTRIKE 127-grain kicks about 38 percent less, though Norma aims it at "small and medium game."