Federal says its Fusion ammunition is "specifically built for deer hunting," and this is the heavy 175-grain version. It uses Federal's Fusion bullet, a bonded soft point. The bullet carries a G1 BC of .537, and the load leaves the muzzle at 2,760 fps.

Compared with Federal's 175-grain Power-Shok JSP, the Fusion starts 100 fps slower but holds up better in the wind. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Fusion about 17 inches sideways and the Power-Shok about 21, and by 300 yards the Fusion is already the faster of the two. Compared with HSM's Trophy Gold 180-grain Berger VLD, the Fusion gives ground downrange. The same wind pushes the HSM about 13 inches at 500 yards, and zeroed at 100 yards the HSM drops about 47 inches there against about 54 for the Fusion. The HSM also kicks about 9 percent harder in the same rifle.

Buy the Fusion if you hunt deer and want a bonded bullet that drifts less than the Power-Shok at the same weight. Pick the Power-Shok if your shots are mostly close, where its faster start counts for more than wind. Pick the HSM if you shoot out toward 500 yards and can live with more recoil. For a lead-free load that kicks about 35 percent less, Norma's EVOSTRIKE 127-grain is the one to look at, though Norma aims it at "small and medium game."