Federal markets its Power-Shok 150-grain for a "wide variety of medium and big game." The Power-Shok is Federal's conventional jacketed soft point, with a lead core and lead showing at the nose. It carries a G1 BC of .41 and leaves the muzzle at 3,110 fps. At 300 yards it still has 1,977 ft-lbs.

Compared with Federal's Fusion 150-grain, a bonded soft point, the Power-Shok starts 60 fps faster, but the Fusion is the faster of the two by 200 yards. At 400 yards a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Power-Shok about 12 inches sideways and the Fusion about 10. That is how far from the aim point each bullet lands if you make no correction. Zeroed at 100 yards, both drop about 24 inches at 400. The Power-Shok kicks about 2 percent harder in the same rifle. Compared with Norma's Whitetail 150-grain PSP, another conventional soft point, the Power-Shok starts 92 fps faster, and the same 400-yard wind pushes the Norma about 16 inches.

Buy the Power-Shok if you want a conventional soft point with a fast start and most of your shots are at moderate range. Pick the Fusion 150-grain if you shoot farther and want less drift; Federal says it is "specifically built for deer hunting." Pick the Norma Whitetail 150-grain PSP if you want slightly less recoil; it kicks about 3 percent less. If you want a copper bullet with no lead core, Federal's Trophy Copper 150-grain drifts about 10 inches in the same 400-yard wind.