Remington markets its Core-Lokt 150-grain for big game. It uses Remington's Core-Lokt pointed soft point, a jacketed lead-core bullet with exposed lead at the nose, rated at a G1 BC of .346. It leaves the muzzle at 3,110 fps and still carries 1,797 ft-lbs at 300 yards. The speed is there from the start; the blunt soft point is what holds it back as the range grows.

Compared with Federal's Power-Shok 150-grain, another plain soft point, the Core-Lokt starts at the same speed and kicks the same in the same rifle, but the Power-Shok drifts less in wind. At 500 yards, a steady 10 mph wind blowing across the range pushes the Core-Lokt about 25 inches sideways and the Power-Shok about 20. Compared with Norma's Whitetail 150-grain PSP, the Core-Lokt starts 92 fps faster and kicks about 4 percent harder in the same rifle. Zeroed at 100 yards, the Core-Lokt drops about 48 inches at 500 and the Norma about 52.

Buy the Core-Lokt if you hunt big game at moderate ranges and want a traditional soft point with plenty of speed. Pick the Power-Shok if you expect longer shots in wind; Federal markets it for a "wide variety of medium and big game." Pick the Norma Whitetail if you want a little less recoil and can accept a bit more drop. If you want a lead-free bullet that also flies flatter, Federal's Trophy Copper 150-grain is a polymer-tipped copper bullet with no lead core, and the same wind pushes it about 17 inches at 500 yards.