Federal Fusion bullets?

Suther

Suther

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Anyone try the Federal Fusion bullets? They seem to be very reasonably priced for a bonded bullet.

My specific application would be the 140gr in a 7mm08, with the intention that it would be capable of taking game from deer and black bear to moose and elk.

I was originally looking towards the 140 Accubond or partition, but with the fusions being less than half the price per shot I figured I should see if others have used them and what they think. I'm currently using the 139gr GMX, but I want to work up a load with a lead-based bullet too.
 
limited experience but make a mess at close range. hit a bear at 50 ft with a 165 out of my ruger scout. very dead very messy. did not exit. i'm sure the would be better at a longer range but i don't think there as tough as a accubond or swift scirroco.
 
The Accubond has a much thicker jacket which is bonded to the lead core. The Fusion is a lead buĺet with an electroplated copper coating which is thick enough to act as a jacket and acts as a bonded bullet. They're usually very accurate since the jacket is very eventually distributed by the plating process. For deer the Fusion would be great and act as fast expending bonded bullet. They might open a bit too wide for deeper expansion on bigger game. For elk and moose I would go Accubond over Fusion. The Accubond acts like a tipped Partition.
 
bcsteve said:
The Accubond has a much thicker jacket which is bonded to the lead core. The Fusion is a lead buĺet with an electroplated copper coating which is thick enough to act as a jacket and acts as a bonded bullet. They're usually very accurate since the jacket is very eventually distributed by the plating process. For deer the Fusion would be great and act as fast expending bonded bullet. They might open a bit too wide for deeper expansion on bigger game. For elk and moose I would go Accubond over Fusion. The Accubond acts like a tipped Partition.
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So the fusion doesn't have a jacket quite like normal bullets, its an electroplated coating to form a jacket instead? Interesting, I didn't realize that.
 
Here's a 30cal 180gr Fusion recovered from a moose, distance was approx 250 yards with a 30-06

JVl1jO8.jpg
 
todbartell said:
Here's a 30cal 180gr Fusion recovered from a moose, distance was approx 250 yards with a 30-06

JVl1jO8.jpg
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Factory ammo or a handload? How was the penetration on that? Any idea on what the weight retention was like?

Looking at Federals website, that round would be going ~2275fps at 250yds with their 180gr factory ammo, and it still has very good expansion. Makes me a bit worried about how well it would hold together at faster speeds (Not that the 7mm08 is some super-magnum or anything).
 
The Fusion bullets are very tough and are the bargain bullets out there that give bonded performance. I wish dealers would bring in the entire spectrum of Gold Dots for reloading - especially the 75 grain .224's.
 
I used 150 grain fusions for years in my 270 wsm hunting moose. They were always pass through except one I shot through both shoulders at about 10 yards. It held together and was found under the skin. It was a perfect four petal mushroom. They are good bullets.
 
The name Fusion seems to invoke an image of power or something special in some unknown way. But in reality it's more of a marketing thing to create hype. We don't know what a given bullet will do until we test it for accuracy in our rifle of choice... then we have to see how it will perform in the field - under real hunting conditions. In fast rifles the cup and core will do the job - but they can split into pieces at closer ranges, but seem fine out a longer distances...

I think if one is familiar with a 30-30 then one can compare other bullets and calibers to it. For most the 30-30 clearly does it's job well enough at or around 100 yards. Yet it can reach out to 150 or maybe 200 yards, assuming it's a well placed shot. Any other rifle other then that it more of the same. And is more effective beyond the typical range of a 30-30; as described above.

I used plenty of cup and core bullets - especially when I was younger and bought what I could afford. For the 30-06 I found the Federal Sierra Game Kings were sorta idea at the 165 grain weight. They had velocity, sufficient weight, short reasonably flat; and were good for moose. Also, I like the Nosler Partitions - but I've found the factory loads were not as accurate as the SGKings.

My starting point has been the same for years... Accuracy first. And I don't worry too much about the type of bullet. I don't shy away from buying the less expensive bullets - if they are accurate in my rifle of choice. I may use Partitions for elk because I believe that they are tough animals. And good shots are necessary to bring them down.

I also feel that the average hunter should get proficient enough with his rifle to kill a deer, moose, elk or caribou out at 300 yards. This means practising enough to know the drop and windage of a given bullet. I've dropped moose out to 450 yards(30-06 and 220 grain) and 600 yards(300 Win Mag 180 grain) So it's all do-able but one has to become very familiar with the round and the conditions.

It all takes time to know this stuff, so try what you want to try... If you rifle shoots them accurately, then stretch out the yardage. It's critical to get past being nervous or being too excited, because these conditions will create inefficiencies in one's shooting.

Other then that... enjoy your time out there, and build you knowledge and experience. Keep your knives and brush axes sharp. And have fun while your doing all this.
 
I've used Fusion in 6.5x55 and 6.5 Grendel for deer and I've had good luck. Only recovered one bullet so far (ass shot, woops) and that was in 6.5x55 - the rest have been lung shots. Both calibres were quite accurate. My only gripe is that the Swede is loaded pretty low pressure but that's a SAAMI problem.

saskcop said:
The Fusion bullets are very tough and are the bargain bullets out there that give bonded performance. I wish dealers would bring in the entire spectrum of Gold Dots for reloading - especially the 75 grain .224's.
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Picked up a box each of 55gr and 75gr GDs at a local Home Hardware. Have yet to try them out unfortunately. Good price and I hear good things so I want to grab some 6.5 120s/140s if I get a chance.
 
I bought a box of fusion 7.62x39 about six years ago and they have been perfect on deer. I have one round left and 8 bucks accounted for from that one box. Complete penetration every time with a good balance of terminal performance but not too destructive. Distances from about 23 to 127 paces on mature deer. The fusion 7.62x39 and the CZ 527 is a really great combination. They have been so good that I may try some 150 grain Fusions in my brother's .300 Savage.
 
Hitzy said:
Sounds very much like the Speer Deepcurls, same concept.
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That is exactly what they are. Not long after SPEER introduced them Federal bought Speer/CCI and took them off the market and loaded them in their own ammunition and called them Fusions. They are available again as GOLD DOTS. They have performed well for years.
 
I used federal fusion 130 grain ammunition in my .270 winchesters for years. I shot many mule deer using that combination. Shots were from approx 75 yards to 250 yards and they performed perfectly every time. They are a very good bullet and were very accurate in my two rifles.
 
A friend of mine uses them exclusively in his 270 win and 7 rem mag for deer/elk/moose/sheep and they have performed excellently in all cases. My brother in law shot a moose in the lungs 3 times with a 270 WSM at about 70 yards and they all exited. I’d say that’s pretty tough as they were probably moving pretty quick. All factory ammo.
 
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