Federal Fusion cartridges?

MD

MD

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
I just bought a box of Fusion cartridges with 140 grain bullets for my new-to-me 280 Remington.

Have any of you used Fusions on deer or bigger game?

I was really torn between choosing those and the Federal "Vital-Shock" with 150 grain NP bullets but must admit I was sucked by the cheaper (by $7.00) box of ammunition.

Now after doing further reading, I see many hunters say the Fusion bullets have expansion issues on occasion.

I really am looking for a one cartridge does it all load for deer and black bear, plus moose and elk if the opportunity presents itself.

Maybe the Fusion are only good for sighting in the rifle and getting used to it.
 
Last edited:
Huh, I've used Fusion's in my .270 on quite a few deer and never had any expansion problems. Performance actually was quite good- good penetration and nice mushroom shaped bullets with fair weight retention in the bullets I recovered.
 
I use 150gr Fusions in my .30-06. Took a beautiful black bear last spring with them. Perfect performance in my opinion. I am back out this spring with the same ammo.
 
Neck shot a moose with 175gr Fusion in 7mm mag. It dropped on the spot and I didn't need to bleed out the carcass.
 
I've used the in my 25/06. 120 gr. They kill deer but exploded in 2 animals. I took a broadside lung shot. No exit. Bullet completely fell apart. My buddy used my gun same box of ammo and shot a doe on the shoulder. Giant shallow wound. It broke the leg and he gave her another raking shot into the ribs. Broke 2 ribs and got one lung. Bullet came apart. 2 mangled empty jackets were found. No exit wounds. I shot some water jugs all jackets separated. I've stopped using them and now only use reloads
 
I'm wondering if there is some common thread to caliber/distance in people that have complain of issues with these bullets. I have used Fusions in my .270 and my wife's .308 at distances as close as 25m with no problem. Given the number of deer involved, its a 'statistically significant' sample. ;) I'm sure I chronied the factory ammo but don't have my notes around.

High velocity and close distances could easily cause bullet blow up though. Has anybody mentioned details? I have no stake in the matter, but am truly curious. I reload for both those guns now but that is about improved accuracy.
 
Last edited:
Use anything for fun shooting, but use premium stuff for hunting. We spend lots for gear for hunting don't cheap out on the most important item "ammunition"
 
When I shot the bear the bullet went right through, through two ribs and cut the offside front leg bone in half and exited. Only one little shard of copper. I am thinking it might only be a problem in the smaller caliber, lighter grain bullets. I have used them no problems...
 
I use the 150gr Fusion in my .270 and have had no issues with bullet performance.
All have been complete pass through shots and expansion was obvious.
I also tested the load in water jugs with excellent results. The video can be seen on Federals website.

Looking at the comments on Cabela's site, some complain of poor accuracy (we all know each rifle will have a "preference"), while others of shooting deer at close ranges and having the bullet "explode".
I have found the same to be true of many other brands/designs (Hornady's SST for one) that are intended to open easily in game at various ranges. What works great at 200 yards may very well come apart at 20 if it hits a shoulder bone or spine.
But at 20 yards, there's no excuse for "high shoulder" or "raking" shots either.
 
I didn't have much luck with them in my .30-06. They shot all over the place from a gun that was shooting really nice tight groups with some more expensive ammo earlier in the same day and after I had shot off most of the box of Fusions. I wasn't able to hit a deer with them to say if the bullets fell apart or not, they just were not accurate in my particular gun.
 
The Fusions grouped well and killed well in my 270Win, 30-06, 308Win, and 7RM. Several deer with each rifle, most being a broadside shot, small entrance, and a 2.5" exit. The 180s in my 308 left 4" holes on the exit side. Completely shredded hearts and lungs resulting and very quick kills. Most dropped on the spot. Groupings were mostly tight cloverleafs, but the 7RM had a bit more spread at 1.5MOA so I went back to my favourite load.

Really did not like them in my 280Rem. Nothing wrong with the bullet, just really wild groupings.
 
Thanks again for your contributions folks.

I'll have to see how the load shoots in my own rifle before deciding to use them for hunting or not.
 
I have not hunted with them as the guns I have tried them with didn't like them. My 25-06 and 30-06 did not group well with them.
I have a box of 7.62x39 that I want to try through the sks, and possibly use as a bush gun this fall for sh!ts and giggles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom