Federal Fusion .243

I have a few preferred factory rounds for hunting, but I regularly test other ammo. Observations from my testing can be applied to other calibres as well. My primary criterion is accuracy, with two benchmarks in mind: sub-MOA for longer-range shots at smaller animals and sub-1½ MOA for larger game within 250m.

Accuracy, of course, is highly rifle- and shooter-specific. What shoots well in my rifle may not produce the same results in yours, and vice versa.

Once I’m satisfied with a round’s accuracy, my next consideration is the projectile’s terminal performance. For premium controlled-expansion projectiles, I’m more than happy with an average accuracy of 1.3 MOA. Ideally, though, you want both excellent terminal ballistic performance and consistent sub-MOA accuracy. One factory round that has delivered both in my experience is the Federal Fusion, which has proven consistent across the calibres in which I’ve tested it.

The Federal Fusion 95gr factory load averages 0.8 MOA in both of my .243 Winchester rifles. The projectile is long and streamlined, with only a pinprick of exposed lead at the tip. Its molecularly bonded design electrochemically fuses the copper jacket to the lead core, creating a uniformly integrated projectile for deep penetration and high weight retention. Of the few Fusion projectiles I’ve recovered from game, weight retention has typically been around 75 per cent.

One such projectile came from a yearling red deer hind. I was sitting overlooking a well-used game trail on a steep, heavily forested ridge, hoping a wild dog might appear. Instead, the hind wandered straight up the trail toward me. At about 40m, I took a high shoulder shot on her leading right shoulder, dropping her instantly.

While butchering the animal, I found the expanded Fusion resting against the ball joint of the left hind leg. That was considerably more penetration than I expected from a .243. The bullet likely travelled over the top of her stomach on a relatively unobstructed path, but either way, the performance was impressive.

When chasing wild dogs in areas where deer or pigs might also be encountered, I tend to load the Fusions. I’ve taken plenty of longer shots on dogs where the bullet demonstrated excellent expansion and decisive impact shock on these smaller-bodied animals.

Federal Fusion ammunition is distributed in Australia by NIOA and is available from most gunshops.