Federal fusion?

[cjmac]

Just found out federal offers the fusion as a component bullet now. Thay say there design for whitetail, but i hear a 50/50 on performance. Some say thay just pass through with small entry and exit wound. Other say thay leave golfball size holes . The idea is a rapid expansion bonded soft point for thin skinned game . Just wondering if anyone ever tried them or recovered one ? Might be the ticket for high shoulder shots ...

 

[Teknys]

I've used the Fusion Line in factory form with a 300WSM on Elk and Whitetail. Worked just fine. Also with a 338F and couple of Elk and a few deer also.
I don't know if the component bullet is different then the factory loaded ammo but I / We have been happy with them.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I've used them in factory ammo, and I'm currently getting a load set up from my 6.5 CM by loading them as a component.

They seem to hit WAY above their price point. Think of them as the least expensive bonded bullet you could buy.
So far, on deer and antelope, they work well. I would use them on elk if the opportunity presented itself.

 

[Blkram]

While I have shot them in a few rifles, I have not taken game with them personally. Just have better accuracy in most of my rifles with AccuBonds.
So far, it has proven to be the most accurate factory ammo tried in my LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS SE 6.5x55, producing .608" groups at 100 yards. I plan to use it for deer, moose and bear in the thick timber. It'll be good for deer out to 300 yards (retaining 1951 fps and 1180 ft lbs of retained energy) from its' 20" barrel, and moose to just over 100 yards with over 1600 lbs of retained energy.

My daughter uses them in her 270 Win and has taken moose, mule deer, caribou, and a stones sheep with them. I think we've only recovered one bullet from 5 animals she has taken (moose), and while I did not weigh or measure it, I can tell you it was a great mushroom and approximately twice its original diameter.

While working in the LGS's for several years, we sold a bunch of this ammo in many different calibers and cartridges as it is reasonably priced. Feedback from those customers over the years was good to excellent. And I never heard of any rifle that wouldn't shoot them at least acceptably well. And no one complained about their on-game performance. Most had happy, smiling faces telling us about their successful hunts, or the successful hunts of their wives and children, or grandchildren too.

If it shoots well in your rifle, go forth with confidence and sharp knives!

 

[TNBillyEarl]

These were my choice before I started reloading; 140g going 2800 out of a 7mm-08. They were accurate and they anchored my deer better than anything I shot prior or since (at that speed/size/energy). I found Nosler BT to be the closest in performance on double lung, broadside shots. (All under 150 yards.) I have never heard or even read a negative word on these. -B

 

[jimbires]

I knew an older Fella that used the Fusion factory ammo in his 7mm-08 . He shot a local gun clubs rifle class that only allowed factory ammo . He would bring targets to show me . this ammo shot very well out of his rifle , and he did use it for hunting . I don't remember of him complaining about bullet performance . if I remember right this shoot included targets out to 400 yards . remembering how pleased Dave was with the bullets , I'd give them a try

 

[rjm158]

I've killed two deer with handloaded Fusions/Gold Dots. One was a 120 gr out of a 6.5 PRC and the other was a 150 gr out of a 308. The 120 shot was 77 yards, the 150 was 105. Both deer died where they stood, both were chest cavity shots, terminal damage was significant to say the least. Though I didn't have to track them, I am confident the exit hole would have left an easily followed trail.

Accuracy was very good as well. I would have no qualms using them again.

A side note about the deer shot with the 6.5. I was walking to my stand early in the morning and a doe I didn't see, saw me. She began blowing, snorting, and stomping nonstop. Even after I was in my stand she continued, looking at me while taking a few steps between stomps. Finally, I figured any deer in the vicinity would know where I was so the hunt was probably ruined. I am a firm believer in the " if she blows, she goes" adage. She did and she did.

Ron

 

[cjmac]

I've used the Fusion Line in factory form with a 300WSM on Elk and Whitetail. Worked just fine. Also with a 338F and couple of Elk and a few deer also.
I don't know if the component bullet is different then the factory loaded ammo but I / We have been happy with them.

Heard mixed reviews but I guess thats normal kinda for any product. Wonder what causes small entry and exit wounds tho . Iv had it happen with other bullets

 

[cjmac]

I've used them in factory ammo, and I'm currently getting a load set up from my 6.5 CM by loading them as a component.

They seem to hit WAY above their price point. Think of them as the least expensive bonded bullet you could buy.
So far, on deer and antelope, they work well. I would use them on elk if the opportunity presented itself.

Im wanting to put one at the base on neck and see how it acts . My main reason for wanting to try it is its a bonded soft point at a good price point. they claim it opens pretty well the soft tissue but holds together well . Plus its its a pointed spot rather than exposed so an automatic wouldn't just chew them up

 

[cjmac]

While I have shot them in a few rifles, I have not taken game with them personally. Just have better accuracy in most of my rifles with AccuBonds.
So far, it has proven to be the most accurate factory ammo tried in my LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS SE 6.5x55, producing .608" groups at 100 yards. I plan to use it for deer, moose and bear in the thick timber. It'll be good for deer out to 300 yards (retaining 1951 fps and 1180 ft lbs of retained energy) from its' 20" barrel, and moose to just over 100 yards with over 1600 lbs of retained energy.

My daughter uses them in her 270 Win and has taken moose, mule deer, caribou, and a stones sheep with them. I think we've only recovered one bullet from 5 animals she has taken (moose), and while I did not weigh or measure it, I can tell you it was a great mushroom and approximately twice its original diameter.

While working in the LGS's for several years, we sold a bunch of this ammo in many different calibers and cartridges as it is reasonably priced. Feedback from those customers over the years was good to excellent. And I never heard of any rifle that wouldn't shoot them at least acceptably well. And no one complained about their on-game performance. Most had happy, smiling faces telling us about their successful hunts, or the successful hunts of their wives and children, or grandchildren too.

If it shoots well in your rifle, go forth with confidence and sharp knives!

We shoot about 150 yards mostly with 308 in plots . But iv few spots in the woods thats going to be about 50 yards or less . If itll shoot 1.5in at 100 thats plenty

 

[cjmac]

These were my choice before I started reloading; 140g going 2800 out of a 7mm-08. They were accurate and they anchored my deer better than anything I shot prior or since (at that speed/size/energy). I found Nosler BT to be the closest in performance on double lung, broadside shots. (All under 150 yards.) I have never heard or even read a negative word on these. -B

At first I was going to try the Hornady sst and heard lots of people that didnt like them at all . Mostly from thay caused lot of meat damage . Found these fusion and reviews where better

 

[cjmac]

I knew an older Fella that used the Fusion factory ammo in his 7mm-08 . He shot a local gun clubs rifle class that only allowed factory ammo . He would bring targets to show me . this ammo shot very well out of his rifle , and he did use it for hunting . I don't remember of him complaining about bullet performance . if I remember right this shoot included targets out to 400 yards . remembering how pleased Dave was with the bullets , I'd give them a try

Iv heard thay can be very accurate. But im not expecting anything crazy good as this is a automatic. Some of them not known for great accuracy lol. But that sounds promising

 

[cjmac]

I've killed two deer with handloaded Fusions/Gold Dots. One was a 120 gr out of a 6.5 PRC and the other was a 150 gr out of a 308. The 120 shot was 77 yards, the 150 was 105. Both deer died where they stood, both were chest cavity shots, terminal damage was significant to say the least. Though I didn't have to track them, I am confident the exit hole would have left an easily followed trail.

Accuracy was very good as well. I would have no qualms using them again.

A side note about the deer shot with the 6.5. I was walking to my stand early in the morning and a doe I didn't see, saw me. She began blowing, snorting, and stomping nonstop. Even after I was in my stand she continued, looking at me while taking a few steps between stomps. Finally, I figured any deer in the vicinity would know where I was so the hunt was probably ruined. I am a firm believer in the " if she blows, she goes" adage. She did and she did.

Ron

Sounds like from what im hearing thay need speed to expand on soft tissue shots ? That may be where the bad reviews are saying small entry and exit hole come from ?

Yeah I normally take them out soon as thay blow cause its over with after that lol

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I had read or heard That the Gold Dot and Fusion were one and same but don't know for sure but I did use a 120-grain Gold Dot in a 6.5x55 that grouped well and retained most of its weight in a water jug test at 100yds. I shot one buck at about 100yards broadside through the middle of the shoulder pass through the offside shoulder. Buck did a 180 ran about 50 yards before dropping. The exit was about the size of nickel very little blood trail. Internals were damaged perfectly. I didn't try them anymore.

 

[cjmac]

I had read or heard That the Gold Dot and Fusion were one and same but don't know for sure but I did use a 120-grain Gold Dot in a 6.5x55 that grouped well and retained most of its weight in a water jug test at 100yds. I shot one buck at about 100yards broadside through the middle of the shoulder pass through the offside shoulder. Buck did a 180 ran about 50 yards before dropping. The exit was about the size of nickel very little blood trail. Internals were damaged perfectly. I didn't try them anymore.

Interesting sounds like did the job tho ..it went through both shoulders ?

 

[Firebird24]

My 7mm-08 preferred the 120 to the 140 and the performance was flawless. This is my daughter’s first mule deer. Somewhere in the 300 yard range and passed through right behind the shoulder. I really like the fusion bullets. I use the 150 ablr from this rifle most of the time because I often shoot longer ranges and I love that it is a bonded bullet. But I have also used the 120 gr. fusion out to 500 yards on targets with great success.

 

[cjmac]

My 7mm-08 preferred the 120 to the 140 and the performance was flawless. This is my daughter’s first mule deer. Somewhere in the 300 yard range and passed through right behind the shoulder. I really like the fusion bullets. I use the 150 ablr from this rifle most of the time because I often shoot longer ranges and I love that it is a bonded bullet. But I have also used the 120 gr. fusion out to 500 yards on targets with great success. View attachment 30338

Thats a nice one .. Hopefully thay do that good on our small white tail down here and South Alabama

 

[Firebird24]

I shot a Nebraska whitetail with one but I can’t recall which deer it was-the problem of switching back and forth on favorite bullets in favorite rifles.
I do remember we started using the fusion bullets because they were cheap to practice with but they shot so well that we continued using them for a couple years. I don’t think I can load them any better than the factory ammo worked, not for accuracy anyway, maybe I could squeeze more velocity from them but I don’t need it-