Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Guns & Ammo Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-30-2018, 04:12 PM
Eric1340's Avatar
Eric1340 Eric1340 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Quecbec
Posts: 6
Default Federal Fusion

The Federal Fusion cartridge is rather renowned for deer hunting purposes. In fact, it is designed specifically for whitetail deer hunters. So, what makes it popular? To answer your query, its new bullet technology promises excellent terminal performance hence allowing you to make quick and clean one-shot kills, for a better shooting performance.

This is the kind of things that i read on the net and i dont understand why???
The fusion its suppose to be bonded and solid so better than : power shock, core lokt, power point (win.) etc etc.... so why these 3 ones dont say anything about '' for deer only '' ...and why these fusion are so cheeper than other bonded..??? not the same quality??

I hunt moose so not sure about it but i saw on paper ...7mm mag, 270win, 308 savage, 30-06 ..they are so accurate..!!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-30-2018, 05:37 PM
rem338win's Avatar
rem338win rem338win is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cowtown, agian
Posts: 2,812
Default

Huh?
__________________
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
- Sir Winston Churchill

A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.
-Thomas Paine
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-30-2018, 05:41 PM
marlin1's Avatar
marlin1 marlin1 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4,083
Default

I used them on moose this year and they held together better than blue box fed . I like them
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-30-2018, 07:27 PM
JTRED's Avatar
JTRED JTRED is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Central Kootenays BC
Posts: 432
Default

I've shot a number of deer and two cow elk with Federal Fusion. One recovered from a cow elk retained 82%, started out as 150gr 270win. Another I recovered from a whitetail buck retained 86%, started out as a 130gr 270win.The rest were pass throughs, I prefer two holes leaking over one. I find them effective and exceptionally accurate. I also don't mind the price for range days.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-30-2018, 08:34 PM
AB2506's Avatar
AB2506 AB2506 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,702
Default

The Fusion lead bullet cores are essentially electroplated with the jacket material, making them a bonded bullet. It is a cheaper process than other bonding processes.

I've used the 150gr 30 cal in the 300WSM for deer. Works good. Even on close shots, no jacket/core separation.

I would use it on moose. Not sure about elk.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-30-2018, 08:48 PM
CanuckShooter's Avatar
CanuckShooter CanuckShooter is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Quesnel BC Canada
Posts: 5,586
Default

I found the to be accurate, shot a bull elk in the upper shoulder and the Fusion literally exploded when shot out of my 338. I'd use them on deer, but not on elk or moose again.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-30-2018, 09:28 PM
Big pete's Avatar
Big pete Big pete is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Millarville,alberta
Posts: 493
Default

I shot 180gr fusions in my 300 win to 1000 yards just for giggles and they were very accurate for a factory load 8” group at 1000
__________________
Ya just go out n ya give'r
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-30-2018, 10:05 PM
Snowbalz Snowbalz is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
Default

Accurate and deadly on deer, shooting from a 7mm mag.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-31-2018, 08:23 PM
sevenmil sevenmil is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 475
Default

AB2506 is right about the lead core having the copper jacket welded to it via electroplating. It is a less costly way to to it but by no means an inferior product. Federal fusions, in my opinion are one of the best all around factory loads for the money.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-02-2018, 02:24 PM
covey ridge's Avatar
covey ridge covey ridge is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: N. E. of High River
Posts: 4,985
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric1340 View Post

This is the kind of things that i read on the net and i dont understand why???
The fusion its suppose to be bonded and solid so better than : power shock, core lokt, power point (win.) etc etc.... so why these 3 ones dont say anything about '' for deer only '' ...and why these fusion are so cheeper than other bonded..??? not the same quality??
Some may argue that they are not better. I would say they are just different. Lots of bullets that claim to be designed for deer actually work quite well on larger game. I think the key is to know what type of bullets you are using and how they are designed to preform. They are probably cheaper than some other bonded bullets because they are cheaper to manufacture and are designed to compete at a very specific price point.

I have found that they are fairly accurate, but I have never killed with them mainly because there is so much out there to try and I have always chosen something else. I sold guns and ammo part time for about 17 years. In that time I have heard quite a few accounts where the fusion has preformed well and very few where they did not preform as expected.

My same thoughts apply to power shock, core lokt, power point.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-02-2018, 04:46 PM
stob stob is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
Default

i took a cow elk at 200M with a handloaded 165gr fusion in a 308win ... one shot behind shoulder - through heart - and bullet found in opposite shoulder - full expansion

a buddy took a bull elk with same at 650yards in a 300wm and he could have reloaded the bullet again - no expansion and the only saving grace was the bullet hit an artery
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-03-2018, 03:36 PM
Eric1340's Avatar
Eric1340 Eric1340 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Quecbec
Posts: 6
Default

i have talk to someone here that he made a lot of test with FF and he said more than 2600fps they are soft like a rag, less than 2600fps they behave good
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-03-2018, 03:54 PM
Prairiewolf's Avatar
Prairiewolf Prairiewolf is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,100
Default

I've killed one deer with a 175gr. in 7mm Rem Mag. Piled up within 5 yards of the shot. Bullet passed through the deer but I was very close to the animal.

Got more serious about elk hunting so I started buying 165gr Nosler Partitions.

The Fusions group better in my rifles than the Partitions, only problem is they're not Partitions.

I still have one rifle sighted in with the Fusions and if I'm only deer hunting I go with them.
__________________
-------------------------------------------------------

They don't get big by being dumb.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-03-2018, 04:02 PM
gitrdun gitrdun is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: High River, AB
Posts: 10,788
Default

My eldest daughter harvested a mule deer buck with her 7mm-08 with a single shot from a Federal Fusion bullet. The shot was somewhere between 300 and 400 yards, I cannot remember the exact distance. It was a high neck shot very close to the cranium. She took a very long time in placing it where it needed to be and did a happy dance afterwards, as I did also.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-03-2018, 10:56 PM
possum's Avatar
possum possum is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SK
Posts: 120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stob;3722600[B
]i took a cow elk at 200M with a handloaded 165gr fusion in a 308win ..[/B]. one shot behind shoulder - through heart - and bullet found in opposite shoulder - full expansion

a buddy took a bull elk with same at 650yards in a 300wm and he could have reloaded the bullet again - no expansion and the only saving grace was the bullet hit an artery

When did they start producing the Fusion Bullets as component bullets ??
__________________
"Overkill.............is WAY underrated.".

"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."
- Bob Hagel
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 02-04-2018, 12:46 AM
vcmm's Avatar
vcmm vcmm is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vulcan Ab
Posts: 3,871
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by possum View Post
When did they start producing the Fusion Bullets as component bullets ??
Probably 165 Nosler accubond
__________________
"It's like bragging that it's 10 CENTIMETERS LONG! (when really, it's 4" dude, settle down)"
Huntinstuff


"Me neither but it's all in the eye of the beer holder"
norwestalta

.....out of bounds.....but funny none the less!

LC

"Funny how when a bear eats another bear, no one bats an eye, but......

when a human eats another human, people act like it's the end if the friggin world. News coverage, tweets, blogs, outrage, Piers Morgan etcetc.

Go figure." -Huntinstuff
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 02-04-2018, 09:26 AM
covey ridge's Avatar
covey ridge covey ridge is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: N. E. of High River
Posts: 4,985
Default

It is my understanding that the Federal Fusion bullet and the Speer Deep Curl component bullets are similar.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 02-15-2018, 06:55 PM
eagleclassic eagleclassic is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 49
Default

Covey ridge that was my understanding. i used to buy lots of deep curls ..great bullet. Sad to see them discontinued
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 02-21-2018, 12:57 PM
CptnBlues63 CptnBlues63 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Somewhere north of Edmonton
Posts: 616
Default

If you're interested in the Federal Fusion ammo see the following thread:

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ht=CptnBlues63

I post a pic of 4 recovered bullets in my first response if you like a decent visual.
__________________
It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

***William Henley***
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 02-21-2018, 03:34 PM
stob stob is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by possum View Post
When did they start producing the Fusion Bullets as component bullets ??
They had them out initially for 3-4 years or so then ceased production because they took to long to make and they have not rectified their production process for the component market. A few of us loaded up on them when we saw it coming. I am surprised they have not solved their production problems. The fusions that lasted on the shelves the longest were the 175gr 7mm fusions. They also had some moly coated 6.5 mm 140gr fusions for awhile
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 02-21-2018, 09:59 PM
sevenmil sevenmil is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 475
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stob View Post
They had them out initially for 3-4 years or so then ceased production because they took to long to make and they have not rectified their production process for the component market. A few of us loaded up on them when we saw it coming. I am surprised they have not solved their production problems. The fusions that lasted on the shelves the longest were the 175gr 7mm fusions. They also had some moly coated 6.5 mm 140gr fusions for awhile
The component version of the bullet loaded in fusion ammo was marketed under the name “Speer Deep Curl.” They are not on the Speer Website any more and
are tough to find unless you luck onto some old stock. Which is too bad.....I was reading up on them awhile back and a chap that has used them a lot says they compare in performance to the Woodleigh Weldcore. But a lot less costly. A good bullet. The good news is Federal Fusion loaded ammo remains on the market still.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 02-22-2018, 07:46 AM
Bushleague Bushleague is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,556
Default

I've used them in my .270 and 30-06 for deer and moose. My results were somewhat mixed, I found that the lighter bullets in these calibers held together better than Remington Corelocts. With the heavyer bullets in these calibers, for all the hype about bonded bullets, I actually observed a greater tendency for the Fusion bullets to blow apart than the lowly Corelocts.

So IMO while the Fusion is a pretty good bullet for the price, the performance doesn't necessarily progress in a predictable manner when switching between bullet weights and/or calibers. Depending on the caliber and weight of the bullet you intend to use, you may or may not get better performance with a cheaper mechanically locked bullet.

Just my observations.
__________________
If the good lord didnt want me to ride a four wheeler with no shirt on, then how come my nipples grow back after every wipeout?

Last edited by Bushleague; 02-22-2018 at 07:51 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 02-22-2018, 12:23 PM
sevenmil sevenmil is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 475
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushleague View Post
I've used them in my .270 and 30-06 for deer and moose. My results were somewhat mixed, I found that the lighter bullets in these calibers held together better than Remington Corelocts. With the heavyer bullets in these calibers, for all the hype about bonded bullets, I actually observed a greater tendency for the Fusion bullets to blow apart than the lowly Corelocts.

So IMO while the Fusion is a pretty good bullet for the price, the performance doesn't necessarily progress in a predictable manner when switching between bullet weights and/or calibers. Depending on the caliber and weight of the bullet you intend to use, you may or may not get better performance with a cheaper mechanically locked bullet.

Just my observations.
Were you using the heavier bullets on bigger game? A moose or elk would be
harder on these bullets than a deer, even if you upped the weight.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 02-22-2018, 05:25 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sevenmil View Post
Were you using the heavier bullets on bigger game? A moose or elk would be
harder on these bullets than a deer, even if you upped the weight.
I realise that, I used heavy Corelocts and heavy Fusions for both deer and moose.

Beyond species I'm also taking into account how the shot connected and the ranges the animals were shot at. I realise that it isn't exact science but having dug a fair amount of these two bullets out of dead animals, the Fusions generally look worse, all things considered.

The lighter Fusions I have only used on deer, and have never recovered one. Some of them have gone through 4' of deer on steep quartering shots and they generally seem to leave a small exit wound. They deffinatly seem to out penetrate the Corelocts, if anything I think they are a little tougher than ideal for deer.

Kinda weird findings, I agree.
__________________
If the good lord didnt want me to ride a four wheeler with no shirt on, then how come my nipples grow back after every wipeout?
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 03-07-2018, 09:30 AM
CptnBlues63 CptnBlues63 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Somewhere north of Edmonton
Posts: 616
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushleague View Post
I realise that, I used heavy Corelocts and heavy Fusions for both deer and moose.

Beyond species I'm also taking into account how the shot connected and the ranges the animals were shot at. I realise that it isn't exact science but having dug a fair amount of these two bullets out of dead animals, the Fusions generally look worse, all things considered.

The lighter Fusions I have only used on deer, and have never recovered one. Some of them have gone through 4' of deer on steep quartering shots and they generally seem to leave a small exit wound. They deffinatly seem to out penetrate the Corelocts, if anything I think they are a little tougher than ideal for deer.

Kinda weird findings, I agree.
You should read the post of mine I linked above with the picture of the four Federal Fusion 165 grain bullets I've recovered. Most pertinent I think are the last two bullets I pulled out of my bull moose in 2016.

I'll quote it here for you....
Quote:
Originally Posted by CptnBlues63 View Post
"The last two are from the bull moose I shot last year. The one on the far right is majorly deformed from hitting the ball at the top of the front right leg bone. Ball portion of bone was shattered (dang it....cost me some meat) The second from the right actually went through the left shoulder blade breaking it into 3 pieces. As you can see, it mushroomed perfectly just like the one from the elk."
With regard to your statement above:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushleague View Post
With the heavyer bullets in these calibers, for all the hype about bonded bullets, I actually observed a greater tendency for the Fusion bullets to blow apart than the lowly Corelocts.
If you look closely at the 4th bullet, you can see how dimpled the bullet is from shattering the ball on the bull moose's front right leg. (Mind you, "shattering" may not be descriptive enough, "disintegrated" is more accurate....lol) The other bullet, that went through the left shoulder blade is not nearly so dimpled. Both however mushroomed nicely and neither "blew apart" Nor did the one that came out of an elk and hit rib on both sides.

I've shot a lot of the Federal Fusion 165's and never had one fragment even a little.

Now granted, I use only the 165 grain bullets so have no comparison for different weights but one would expect they're made using the exact same process so they should all behave similarly regardless of weight.

Perhaps you just had a couple bad bullets........I have no doubt some can be malformed during the process to make them.
__________________
It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

***William Henley***
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 03-07-2018, 02:50 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CptnBlues63 View Post
You should read the post of mine I linked above with the picture of the four Federal Fusion 165 grain bullets I've recovered. Most pertinent I think are the last two bullets I pulled out of my bull moose in 2016.

I'll quote it here for you....


With regard to your statement above:



If you look closely at the 4th bullet, you can see how dimpled the bullet is from shattering the ball on the bull moose's front right leg. (Mind you, "shattering" may not be descriptive enough, "disintegrated" is more accurate....lol) The other bullet, that went through the left shoulder blade is not nearly so dimpled. Both however mushroomed nicely and neither "blew apart" Nor did the one that came out of an elk and hit rib on both sides.

I've shot a lot of the Federal Fusion 165's and never had one fragment even a little.

Now granted, I use only the 165 grain bullets so have no comparison for different weights but one would expect they're made using the exact same process so they should all behave similarly regardless of weight.

Perhaps you just had a couple bad bullets........I have no doubt some can be malformed during the process to make them.
I'm not going to argue with their findings. But I have, on my book shelf in front of me, three .270 cal 150 grain Corelocts that were recovered after smashing through moose shoulder bones. One of them broke through both shoulders, another went through the thickest part of the shoulder. They all look pretty good considering.

I also have two 150 grain .270 cal Fusion bullets that were dug out of moose. Neither one of them contacted any heavy bone they both look pretty ugly, weird lopsided mushrooms, though weight retention was good. On a third moose I shot with these same bullets, the bullet was not recovered but the offside shoulder had bullet fragments in it. The near shoulder was not hit so bone contact was presumably fairly minimal.

The same year I shot that last moose I shot a whitetail deer at about 25 yards, he was facing me head on and I shot him in the chest just below the spine. Bullet was not recovered, no exit wound... there were several pieces of the 180 grain .30 cal Fusion in the hind quarters. So yes, these bullets will fragment in tough situations. I've never used the 165 grain bullets however.

I have had Fusion 130 grain .270 bullets nearly run deer through from end to end on a couple ocasions, and leave surprisingly small exit wounds. All of which leads me to the conclusion that while they are not a bad bullet, performance can sometimes be a bit erratic.

Corelocts on the other hand have always performed very predictably for me, in light weights they are nearly ideal for deer, in heavy weights they can be counted on to break a moose shoulder. I wont advise spending the money on a bonded bullet if it cant out perform a Coreloct on a regular basis.
__________________
If the good lord didnt want me to ride a four wheeler with no shirt on, then how come my nipples grow back after every wipeout?

Last edited by Bushleague; 03-07-2018 at 03:05 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 03-07-2018, 06:12 PM
Redneck 7 Redneck 7 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The best place on earth.
Posts: 1,654
Default

Federal Fusions shoot amazing out of my 7mm-08 with 140 gr, that rifle took 3 deer this year and two were 1 shot kills and the mulie I shot took 3. They’re really accurate and when I shoot the 2 boxes I have I’ll start my reloading for it with the Federal brass.

I’m not sure why they’re cheaper and meant for white tail specific, first I ever heard of that. I just know that Remington 700 likes them.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 10-10-2018, 07:06 AM
Prairiewolf's Avatar
Prairiewolf Prairiewolf is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Prairiewolf View Post
I've killed one deer with a 175gr. in 7mm Rem Mag. Piled up within 5 yards of the shot. Bullet passed through the deer but I was very close to the animal.

Got more serious about elk hunting so I started buying 165gr Nosler Partitions.

The Fusions group better in my rifles than the Partitions, only problem is they're not Partitions.

I still have one rifle sighted in with the Fusions and if I'm only deer hunting I go with them.
A whitetail tag left in my pocket this year so the 150 gr Fusions in the 7MM are on deck.
__________________
-------------------------------------------------------

They don't get big by being dumb.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 10-13-2018, 10:15 AM
Ray Ray Ray Ray is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 89
Default

I shoot a 7mm and have learned the Fusions need to slow down a little to hold together. I shot a Whitetail a few years back at 85 yards with the Fusion; What a mess.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.