Federal Premium Terminal Ascent 175gr .308 Win

Federal Premium Terminal Ascent 175gr is engineered specifically for the hunter who wants match-level accuracy at long range without giving up the penetration and weight retention of a traditional bonded hunting bullet. The construction is unusual: a bonded lead core welded to a solid-copper shank, with Federal's AccuChannel grooves to reduce drag and a Slipstream polymer tip that resists deformation in rough handling while improving BC to 0.520 G1, competitive with match-grade bullets twice its weight.

Terminal performance is where Terminal Ascent separates from ELD-X and similar long-range hunting bullets. Federal's testing shows 90%-plus weight retention across an impact velocity window of 1,400 to 3,000 fps. The bonded lead core resists separation through bone and hide, and the copper shank provides the straight-line penetration that matters on elk, mule deer, and heavy black bear. At 2,600 fps from a 24-inch barrel with 2,627 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, the 175 Terminal Ascent is effective on elk-class game from 50 yards out to 650 yards, the point at which impact velocity drops below the 1,400 fps expansion threshold.

The case for Terminal Ascent over Precision Hunter ELD-X comes down to intended game and expected shot distance. For whitetail-sized game at 300 to 500 yards, ELD-X and Terminal Ascent are effectively interchangeable. For elk, moose, or heavy black bear at any range, or for the rare close shot inside 100 yards where ELD-X will fragment, Terminal Ascent's bonded construction is the more conservative and more reliable choice. Expect to pay $2.50-3.50 per round, which puts it above ELD-X and on par with Barnes VOR-TX TTSX.