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Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Gr Power-Shok Copper

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Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Gr Power-Shok Copper

At a Glance

Official Specs

Note: Federal has not published muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific Power-Shok Copper load in publicly available spec sheets at the time of writing. The ballistics table below uses industry-standard estimates for a 180 gr copper hollow-point from a 24" barrel and is labeled accordingly. Community-submitted chronograph data will be incorporated as it becomes available.

Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Gr Power-Shok Copper (Box)

$51.99

in stock

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.Assumed muzzle velocity: ~2,960 fps (typical industry value for 180 gr .300 Win Mag copper loads from a 24" barrel). All values marked ~ to indicate estimation. Zero: 200 yd. Sight height: 1.5" above bore.

Key takeaway: At a 200-yard zero, this load carries well past 400 yards with enough retained energy to ethically take elk-sized game — typically considered 1,500 ft-lbs minimum. The copper-alloy construction tends to retain velocity slightly better than comparable lead-core loads, which partially offsets the lack of a published BC. Hunters planning shots beyond 500 yards should verify actual muzzle velocity with a chronograph, as real-world performance from shorter barrels (22") may reduce these figures by 50–80 fps. Within 400 yards, trajectory management is straightforward for any rifleman familiar with the 300 Winchester Magnum platform.

Lead-Free Copper Construction: Why It Matters for This Load

Power-Shok Copper occupies a specific position in Federal’s lineup: it is the lead-free entry point in the Power-Shok family, designed to bring copper-alloy performance to hunters who need non-toxic ammunition — either by regulation or by preference — without paying premium prices associated with Federal’s Trophy Copper or Barnes-loaded options.

The hollow-point copper-alloy bullet is engineered to initiate expansion at hunting velocities and maintain a high percentage of its original weight throughout penetration. Unlike bonded lead-core bullets that rely on the bond to prevent jacket separation, a solid copper projectile has no jacket to separate. This typically results in deep, straight-line penetration with a large, consistent expanded diameter. The tradeoff is that copper is harder than lead, which can produce higher chamber pressures at equivalent velocities — a factor Federal accounts for in the load’s design.

This load is particularly relevant for hunters in California and other jurisdictions where lead-free ammunition is legally required for big game hunting. It is also an option for hunters who prefer to avoid lead exposure during field dressing, regardless of local regulations.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Deer, elk, and black bear hunting at ranges up to 400 yards where a lead-free projectile is required or preferred
• California condor range hunting where non-toxic ammunition is mandated by law
• Hunters seeking copper-bullet performance at a more accessible price point than premium loads
• General big game use where deep penetration and high weight retention are priorities
• Hunters who want a single load capable of handling both deer-sized and elk-sized game in the same trip

Not the right tool for:

• Extreme long-range precision shooting where a published, verified BC is essential for accurate drop compensation beyond 500 yards
• Hunters who require sub-MOA guarantees, as copper monolithic bullets can be finicky in some rifle twist rates and throat geometries
• Varmint or predator hunting where rapid fragmentation is preferred over deep penetration
• Shooters whose rifles have shallow rifling or older barrels not rated for the higher pressures sometimes associated with solid copper projectiles
• Budget-conscious shooters who do not require lead-free construction — Federal’s standard Power-Shok lead-core 300 Win Mag loads offer similar terminal performance at lower cost

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information, the Power-Shok Copper line is described as producing consistent expansion across a range of impact velocities, which is relevant for shots at varying distances. Federal’s copper-alloy hollow-point design is engineered to expand reliably without fragmenting, a characteristic consistent with other monolithic copper hunting bullets in this class. Some hunters using similar copper hollow-point loads from other manufacturers have reported that copper bullets occasionally require load development — or at minimum, a fouling-shot protocol — to achieve consistent accuracy in a given rifle. These notes come from manufacturer claims and open sources, not structured data from verified submissions to this database.

Competitors

Price Reality

• Typical retail: $51.99 per box of 20 rounds; case pricing (typically 10 boxes/200 rounds) is not widely advertised but generally ranges from $480–$520 when available
• Per-round cost: approximately $2.60/round at MSRP
• The Barnes VOR-TX equivalent runs $3.25–$3.75/round, making Power-Shok Copper roughly 20–30% less expensive for a lead-free copper load in the same weight class
• Federal’s own Trophy Copper in 300 Win Mag runs approximately $3.50–$4.00/round, placing Power-Shok Copper firmly in the mid-tier lead-free category
• The standard Federal Power-Shok lead-core 300 Win Mag loads at $1.50–$1.90/round represent the clear budget alternative for hunters where lead-free is not required
• Fair price benchmark: anything over $65/box for this specific load should be considered above market rate unless supply is severely constrained

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Gr Power-Shok Copper (Box)

Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Gr Power-Shok Copper ammunition is designed for practical hunters seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank. This lead-free, hollow-point copper-alloy projectile creates large wound channels for effective stopping power, making it ideal for any hunting expedition.

$51.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

Does the Federal Power-Shok Copper 180 gr expand reliably at longer ranges where velocity drops significantly?Copper hollow-point bullets generally require a minimum impact velocity to initiate consistent expansion — typically in the range of 1,800–2,000 fps for most designs. Federal has not published the specific minimum expansion velocity for this load. Based on the estimated ballistics above, that threshold is approached somewhere between 600 and 700 yards from a 24" barrel. Hunters planning shots beyond 400 yards should confirm their rifle’s actual muzzle velocity with a chronograph and calculate the distance at which impact velocity drops below a safe expansion threshold for this bullet design.

How does the Power-Shok Copper compare to the Federal Trophy Copper in the same caliber?Both are lead-free copper-alloy loads in the Federal lineup, but they occupy different price and performance tiers. The Trophy Copper uses a polymer tip to initiate expansion more reliably at lower velocities and is generally held to a tighter accuracy standard. Power-Shok Copper is positioned as the affordable entry point into lead-free hunting ammunition within the Federal family, with a hollow-point design rather than a tipped one. For most hunting distances and game sizes within 400 yards, the practical difference in terminal performance is unlikely to be decisive, but the Trophy Copper offers more published data and a reputation for match-grade consistency.

Is this ammunition legal for hunting in California?Yes. Because this load uses a lead-free copper-alloy projectile with no lead core, it qualifies as non-toxic ammunition under California’s lead ammunition ban, which applies to all hunting with firearms on all California Wildlife Management Areas and on all lands requiring a hunting license. Hunters should always verify current regulations with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before the season, as regulations can change. This is one of the primary practical reasons to choose Power-Shok Copper over Federal’s standard Power-Shok lead-core loads.

Will copper bullets damage or foul my rifle’s barrel more than lead-core bullets?Copper fouling is a real consideration with solid copper projectiles. Unlike lead, which wipes away relatively easily, copper deposits bond more aggressively to rifling and require a dedicated copper-solvent bore cleaner for removal. However, copper fouling does not damage a barrel — it requires more deliberate cleaning practices. Some shooters also report that copper bullets produce slightly different accuracy nodes than lead-core loads in the same rifle, meaning a few fouling shots and a confirmed zero with this specific ammunition are recommended before hunting season.

Why doesn’t Federal publish velocity or ballistic coefficient data for this load?This is a legitimate gap in Federal’s published documentation for the Power-Shok Copper line. Some manufacturers reserve detailed ballistic data for their premium tiers, where investment in testing and marketing is higher. It is also possible that velocity data exists in Federal’s internal documentation but has not been made available through their public-facing product pages or printed packaging at the time of this writing. Hunters who require precise ballistic data for long-range shooting should either chronograph this load personally or consider a competitor load with fully published specifications, such as the Barnes VOR-TX or Hornady Outfitter in the same weight class.

Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Gr Power-Shok Copper (Box)

$51.99

in stock