Federal Power-Shok 300 Blackout 150 Gr JSP

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Federal Power-Shok 300 Blackout 150 Gr JSP (Box)
FeatureDetail
Primary UseHunting โ€” deer, feral hogs, medium game
Bullet TypeJacketed Soft Point (lead-core, copper-jacketed, exposed lead tip)
Bullet Weight150 gr
Case MaterialBrass
Primer TypeBoxer
Packaging20 rounds per box
Typical Price$32.49/box ยท $1.62/round
Closest CompetitorsHornady BLACK 300 Blackout 190 gr SUB-X ยท Remington HTP 300 Blackout 220 gr OTFB ยท Barnes VOR-TX 300 Blackout 110 gr TAC-TX

Official Specs

SpecValueSource
Muzzle Velocity (fps)โ€”Not published by Federal
Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)โ€”Not published by Federal
Bullet Weight150 grFederal product listing
Bullet TypeJacketed Soft Point (JSP)Federal product listing
BC G1โ€”Not published
BC G7โ€”Not published
Manufacturer SKUโ€”Not published in available data
UPCโ€”Not published in available data
ReloadableYesBrass case, Boxer primer

Note: Federal does not publish muzzle velocity or muzzle energy for this specific load in available product data. The ballistics table below uses a calculated estimate based on comparable 150 gr supersonic 300 Blackout loads from other manufacturers. All calculated values are clearly labeled. Community-submitted chronograph data will be added when available.

Note: BC values (G1 and G7) are not published by Federal for this load. Third-party BC estimates exist for similar JSP projectiles but are not reproduced here without a verified source.

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.

Zeroed at 100 yards, sight height 1.5″ above bore. Estimated muzzle velocity of ~2,100 fps used as baseline โ€” consistent with 150 gr supersonic 300 Blackout loads from comparable manufacturers. All values are approximate.

YardsVelocity (fps)Energy (ft-lbs)Trajectory (in)
0~2,100~1,469-1.5
100~1,840~1,1280.0 โ† zero
200~1,605~858-7.2
300~1,400~653-26.4
400~1,230~504-63.5
500~1,095~399-124.0

Key takeaway: At a supersonic 150 gr loading, this JSP stays on a relatively flat trajectory out to 100 yards โ€” the practical hunting distance for most 300 Blackout platforms. Beyond 200 yards, bullet drop becomes significant and ranging errors are punishing; ethical shots on deer or hogs should generally be held to 150โ€“200 yards with this load. The retained energy at 100 yards (~1,128 ft-lbs, calculated) is adequate for medium game by common hunting standards. This is a supersonic load optimized for AR-platform rifles with standard 16-inch barrels, and velocity will drop noticeably in shorter SBR configurations.

The 300 Blackout as a Hunting Cartridge

The 300 Blackout occupies an unusual niche: it was designed primarily for suppressed military use, yet its ability to push heavy subsonic or moderate supersonic projectiles from an AR-15 platform has made it a legitimate short-to-medium-range hunting option. Federal’s decision to offer a Power-Shok load in this caliber reflects growing demand from hunters running AR-style rifles for deer and hog control. The 150 gr supersonic window sits between the cartridge’s two common operating modes โ€” heavy subsonic loads near 220 gr and lighter, faster supersonic loads near 110โ€“125 gr โ€” making it a balanced hunting choice that prioritizes controlled expansion and terminal energy over either suppressor optimization or flat trajectory.

Best Uses

Good fit:

  • Deer hunting at ranges inside 150 yards from an AR-15 or bolt-action 300 Blackout platform
  • Feral hog control where a supersonic, expanding projectile is preferred over subsonic options
  • Hunters who want a traditional lead-core JSP construction rather than a polymer-tipped or bonded bullet
  • Situations where a moderate-cost, widely available hunting load is preferred over premium options
  • Hunters in states where non-lead requirements do not apply

Not the right tool for:

  • Suppressed shooting where subsonic performance is the goal โ€” this is a supersonic load
  • Long-range shots beyond 200 yards, where trajectory drop and velocity loss limit ethical performance
  • Large or dangerous game where deeper penetration from a bonded or solid bullet would be more appropriate
  • Jurisdictions with lead-free ammunition requirements (California condor zones, certain public lands)
  • Hunters seeking maximum BC or precision match-grade consistency โ€” Power-Shok is a utility hunting line, not a precision offering

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product descriptions, the Federal Power-Shok line is positioned as a traditional, value-oriented hunting load built on conventional lead-core construction. Federal describes the jacketed soft point design as engineered for controlled expansion on medium game โ€” language consistent with the JSP format’s known terminal behavior. Open-source user reports across hunting forums suggest the Power-Shok line generally feeds reliably in AR-platform rifles, though individual results vary by gas system tuning and suppressor use. No structured chronograph data or independent expansion testing has been submitted for this specific load at this time. All reliability observations above come from manufacturer claims or open public sources, not structured data collection.

Competitors

LoadWeightBulletBC G1Adv. VelocityPrice/boxNotes
Hornady BLACK 300 BLK 110 gr V-MAX110 grV-MAX (polymer tip)0.295~2,375 fps~$28โ€“$34Lighter, faster; varmint/hog focus; not ideal for deer
Hornady BLACK 300 BLK 190 gr SUB-X190 grSUB-X (subsonic)0.274~1,050 fps~$28โ€“$35Subsonic; suppressor-optimized; different use case
Barnes VOR-TX 300 BLK 110 gr TAC-TX110 grTAC-TX (lead-free, all-copper)~0.289~2,350 fps~$38โ€“$46Lead-free premium option; higher cost; deeper penetration
Remington HTP 300 BLK 220 gr OTFB220 grOpen-Tip Flat Base (subsonic)โ€”~1,010 fps~$25โ€“$32Subsonic; budget alternative; suppressor use
Sig Sauer Elite Hunting 300 BLK 120 gr HT120 grHunting Tipped (polymer tip)~0.340~2,240 fps~$30โ€“$38Supersonic hunting; polymer tip for better BC
Winchester Deer Season XP 300 BLK 150 gr ET150 grExtreme Point (polymer tip)~0.330~2,060 fps~$30โ€“$36Same weight class; polymer tip vs. JSP; direct comparison load

Price Reality

  • Typical retail range: $28.00โ€“$36.00 per 20-round box depending on retailer and market conditions; $32.49 represents a mid-range price point for this load
  • Per-round cost: Approximately $1.40โ€“$1.82 per round at typical retail
  • Case pricing: Case-quantity pricing (typically 200 rounds / 10 boxes) is not consistently published for this load; expect proportional savings of 5โ€“10% where available
  • vs. Hornady BLACK 110 gr V-MAX: Comparable pricing (~$28โ€“$34); Hornady is often slightly cheaper per round but serves a different terminal purpose
  • vs. Barnes VOR-TX 110 gr TAC-TX: Barnes commands a significant premium (~$38โ€“$46/box) for its lead-free all-copper construction; the Federal Power-Shok is the more economical choice where lead is permitted
  • vs. Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr: Direct weight competitor; Winchester typically prices within $2โ€“$4 of the Federal load โ€” making both reasonable options at this weight
  • Fair price benchmark: Above $38/box for this load should be considered overpriced given its utility-tier positioning in the Power-Shok lineup; below $28/box represents a genuine deal worth stocking

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

Where to Buy

Federal Power-Shok 300 Blackout 150 Gr JSP (Box)

Federal Power-Shok 300 Blackout 150 Gr JSP ammunition is engineered for dependable performance in hunting medium game like deer and hogs. With its traditional lead-core construction and jacketed soft point design, it ensures controlled expansion and impactful energy upon target.

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FAQ

Does the 150 gr JSP bullet expand reliably at 300 Blackout velocities?
The jacketed soft point design relies on impact velocity to initiate expansion โ€” at typical supersonic 300 Blackout muzzle velocities near 2,000โ€“2,100 fps, the exposed lead tip of a JSP should deform on contact with soft tissue at ranges inside 150 yards. However, JSP bullets are generally less reliably consistent in expansion behavior compared to bonded or polymer-tipped designs, particularly as velocity drops at longer ranges. At 200+ yards, where velocity may fall below 1,600 fps, expansion may be reduced or inconsistent. Hunters prioritizing reliable expansion at extended range should consider a polymer-tipped alternative like the Winchester Deer Season XP in the same weight class.

Is this load compatible with suppressed 300 Blackout rifles?
Yes, it will cycle and fire in a suppressed host, but it is not optimized for suppressor use. This is a supersonic load producing a significant sonic crack regardless of suppression โ€” the primary noise reduction benefit of a suppressor is largely offset by supersonic projectile noise. Hunters specifically seeking suppressor-optimized performance should look at dedicated subsonic loads in the 190โ€“220 gr range. The Federal Power-Shok 150 gr JSP is best treated as a standard supersonic hunting load that happens to be chambered in 300 Blackout.

How does this load compare to the Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr in 300 Blackout?
Both loads occupy the same 150 gr supersonic window in 300 Blackout and are priced within a few dollars of each other. The key difference is bullet design: the Federal uses a traditional JSP with an exposed lead tip, while the Winchester uses an Extreme Point polymer-tipped bullet designed for faster, more consistent expansion initiation. The Winchester’s polymer tip also provides a modest BC advantage. For most hunters, the Winchester may offer a slight terminal performance edge; the Federal is a reliable traditional alternative where a proven JSP construction is preferred.

Can this ammunition be used in a 300 Blackout pistol or SBR with a short barrel?
It can be fired from any 300 Blackout chambered firearm, including pistols and short-barreled rifles. However, velocity loss from shorter barrels (e.g., 8โ€“10 inches) will be meaningful โ€” potentially 150โ€“300 fps below the estimated 16-inch barrel baseline. This reduces both energy on target and the velocity available to drive JSP expansion. In very short barrels, this load may underperform its intended terminal design parameters. Federal does not publish barrel-length velocity data for this load, so users with SBR configurations should verify performance independently.

Is the Federal Power-Shok line considered a budget or premium product?
Power-Shok sits firmly in Federal’s value-tier hunting lineup โ€” it is not a premium offering like Federal Trophy Bonded, Edge TLR, or Terminal Ascent. It uses conventional lead-core construction without bonding, partitioning, or polymer tipping. This makes it a cost-effective choice for hunters who want a reliable factory hunting load without paying for premium features they may not need at typical medium game hunting distances. For most deer and hog hunters shooting inside 150 yards, the Power-Shok’s performance is entirely adequate; hunters pushing longer distances or requiring maximum retained weight should consider a bonded or premium alternative.

 

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