Hey guys. Ive been thinking about getting the federal terminal ascent bullets for my 6.5 prc. I love the look of all nickle with blue tip. Im planning on handloading these for maximum accuracy. But im curious on the hunting aspect of them. Like are they really as good for taking down bigger game as they say. I would love to here your guys opinion on the lethality of the bullet on mainly deer sized game but possibly some elk sized game for future knowledge… also Jim i think a awsome backfire video would be taking different types of bullets and shooting them at ballistic gel to see how each bullet exspands differently… from terminal ascent, eld-x, barns, Sierra and anything else you just have laying around. I would absolutely love to see those differences. Thank you all for this information
Terminal ascent is a cool design for terminal performance. By having a core capable of deep penetration combined with a more frangible middle layer, the ability to take down game is fantastic.
HOWEVER, I’ve shot terminal ascent in maybe 10 different rifles and I’m yet to see where it was the most accurate bullet for that rifle. And usually, it’s one of the worst for accuracy.
So I’d love to shoot it when I find a rifle it does well in, but I still haven’t found that.
I agree I was really hoping Terminal Ascent 200g would shoot well in my 300 win mag but not the case. I tried 178g same scenario.
Federal Trophy Copper 180g shoots best in my win mag.
Nosler accubond 140g shoots well in my 6.5prc, Berger 156g as well not as accurate but sub moa at 100
Ok thank both of you for the information… im gunna be shooting it in my sako s20 so i have high hopes for a decent group ( sub moa or better) and the absolute farthest id be hunting around where im at is 300 yards and thats me pushing the absolute max of the hilly area i live in
My S20 (6.5 PRC) loves the Federal Terminal Ascent. I shot a whitetail buck high shoulder last year at 120 yds with devastating results. I have gotten good groups with just about every load that I have used in mine. I have tried Hornady Match, Hornady Precision Hunter, Nosler Ballistic Tip, and the Fed Term Ascent. I don’t reload so I can’t help you there.
300 win with 200gr TA factory loads at 400yds at an Elk. I usually save the heart to pickle, but it was exploded. This is a Tikka T3 with Proof prefit, suppressed and MDT chassis. Very close to 1 MOA. If they ever release the 200 gr bullets it would be nice to reload. I have the 175 but haven’t gotten around to loading and testing.
I also found the TA to be lacking in accuracy. While I get .8" to 1" grps with Hornady ELDx (factory) and .75" consitantly with Federal ELDx, I get 1.1"-1.5" with TA. I tested 5 different factory offerings and it was the worst one, and the most expensive. 7PRC in Crest Carbon.