Federal Premium Vital-Shok .338 Federal 200 Grain Trophy Bonded Tip: The Ultimate Choice for Discerning Big Game Hunters

For serious big game hunters, the pursuit isn't just a pastime; it's a deep commitment, a challenge that demands precision, preparation, and, most importantly, trust in your equipment. When you’ve invested countless hours scouting, training, and preparing for your hunt, the ammunition you choose becomes a critical component of your success. It’s not merely about firing a projectile; it's about delivering an ethical, decisive shot that ensures a clean harvest and honors the animal. This is where Federal Premium's Vital-Shok line, featuring the legendary Trophy Bonded Tip, stands as an unwavering ally in the field.

Federal Premium has consistently proven its superior performance, both on the shooting range where accuracy is paramount and in the challenging, unpredictable environments of big game hunting. The Vital-Shok series is engineered with a singular purpose: to provide hunters with the confidence that comes from using world-class components, meticulously assembled to achieve peak ballistic performance. Whether you're targeting a formidable bull elk in the Rockies, a massive moose in the Alaskan wilderness, or a dangerous bear, this ammunition is crafted to meet the demanding requirements of harvesting large, heavy game.

Understanding the .338 Federal Cartridge: Power and Precision for the Modern Hunter

The .338 Federal cartridge represents a remarkable achievement in rifle ammunition design, offering a compelling blend of power, versatility, and manageability. Developed by Federal Premium in collaboration with Sako, the .338 Federal was introduced to fill a unique niche: providing .338-caliber performance in a short-action rifle platform. This means hunters can enjoy the significant knockdown power typically associated with larger magnum cartridges, but with reduced recoil and the lighter, more compact rifle designs favored by many.

Why is the .338 Federal so effective for big game? Its relatively large bullet diameter (.338 inch) combined with substantial bullet weights, such as the 200-grain option in this Vital-Shok load, delivers immense kinetic energy and impressive terminal performance. It’s a cartridge designed for hunters who require significant stopping power for deer, elk, moose, and various species of bear, often at moderate to longer ranges where energy retention is crucial. Its ability to achieve high velocities with heavy bullets ensures deep penetration and reliable expansion, even through thick hide and bone. This makes it an ideal choice for navigating dense timber or making precise shots across open clearings.

The Science Behind the Bullet: Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Tip

At the heart of this exceptional Vital-Shok offering lies the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip bullet. This isn't just any hunting bullet; it's a testament to advanced bullet technology, designed for maximum effectiveness and ethical harvesting. So, what makes the Trophy Bonded Tip so reliable and sought-after by experienced hunters?

Key features of the Trophy Bonded Tip bullet include:

• Polymer Tip: This distinctive tip is not just for aesthetics. It initiates rapid, consistent expansion upon impact, even at lower velocities experienced at longer ranges. It also improves the bullet's ballistic coefficient, leading to a flatter trajectory and better energy retention downrange.
• Bonded Lead Core: The lead core is chemically bonded to the copper jacket. This critical feature ensures superior weight retention, typically 90% or more, even after impacting tough hide and bone. High weight retention is directly linked to deep, straight-line penetration, vital for reaching the animal's vitals for a quick and ethical kill.
• Solid Copper Rear Shank: This robust base provides structural integrity and prevents excessive deformation. It acts as a platform, driving the expanding front section of the bullet deep into the animal, ensuring consistent performance shot after shot.
• Grooved Jacket: The precisely engineered grooves in the bullet's jacket reduce bearing surface and friction, contributing to higher velocities and less barrel fouling. They also promote controlled expansion.
• Boat-Tail Design: The tapered base of the bullet improves its aerodynamic efficiency, leading to a higher ballistic coefficient. This means the bullet flies truer, resists wind drift better, and maintains more energy over longer distances, enhancing accuracy and terminal performance at extended ranges.

When combined, these features ensure that the Trophy Bonded Tip delivers devastating energy transfer, reliable expansion, and unparalleled penetration, ensuring that your valuable shot results in a successful hunt and a freezer full of game.

Ballistics Unpacked: What the Numbers Mean for Your Hunt

Understanding ballistic data is key to maximizing your hunting success. The specifications for the Federal Premium Vital-Shok .338 Federal 200 Grain Trophy Bonded Tip ammunition provide a clear picture of its capabilities:

• Velocity at Muzzle: 2630 fps (feet per second)
  • This is the speed at which the bullet leaves the barrel. A high muzzle velocity contributes to a flatter trajectory and greater energy delivery at closer ranges. For the .338 Federal, 2630 fps for a 200-grain bullet is an excellent velocity, indicating robust performance.
• Velocity at 100 yards: 2431 fps
  • Even at 100 yards, the bullet retains significant speed, demonstrating its aerodynamic efficiency. This sustained velocity is crucial for consistent expansion and impact energy.
• Velocity at 300 yards: 2060 fps
  • Maintaining over 2000 fps at 300 yards is outstanding for a hunting cartridge. This sustained velocity ensures that the bullet still has enough speed to reliably expand and penetrate, making it effective for shots where animals might be further out.
• Energy at Muzzle: 3071 ft/lbs (foot-pounds)
  • Kinetic energy is the measure of a bullet's ability to do work upon impact. Over 3000 ft/lbs at the muzzle signifies immense stopping power, more than sufficient for even the toughest big game animals. This initial energy is critical for disrupting vital organs and ensuring a quick, humane kill.
• Energy at 100 yards: 2625 ft/lbs
  • At 100 yards, the bullet still carries substantial energy. This energy level is more than enough for clean kills on large deer, elk, and many bear species.
• Energy at 300 yards: 1884 ft/lbs
  • Retaining nearly 1900 ft/lbs of energy at 300 yards is a hallmark of an effective big game cartridge. This illustrates the .338 Federal's capability for ethical shots at longer distances, where energy retention often separates ethical performance from merely hitting the target. This energy level is still considered effective for elk-sized game by many experienced hunters.

These figures aren't just numbers; they represent the bullet's capacity to perform under real hunting conditions, translating directly into confidence for the hunter and ethical harvesting in the field.

Why Choose Federal Premium Vital-Shok for Your Next Hunt?

What problems does this specific ammunition solve for the hunter, and for whom is it the ideal choice?

• For the serious big game hunter: This ammunition is tailored for those who demand uncompromising performance on elk, moose, various bear species, and larger deer. It addresses the need for deep penetration, controlled expansion, and high weight retention, which are all critical for success on robust animals.
• For hunters seeking consistent, reliable performance: Federal Premium's reputation is built on consistency. Every round is manufactured with world-class brass, select powders, and premium primers, ensuring uniform ballistics from shot to shot. This removes variables and allows hunters to focus on their technique.
• For ethical harvesting: The Trophy Bonded Tip's design ensures maximum energy transfer and tissue damage, leading to rapid, humane kills. This aligns with the principles of ethical hunting, minimizing suffering and maximizing the chances of recovering your game.
• For those who value confidence in the field: Knowing your ammunition is designed for the task at hand eliminates doubt. This confidence translates into better shot placement and a more enjoyable, successful hunting experience. It means less time tracking wounded game and more time celebrating a successful harvest.

The Vital-Shok .338 Federal 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip ammunition is not just a product; it’s an investment in your hunting success and an assurance of ethical performance. It’s engineered to perform when it matters most, helping you fill your freezer with confidence.

Commitment to Excellence: The Federal Premium Standard

Federal Premium’s commitment to quality is evident in every round of Vital-Shok ammunition. They control every step of the manufacturing process, from sourcing the finest raw materials to rigorous quality control checks on finished cartridges. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each box of 20 rounds delivers the consistent accuracy and terminal performance that hunters have come to expect.

When you load your rifle with Federal Premium Vital-Shok, you’re not just loading a cartridge; you're loading decades of ballistic innovation, proven field performance, and a dedication to helping hunters achieve their goals. It’s ammunition designed by hunters, for hunters, understanding the unique challenges and demands of big game pursuits. This is why Federal Premium is widely regarded as a leader in premium hunting ammunition, trusted by professionals and enthusiasts alike.

To summarize, for hunters who leave nothing to chance, the Federal Premium Vital-Shok .338 Federal 200 Grain Trophy Bonded Tip stands as the pinnacle of performance. It embodies the ideal combination of cartridge power, advanced bullet technology, and consistent manufacturing quality, all geared towards delivering ethical, decisive results on the largest game. Secure your success this season with ammunition that has proven itself in the most demanding conditions.

Product Specifications Overview

This table provides a concise overview of the key specifications for the Federal Premium Vital-Shok .338 Federal 200 Grain Trophy Bonded Tip ammunition, designed for quick reference and clarity.

Feature	Detail
Caliber	.338 Federal
Bullet Weight	200 Grain
Bullet Type	Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded Tip
Muzzle Velocity	2630 fps
Energy at Muzzle	3071 ft/lbs
Box Quantity	20 rounds
SKU	P338FTT2
UPC	029465060626