Editor’s Choice: Federal Premium Terminal Ascent

by
posted on April 20, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
tascent.jpg

Federal Premium is having its cake and eating it too with the new Terminal Ascent projectile, which offers a high ballistic coefficient and deep penetration.

Starting off with the Trophy Bonded Tip, the company’s engineers devised a bullet that will expand from point blank range all the way down to 1350 f.p.s. This is a bonded bullet; the jacket and shank are of copper and the core is lead. Skiving, which is different for each bullet in the line, controls expansion, which is initiated by what Federal calls its Slipstream Tip.

On impact, the tip pushes into the cavity at the bullet’s nose. And the polymer used for the tip doesn’t soften until 434° F, meaning it’s very stable in flight. There are also AccuChannel grooves that reduce fouling and wear, but they have been re-designed to reduce drag and result in a 5 percent increase in ballistic coefficient.

The bullets have secant ogives and small meplats, meaning that these heavy-for-caliber bullets have excellent BCs. There are 11 factory loadings to start, including: 130-gr. 6.5 mm Creedmoor, 130-gr. 6.5 mm PRC, 136-gr. .270 Win., 136-gr. .270 WSM, 155-gr. .280 Ackley Improved, 155-gr. 28 Nosler, 155-gr. 7 mm Rem. Mag., 175-gr. .308 Win., 175-gr. .30-’06 Sprg., 200-gr. .300 Win. Mag. and 200-gr. .300 WSM.

I’ve already hunted with the 6.5 mm Creedmoor, and it works as advertised. Component bullets are already available for handloaders. For more information on these new hunting rounds, visit
federalpremium.com.

Latest

Magpul Hunter Lite Stock
Magpul Hunter Lite Stock

New for 2026: New Products from Magpul

Magpul announces new metal-magazines, new stocks and pistol frames.

New for 2026: Burris Veracity Riflescopes

The latest generation of Veracity scopes is available in a variety of 5X magnification ranges.

New for 2026: Springfield Armory 10-8 Performance Master Class 1911 Pistols

Springfield Armory and Lipseys have partnered to offer a highly custom 1911 with input from Hilton Yam.

New For 2026: Diamondback SDR-A

Following the release of its Self-Defense Revolver in 2024, Diamondback Firearms has now lightened its design and reduced the cost with the new-for-2026 SDR-A.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PDP F-Series 4-Inch

Walther Arms continues to expand its F-Series handgun line, a design initially developed for women but that has broad appeal across the firearm consumer market, thanks to its unique design elements and feature set.

Mossberg Expands Budget-Priced Maverick Line With Semi-Auto Model

As part of its International family of shotguns, Mossberg announced the introduction of the Maverick SA Semi-Auto, a versatile, value-focused semi-automatic platform built to deliver reliable performance.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.