A late November trip to big buck-rich central Illinois was the ideal place to field test the all-new Federal Premium Trophy Copper Muzzleloader Bullets with B.O.R. Lock MZ System.
Designed to maximize the effectiveness of modern in-line muzzleloaders, this non-sabot bullet is touted to 200-yard accuracy while remaining easy to load, provide consistent seating, and help scrub fouling from the breech.
The .50 caliber bullets weigh 270 grains. “The bullet’s exclusive B.O.R. Lock MZ System features an expanding and permanently attached polymer base cup that is forced onto a raised band along the bullet shank.” Federal’s J.J. Reich told me. “Upon ignition, the polymer base cup expands its diameter to engage the rifling and seal the bore. The rear of the B.O.R. Lock MZ cup with its hard, fiber-reinforced polymer ring scours fouling from the breech when the bullet is loaded into the breech. This reduces the need to clean between shots and helps ensure that the bullet is seated at the same depth for every shot.”
Like other projectiles in the Trophy Copper line, the copper-alloy bullet features a polymer tip with a deep, hollow cavity and skiving that allows for consistent expansion and maximum weight retention. Also, with no sabot and no lead, the bullet is legal for hunting in most states. I was hunting with a Traditions StrikerFire muzzleloader topped with a Bushnell 3-9 scope and using 100 grains of Blackhorn 209, on the range this combination produced excellent accuracy. My final 100-yard group produced two shots that were touching, and sighted in at 2-inches high at that distance I was ready to roll.
To make a long story short, I killed two deer with this combination, a fat doe at 150 yards, and a dandy 11-point buck at 140 yards. Both bullets were recovered from the off-side hide, and both were perfect mushrooms. I was actually the first person to kill a deer with these bullets, and was so impressed I ordered more up for future use. They retail for $24.99 for a 15-pack.
Federal has produced a quick video outlining the bullets.
For more information on all Federal premium ammunition visit federalpremium.com.
