Federal Deer Thugs Ammo

reynolds357 · February 21, 2013, 10:20 PM

Is this stuff the same thing as Fusion? Same price, looks like same bullet, same trajectories. Before you ask "why not just buy fusion?" I cant find it without ordering it from someone online and paying freight, but Wal Mart has the shelves busting at the seams with "Deer thugs" sitting in the same spots where "Fusion" used to set.

Newton24b · February 23, 2013, 04:08 PM

its the same identical ammunition. all that changed was the package.

walmart sponsors the "deer thugz" ""hunting"" show. as a result they now sell ammunition that has the show logo on it. just like they sell the atr with deer thugz logo.

reynolds357 · February 23, 2013, 10:29 PM

Thanks,
Ill go buy more.

Nathan · February 24, 2013, 01:07 PM

Hilarious you were serious about "deer thugs"! I was sure that was a misspelling!

Mike40-11 · February 24, 2013, 01:14 PM

Huh. I came over to this thread to be amused by the misspelling of "deer slugs" as "deer thugs". Evidently it's not an error.

Mike40-11 · February 24, 2013, 01:15 PM

Ha, great minds and all that, Nathan. According to google Deer Thugs is a legitimate "thing". Whaddaya know.

reynolds357 · February 24, 2013, 09:08 PM

I looked at it real close and the velocities and trajectories are a little different than fusion. Thee bullets may be fusion, but the powder charges are different.

rjstone5455 · March 27, 2013, 07:09 AM

I contacted Federal to get the ballistics data for their Deer Thugs ammo for my .308. Here is what they sent for the 165 grain bullets. Muzzle velocity is 2659 fps and muzzle energy is 2575. At 100 yards it's 2450 & 2205 and at 200 yards it's 2270 & 1880. THIS IS NOT EQUAL to their Fusion rounds according to their own website. The Thug rounds are not as hot as Fusion rounds of the same caliber and bullet weight.

reynolds357 · March 27, 2013, 06:20 PM

In .243 Win, they are a little hotter than Fusion. I have come to the conclusion they are most likely loaded with the new Deep Curl bullet from Speer.

wapiti275 · May 22, 2013, 11:38 AM

Well, I am new to the post, very fun to read and I am looking forward to helping but more, learning from you all as well. I am responding the the Deer Thug talk.

I wrote Federal several times. I finally got an answer. I had asked about the Fusion compared to the Thug. I asked about using this bonded bullet for Elk as well, since the grain of bullets were heavy enough for it. I asked about bullet separation and such, Fusion having that reputation. I have see the damage that Fusion bullet produces, wow, explodes and massive damage. Well here is the most I could get out of them. Now, I will say I tried it in my .300 WSM and my .30 WM and the accuracy was very impressive. SUB MOA out to 300 yards. I was quit surprised. I was shooting Tikka T3's and Zeiss Conquest glass. Never the less, it shot well. Here is Federals note to me.

Good afternoon David,

The Deer Thug is a special line we have this year. It is a Wal Mart exclusive and it is a bonded bullet with a flat base heel to it. That's what makes it different from the Fusion bullet. It is very accurate and would hold together and not explode. It would make a great Elk bullet.

Thanks
Federal Ammunition

csmsss · May 22, 2013, 11:45 AM

A rather unfortunate product name, methinks.

steveNChunter · May 22, 2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

it is a bonded bullet with a flat base heel to it

Sounds like a Speer Deepcurl to me since the Deepcurl is essentially the same as the Fusion bullet but with a flat base. So the Fusion should be a little more accurate at longer range, but under 300 yards or so you probably wont notice a whole lot of difference other than what the different powder charges cause. So would one be better than the other? Depends on what you're doing.

On the other hand, if it's been manufactured especially for Wal-Mart, you may wanna stay away from it

jmr40 · Yesterday, 05:59 AM

It is the "Power Shok" line of ammo that used to come in the blue box. it has just been re-branded with a fancy name.

CajunBass · Yesterday, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Deer Thug Bullets

Please tell me this is a joke? A serious company did NOT actually give one of their products a name like that?

45_auto · Yesterday, 07:37 AM

You guys need to get out more. Having a cute name for your ammo seems to be the latest marketing gimmick.

"Deer Thugs", "Hog Hammers", etc.

I'm going to start naming some of my loads "Paper Pummelers" and "Steel Stompers".

csmsss · Yesterday, 09:13 AM

Quote:

You guys need to get out more. Having a cute name for your ammo seems to be the latest marketing gimmick.

"Deer Thugs", "Hog Hammers", etc.

I'm going to start naming some of my loads "Paper Pummelers" and "Steel Stompers".

I guess since I buy so little commercial ammo, I've been leading a sheltered life.

steveNChunter · Yesterday, 02:41 PM

Whats worse than shooting ammo named "Deer Thugs" would be to own a rifle that bears the name-

http://mossberg.com/products/rifles/...e/mossberg-atr

reynolds357 · Yesterday, 08:51 PM

JMR40, its most definitely NOT Powershock.

jmr40 · Yesterday, 09:10 PM

Quote:

JMR40, its most definitely NOT Powershock.

That is what it says right on the box.

And on Federal's website. Along with a photo of the old blue box.

http://www.federalpremium.com/produc...e_compare.aspx

A photo of the old box. Compare the specs on the box and the website.

February 21, 2013, 10:20 PM	#1
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	Federal Deer Thugs Ammo Is this stuff the same thing as Fusion? Same price, looks like same bullet, same trajectories. Before you ask "why not just buy fusion?" I cant find it without ordering it from someone online and paying freight, but Wal Mart has the shelves busting at the seams with "Deer thugs" sitting in the same spots where "Fusion" used to set.

March 27, 2013, 07:09 AM	#8
rjstone5455 Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2013 Posts: 1	Deer Thugs Ballistics I contacted Federal to get the ballistics data for their Deer Thugs ammo for my .308. Here is what they sent for the 165 grain bullets. Muzzle velocity is 2659 fps and muzzle energy is 2575. At 100 yards it's 2450 & 2205 and at 200 yards it's 2270 & 1880. THIS IS NOT EQUAL to their Fusion rounds according to their own website. The Thug rounds are not as hot as Fusion rounds of the same caliber and bullet weight.

May 22, 2013, 11:38 AM	#10
wapiti275 Junior Member Join Date: May 22, 2013 Posts: 1	Federal Deer Thug Bullets Well, I am new to the post, very fun to read and I am looking forward to helping but more, learning from you all as well. I am responding the the Deer Thug talk. I wrote Federal several times. I finally got an answer. I had asked about the Fusion compared to the Thug. I asked about using this bonded bullet for Elk as well, since the grain of bullets were heavy enough for it. I asked about bullet separation and such, Fusion having that reputation. I have see the damage that Fusion bullet produces, wow, explodes and massive damage. Well here is the most I could get out of them. Now, I will say I tried it in my .300 WSM and my .30 WM and the accuracy was very impressive. SUB MOA out to 300 yards. I was quit surprised. I was shooting Tikka T3's and Zeiss Conquest glass. Never the less, it shot well. Here is Federals note to me. Good afternoon David, The Deer Thug is a special line we have this year. It is a Wal Mart exclusive and it is a bonded bullet with a flat base heel to it. That's what makes it different from the Fusion bullet. It is very accurate and would hold together and not explode. It would make a great Elk bullet. Thanks Federal Ammunition

Yesterday, 02:41 PM	#17
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 435	Whats worse than shooting ammo named "Deer Thugs" would be to own a rifle that bears the name- http://mossberg.com/products/rifles/...e/mossberg-atr __________________ *I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.* -Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

February 23, 2013, 04:08 PM	#2
Newton24b Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 959	its the same identical ammunition. all that changed was the package. walmart sponsors the "deer thugz" ""hunting"" show. as a result they now sell ammunition that has the show logo on it. just like they sell the atr with deer thugz logo.

February 23, 2013, 10:29 PM	#3
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	Thanks, Ill go buy more.

February 24, 2013, 01:07 PM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 1,281	Hilarious you were serious about "deer thugs"! I was sure that was a misspelling!

February 24, 2013, 01:14 PM	#5
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 767	Huh. I came over to this thread to be amused by the misspelling of "deer slugs" as "deer thugs". Evidently it's not an error.

February 24, 2013, 01:15 PM	#6
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 767	Ha, great minds and all that, Nathan. According to google Deer Thugs is a legitimate "thing". Whaddaya know.

February 24, 2013, 09:08 PM	#7
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	I looked at it real close and the velocities and trajectories are a little different than fusion. Thee bullets may be fusion, but the powder charges are different.

March 27, 2013, 06:20 PM	#9
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	In .243 Win, they are a little hotter than Fusion. I have come to the conclusion they are most likely loaded with the new Deep Curl bullet from Speer.

May 22, 2013, 11:45 AM	#11
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 2,367	A rather unfortunate product name, methinks.

Yesterday, 05:59 AM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 4,492	It is the "Power Shok" line of ammo that used to come in the blue box. it has just been re-branded with a fancy name.

Yesterday, 07:37 AM	#15
45_auto Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2011 Posts: 270	You guys need to get out more. Having a cute name for your ammo seems to be the latest marketing gimmick. "Deer Thugs", "Hog Hammers", etc. I'm going to start naming some of my loads "Paper Pummelers" and "Steel Stompers".

Yesterday, 08:51 PM	#18
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	JMR40, its most definitely NOT Powershock.