Fiocchi’s all-copper hunting ammunition delivered sub-MOA groups from both a Browning X-Bolt and Ruger American Rifle Gen II—but one setup was considerably easier on my shoulder.
About three years ago, I started using Fiocchi ammunition regularly while reviewing firearms for Hook & Barrel. Sure, I had run several boxes of Fiocchi through various guns in the past, but not enough to form a real opinion of the ammunition and its quality.
That changed at a media event where I shot Fiocchi 5.7x28mm Hyperformance Defense ammunition loaded with a 35-grain jacketed frangible bullet, along with Range Dynamics Subsonic 5.7x28mm rounds topped by a 62-grain full-metal-jacket bullet. Both loads proved accurate in the pistols and carbines I ran, and both functioned flawlessly. The subsonic load was really quiet, too.
After the event, I requested a few boxes of .223 Rem. for upcoming AR-15 reviews. Fiocchi sent its Field Dynamics load with a 40-grain Hornady V-MAX bullet, rated at a sizzling 3,650 feet per second at the muzzle. It turned out to be one of the most accurate .223 loads I have ever used, and I immediately requested more.
More recently, Fiocchi introduced its Covert X self-defense ammunition, which H&B author Frank Melloni tested in several Walther pistols. I received boxes of the 9mm and .45 ACP loads and fired them through multiple handguns. At typical self-defense distances, I produced offhand groups measuring an inch or better.
That track record is why I approached Fiocchi’s Backwoods Hunter ammunition with high expectations.
It held its own—and then some.
Backwoods Hunter is Available in Eight Chamberings*
| Chambering | Bullet weight | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .243 Win. | 80 grains | 3,415 fps | 2,072 ft.-lbs. | 0.34 |
| .270 Win. | 130 grains | 3,100 fps | 2,774 ft.-lbs. | 0.37 |
| 6.5 Creedmoor | 120 grains | 2,900 fps | 2,241 ft.-lbs. | 0.38 |
| 7mm-08 Rem. | 140 grains | 2,825 fps | 2,481 ft.-lbs. | 0.4 |
| 7mm Rem. Mag. | 160 grains | 2,935 fps | 3,060 ft.-lbs. | 0.39 |
| .308 Win. | 150 grains | 2,900 fps | 2,801 ft.-lbs. | 0.4 |
| .30-06 Springfield | 150 grains | 2,950 fps | 2,898 ft.-lbs. | 0.4 |
| .300 Win. Mag. | 165 grains | 3,100 fps | 3,521 ft.-lbs. | 0.41 |
What Is Fiocchi Backwoods Hunter Ammo?
Backwoods Hunter is a line of centerfire rifle ammunition built around monolithic, all-copper hollow-point bullets. Fiocchi says the projectiles are designed to expand on impact, retain their weight and penetrate deeply while transferring substantial energy to the target.
Because the bullets contain no lead, the ammunition also gives hunters an option for areas where lead ammunition is prohibited or for anyone who simply prefers an all-copper hunting load.
Fiocchi says the Backwoods Hunter line is engineered to provide precision at longer distances and uses clean-burning propellants intended to reduce barrel fouling. The company positions it as a more affordable alternative to many premium hunting loads that use all-copper projectiles.
“Backwoods Hunter represents a fusion of effectiveness, efficiency, and affordability,” said Chris Tinkle, vice president of sales at Fiocchi of America. “This line is purpose-built for those who expect clean, consistent performance from their ammunition—whether they’re hunting whitetail in the Midwest, black bear in the Rockies, or hogs in the South.”
For this Fiocchi Backwoods Hunter ammo review, I tested the .300 Win. Mag. and 6.5 Creedmoor offerings.
Test Results at a Glance
| Load | Test Rifle | Setup | Three-Shot Groups at 100 Yards | Five-Shot Groups at 100 Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .300 Win. Mag., 165-grain copper HP | Browning X-Bolt, 22-inch barrel | Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15x42; unsuppressed | 0.60 to 1 inch | 1 to 1.3 inches |
| 6.5 Creedmoor, 120-grain copper HP | Ruger American Rifle Gen II, 20-inch barrel | ZeroTech Thrive HD 2.5-15x50; Dead Air Sandman X | Under 1 inch; best group 0.40 inch | 1 to 1.25 inches |
Testing the .300 Win. Mag. Backwoods Hunter Load
To test the Backwoods Hunter .300 Win. Mag. load, I borrowed a friend’s Browning X-Bolt with a 22-inch barrel. I topped it with a Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15x42 riflescope.
My friend assured me he had zeroed the rifle at 100 yards and that it could shoot 1-inch groups.
Of course, he had zeroed it with his ammunition.
The Backwoods Hunter load’s 165-grain bullets initially struck a couple of inches high and a little left at 100 yards. A few clicks on the Vortex put me on target.
I then fired four three-shot groups. Every one measured an inch or less, including a .80-inch group and my best group of the test at .60 inch. My five-shot groups measured between 1 and 1.3 inches.
The rifle really recoiled, although that was partly the result of an error on my part. I had asked my friend to remove the muzzle brake because I planned to shoot the Browning suppressed. He did.
When I received the rifle, however, I discovered that the barrel’s thread pitch did not match the Dead Air suppressors I intended to direct-thread onto it.
And my friend had kept the muzzle brake.
As you can see in the accompanying video, a .300 Win. Mag. without a muzzle brake or suppressor can be a bit of a beast. My shoulder was not thrilled, but the Backwoods Hunter ammunition came through nonetheless.
Testing the 6.5 Creedmoor Backwoods Hunter Load
Next up was the Backwoods Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor load, which launches a 120-grain all-copper hollow-point bullet.
For this portion of the test, I used a Ruger American Rifle Gen II bolt-action rifle. It features a 20-inch fluted barrel, a gunmetal-gray Cerakoted barreled action and a nicely textured black-and-gray splatter-finished stock.
I outfitted the rifle with a ZeroTech Thrive HD 2.5-15x50 riflescope and a Dead Air Sandman X .30-caliber suppressor. The Sandman X attached directly to the Ruger’s 5/8x24 barrel threads.
I first zeroed the rifle at 50 yards, then fine-tuned it at 100. My initial shots at 50 yards landed a couple of inches high and several inches to the right of the bullseye. I made several .25-MOA adjustments down and left on the ZeroTech and fired again.
The next shots landed just a little high and right. A few more clicks did the trick.
My following two shots drilled the bullseye near dead center.
At 100 yards, the point of impact was still high and right, so I made the necessary adjustments before shooting a handful of three-shot groups and three five-shot groups.
The three-shot groups all measured less than an inch, with the best coming in at an impressive .40 inch. The five-shot groups measured 1 inch and 1.25 inches.
Thanks in part to the Sandman X, recoil was very manageable.
Feeding, Extraction and Brass Condition
Every Backwoods Hunter round loaded easily into its proper magazine and chambered smoothly. The empty cases extracted and ejected without trouble from either rifle.
I also examined the spent brass from both calibers. I found no visible neck stretching, case-wall ruptures or other obvious abnormalities. The primers showed the expected firing-pin dents, but nothing appeared out of line, and the primer pockets looked solid.
Based on that initial inspection, I saw nothing that would immediately rule out the cases for reloading. Handloaders should, of course, clean and properly inspect each case—and verify its dimensions—before attempting to reload it.
Your Next Read:Fiocchi Golden Pheasant: Range Testing a Classic Upland Load
Is Fiocchi Backwoods Hunter Ammo Accurate?
In the two rifles I tested, the answer is an emphatic yes.
The .300 Win. Mag. load produced four consecutive three-shot groups measuring an inch or less, while its five-shot groups stayed between 1 and 1.3 inches. The 6.5 Creedmoor load turned in sub-MOA three-shot groups, including the standout .40-inch group, and five-shot groups no larger than 1.25 inches.
That does not mean every rifle will produce identical results. Barrel length, barrel harmonics, chamber dimensions, optics, shooting conditions and the person behind the trigger can all affect group size. Still, both loads demonstrated more than enough accuracy to justify testing them in a hunting rifle.
Final Thoughts on Fiocchi Backwoods Hunter Ammo
Fiocchi’s Backwoods Hunter ammunition arrived with a lot to live up to. My previous experiences with the company’s 5.7x28mm, .223 Rem., 9mm and .45 ACP loads had set the bar high.
On the range, both Backwoods Hunter loads cleared it.
The .300 Win. Mag. and 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition fed, fired, extracted and ejected without a problem. Both produced sub-MOA three-shot groups, and the fired brass showed no obvious signs of trouble during my initial inspection.
This test did not include ballistic-gel testing or performance on game, so it cannot establish how the copper hollow-point bullets expand or penetrate in the field. Those are important considerations for any hunting load. What I can say is that, from an accuracy and reliability standpoint, Fiocchi Backwoods Hunter made an excellent first impression.
For more information, visit Fiocchi USA.
About Fiocchi
Fiocchi Munizioni was founded in 1876 in Lecco, Italy, originally manufacturing ammunition for breech-loading rifles. Fiocchi ammunition is owned by the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), an industrial and technology group based in Prague, Czech Republic, which is led by entrepreneur Michal Strnad. CSG became the sole owner of the Fiocchi Group on April 15, 2025, after purchasing the remaining 25% stake from the Fiocchi family and a 5% stake from Charme Capital Partners.
Fiocchi's U.S. subsidiary, Fiocchi of America, based in Ozark, Missouri, operates under CSG and has been integrated into CSG's The Kinetic Group (TKG) division, which also manages other major ammunition brands like Federal, Remington, CCI, and Speer
Fiocchi of America has been based in Ozark, Missouri since 1983, operating in a facility built on a former dairy farm. Today, Fiocchi of America employs 100 Americans who produce ammunition for hunters, concealed carriers and law enforcement departments.
Fiocchi offers a full portfolio of target and hunting shotshells, centerfire rifle and pistol ammunition, match and standard grade rimfire .22LR, specialty and classic cartridges, reloading components, and blanks.
Your Next Read:Fiocchi Golden Pheasant: Range Testing a Classic Upland Load
