I was also new to the copper bullets- This is a hunting bullet, 100%. I think if I was you I would contact Sam about the 180's, I cant say for sure but I would be willing to bet that his 168 grain bullet is actually longer and bigger than a cup and core 180 lead bullet. I know the 168gr .284 was a bigger bullet than the 190 bergers I was shooting, because they have that hollow space behind the tip and they arent a solid piece of copper, if that makes sense. As far as length goes I am actually loading these longer than any cup and core Ive shot just because of the OGIVE being different and my OAL being longer with the copper bullet than the lead. I got lucky in the SAUM and I loaded them so the bearing surface was essentially right at the neck/shoulder junction, and that just so happened to be .002 off the lands, but the overall length is quite a bit longer than the 190 bergers I was shooting before as well as the 180 Hornadys. As far as load reduction, I do feel like I did have to reduce my load slightly with the solid copper bullets, I am not positive if thats a normal thing across the board or not but I do think my load is slightly less than what youd be with a 168 grain lead bullet.