If the federal were hitting 2-3" lower, they were probably traveling a little faster than the other two.
I'm waiting on the arrival of a GeePee myself and I'm planning on using some 180gr's at around 1300fps; if they shoot well.
If all the loads you tried are shooting equally accurate, I'd lean toward the Barnes bullet. I have no personal experience with it yet, but it's praised by many.

It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.