Whats your favourite hunting ammo?

Jseime · June 26, 2005, 03:50 PM

mine goes as follows.

.22lr- CCI minimag HP
.243- federal loaded 100 grain nosler partitions
.270- winchester 130 grain SP

I'd like to know what you guys like to use in your various calibers. This could be interesting to see how many people use premiums and how many of us use plain-jane soft points.

rwilson452 · June 26, 2005, 04:43 PM

I load my own. for rifle I favor Sierra bullets, in .30 cal I use a 150 gr spitzer, in .22 I use the Sierra 55gr BlitzKing. I use them because they give me the best accuracy and expansion. The BlitzKing opens up a groundhog like a ripe melon Head shot excepted.

Art Eatman · June 26, 2005, 06:07 PM

'06: Sierra 150, 165 and 180. I'm going to flat-base for the 150 and 165, but I'll stay with the boattail for the 180.

.243: 85-grain Sierra HPBT for smaller deer and coyotes.

.223 & .220 Swift: Various 50- to 55-grain bullets.

7mm08: 139- or 140-grain. So far, the rifle doesn't seem to care what brand of bullet it's fed. They all go to the same place and group around 1 MOA.

, Art

Big Yac · June 26, 2005, 09:06 PM

.243: Federal Classic ammo with Sierra's 80gr Prohunter bullet
30-06: Winchester 180gr bullets.
.454 Casull: Winchester 300gr flat point bullets, Winchester 260gr bullets, or Hornady XTP Mag 300gr hollow points
.308: Sierra 175gr HPBT
25-20:anything I can find for it

Eghad · June 27, 2005, 03:19 AM

.270

Rojoe67 · June 27, 2005, 05:58 AM

I have had good luck and have used Remington's CoreLokt, 270 - 150g SP.

Dave R · June 27, 2005, 09:43 AM

Before I handloaded, I favored the Remongton Core Lokt, too.

Now my favorite load for my .308 is my own. Sierra 150gr. over 46 grains of H335, CCI magnum primer.

Twycross · June 27, 2005, 11:03 AM

.270 - Federal PowerShock 130 grain SP.

kframe357 · June 27, 2005, 04:24 PM

I use Core Lokt .30-.30 through my Marlin lever, and 180 gr 7.62x54R through my Nagant bolt.
the .30-.30 is great on michigan white-tail in thick woods (short range, lots of branches), the 7.62 is great in wide open (farm) fields where there is less too obstruct and longer shots.

stevelyn · June 27, 2005, 10:11 PM

.30-06: For meese and brown bears, Federal High Energy w/ 180gr Nosler Partitions. Federal Hi-Shok w/ 150 gr Speer Grand Slams for critters like black bear, caribou and sheep.

.223: Federal 55 gr SP.

.22: Too many to list.

Johnny Guest · July 1, 2005, 01:13 PM

It's hard to go wrong with Sierra game King or Pro Hunter, either one. I think the advantages of boat tail bullets really don't kick in until extreme game hunting ranges.

Some favorites: .30'06 - - I use 165 bullets for almost everything - - Sierra GK or Rem CoreLokts, both with high end charges of IMR 4350.

.308 - - 165s, with warmish charges of IMR 4895. I've been disappointed with the Remington factory Express 180 gr load in this caliber.

.30-30 - - Rem CL or Win Silver Tip 150s with IMR 3031.

.257 Roberts - - Sierra 100 PSP with IMR 4350. Factory Remington 117 CoreLokt.

.338 WinMag - - My best groups have been with Hornady 225 Spire Points and near-max loads of ReLoder 19. I've had good luck with the small numbers of Win factory ammo I've shot.

With the above exception of the .308, I'm very impressed with standard grade Remington factory loads in '06, .35 Whelen, .257, .25-06, and .270.

Best,
Johnny

siotwo · July 2, 2005, 06:10 PM

handloads...7mmRemMag with 150gr BarnesX bullet.

impact · July 3, 2005, 12:51 AM

I hand load as well. I really like the Sierra match kings, Nosler Ballistic tip and the Hornady V-Max in most of my long guns.

For factory ammo in 7.62x39 guns you can't beat the Wolf 122 HPs.

If I had to use factory ammo the Remington Core-Lokt is a good bullet that has been around for a long time. I see that most ammo makers are using Sierra , Nosler and Hornady bullets. I think thats a pretty good deal! About three weeks ago I picked a used M1A loaded with the National match barrel. It came with a box of federal match ammo using the Sierra match King bullets. I don't know if I can hand load to make that gun shoot better. Man it shot some tiny groups. But I know I can reload for less than $25 a box

Mannlicher · July 3, 2005, 10:55 AM

I mostly roll my own.
30-30 I like the Speer 170 FP, and IMR 4320 powder
.44 Mag rifle, the Speer 270 grain GDSP and H110 powder
7mm Ackley, Sierra 140 grain and 3031 powder
8mm Mauser, sierra 220 grain, and IMR 4064 powder
....are some of the ones I load nowdays.

Fremmer · July 3, 2005, 03:51 PM

Conerning the factory load for .308, Johnny Guest stated:

Quote:

I've been disappointed with the Remington factory Express line in this caliber.

I'll be using a .308 for deer this season, and one round I'm considering is the Remington Express Core-Lokt 150 grn. PSP. Is this the round that disappointed you? If so, why? I would appreciate your opinion -- better to know now than to find out later after I've shot a deer with it. Thanks!

Johnny Guest · July 3, 2005, 05:12 PM

Fremmer, thank you for ponting out my goof. I apparently got mixed up while composing that post off-line, and then cut-and-pasted the result without adequately proofreading it.

What I MEANT to write was that I was disappointed in the Remington Express 180 grain load. Someone had given me a couple of boxes when he sold his .308 and I figured to see where they shot in my Savage Scout which was sighted in for my 165 gr. load. The 180s didn't stay within 2.5 to 3 inches at 100 yards. I fired a total of about three or four groups to verify this. I never really explored the reasons for this problem - - Might have had something to do with barrel vibrations. I might or might not have been able to remedy this by adjusting bedding points. As mentioned, I was all zeroed with my chosen load, and I didn't want to remove the action from the stock and then have to re-sight.

I hasten to add, my short-barrel Savage was the ONLY rifle in which I tried the load. It may do very well in another rifle. I didn't have my M1A with me that afternoon, and that's the only other .308 I own. My experience with Remington standard grade ammo has been very good, so, if you contemplate going for elk or other game which might require the heavier bullet, I suggest you give 'em a try. Compared to premium loads, either for hunting or target, the Remington is quite reasonably priced.

I regret to report that I have not tried the Rem Express 150 load.

Sorry for the confusion.

Johnny

yorec · July 4, 2005, 04:40 AM

Another reloader here - all my hunting loads are carefully constructed by me.

Buzzkill · July 4, 2005, 05:59 AM

For the .22 its hard to beat the federal bulk packs .

Thanks
BOb

PSE · July 4, 2005, 09:07 AM

i like the hornady stuff. the soft point interlock stuff may be out of fashion compared to the ballistic tip, but, anything 30 cal or better i like it.
smaller thank 30 cal has got to be weatherby for me. then i just buy what i can get factory loaded. sub caliber stuff i shoot RBCD ammo.

wyrdone · July 5, 2005, 03:21 PM

Core Lokt .30-30 150Gr Hollowpoint.

7.62x54R 180Gr S&B softpoints.

artsmom · July 6, 2005, 11:44 AM

Whatever load one of my rifles is sighted in for on opening day!

IF I were more organized, it would be 150 grain Nosler Solid Bases and 4831 SC for the .308/.30-06 rifles, and a Sierra 130 grain BTSP for the .270.

The 7mm Remington Magnum would have a 154-160 grain bullet (no preference) and a 180 grain Solid Base for the .300 Winchester Magnum.

Sulaco · July 19, 2005, 02:54 PM

I like Hornady ammo using either Interbond or SST bullets in Light Magnum loadings.

I also like Winchester Fail Safe and Buffalo Bore ammo. Anything with Gold Dots is nice too.

sm · July 19, 2005, 08:17 PM

.22lr Winchester PowerPoint.

30-30, my Model 94 likes the Fed 170 grainers.

Shotguns...I do a lot with shotguns.

12 ga. I do a lot with a 12 bore, mostly slugs and target loads. Mine prefer the Fed 1oz Slugs.
Dove / Quail , still like the old Super Light recipe for 1 1/8 oz loads, using all Win components. Hard shot in #8.5 or # 8

28 ga , well seems I found a a few of my homemade slugs from back when...

Mostly target loads tho' in # 8 hard shot.

Lately been using WWB JHP in 115 gr to take groundhogs and similar with a Keltec P-11. *ahem* not hunting...critter control. Got a bit boring with a Gov't 1911 and 230 gr ball ammo....

zeisloft · July 21, 2005, 12:42 PM

I reload everything I shoot. But in factory ammo, (in my experience) Hornady is the best of the big 4 (Rem, Fed, Win, & Hornady). I'd rank em as Hornady, Win and Fed closely following and Rem at a distant #4. This is just based in 3 guns 22-250, 7mm08, and 300WM. But at 100yd, Hornady averaged 1-1.5" 5 shot group Fed & Win around 1.5-2" and Rem 2.5-3". All will "hit a pie plate at 100 yds" But I like a bit more control myself.
~z

rugerman13 · July 21, 2005, 07:51 PM

7mm Mag. Winchester Moly-coated BST ! !
I'm not built for chasing a damn thing !

June 26, 2005, 03:50 PM	#1
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	Whats your favourite hunting ammo? mine goes as follows. .22lr- CCI minimag HP .243- federal loaded 100 grain nosler partitions .270- winchester 130 grain SP I'd like to know what you guys like to use in your various calibers. This could be interesting to see how many people use premiums and how many of us use plain-jane soft points. __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.

June 26, 2005, 04:43 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Favorite loads I load my own. for rifle I favor Sierra bullets, in .30 cal I use a 150 gr spitzer, in .22 I use the Sierra 55gr BlitzKing. I use them because they give me the best accuracy and expansion. The BlitzKing opens up a groundhog like a ripe melon Head shot excepted.

June 27, 2005, 03:19 AM	#5
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	.270 __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

June 27, 2005, 05:58 AM	#6
Rojoe67 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: Wolverine State Posts: 767	270 I have had good luck and have used Remington's CoreLokt, 270 - 150g SP.

June 27, 2005, 09:43 AM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Before I handloaded, I favored the Remongton Core Lokt, too. Now my favorite load for my .308 is my own. Sierra 150gr. over 46 grains of H335, CCI magnum primer. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

June 26, 2005, 06:07 PM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	'06: Sierra 150, 165 and 180. I'm going to flat-base for the 150 and 165, but I'll stay with the boattail for the 180. .243: 85-grain Sierra HPBT for smaller deer and coyotes. .223 & .220 Swift: Various 50- to 55-grain bullets. 7mm08: 139- or 140-grain. So far, the rifle doesn't seem to care what brand of bullet it's fed. They all go to the same place and group around 1 MOA. , Art

June 26, 2005, 09:06 PM	#4
Big Yac Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 422	.243: Federal Classic ammo with Sierra's 80gr Prohunter bullet 30-06: Winchester 180gr bullets. .454 Casull: Winchester 300gr flat point bullets, Winchester 260gr bullets, or Hornady XTP Mag 300gr hollow points .308: Sierra 175gr HPBT 25-20:anything I can find for it __________________ "...and that's the bottom line, because Big Yac said so."

June 27, 2005, 11:03 AM	#8
Twycross Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 1,187	.270 - Federal PowerShock 130 grain SP. __________________ The test of character is not 'hanging in' when you expect light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty, and persistence of example when you know no light is coming. - Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN (ret.)

June 27, 2005, 04:24 PM	#9
kframe357 Member Join Date: June 21, 2005 Location: Alabaster, AL Posts: 69	I use Core Lokt .30-.30 through my Marlin lever, and 180 gr 7.62x54R through my Nagant bolt. the .30-.30 is great on michigan white-tail in thick woods (short range, lots of branches), the 7.62 is great in wide open (farm) fields where there is less too obstruct and longer shots.

June 27, 2005, 10:11 PM	#10
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	.30-06: For meese and brown bears, Federal High Energy w/ 180gr Nosler Partitions. Federal Hi-Shok w/ 150 gr Speer Grand Slams for critters like black bear, caribou and sheep. .223: Federal 55 gr SP. .22: Too many to list. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

July 1, 2005, 01:13 PM	#11
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	I handload practically all of what I use It's hard to go wrong with Sierra game King or Pro Hunter, either one. I think the advantages of boat tail bullets really don't kick in until extreme game hunting ranges. Some favorites: .30'06 - - I use 165 bullets for almost everything - - Sierra GK or Rem CoreLokts, both with high end charges of IMR 4350. .308 - - 165s, with warmish charges of IMR 4895. I've been disappointed with the Remington factory Express 180 gr load in this caliber. .30-30 - - Rem CL or Win Silver Tip 150s with IMR 3031. .257 Roberts - - Sierra 100 PSP with IMR 4350. Factory Remington 117 CoreLokt. .338 WinMag - - My best groups have been with Hornady 225 Spire Points and near-max loads of ReLoder 19. I've had good luck with the small numbers of Win factory ammo I've shot. With the above exception of the .308, I'm very impressed with standard grade Remington factory loads in '06, .35 Whelen, .257, .25-06, and .270. Best, Johnny

July 2, 2005, 06:10 PM	#12
siotwo Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2005 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 217	handloads...7mmRemMag with 150gr BarnesX bullet.

July 3, 2005, 12:51 AM	#13
impact Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: the great state of Texas Posts: 854	I hand load as well. I really like the Sierra match kings, Nosler Ballistic tip and the Hornady V-Max in most of my long guns. For factory ammo in 7.62x39 guns you can't beat the Wolf 122 HPs. If I had to use factory ammo the Remington Core-Lokt is a good bullet that has been around for a long time. I see that most ammo makers are using Sierra , Nosler and Hornady bullets. I think thats a pretty good deal! About three weeks ago I picked a used M1A loaded with the National match barrel. It came with a box of federal match ammo using the Sierra match King bullets. I don't know if I can hand load to make that gun shoot better. Man it shot some tiny groups. But I know I can reload for less than $25 a box

July 3, 2005, 10:55 AM	#14
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I mostly roll my own. 30-30 I like the Speer 170 FP, and IMR 4320 powder .44 Mag rifle, the Speer 270 grain GDSP and H110 powder 7mm Ackley, Sierra 140 grain and 3031 powder 8mm Mauser, sierra 220 grain, and IMR 4064 powder ....are some of the ones I load nowdays. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

July 3, 2005, 05:12 PM	#16
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Ooops! Fremmer, thank you for ponting out my goof. I apparently got mixed up while composing that post off-line, and then cut-and-pasted the result without adequately proofreading it. What I MEANT to write was that I was disappointed in the Remington Express 180 grain load. Someone had given me a couple of boxes when he sold his .308 and I figured to see where they shot in my Savage Scout which was sighted in for my 165 gr. load. The 180s didn't stay within 2.5 to 3 inches at 100 yards. I fired a total of about three or four groups to verify this. I never really explored the reasons for this problem - - Might have had something to do with barrel vibrations. I might or might not have been able to remedy this by adjusting bedding points. As mentioned, I was all zeroed with my chosen load, and I didn't want to remove the action from the stock and then have to re-sight. I hasten to add, my short-barrel Savage was the ONLY rifle in which I tried the load. It may do very well in another rifle. I didn't have my M1A with me that afternoon, and that's the only other .308 I own. My experience with Remington standard grade ammo has been very good, so, if you contemplate going for elk or other game which might require the heavier bullet, I suggest you give 'em a try. Compared to premium loads, either for hunting or target, the Remington is quite reasonably priced. I regret to report that I have not tried the Rem Express 150 load. Sorry for the confusion. Johnny

July 4, 2005, 04:40 AM	#17
yorec Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,328	Another reloader here - all my hunting loads are carefully constructed by me. __________________ What part of "... shall not be infringed..." don't you understand?

July 4, 2005, 05:59 AM	#18
Buzzkill Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2005 Posts: 138	For the .22 its hard to beat the federal bulk packs . Thanks BOb

July 4, 2005, 09:07 AM	#19
PSE Junior member Join Date: July 23, 2004 Location: stupids womb, SC Posts: 475	i like the hornady stuff. the soft point interlock stuff may be out of fashion compared to the ballistic tip, but, anything 30 cal or better i like it. smaller thank 30 cal has got to be weatherby for me. then i just buy what i can get factory loaded. sub caliber stuff i shoot RBCD ammo.

July 5, 2005, 03:21 PM	#20
wyrdone Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Location: Blacksburg, VA, USA Posts: 246	Core Lokt .30-30 150Gr Hollowpoint. 7.62x54R 180Gr S&B softpoints. __________________ Current Collection Marlin Model 60 (my first gun) Ruger Mark-II .22LR Competition pistol (heavily modified) CZ-50 CVA Bobcat .50Cal Blackpower Mosin Nagant 91/30 (1942) Marlin 336 .30-30 Lever Action Yugo SKS 59/66 CZ-52 Bulgarian Makarov Swiss K-31 Rock Island 1911A1 Near Future (hopefully): M1 Garand CZ-75

July 6, 2005, 11:44 AM	#21
artsmom Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 334	Whatever load one of my rifles is sighted in for on opening day! IF I were more organized, it would be 150 grain Nosler Solid Bases and 4831 SC for the .308/.30-06 rifles, and a Sierra 130 grain BTSP for the .270. The 7mm Remington Magnum would have a 154-160 grain bullet (no preference) and a 180 grain Solid Base for the .300 Winchester Magnum.

July 19, 2005, 02:54 PM	#22
Sulaco Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2001 Posts: 138	I like Hornady ammo using either Interbond or SST bullets in Light Magnum loadings. I also like Winchester Fail Safe and Buffalo Bore ammo. Anything with Gold Dots is nice too.

July 19, 2005, 08:17 PM	#23
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	.22lr Winchester PowerPoint. 30-30, my Model 94 likes the Fed 170 grainers. Shotguns...I do a lot with shotguns. 12 ga. I do a lot with a 12 bore, mostly slugs and target loads. Mine prefer the Fed 1oz Slugs. Dove / Quail , still like the old Super Light recipe for 1 1/8 oz loads, using all Win components. Hard shot in #8.5 or # 8 28 ga , well seems I found a a few of my homemade slugs from back when... Mostly target loads tho' in # 8 hard shot. Lately been using WWB JHP in 115 gr to take groundhogs and similar with a Keltec P-11. ahem not hunting...critter control. Got a bit boring with a Gov't 1911 and 230 gr ball ammo.... __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

July 21, 2005, 12:42 PM	#24
zeisloft Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 419	I reload everything I shoot. But in factory ammo, (in my experience) Hornady is the best of the big 4 (Rem, Fed, Win, & Hornady). I'd rank em as Hornady, Win and Fed closely following and Rem at a distant #4. This is just based in 3 guns 22-250, 7mm08, and 300WM. But at 100yd, Hornady averaged 1-1.5" 5 shot group Fed & Win around 1.5-2" and Rem 2.5-3". All will "hit a pie plate at 100 yds" But I like a bit more control myself. ~z

July 21, 2005, 07:51 PM	#25
rugerman13 Member Join Date: February 22, 2005 Location: L.A. ( lower alabama ) Posts: 25	7mm Mag. Winchester Moly-coated BST ! ! I'm not built for chasing a damn thing ! __________________ Strike Hard !