Excellent factory ammo

musicmatty · September 18, 2021, 05:31 PM

I had the good fortune of stocking up on 30-30 ammo before the shortage with Winchester and federal ammo..150 grain. These days, I only find 30-30 federal ammo. I have two levers that are scoped. One is the new Henry side gate and the other is a model 94 that I bought new in 1990. Both are scoped with 4x Bushnells. My other lever is a commemorative model 94 from 1969 with open sights.

I have to say the accuracy of these lever actions are very impressive after making a few sight adjustments. The model 94 with open sights at 50 yards looks damn good. The scoped levers at 100 yards are loving this ammo as well.

BornFighting88 · September 18, 2021, 06:56 PM

I have had really good luck with Federal 180 Grain shells in 300 WSM. I want to try Hornady's factory Precision Hunter rounds, but at over 200 grains, I fear what it will do to my shoulder, maybe burn out the barrel...

I know they are getting their bearings again, but Remington never impressed me with their legacy stuff, that Core-Lokt stuff. Just couldn't get a group, and it was dirty. Would run the patches through after a day at the range, green goo.

But to your point, I would agree. Federal has their stuff together.

musicmatty · September 18, 2021, 08:14 PM

Quote:

But to your point, I would agree. Federal has their stuff together.

I have zero complaints about Winchester ammunition as well. I especially love their jacketed hollow point ammunition.

stagpanther · September 18, 2021, 10:16 PM

My marlin 30-30 also likes the same ammos--though the Winchester 170 comes out slightly on top. I liked it so much I ordered the bullets to reload with.

RC20 · September 18, 2021, 10:40 PM

The only factory that shoots worth a hoot in the Sako 270 Finnbear is Winchester with that black Nossler moly coated job with the plastic tip (130gr)

Mostly I beat factory all hollow, but the 9mm Sig is extremely accurate with the Remington Golden Saber SD ammo (I could not hand load it anywhere close to what the factory ammo does) Of course its too darned expensive to practice with (if you can get it)

BornFighting88 · September 19, 2021, 06:13 PM

When I had my rebuilt Enfield rifle in 303, Winchester's 180 grain soft points for hunting were the ones to beat.

Winchester made an awesome JHP 40 S&W fodder for my nightstand gun. I would HATE to be on the delivered end of that stuff. Yikes.

Pumpkin · September 20, 2021, 11:19 AM

I like your range, kinda reminds me of my shooting range. Nice guns!
I have three 30-30s, 2 two old Marlins, a 36 and a 336 and newer TC G2 rifle.

Paul B. · September 20, 2021, 04:53 PM

These days I consider the 30-30 a fun gun for shooting cast bullets. With that said ai've always gotten decent accuracy from Winchester 170 gr. Power Points. I still have a few boxes of that ammo. Now I shoot my 30-30s with cast for fun although in the past I have hunted and taker deer with them.

A few years back I picked up a Winchester M70 XTR in .270 Win. The guy selling it said it was the most accurate rifle he'd ever shot. It had a black synthetic stock in the Featherweight configuration that strongly looked like a McMillan. The day I bought it I picked up a couple of boxes of Winchester 150 gr. ammo to try. I shot four 5 shot groups and the largest one was .80". It's a keeper. FWIW, my reloads with the 150 gr. Sierra or Nosler Partition are also sub MOA shooters.

I do believe factory ammo has come a long way regarding improvement in accuracy.
Paul B.

musicmatty · September 20, 2021, 06:11 PM

Quote:

I like your range, kinda reminds me of my shooting range

Thank you. it’s private property so it’s very safe and relaxing to go out and have some fun. I like to shoot clays there as well.

Quote:

A few years back I picked up a Winchester M70 XTR in .270 Win. The guy selling it said it was the most accurate rifle he'd ever shot.

Not surprised. Winchester model 70 is legendary!

moose fat · September 20, 2021, 07:13 PM

My Mod. 94, a 1948 vintage and my wife's Marlin really really like the 170 gr. Federals. Whenever I get into Anchorage I always get a box or three.

musicmatty · September 20, 2021, 07:36 PM

Quote:

My Mod. 94, a 1948 vintage and my wife's Marlin really really like the 170 gr. Federals.

Moose fat, you should post a picture of that vintage model 94. I never get tired of looking at those model 94s

Hammerhead · September 21, 2021, 05:46 PM

Never had a lever gun shoot quite that well at 100.
OTOH my single shot Handi rifle is a real tack driver with Federal 150 game shok.

GeauxTide · September 21, 2021, 09:30 PM

I found some 308 135gr Federal Bonded Bullets for my 300 HAM'R, which gives 30-30 performance from a 16.25" AR. Shoots 1/2", too. After getting some 120gr Speer for my 260 Remington, I noticed they are a spitting image of the 135gr Federal, so I guess Vista has consolidated bullet manufacturing. Regardless, excellent bullets.

Jack O'Conner · September 22, 2021, 12:13 PM

Federal ammo has put a lot of venison on our table. 30-30 is a keeper!

Jack

Seedy Character · September 22, 2021, 03:07 PM

My thutty-thutty likes Winchester 150 gr. I have several boxes of '70s vintage Winchester
But, it reaaly likes 125 gr Powder Coated

The 170gr is just so-so

7.62 man · September 22, 2021, 09:36 PM

I like factory ammo it is convenient & most of the time easy to find.
I haven't seen any factory ammo that I couldn't reload better or more accurate rounds.
Because I can tune the loads to what the rifle likes.

September 18, 2021, 05:31 PM	#1
musicmatty Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 346	Excellent factory ammo I had the good fortune of stocking up on 30-30 ammo before the shortage with Winchester and federal ammo..150 grain. These days, I only find 30-30 federal ammo. I have two levers that are scoped. One is the new Henry side gate and the other is a model 94 that I bought new in 1990. Both are scoped with 4x Bushnells. My other lever is a commemorative model 94 from 1969 with open sights. I have to say the accuracy of these lever actions are very impressive after making a few sight adjustments. The model 94 with open sights at 50 yards looks damn good. The scoped levers at 100 yards are loving this ammo as well.

September 18, 2021, 10:16 PM	#4
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,784	My marlin 30-30 also likes the same ammos--though the Winchester 170 comes out slightly on top. I liked it so much I ordered the bullets to reload with. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

September 18, 2021, 10:40 PM	#5
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	The only factory that shoots worth a hoot in the Sako 270 Finnbear is Winchester with that black Nossler moly coated job with the plastic tip (130gr) Mostly I beat factory all hollow, but the 9mm Sig is extremely accurate with the Remington Golden Saber SD ammo (I could not hand load it anywhere close to what the factory ammo does) Of course its too darned expensive to practice with (if you can get it) __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

September 20, 2021, 04:53 PM	#8
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	These days I consider the 30-30 a fun gun for shooting cast bullets. With that said ai've always gotten decent accuracy from Winchester 170 gr. Power Points. I still have a few boxes of that ammo. Now I shoot my 30-30s with cast for fun although in the past I have hunted and taker deer with them. A few years back I picked up a Winchester M70 XTR in .270 Win. The guy selling it said it was the most accurate rifle he'd ever shot. It had a black synthetic stock in the Featherweight configuration that strongly looked like a McMillan. The day I bought it I picked up a couple of boxes of Winchester 150 gr. ammo to try. I shot four 5 shot groups and the largest one was .80". It's a keeper. FWIW, my reloads with the 150 gr. Sierra or Nosler Partition are also sub MOA shooters. I do believe factory ammo has come a long way regarding improvement in accuracy. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

September 21, 2021, 09:30 PM	#13
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I found some 308 135gr Federal Bonded Bullets for my 300 HAM'R, which gives 30-30 performance from a 16.25" AR. Shoots 1/2", too. After getting some 120gr Speer for my 260 Remington, I noticed they are a spitting image of the 135gr Federal, so I guess Vista has consolidated bullet manufacturing. Regardless, excellent bullets. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

September 18, 2021, 06:56 PM	#2
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I have had really good luck with Federal 180 Grain shells in 300 WSM. I want to try Hornady's factory Precision Hunter rounds, but at over 200 grains, I fear what it will do to my shoulder, maybe burn out the barrel... I know they are getting their bearings again, but Remington never impressed me with their legacy stuff, that Core-Lokt stuff. Just couldn't get a group, and it was dirty. Would run the patches through after a day at the range, green goo. But to your point, I would agree. Federal has their stuff together.

September 19, 2021, 06:13 PM	#6
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	When I had my rebuilt Enfield rifle in 303, Winchester's 180 grain soft points for hunting were the ones to beat. Winchester made an awesome JHP 40 S&W fodder for my nightstand gun. I would HATE to be on the delivered end of that stuff. Yikes.

September 20, 2021, 11:19 AM	#7
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 422	I like your range, kinda reminds me of my shooting range. Nice guns! I have three 30-30s, 2 two old Marlins, a 36 and a 336 and newer TC G2 rifle.

September 20, 2021, 07:13 PM	#10
moose fat Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Alaska, Yukon R. delta Posts: 421	My Mod. 94, a 1948 vintage and my wife's Marlin really really like the 170 gr. Federals. Whenever I get into Anchorage I always get a box or three.

September 21, 2021, 05:46 PM	#12
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Never had a lever gun shoot quite that well at 100. OTOH my single shot Handi rifle is a real tack driver with Federal 150 game shok.

September 22, 2021, 12:13 PM	#14
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Federal ammo has put a lot of venison on our table. 30-30 is a keeper! Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

September 22, 2021, 03:07 PM	#15
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	My thutty-thutty likes Winchester 150 gr. I have several boxes of '70s vintage Winchester But, it reaaly likes 125 gr Powder Coated The 170gr is just so-so

September 22, 2021, 09:36 PM	#16
7.62 man Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: Cyber-world USA Posts: 258	I like factory ammo it is convenient & most of the time easy to find. I haven't seen any factory ammo that I couldn't reload better or more accurate rounds. Because I can tune the loads to what the rifle likes.