Differences in POI With Factory .30/30 Ammo?

[Adobe Walls]

Howdy.

While sighting in a 94 Trapper with some Federal 150 grain I tried some 150 grain Winchester HP's for group comparison. Accuracy was similar but the Winchester group was much lower on the target. How much difference have some of you noted between .30/30 ammo brands with same weight bullets? AW

[J Miller]

A.W.

Not long ago Old Savage posted a thread where he chronographed Winchester and Federal 150gr ammo from 20", 24", and 26" barreled 30-30s. I copied the data, but forgot to copy the URL .

The Federal 150gr ammo was going almost as fast from a 20" barrel as the Winchester was from a 24" barrel.

So the difference in impact with your 16" barrel is not surprising.

Joe

[Bruce]

I sometimes see drastic differences between brands of ammo in the same weight and have seen some minor differences between the same brand but different lot numbers. Once I sight in a rifle with a particular brand and weight, I stick with it. If I change "anything", I verify the sights. I also verify known sight settings different times of the year to check for climate changes. When sighting in a lever rifle, I also keep the same number of rounds in the magazine (full) and keep the barrel cold as if I would be taking the first shot each time. Once it is set, I will fire mulitple rounds to see if there is any change with the mag holding less rounds and the barrel getting warm. To be honest (for hunting purposes) I have found the last step to not be warranted. I also fire a few fouling shots followed by a dry patch after a severe cleaning. Then I leave the bore alone until it needs attention again. That is usually after a hunting season or a day at the range.

[Old Savage]

I saw 2" to 6" difference in impact height between Federal 170s and Win PP 170s in the same 20" carbine. there was a tendency for stringing in the Win and none with the Federal. The Fed hit higher on the target.

[J Miller]

I saw 2" to 6" difference in impact height between Federal 170s and Win PP 170s in the same 20" carbine. there was a tendency for stringing in the Win and none with the Federal. The Fed hit higher on the target.

Hmmmm, maybe I should pick up some of the Federal ammo and see if my Winnies like it.

Joe

[Old Savage]

The three shot 100 yd group for the Federal was .7" and the velocity was 2100 fps approx. You should certainly try it. None of the Win 170 has chronographed that high in the 18 years I have had the rifle. And, this is the most accurate ammo I have shot through in over 600 rds.

Should be as close to a do it all load as it gets in a 30/30.

[1886]

I have seen 12" p.o.i. difference between the 150gr and the 170gr at 100yrds. 1886.

[Adobe Walls]

Howdy.

So I guess I'll have to chronograph some various 150's and try to match up my handloads to shoot to the same POI as my factory stuff. I got the impression that the Winchester stuff was very mild in comparison to my handloads and even the Federal ammo. Has Federal gotten the reputation of being the one to beat as far as the full throttle factor goes? Right now some common caliber Federal Power Shock (blue box) is being sold as a loss leader at a lot of Wal-Marts and there is a $5.00 Rebate good for two boxes as well.
AW

[marlinman93]

This is a perfect example of why you can't just buy a box of brand x factory ammo in a certain gr. bullet and expect it to hit where the last box of brand z hit. There's no two makers of ammo that use the same powder and charge, even if the bullets are the same weight. Always sight in with what you're going to shoot.

[Modoc ED]

Lots and lots of people say that .22LR firearms are particular about the type/brand of ammo you feed them. What they forget to say is that that isn't restricted to just .22LR firearms. Most firearms will prefer one brand/load over another.

Try to find a brand/type of ammo that shoots well in all your firearms across the board. Not necessarily the best in just one gun but the best in all your guns.