Best ammo for Winchester model 94?

[DavidB2]

Any suggestions on the best brand of ammo for a Winchester Model 94 .30-.30? I prefer shooting 150 grain bullets for flatter trajectory and less recoil.

 

[CraigC]

I've always used Remington 170gr CoreLokt's and Oregon Trail 165gr RNFP's but the 150gr Silvertip is also very well reputed.

 

[Abel]

Let your rifle decide. All of them have the potential to shoot great, but every rifle is different. Federal Power Shok and Remington Core-Lokt are the cheapest and I constantly see/hear people bragging on how well they shoot. The major cartridge companies have had over 100 years to perfect the 30-30, and they more or less have. Lately I have been shooting deer with Lever Evolution with great results. I would like to try the Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertips, the regular Winchester Silvertips, and the new Winchester Powermax. So many options, so little time.

 

[Robtattoo]

I've always had good luck with the Rem Core-lokt. I'd like to try the Leverevolution, but for now the Remington works fine & it's cheap enough to shoot more often.

 

[DavidB2]

ammo availability

One of my biggest concerns is availability. It seems harder to find Winchester or Federal ammo than Remington. The prices are pretty much the same. It just seems like the Winchester shelfs at Walmart are more bare. Maybe it is just more popular. Or maybe Remington is better at filling orders. I have used Core-Lokt in my .308 and it is very accurate and effective. The only differences that I have noticed between Remington and Winchester is that the Winchester bullets are longer and skinnier. Don't know how that might affect bullet accuracy. I probably will try the Winchester rounds if I could find some without having to drive to the next town.

 

[DPris]

You didn't answer the question I asked on your post on another forum.
"Best" for what?

For deer, the Remington has a decent rep.
What do you plan to use the 94 on?
If larger than deer, a 170 that shoots accurately in your gun would be better, but it's still marginal on elk & not recommended on moose.

Black bear, coyotes, cougar, etc are all good candidates for 150s & if you put your shot in the right place it probably won't matter much which 150 load you use on them, as long as it's not a hollowpoint.
Denis

 

[T.R.]

I've had very good luck with Winchester Power Points.

TR

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

if you like a flat trajectory, try Leverevolution

 

[DavidB2]

Rifle dialed in

I went back out to the range today and shot Remington 150 core-lokt. It was less than inch high at 50 yards. I will be shooting open sights; I am very happy with this accuracy. Since I will deer hunting with this rife 150 grains will work perfect.

 

[W.E.G.]

Few choices for factory ammo in this caliber.

Most all are 150-grain or 170-grain.

At distances you can reliably hit with a 30-30, the deer won't know the difference.

 

[wlewisiii]

I've bought and shot a fair bit of Remington 150 gr Core-Lokt but wanted to shoot more often so started reloading.

I like 28.5 grains of IMR-3031 behind a 170 gr. Hornady Interlock FP.

I may buy some Hornady Leverevolution 160 gr next time I need bullets.

 

[rcmodel]

Just realize you can't get the powder Hornady uses to get the velocity Hornady gets with them in factory loads!

http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/30-30_win_ftx.pdf

rc

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

hornady and hodgdon claim the Leverevolution powder (on the left in this pic) is the same stuff as in the factory loads

the data for the 160 gr FTX is right on the bottle

 

[rcmodel]

But yet, it isn't!

You can't safely duplicate the Factory ballistics with either one as near as I can determine.

rc

 

[Abel]

But yet, it isn't!

You can't safely duplicate the Factory ballistics with either one as near as I can determine.

Easy fix: Have a smithy punch it out to 30-30AI and then you can fit a smidge more powder into the cases.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

You can't safely duplicate the Factory ballistics with either one as near as I can determine.

have you tried it through your chronograph?

their load data claims 2389 fps with a max load of 35.5 gr. the factory ammo claims 2400 fps. that's close enough for me.

i recently picked up a box of the bullets and a pound of the powder. i guess i'll find out what it'll do pretty soon.

it's also important to note that the velocities are from a 24" test barrel. maybe i'll pick up a box of the factory stuff so i can get a true comparison.

 

[dogsoldier0513]

Want less recoil and flatter trajectory? Try the PMC 'Starfire', a 130 gr. HP.

 

[mnhntr]

IEvery rifle is different. Mine prefers the Winchester 170gr silver tips and my buddies prefers the hornady leverevolution.

 

[DPris]

If your gun shoots the Remington 150s well & all you're looking for is deer, I'd just stick with that. It's been killing deer for a long time.
Denis

 

[dos0711]

Just glad to hear of another lever action getting it done!

 

[gunner69]

+1 For the Hornady. My rifle shoots better groups with it and it doesn't seem to drop as much. I also use that style bullet in my 45-70 Model 1886 and it likes them too.

 

[Salmoneye]

Every gun is a universe unto itself...

Shoot what it likes best...

 

[batmann]

I have used most of the good ammo out there in my Winchester 94 and I have found the Leverevolution to be the best. It is more expensive than most, but it is well worth the extra you get---extended range, better bullet (IMHO) and positive expansion on Deer.
As with most lever actions, buy several different kinds, zero at 100 yrds and then see what kind, what bullet weight and if they all function like they are supposed to.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Rem Core Lockts are cheap and shoot very well in mine. I use the 150 gr bullets.

With this rifle/ammo combo I have killed 6-whitetails and 7-hogs with a total of 13 shots. All within 100-yards. What's not to like?

 

[243winxb]

30-30 ammo

Federal Power-Shok Ammunition 30-30 Winchester 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point. Keeps deer from doing this after they are hit.