Cheap* vs Premium Ammo

[bersaguy]

I'm not an excellent shot with a rifle by any stretch of the imagination. And I am fully aware that different loads can and will have different points of impact on target, and yet I was still surprised at how much variation I found at a relatively short distance of 100yds. The target below is from today's range trip, top targets are from a Winchester '94 with a Williams FP peep sight, bottom from Remington 7600 with an old Simmons 3-9x scope. 30-30 ammo used was 170g PPU soft point and 150g Federal Powershock. 270 was 150g Federal Powershock and 135g Federal Fusion. I would have expected better accuracy out of the lighter projectiles, maybe a lower poi, but what I found was the less expensive, heavier loads were much more consistent
Sorry about the fuzzy image, best I could get with my phone thru my binoculars.
That's six rounds for each target, (8 on the 150g 270) I was really surprised at the Fusion rounds being all over the place. I know I pulled one off with the 150g 30-30's. All in all, very happy with the day at the range, and happy to find that my rifles like cheap* ammo

*obviously, there is no such thing as cheap ammo anymore, but relatively less expensive at least

 

[wiscoaster]

There are definitely performance differences between ammo, but I've yet to discover if price really has any real relationship to what's best.

 

[someguy2800]

Premium priced ammo is definitely no guarantee of better accuracy but you don't really have enough rounds on target there to draw any statistically significant conclusions.

 

[Varminterror]

A person has to define what about the ammo is “premium.”

There are several brands and models of “premium ammunition” which are up-priced solely because they use an expensive bullet design, such as bonded or partitioned jackets or monolithic solids meant for hunting. Nothing about that ammo is created to improve precision. There are, however, many premium “match performance” ammunitions on the market which have varying prices and varying degrees of improved average precision performance. Hornady Match Black as an example is exceptionally affordable, utilizes a match quality bullet and typically does deliver above average precision at short range - even if it may not have particularly favorable velocity stability. There are also brands and models of ammunition which carry steep price tags and deliver commensurately steep performance in most rifles.

Naturally, not all barrels are created equally. Certain palates may not be capable of appreciating filet mignon.

 

[FL-NC]

In the end, it is all about what a particular rifle "likes" and the ability of a shooter to fire a consistent group from the firing line. In your case, comparing 2 vastly different rifles of different calibers firing different brands of ammunition isn't very good data for any comparison regarding ammunition quality. Better data and conclusions could be obtained firing multiple different rounds (by manufacturer, bullet weight, etc.) through each rifle.

 

[Dr T]

Each rifle has its own likes and dislikes.

Examples:

I have one of the early Ruger 26" barrel'd 6.5 CMs. It likes Hornady American Whitetail and definitely doesn't like Hornady Superformance. I have a T/C Venture 6.5 CM that likes both, but prefers the Superformance.

I also have a Tikka T3 243 that likes Hornady Whitetail but doesn't care much for lighter bullets in anything. But I also have a T/C Icon (with a stock too pretty to take out hunting) that has yet to shoot a group greater than 0.75" with any factory ammo I have put through it ranging from 75 gr to 100 gr.

And I have a Remington Model 7 that doesn't like any of the factory ammo I have tried, but will shoot one hole groups that you can cover with a dime (including the holes) with its favorite handload.

Go figure.

 

[bersaguy]

Without a doubt, this is nowhere near a scientific test. With the 30-30...and my eyes and a peep sight, I'm just happy to be able to keep anything within a 6" target at 100yds. And I was certainly pleased with the 170g target with the 270. I haven't spent a great deal behind a rifle, so genuinely, this palate does not know the difference between a Bubba burger and filet mignon
I suppose what I find gratifying about this whole experience today, is that it seems no matter how long I've been shooting and reloading for, as soon as I think I know a little something about a certain facet of the sport/hobby...I find a whole new avenue that I realize I don't know too much about. What prompted today's outing, besides having some time on a beautiful day to get to the range, was wanting to get these rifles zeroed with something as a starting point, as I'll be starting to load for 30-30 soon, possibly 270 down the road. I've been loading for pistol for over 10yrs, and 30 carbine for the past year. Now, thanks to the extreme generosity of some members here helping me out with some components, I'll be starting to load my first real deal rifle cartridges. I'm looking forward to exploring this avenue of the sport....and refining my palate

 

[jmr40]

I have a friend who is an avid tennis player. I once asked him what the difference was between his $150 tennis racket and a $15 tennis racket. His answer. "In your hands none. But in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, plenty." That doesn't apply exactly in this case, but there is probably some truth to it.

Nothing new to add, just that like others have said no 2 rifles are the same. What shoots well in rifle "A", may shoot poorly in rifle "B". And more often than not the premium price is paying for how the bullet performs after it impacts a game animal. For deer size game, with most popular rifles, and at common ranges, premium bullets are not needed. But if hunting larger game, and/or at longer ranges they may make a difference.

 

[Mr. Hill]

So your rifle preferred the heavier bullets. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t like heavier bullets that are more expensive.

I like the consistency of premium ammunition. It’s worth the extra cost for hunting elk or deer. Also, some of the premium hunting ammo is loaded for decent velocity, and it’s usually a tad cleaner and easier to clean up after, too.

 

[mshootnit]

I tried Hornady 100gr. American Whitetail through three different 6mm Remingtons, none of them liked it. One 6mm would shoot Rem Core lokt better than Federal power shok, the other would shoot them both the same.

 

[Moparnut]

I learned that a rifle will like what it likes. Had an older Ruger 77 Mark 2 that would shoot MOA with Federal powershock (Walmart blue box). Would shoot 3-4moa with Hornady. Don't remember the particular Hornady round, but at the time the Federal was $13.99 a box and the Hornady was about $30.

It was chambered in 30-06.

 

[WisBorn]

I have had good results with CORE-LOKs and similar ammo. I have also seen improvements in accuracy with premium ammo. The advantages of premium ammo is premium bullets for premium results on game or long distance targets...