In some of my fondest memories, I have my dad’s 30-30 lever-action rifle in my hands. I shot my first deer with that gun, and have spent many good, long hours firing it at the range.
But that rifle has also come with its frustrations – primarily due to some of the unreliable ammo I’ve encountered over the years. That has caused me to compile the following list of my favorite rounds for various situations. You’ll discover most of it below.
Top Recommended 30-30 Ammo
| Best 30-30 Ammo |
|---|
| Best for General Hunting |
| Best for Deer Hunting |
| Best for Bear Hunting |
| Best for Target Shooting |
| Best for Self-Defense |
Best 30-30 Ammo for Hunting - Hornady LEVERevolution 160 Grain FTX
Specs
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Case: Brass
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Bullet Type: Flex Tip Technology (FTX)
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Bullet Weight: 160 Grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 2,400 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 2,046 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Trusted Brand | Costly |
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| Accurate | |
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| Dependable | |
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| State-of-the-art bullet technology | |
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Why I Chose It
Hornady LEVERevolution 160 grain FTX is the best 30-30 ammo I’ve ever used for hunting. It’s manufactured by a trusted brand, ridiculously accurate, and goes boom every time.
It showcases some of the latest bullet technology and has the stopping power needed to bring down any deer-sized game within 200 yards.
The FTX bullet owes much of its impressive accuracy to its polymer tip. That same tip is supple enough to prevent ignition of the primer it touches inside the tubular magazine of a lever-action rifle.
I’ve never had a malfunction with Hornady LEVERevolution – something I can’t say about much of the soft-point ammo I’ve tested over the years. It’s been perfectly dependable in all my rifle hunting situations.
The biggest drawback is the price. Since Hornady implements some of the latest advancements in bullet technology, these rounds are not cheap. If you’re on a tight budget, you should keep reading for some less expensive options.
Hornady LEVERevolution is the best 30-30 hunting ammo I’ve used over the years. It’s accurate.
Best 30-30 Ammo for Deer Hunting - Federal HammerDown 150 Grain Bonded SP
Specs
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Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
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Bullet Type: Bonded Soft Point
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Bullet Weight: 150 Grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 2,390 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 1,902 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Trusted Brand | Occasional jams |
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| Designed for lever-action rifles | |
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| Reliable | |
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| Accurate | |
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Why I Chose It
I’ve hunted with Federal 30-30 ammo for many years because it’s reliable, accurate, and has proven itself in the field. Federal HammerDown 150 grain bonded SP gives deer hunters the edge we need while hunting with our beloved 30-30 lever-action rifles.
The 150 grain bonded soft point bullet conserves plenty of the momentum it needs in order to ethically kill deer downrange, and is relatively accurate out to 200 yards. I’ve never had a deer run far after a well-placed shot, nor have I ever had a failure to fire.
I have, however, experienced the occasional jam while firing soft point bullets. This ammo’s nickel plating does help its brass cases cycle smoothly, but its soft point bullets can still catch and jam. That can be frustrating if you need a quick follow-up shot, but it’s never cost me a deer.
Overall, Federal HammerDown is a solid option for deer hunting that is less expensive than Hornady LEVERevolution.
Continue reading Best 30-30 Ammo to Buy for Hunting, Target Shooting, and Defense on Ammo.com!
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