Posted By: Rob Lay
30-06 Ammo Test - 12/31/10 03:39 AM
Date: 12/30/2010
Range: Elm Fork (Irving, TX)
Distance: 100 yards
Gun: Savage Model III 30-06
Scope: Leupold 4.5-14/50
I have been wanting to test different ammo in my gun. Too expensive for complete test, but I tried to get a good variety for a small test. I
used a Lead Sled to get as accurate results as possible. I'm not a perfect shot, not perfect conditions, and not a perfect test especially only
taking 3 shots for each.
The ammo I tested in order...
Test 1: Fusion 165 GR
Result: 1.465 MOA
This is the bullet I've had in my gun all season, although I haven't shot anything with it yet. It performed great when I sighted in my new
scope and cost is 30-40% less than most of the high end stuff.
Test 2: Federal Premium 165 GR Sierra GameKing BTSP
Result: off the paper!
wow, when I sighted in my rifle the tech took 2 shots and said throw this ammo away, first shots after bore sighting he knew it was bad. From 50
yards bullets were varying 4-6" a shot. I just had to confirm and sure enough I couldn't get first 2 shots on paper. That bullet towards top
right is trying to aim for the very center target! Not only have I heard from others that this stuff isn't very accurate, I've also heard it has
way too much expansion.
Test 3: Winchester 150 GR PowerMax Bonded
Result: 1.978 MOA
I really liked this bullet, not the most accurate, but pretty good and I'll have to research its ballistics more.
Test 4: Winchester 150 GR SilverTip
Result: 1.977 MOA
Not bad, but I would put in my bottom half. Price wise it may be a good deal. Although sub 2 MOA like the PowerMax, just didn't feel as good about this round.
Test 5: Winchester 180 GR PowerPoint
Result: 3.301 MOA
This stuff was even worse than the SilverTip, 2nd worse round. But not completely ungrouped and unsafe like the Federal Premium GameKing.
Test 6: Remington Premier AccuTip 165 GR
Result: 1.050 MOA
This turned out to be my favorite ammo of the bunch and what I will use from now on unless I find something else studying the ballistics and exit wounds.
Test 7: Remington Premier Core-Lokt Ultra 168 GR
Result: 0.867 MOA
The lowest MOA by a little, shot an inch lower than most of the other ammo. Good group and I could always adjust my scope for it, just seems the AccuTip will work better for me.
Conclusion
In the end there were several good rounds and a couple simply bad ones. From this test I will switch from the Fusion to the Remington Premier AccuTip. Next test might be to shoot that rounds 150 and 180 GR version.
I then did a 5 shot group with it adjusting my scope as I went. Dead center was first shot, then I was adjusting for 1 inch high going too much at first. When happy with my scope I took extra long and more concentration for a single shot that was exactly center and about 3/4 inch high. Perfect!
Range: Elm Fork (Irving, TX)
Distance: 100 yards
Gun: Savage Model III 30-06
Scope: Leupold 4.5-14/50
I have been wanting to test different ammo in my gun. Too expensive for complete test, but I tried to get a good variety for a small test. I
used a Lead Sled to get as accurate results as possible. I'm not a perfect shot, not perfect conditions, and not a perfect test especially only
taking 3 shots for each.
The ammo I tested in order...
Test 1: Fusion 165 GR
Result: 1.465 MOA
This is the bullet I've had in my gun all season, although I haven't shot anything with it yet. It performed great when I sighted in my new
scope and cost is 30-40% less than most of the high end stuff.
Test 2: Federal Premium 165 GR Sierra GameKing BTSP
Result: off the paper!
wow, when I sighted in my rifle the tech took 2 shots and said throw this ammo away, first shots after bore sighting he knew it was bad. From 50
yards bullets were varying 4-6" a shot. I just had to confirm and sure enough I couldn't get first 2 shots on paper. That bullet towards top
right is trying to aim for the very center target! Not only have I heard from others that this stuff isn't very accurate, I've also heard it has
way too much expansion.
Test 3: Winchester 150 GR PowerMax Bonded
Result: 1.978 MOA
I really liked this bullet, not the most accurate, but pretty good and I'll have to research its ballistics more.
Test 4: Winchester 150 GR SilverTip
Result: 1.977 MOA
Not bad, but I would put in my bottom half. Price wise it may be a good deal. Although sub 2 MOA like the PowerMax, just didn't feel as good about this round.
Test 5: Winchester 180 GR PowerPoint
Result: 3.301 MOA
This stuff was even worse than the SilverTip, 2nd worse round. But not completely ungrouped and unsafe like the Federal Premium GameKing.
Test 6: Remington Premier AccuTip 165 GR
Result: 1.050 MOA
This turned out to be my favorite ammo of the bunch and what I will use from now on unless I find something else studying the ballistics and exit wounds.
Test 7: Remington Premier Core-Lokt Ultra 168 GR
Result: 0.867 MOA
The lowest MOA by a little, shot an inch lower than most of the other ammo. Good group and I could always adjust my scope for it, just seems the AccuTip will work better for me.
Conclusion
In the end there were several good rounds and a couple simply bad ones. From this test I will switch from the Fusion to the Remington Premier AccuTip. Next test might be to shoot that rounds 150 and 180 GR version.
I then did a 5 shot group with it adjusting my scope as I went. Dead center was first shot, then I was adjusting for 1 inch high going too much at first. When happy with my scope I took extra long and more concentration for a single shot that was exactly center and about 3/4 inch high. Perfect!