Let's talk about your favourite commercial hunting ammo...

The Kurgan

The Kurgan

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Because I have neither the time nor inclination (anymore) to reload for every calibre in my modest collection (except for my antiques), I opt for commercially manufactured ammo. Yes, it's bloody expensive, but I enjoy this hobby and that includes buying, using and squirreling away quality commercial ammo.

I am curious what calibre and brands you stick by, and why? This can also include brands no longer made.

I'll start:

308... (though I mainly reload for the limited precision shooting I do)
2014 Brno Effect
2009 Poly Tech M305 (sold)
2011 Sako Bavarian Carbine (sold)
2011 Savage 10BA (sold)
2012 Tikka T3 Sporter (sold)
2016 Tikka T3 Battue (sold)

1. Sako TRG Scenar-L 175 0.467 2620 2667 (very accurate and far reaching for precision target use)
2. Prvi Partizan Soft Point 180 0.413 2545 2588 (inexpensive and drops whitetail like it's nobody's business!)
3. Sellior & Bellot FMJ 147 0.407 2789 2539 (relatively inexpensive and shoots like pure magic out of my Brno Effect single shot, and no pelt damage. For some reason, it's hard to source! Yes, this is technically not hunting ammo, but it depends on the quarry)
4. Sako Super Hammerhead Bonded SP 180 0.421 2493 2484 (expensive, but supremely effective on all large game in my area)

45-70
2020 Henry H010
2007 Marlin 1895 GS (liked the Remington 405 gr Core-Lokt, now sold)

5. Hornady Lever Evolution FTX 325 0.230 2000 2886 (it's the only ammo I've shot out of my Henry lever that will shoot on target with factory irons. It's not pleasant on the shoulders, but it's very hard hitting and accurate)

7.62x39
2020 CZ 527 Carbine
1954 Tula SKS
MANY other past SKS's

6. GECO Target FMJ 124 0.355 2421 1614 (relatively expensive, but consistent 2-3 MOA out of my bone stock SKS! If you can find this stuff in bulk, buy it!!)
7. MFS (rebranded Barnaul) zinc plated case FMJ 123 0.294 2430 1612 (cheap, clean burning, and accurate out of my SKS)
8. Barnaul lacquer case FMJ 123 0.294 2428 1610 (ditto)
9. Hornady lacquer case SST 123 0.295 2350 1508 (works very well on whitetail with little meat damage--out of a bolt gun or SKS)
10. Prvi Partizan Pointed SP 123 0.283 2351 1508 (even more accurate than the Hornady out of a bolt gun, and equally effective on whitetail. This is what I stack deep)

7x57... (though I also reload for 7x57)
1991 Ruger M77 tang safety
1950 Brno 21H
1948 Brno 21H semi-custom (sold)
**my milsurps get S&B 140gr FMJ and Prvi 139gr SP

11. Norma Oryx Bonded SP 156 0.330 2641 2416 (very expensive, but drops everything I point it at, incredible performance, manageable recoil, and one of my all time favourites. Thank God it's still made)
12. Sellior & Bellot Semi-jacketed SP Cutting Edge (SPCE) 173 0.376 2379 2174 (relatively inexpensive and has never let me down. Low recoil, accurate and fast bleed outs)

8x57
2020 CZ 557 Lux 2
**my milsurps get S&B 196gr FMJ and Prvi 198gr FMJ

13. Norma Oryx Bonded SP 196 0.331 2526 2776 (very expensive, accurate and a real Hammer of Thor! Nearly 2800 ft lbs of muzzle energy! Not yet tested on large game)
14. RWS Evolution Bonded SP 200 0.350 2395 2547 (you need to re-mortgage the house, but this stuff delivers, and if you do your part, there's no such thing as a follow-up shot. Hard to source in any quantity)
15. Prvi Partizan Soft Point 196 0.363 2127 1969 (inexpensive, and no monster energy figures, but it delivers surprisingly consistent accuracy and performance, and this stuff has never let me down on deer size game)
 
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I used to use Speer Nitrex (factory loaded Grand Slams) for the 30-06. I've since gone to reloading the Grand Slams though.

Plain old Winchester Silvertips for the 30-30 ( I've never bothered reloading for this one)

I only buy factory loads for convenience. If I start getting picky I just pick my powder and bullets and load whatever I want
 
If I wasn't a reloader, I would buy Remington Core-Lokt ammo for hunting.

From my experience, and from talking to fellow hunters at the local range, I'd choose them over Accubonds for deer hunting anytime.

I've seen accubonds retain less than 50% of their weight after being recovered from moose, and they didn't mushroom at all,
they may have their place, but are way overrated and too expensive.

This Core-Lokt below retained over 65% of it's weight.





 
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The 45-70 405 gr Core-Lokt was very accurate to shoot out of my Marlin 1895 guide gun, but I never tested it enough in the field to gather an opinion. There is something to be said about the slow and heavies.
 
My all time favourite was the old Winchester Silvertip in any calibre.Sadly this ammunition is no longer manufactured.Remington Core Lokt 170 grain worked well in my old Winchester Model 94.Winchester 300 grain hollow points in my 45-70.
 
My .250 Savages like the Winchester Silvertip. It's no longer made but I have a good stash of it.
My .280 Rem shoots everything well, but the best is Federal Blue Box 150's or Federal Premium 150 Nosler Partition. Last bought factory ammo for it a decade ago.
Winchester Power Point 150 is what I have for my .30-30 Ackley. It shoots well and leaves me with decent-quality cases for reloading.
 
28 gauge;[URL="tel:18014770" said:
18014770[/URL]]My all time favourite was the old Winchester Silvertip in any calibre.Sadly this ammunition is no longer manufactured.Remington Core Lokt 170 grain worked well in my old Winchester Model 94.Winchester 300 grain hollow points in my 45-70.
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I bought a lot of 270w silver tip in a co-op store in SSM years ago for $10/box ... still have some and it was very accurate in my Sako
 
I have a few notable factory loads:

Hornady 75gr Superformance Match .223 Rem - I tried a box of these in my 20" 9-twist Remington SPS Tactical. Thought they might be on the edge of stability. First shot on target at 50, second shot on target at 100, next 18 rounds fired in 3-shot strings were all under .75MOA. Glorious.

Winchester 95gr Ballistic Silvertip .243 Win - These performed well, close to MOA in a Browning BLR. The barrel length reduced the velocity but the bullet still delivered DRT kills on two whitetails.

Weatherby 100gr "spire point" .257 Weatherby Magnum - I had been using either 115gr Ballistic Tip factory loads or handloads of 7828 + 100gr Nosler Partitions, but the "cheap box" of .257 is another sub-MOA performer. This rifle is from before the whole sub-MOA Vanguard craze, but mine seems to have no problem putting these less-than-aerodynamic bullets into teeny tiny groups.

Winchester 165gr Power Point .30-06 - The old Model 70 my dad handed over to me loves these things. Groups into less than 1.25" consistently, no miracles here just a decent hunting round in a decent hunting rifle that has a good balance of penetration and expansion. We have a few boxes kicking around, they've taken deer and black bear and a caribou over the years. My handloads have bested the velocity (which is easy in lower pressure rounds) and accuracy (which is easy with modern jackets and polymer tips) but this is just plain decent ammo for hunting. Love it.
 
223 Remington

Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded. Drops coyotes where they stand.


308 Win

Federal GMM 175 gr SMK
Target / competition and LR varmint round. Shoots consistently very, very well out of numerous .308s


7mm Rem Mag

Federal Premium 160gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Not the new trophy tip but the old Speer TBBC.
Works like magic. No longer in production but I still have lots on hand.
 
Hornady 35 Whelen 200 gr SP Superformance

My H&R Handi-Rifle really likes this ammo. Accurate, measures 2940fps at the muzzle, delivers lots of energy.
 
The Kurgan said:
Because I have neither the time nor inclination (anymore) to reload for every calibre in my modest collection, I opt for commercially produced ammo. Yes, it's bloody expensive, but I enjoy this hobby and that includes buying, using and squirreling away quality commercial ammo.

I am curious what calibre and brands you stick by, and why? This can also include brands no longer made.]


:redface:My start in reloading began when I got interested and involved in 'some' of the more serious formal paper punching courses of handgun shooting. At the time, and going through a fair volume of ammo, reloading was a financial necessity. These days, most of my range time is range distance tests and plinking. Still do a fair amount of reloading. But, at gun shows these days the purchases are more a quest for components and lately, also factory ammo. Of late, I've picked up and have to try some of the following;
- .270 Win Federal 140gr Berger
- .270 Win Federal 130gr TSX
- 6.5 CM Nosler 129gr AccuBond Long Range
- 6.5 CM Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip BT
- 303Br Norma 150gr SP
- 358 NM Norma 250gr SP
- 7x57 Mauser Federal 140gr SP
- 7x57 Mauser Sellier & Bellot 140gr FMJ
- 7x61 S&H Super 154gr Spire Point
- 455 Webley Fiocchi 262gr
There's quite likely a few others I've got;) 'squirrelled' away but this comprises the bulk of my lately acquired factory ammo.:):) Now, Range time
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Johnn Peterson said:
The Kurgan said:
Because I have neither the time nor inclination (anymore) to reload for every calibre in my modest collection, I opt for commercially produced ammo. Yes, it's bloody expensive, but I enjoy this hobby and that includes buying, using and squirreling away quality commercial ammo.

I am curious what calibre and brands you stick by, and why? This can also include brands no longer made.]


:redface:My start in reloading began when I got interested and involved in 'some' of the more serious formal paper punching courses of handgun shooting. At the time, and going through a fair volume of ammo, reloading was a financial necessity. These days, most of my range time is range distance tests and plinking. Still do a fair amount of reloading. But, at gun shows these days the purchases are more a quest for components and lately, also factory ammo. Of late, I've picked up and have to try some of the following;
- .270 Win Federal 140gr Berger
- .270 Win Federal 130gr TSX
- 6.5 CM Nosler 129gr AccuBond Long Range
- 6.5 CM Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip BT
- 303Br Norma 150gr SP
- 358 NM Norma 250gr SP
- 7x57 Mauser Federal 140gr SP
- 7x57 Mauser Sellier & Bellot 140gr FMJ
- 7x61 S&H Super 154gr Spire Point
- 455 Webley Fiocchi 262gr
There's quite likely a few others I've got;) 'squirrelled' away but this comprises the bulk of my lately acquired factory ammo.:):) Now, Range time
Click to expand...


Please update us on your use of any of this ammo Laugh2
Click to expand...
 
Igman 180 ammo works very well in my .303 Brit. , pretty danged hot for a lee Enfield though!
other than that, I really don't have much of a favorite anything, had good shooting with Remington ammunition though, and federal loaded with Sierra Game Kings in many different cartridges. I never did shoot much factory ammo.
Cat
 
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