Which commercial ammunition for savage 116?

[brayen]

Hello,
Thank to everyones for previous advices on rifle and scope. I just pulled the trigger on a savage 116 in 30-06 from a very honest member, and also i zeiss rapid Z 3-9x40.

As you can see, it will be an hunting rifle only. I think that its a good combo for a budget hunter. Now, the only thing i have to find is the best commercial ammunition for this rifle. According to many of you, the 116 seem to be well assembled, considering this is a budget rifle.

Because i am not equiped to reload, no space, no tools (for the moment), I would like to know if some of you had good or bad experiences matching a 116 rifle with differents commercial ammunition. I am not looking for extreme accurancy.

Please, let me know. It will save me money and time.

 

[iceman2]

It would help to know what caliber, and what you are hunting. Most comercial ammo will give decent performance. Each rifle is different so try a few to see. Maybe the previous owner can tell you what worked for him.

 

[martinbns]

Need to know Cartridge and intent.

Generally, I have started over the years with Remington green box stuff to get used to a gun(and supply brass for reloading). The only gun I have been around in recent year I haven't developed handloads for is a Savage youth model 243 I bought my Son's girlfriend last fall. We used Remington green box to teach her to shoot and I bought a box of Federal Premium 85 gr TSX shells for her hunt. The shot into an inch when I set it up for her and she killed her first deer a little buck at just under 200 yards with one shot.

I very rarely shoot factory ammo, but have had the best luck in order with Remington first, Federal second and last Winchester.

If the gun is going to be something you shoot alot, why not find a friend or a guy on here to teach you how to reload? I've taught a few guys to do it, and catnthehat taught me.

 

[emerson]

I have the same rifle. I shoot Hornady Superperformance with 165gn GMX bullets. I got 36" of penetration on a moose with good bullet weight retention and a mushroom like the pictures on Hornady's website. SST bullets are the same weight and shape and have better low velocity performance, but some have complained that the SST can break up when hitting bone (moose shoulder etc.) at high velocity at close range.

 

[Fassteel]

If I were you I'd buy the least expensive Blue box federal with my Canadian Tire money. Then I'd try a box of Fusions. If the cheapies shoot well you're good to go. I personally don't see the need to spend $40 or 50 for a box of Premium ammo for your 30-06. FS