HAMMER TIME!! 30-30 Winchester Federal Hammer Down 150gr Ammo Test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Become a Channel Member! / @masonoutdoors_masonle... 30-30 Winchester Federal 150 grain Hammer Down ammo ballistics gel test fired from a Glenfield 30A (Marlin 336) with 20 inch barrel
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All shots are fired from a distance of 100 yards to encompass the majority of common real world hunting scenarios.
I will be shooting into 10% ballistics gel from www.clearballi... that has been calibrated to meet the FBI ballistics testing protocol.
While ballistics gel isn’t an exact proxy for big game, small game, predators or defensive situations, it does provide a repeatable medium through which to test various bullets and ammunitions against each other.
With each type of ammo tested I collect data on bullet penetration depth, bullet weight retention, bullet expansion and muzzle velocity.
For reference, bullet expansion is measured at the widest expanded point using a calibrated Frankford Arsenal Digital Caliper.
Bullet weight is measured using a calibrated Frankford Arsenal Digital Scale after having removed as much ballistics gel as possible from the expanded bullets.
Bullet velocity is measured using a ProChronoPal chronograph set approximately 7’ from the shooting bench.
I am fully aware that a chronograph measuring bullet velocity from 7’ away from the muzzle is going to register a slower velocity than if velocity were measured directly at the muzzle, but that difference is going to be so small as to be all but irrelevant in regards to comparison of actual measured velocity versus factory stated velocity.
My goal with these ballistics gel tests is to provide hunters like you and I with the most objective information possible to help us make the best choice for our particular hunting situation.
The results of these tests are my own and I cannot guarantee the same or similar performance on your part. The views and opinions expressed in this video are solely my own.
All videos are filmed in a safe and controlled environment on a private range with all applicable safety precautions by a trained professional.
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This ammo has turned the 30/30 into a difficult beast entirely with this kind of performance! Thanks for sharing Mason! 👍
It’s definitely a great option! Thanks!
It's practically impossible to buy bad 30-30 ammo. They all do the job on medium game. But this particular bullet is outstanding. 25" of penetration makes it suitable for elk and moose. Thanks for the test !
All 3030 will work on moose,, ive got a cow with a remington corelokt 150gr at really close range tho lol must of been like 40 yards atleast,,. And a bull wit a 170 grain winchester Powerpoint at 100yards roughly,,,
Glad to be of service! I’ve found a couple less than stellar performers.
I agree with the premise that it's hard to buy bad .30-30 ammo, but it is not impossible. We've seen at least one hyper expansion type not fare so well in tests here.
Federal knocks it out of the park! Great test, great video!
I have always been impressed with the Federal Fusion line of bullets. I just wish they were an option to load at a price point that didn't put me into the Barnes X-bullet area.
Some rifles don’t like copper though…so even if they are a similar price the fusion bullets tend to shoot well in just about anything.
This is absolutely my personal 150 grain 30/30 round.👍
I really love this hammer down ammo line by federal. Now I see why you’ve not made a video in a few weeks. New gel and tables plus hunting season I’m guessing.
Mostly I’ve been catching up on leatherwork, I’m in between batches right now so editing some more videos, have a good pile coming
@@masonoutdoors_masonleather gotta pay them bills. Thanks for the videos they are very helpful.
Awesome I've been waiting for a new video to come out
Glad to be of service!
@@masonoutdoors_masonleatherHello. Thank you for these videos. I love how concise and informative they are. They have helped me make ammunition choices especially for my Marlin 336 30-30. (Just bought some Hammerdown to test.). If you consider it relevant I would appreciate seeing a video testing the Hornady 30-30 - 140 gr. MonoFlex round. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Been missing those videos.
Got a pile coming daily for a little while 👍🏼
Great video, missed it when you posted it but just watched it and was very pleased with what i saw. Picked up a couple more of these the other day for a decent price, i remember you saying before you thought they were the same bullet as the fusion round. I definitely like both rounds, great video as always sir, i appreciate your work as always!
Gold dots are great bullets.
I found some of this ammo at Walmart too recently but in 45-70 gov they had it marked $48.88 a box with 3 on the shelf....I bought all 3 and am very happy with there performance
The 45-70 version is excellent as well!
This is some great ammo, I took a buck and few pigs with in. I will say on availability, at least in the greater New Orleans area, all the Walmarts have tons of boxes of it and they usually run about $26-$30 a box.
Good stuff, Thank you
Glad to be of service!
Awesome awesome 👏🏻
It would be nice if we could buy Fusion type bullets for reloading. I think the electroplated bonded bullet design is going to be the future for cheap bullets. Copper plating is kind of an old school concept except for the exact plating techniques used. I think the new genie is out of the bottle to a great degree. Stand by for an upstart company or existing bullet maker to emulate the Fusion and Speer TMJ and Gold Dot plated bullet concept soon. It's almost inevitable.
What do you think is the best ammo for 3030 for whitetail 150 yards and in, for performance and effectiveness? Thank you
I personally like the Winchester ballistic Silvertips!!!
Classics
These bullets seem to do just what the Speer gold dot rifle rounds do?
Since Speer and federal are owned by the same company, I wonder if they’re the same bullet ?
They are similar, and I thought they were the same at first when I found them to load. I was quickly corrected after shooting them on game. It is easier to think of the Gold Dot bonded as a cheaper (lower quality) version in terms of construction. The accuracy was good, but Gold Dot bonded were inconsistent in terminal performance compared to the Fusion line.
I would like to see 30-30 Buffalo Bore loads
I wonder how the 170gr Fusion bullet would perform?
It’s probably too similar and not worth testing…but I’d be curious to see a back-to-back comparison of this 150gr Hammer Down, which is using the Fusion bullet, to the regular 150gr Fusion 30-30…just to see if there’s any difference whatsoever.
As good as it has done, I can't help but think if Federal would just trickle a bit more powder in the case, get us another 100 fps, I doubt the bullet would penetrate any further but if anything rip a larger permanent cavity and expand even larger.
taget sports usa just sold 100 boxes in 2 days, i waited till the rebate just started and they were out. I found 4 boxes at walmart got them all $30 a box then 20% rebate
Got 5 boxes before price went crazy..
Expected them to be faster.. most 30-30 are 170G
There are far more available factory 150 grain 30-30 loads than 170 grain, about double.
Just got a Glock 20 the other day for my 21st. You should do some hard cast testing. That would be cool
I have personally, its pretty anticlimactic, hard cast lead in any caliber just penetrates and keeps on going. I tested Underwood hard cast 9mm and it went like 37”, Remington 147gr Subsonic went past 48”
Love your videos. Thank you and be safe. Long live the 30.30!
Glad to be of service!
Any way you can test some of the super cheap sellier and bellot 30-30?
That test drops in 2 days, VERY surprising results!!
I haven't been disappointed at all with this load in any of my 30-30's. Same with the 45-70 Hammer Down....my rifles gobble them up.
I didn't think anyone would make a bonded bullet for the 30-30. That's fantastic performance.
Absolutely!
I think it may be a "plated jacket" bullet.
@@TODinWYFederal’s own website description states:
“molecularly bonded soft point bullets”
🇦🇺😎👍Nice
How about a test of the Sellier and Bellot .30-30 ammo? Will it work? Lets see!
That video drops in 2 days, VERY surprising results!!
Awesome video! I’m a huge fan of the 30-30. Just picked up some federal premium with the Barnes TSX. I’d like to see a comparison with that if you ever come across it. Thanks again for the video!
Glad to be of service! I have that test live on my channel, Federal Premium 30-30 150gr TSX
I lucked out and found a couple boxes of these at a local Walmart for my Henry All-Weather. I knew they’d perform but glad to see validation of my assumption.
Score!
@@masonoutdoors_masonleather I haven’t shot them yet…trying to get the rifle sorted out. I picked it up second hand from a guy that bought it and never shot it…2018 model. He put a skinner picatinny rail with integrated peep on it and a quick detach scope. For simplicity I think I’m taking all of that off and putting a 2-7 Leupold on it in a set of Talley lightweight scope mounts.
Hey Mason, really enjoy your tests. If possible, if you can, could you test some Federal Premium 180gr trophy bonded tip bullets in .300 WSM? Factory ammo. This last fall, I harvested a cow elk up here in Montana, my home, at 425 yards. Had to fire 3 shots, all shots were in 3" group behind right shoulder: 2 exploded under the hide on the rib surface of the ribs, and the third bullet made it into the chest cavity, and exploded inside. These bullets are supposed to be premium hunting bullets??? I was using a Kimber rifle w/Leupold CDS scope. I believe I will go back to Nosler bullets. Thanx for listening.😮
Thanks for your support! I will get to 300 WSM eventually, but that’s not going to be anytime soon, I will however be doing 300 Win Mag this year and may have that same ammo in the lineup. The results should be extremely similar if not identical.
Looks like the performance of the Speer Gold Dot and the Deep Curl. In a .308 it would be devastating.
Thanks for sharing. This is my favorite round for the Winchester Model 94 I own.
Glad to be of service!
This is what the youngest took her doe with. Hit the doe in the shoulder blade, bullet path traveled down the spinal column for 10"-11" and was found just forward the offside hip. Total travel of the bullet was just over a foot and a half.
Bullet still weighed in at 129.4 grains.
Glad I found two boxes before prices got crazy.
Awesome
That is impressive for a 30/30 at that speed
Absolutely, great performance
As to them not meeting stated velocities, most ammo companies us a 24" test barrel for their ammo development. So losing ~150 fps with your 20" barrel is completely understandable.
Which is ridiculous and not understandable. The overwhelming majority of 30-30 rifles have 20” barrels, by orders of magnitude, it’s not even close. The same can be said for almost every caliber/chambering. A 24” barrel is not the norm for anything except magnum calibers and a handful of relatively niche cartridges.
Looks like they would stop a home attacker thug. Good show.
I gotta try some of these this year - Bambi 🦌 is gonna get it.
You can clear those blocks up with a heat gun before you start your vids just turn on the heat gun wave it slow and steady all over the block as it clears up you can see where the lines go away
Absolutely can
Great video!
Thanks!
Good stuff 👌
Absolutely!
I have 2 boxes of this stuff from about 2 or 3 years ago. Gave about $15.50 and tax for it before prices went certifiably insane and totally nuts. Glad to know I have 40 rounds with really good bullets in case we get invaded by critters bigger than a deer. 25" is more typical of heavier bullets and sometimes bigger cartridges. Since it is a Fusion bullet construction I may buy some Fusion 150 grain if it pops up worth the money.
They’re almost the same price so I’d say whichever one you come across buy it
Those rounds look great.but I shoot a Winchester with a 26" octagon barrell.😊
Awesome
"belt loops that nobody ever uses"... TRUE THAT!
🤣💯👍🏼
I got a question. Could this ammo be shot out of a Henry 30 30 single shot? I’m a newbie.
I enjoy watching your videos. Have you tried getting rid of the wrinkles with a heat gun? Would make it alot easier to see the wound track.
Very impressive hunting load. With nearly 100fps difference in velocities, I'm not expecting good groups. Cold vs warm barrel.
Not hating on Mason’s rifle but he did say it’s a 1980’s vintage and these Hammer Down rounds were co-designed with Henry…so likely optimized for more modern rifles. Maybe his throat is a little worn, maybe not, hard to say…amount of jump to the lands…different rifles perform differently. I’ve shot this in my Henry All-Weather 30-30 and had excellent results, good accuracy too. it’s not a sub-moa gun, never was…but I was consistently getting 1 and then 2 touching at right around an inch maybe a little more. Never seemed to matter when I pointed it at a deer, they drop so that’s what I want. I just haven’t been able to recover one of the bullets…all pass throughs…so I was curious what they looked like.
A heat gun possibly blow dry can take the ripples out of that Clear Ballistics gel
Certainly can
To each their own, but of all centerfire rifle cartridges, the 30-30 would be my dead last choice. If you already own a Win 94 or some other firearm chambered for 30-30, OK, but I respectfully suggest you not waste new money on anything chambered for the 30-30. The only reason 30-30 ammo is still available is every farmer has one in the barn for putting down a sick animal. I do like and own a couple lever guns. One in rimfire and a 336 in .35 Rem, for which I can't find ammunition regularly. Yes, I'm aware of the Hornady Leverevolution ammo that is advertised but seldom loaded or on the store shelf.
New production 30-30s fly off the shelf faster than just about anything else, the ammo most definitely is not made just because farmers put down animals with it.
@@masonoutdoors_masonleather100%, the .30-30 has been a great performer for 127 years now and still going strong!
Absolutely
It’s funny the comments people make…glad we have all those farmers to support this cartridge lol
Maybe you should spend some money on a new lever gun in 360 buckhammer that you can find ammo for, since you can’t for your 35 Remington.
Vista outdoor sold out all brands one of which was federal. The company that purchased it is not making or shipping stored ammo.
The brands were sold, the plants aren’t going anywhere and they ship direct. Corporate acquisitions almost never result in the closure of the acquired or stop of production, if it did the acquisition wouldn’t be profitable. CSG bought Federal because they see it as a good investment.
@@masonoutdoors_masonleathervery true and Mikal Strnad is an avid outdoorsman that is based out of Bozeman Montana…I could care less where he was born. If Vista had bad debt we might have lost Federal/CCI/Speer/Hevi Shot/Remington if they could t stay in production…I’m glad someone bought it that plans to utilize their assets that work, like their plants and workers