That is my go to round for varmints/smaller critters, although there's no reason it wouldn't work on White tail deer. I've adopted the Federal Vital shok 170 NP as my primary hunting round for larger game. And, welcome aboard.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin.
The 125 will work on deer, but the recoil between that and a 150 or even a 170 grain cartridge is not very much. Before settling on the 125, try out the other bullet sizes first.
Andrew

 

Agree ^^^^! The 125’s will work on whitetail but on a marginal shot at a big deer I would prefer at least a 150. The 150/170’s might be a little more accurate given the twist of the barrel was probably built for that weight range. Best thing is to try in your gun.

 

I've been using Federal Power Shok 150 grain for decades. I find it the best ammunition for the price, the recoil is acceptable, and it is accurate. I've never had a dud or a round that didn't group well. Walmart has this ammunition on the cheap. I have 170 grain Power Shok ammunition too, but 150 is my regular ammunition.

You didn't provide where you live and how large an animal you are hunting. However, if you are hunting White Tail in North American, 150 grain is a good choice.



Mike T.

 

Welcome to the forum from Kansas. If you reload you might want to go with Speer Hot Cors. In my rifles they are very accurate and from what I have read have good terminal performance.

 

I reload the Sierra 125 gr hollow point along with the Speer 130 gr as a "light recoiling" youth load for younger shooters. The 125/130 gr bullets are softer shooting than 150 grain bullet weights or heavier.

Both bullets are accurate using "CFE-223" powder yet prefer the Speer 130 gr bullet for deer sized game. Just not a Sierra Bullet shooter except on paper.

 

I have never seen any 125 grain 30 30 loaded ammo at any of the stores I go too. I have hunted deer with light 30 30 bullets. But it was my own ammo I reloaded. And I used a Hornady 130 grain spire point bullet that I custom loaded to max, for my Savage 340. I was only able to kill one deer with it, and it was a one shot kill, dropped on the spot. I occasionally hunted with that rifle for a few years and then sold it to buy a 30 06. I can tell you that the 130 grain bullets I used worked well on that deer I shot. It tore it up. They were very accurate as well. I wouldn't recommend them for a 336 rifle though, as they were a spire point bullet. I would think that the 125 grain would work ok, but I would not use them, myself. IMO, the 150 grain would suite you better. But I would be suspicious of a low recoiling 125 grain round which to me equates to, low velocity, low knock down power, and a not so flat trajectory. But then again what really counts is, shot placement. Good luck and good hunting.

 

welcome from upstate ny. the 125s will work but stick to lung or neck shots. no quartering shot. 150 are better. best of luck.

 

Welcome from the Finger Lakes area of NY! I have been using the Federal 125gr Power Shok for target shooting with both my new 336W and 100+yr old 1893 both chambered in 30-30.
I find the round very accurate and less expensive than 150gr. I have not used it for hunting though as they don't make it in copper- only lead. Generally deer run smaller the further south you go so I would not hesitate to use that round on Mississippi deer.

 

Rumor is that the bullets are serria 125 hp's, if so {I believe they are}they have a very good rep on whitetails.

 

With Chocdog on the 130gr speer. Gar.

 

Well, all of my Marlin's in 30-30....:hmmmm2:...about 6 of them
None... NONE.. will shoot a decent group with the 125 gr. bullet.
Likes 150.. Loves the 170's.

 

For deer sized game use deer sized bullets. I'm new to the 30-30. I haven't reloaded for it yet. but I will be very shortly. I also cast-but not 30 cal- but will be also very soon. Looking at 150-170 grn moulds. Leaning towards a 150

 

The Federal 125s arent low velocity ammo.
My 65 Revelation 200 shoots them as well as 150/170.
I dont know about deer but they do a number on coyote.
I like them

 

As I get to hunt Midwest deer I am in the same camp as those saying use the heavier bullets. However, I say this because a smaller buck I shot this year hit 144 pounds field dressed on the scales. In some areas in the South a similar buck would be 140 pounds on the hoof. There's some areas where a 100 pound deer is pretty fair. Here it is pretty small. So the 125 might work. My daughter shot her first 5 deer or so with a 30-30 and Winchester 150 grain power points so if you think you can match a 14 year old girl I would suggest you try the 150's

Can't resist that comment as I have used it before in these discussions. But that was the age she used them.

DEP

 

I have reloaded for 40+years the best cartridge for white tail deer here in PA.

 

I'd be more comfortable with 150's for deer, if that amount of recoil bothers you try a premium recoil pad, ie limbsaver,etc.

 

I don't know where you're hunting in Mississippi - but if you're in the Delta, most of the deer I killed there were pushing 200 lbs. if not a touch over.
The 125's may work if you can carefully pick your shot, within 100 yds. or less.
I'd recommend going with the 150's.

 

If you want lower recoil you'll need to shoot a slower load, a lighter bullet, or both. It's physics.

You might try the Winchester 150gr Deer Season XP. Regardless of what's printed on the box (2390 fps) you should expect to get about 2235 fps with it. I tried it and there was noticably less recoil than with the other 150gr cartridges I was shooting.

 

I just noticed this is a revived 4-1/2 year old thread!

 

You really need to test your rifle against the different bullet weights, my 336cs will not group light bullets well at all, maybe 7" at a hundred yards when I can get 1 1/2" with 170gr. The 150s group almost as well as the 170s but my rifle likes heavier bullets.

 

I have recently bought a 336 30-30 for next years deer season.
I am looking for a lower recoil and effective round.
I am trying to get some info on the Federal power shok 125 grain 30 30.
I have tried searching the threads here with no luck.

Anybody have any personal experience to share while hunting deer with these?

I have recently bought a 336 30-30 for next years deer season.
I am looking for a lower recoil and effective round.
I am trying to get some info on the Federal power shok 125 grain 30 30.
I have tried searching the threads here with no luck.

Anybody have any personal experience to share while hunting deer with these?

I know this is an old post from 2020 but for those still in need, Remington Managed-Recoil Ammunition or Remington Accelerator Ammunition might work for you. You'll just have to do an internet search for current availability.

I reload and shoot Oregon Trail - True Shot 170 gr. RNFPGC.

Old Creek
U.S.M.C. (Ret.)

 

... Remington Managed-Recoil Ammunition or Remington Accelerator Ammunition might work for you. You'll just have to do an internet search for current availability.

The old Accelerator ammo is almost impossible to find and it's topped with pointed bullets that should not be used in tubular magazines. As to the Remington Managed Recoil ammo, I bought a case of that so my son could learn to shoot his 336. It tames recoil by using a lower powered loading, 125gr at 2175 fps. Nevertheless, he shot his first deer with it while still hunting and the deer just dropped in it's tracks - for good.

 

I have used the Speer 130gr on our native Roe Deer for the best part of 30yrs, Now the Hornady copper alloy ECX I think poly carbon-it flat point both at 2500fps both group well in my 336, Gar.