I have not hunted with the HammerDown ammo but I have fired a box while looking for the most accurate ammo for a Glenfield. I don't think it was any more accurate than Federal PowerShok ammo. As far as the performance of HammerDown ammo on deer, I can't make a comment but for me, I doubt it would be more effective than Remington Core-Lokt, Federal PowerShok or other basic cartridges. I hunt in timber on small food plots, never where a long range shot occurs. I may be wrong but at such short distances, proper shot placement is more important to me than marginal bullet/cartridge advantages.

 

If it does any better than the plain ol' stuff from all the big companies, it'll have to follow up and find the deer, field dress it, drag it out of the woods, butcher it, wrap it, and put it in the freezer.

If it's no more expensive than the others, I'd buy it; if not, no, thanks.

 

I'm with you. Federal PowerShok is all I use anymore in the 30-30, 32 Win Special, and the 35 Rem. I have dies and components for the above but the Federal blue box has excellent performance, velocity, and accuracy. I can barely match it with my handloads, so why bother. There is no magic ammo that will do better.

 

It sounds like the Hammer Down 30-30 will not only profrom well on game but will function smoother in lever rifle. The bullet for the H-D 30-30 is a Speer design for the Fed. H-D cartridge. I like it and think its worth a shot. Yeah, yeah, yeah, bullet placement, meat in the freezer, yada yada yada, in the end a bullet is a bullet.
If the H-D 30-30 works well in your rifle just do your part and I'm sure you'll be a happy hunter.
TO NY🗽

 

I sounds like the Hammer Down 30-30 will not only profrom well on game but will function smoother in lever rifle. The bullet for the H-D 30-30 is a Speer design for the Fed. H-D cartridge. I like it and think its worth a shot. Yeah, yeah, yeah, bullet placement, meat in the freezer, yada yada yada, in the end a bullet is a bullet.
If the H-D 30-30 works well in your rifle just do your part and I'm sure you'll be a happy hunter.
TO NY🗽

If it is similar to the Speer Hot cor bullet, should work just dandy.
I've loaded those in both the 30-30's and the 308 ME.
Very good bullet.

RP

 

Rapid expansion, adequate penetration, and accurate shooting into the chest organs are the primary factors which down big game animals. I've tried nearly all the bullet weights and brands offered in 30-30 factory ammo across the decades. No big differences in lethality have been observed by me. But my favorite for deer and wild hogs is Winchester Power Point ammo featuring their 170 grain flat nose bullet. I even toppled a large red stag with this ammo. - TR

 

30-30 has generally worked well with the plain offerings. Person I knew that shot more deer with a 94 Win than most on this site liked Federal ammo because it worked and was cheap. Companies have to do something to have a "premium" offering they can charge more for. 30-30 ha really not benefitted from premium ammo. I have even shot cast with good results in mine.

DEP

 

I looked at all the info on the HD ammo, and gave it a “meh”. The only thing that makes me move to other than standard ammo is to use solid copper. I use the Speer TTSX for hunting and find it very effective.

 

It's not hard to figure -- the ammo industry has had 120+ years to develop loads -- and in the past 100 of those years, they've had 'er purty-well figgered out...

 

Partial Quote by LakeOFan

"I may be wrong but at such short distances, proper shot placement is more important to me than marginal bullet/cartridge advantages."

Amen Brother. I know a guy that Hunts Elk in Colorado every year. He took down a 800 lb Bull Elk with a 270 Winchester boat tail. I don't recall the Grain, but it was less than 100 yards away chasing after a Female. ONE well placed round in the Vitals and it was DRT. He said if you can't take down a game animal with "one well placed round" better get down the range and practice.

Mike T.

Note: For the regulars that read this before, please forgive my repetition.

 

There are a lot of hunters in Canada and the Western states that do not know any better and shoot moose and elk for the freezer with 30-30's. They use standard ammo.

DEP

 

I guess the Hammer Down ammo will work fine, maybe even as well as the standard loads that have been killing big game of all sorts for 120+ years.