their vast array of choices. They included from the original
Classic Line: 150 grain Sierra Pro Hunter SP, 150 grain
Hi-Shok SP, 165 grain Sierra Pro Hunter SP, 180 grain Sierra
Pro Hunter SP RN and 180 grain Hi Shok SP. From the Premium
Line Sierra GameKing 150 grain BTSP, Sierra GameKing 165
grain BTSP, Trophy Bonded 165 Grain, Trophy Bonded 180 grain
and Barnes 180 grain XLC.
While Federal's ammunition is outstanding as results below
will indicate their website leaves a lot to be desired. There
is no place I could locate information regarding the product
line such as what is available and the ballistic
specifications of the various choices. None the less the
ballistic data is listed on some of the boxes.
Federal ClassicŪ ammunition.
Sierra Pro Hunter 150 SP. Rated at a muzzle velocity of 2910
fps and delivering 2870 from the 22" test barrel with average
group size of 1.2" at 100 yards.
Federal Hi Shok 150 SP. Not rated on the box but delivered
2860 fps from the test barrel and gave an average group size
of 1.3" at 100 yards.
Sierra 165 Pro Hunter. Rated at 2800 fps on the box. This one
2762 fps and groups averaged 1.6" at 100 yards.
Sierra Pro Hunter 180 SP. Rated at 2700 fps. It delivered
2630 fps and groups of 1.4" at 100 yards.
Federal Hi Shok 180 SP. Not rated on box. It delivered 2640
fps and groups of 1.25" at 100 yards.
Federal PremiumŪ ammunition
Sierra 150 Game King. Rated at 2910 fps on box. It delivered
2850 fps and groups averaged 1.2" at 100 yards.
Sierra 165 Game King. Rated at 2800 fps on box. It delivered
2715 fps and groups averaged 1.7" at 100 yards. I believe
this was primarily due to firing these groups before the
action was glass bedded and the gun wasn't delivering its
best at that time.
Trophy Bonded 165. Not rated on box. This one delivered 2698
fps and groups averaged 2.3". I have no explanation for this
as the gun was shooting fine at this point and the TB 180s
fired same day shot great. I guess I just have to conclude my
barrel don't like this load.
Trophy Bonded 180. Not rated on box. This one delivered 2645
fps and groups averaged 1.05". This one is a real winner in
the test gun and will be high on the list for any large heavy
game taken on with this rifle.
Barnes 180 XLC.Rated at 2700 on box. This one delivered 2609
fps and groups averaged a not so great 2.25". I don't have a
single gun or barrel I've tested the Barnes X bullets in
whether factory or handloads that does much better however.
Overall I have to say I was pleased with the accuracy of the
Federal loads. Some were shot early before the gun settled
down after I glass bedded the action. I probably should have
tossed those groups out but didn't as I really had only one
box of each and just didn't have enough to go back and
reshoot the groups. The Classic line is popularly priced to
appeal to the mass of buyers and is all one needs for most
hunting situations. The Premium line offers some of the very
best premium bullets available to reloaders in factory ammo.
If you are not a handloader and want good solid factory ammo
for hunting with your .30-06 you will find a lot of solid
choices in the Fedeal line up. You can bet that even tho I am
a reloader I use some of the Federal line in my own rifles as
I find I can do no better. In an old Rem. 700 Mtn. Rifle in
.270 Win. the Federal Premium 150 Nosler PT out shoots any
handload I've ever developed. The above 180 TB pretty well
matches the best of my handloads with premium bullets and
will be a top choice for me when using this rifle for large
heavy game.
Federal ammo gets a thumbs up
and the Graybeard Seal of
Approval for excellent performance in this test and in
previous shooting and hunting experience going back many
years.
Visit the Federal Cartridge website by clicking on the name.
Federal Cartridge Company
Anoka, MN. 55303
800-322-2342