Factory Rifle Ammo Feedback?

[Novice Huntress]

Hi All, good afternoon how are you all?

I thought to start a thread on current factory rifle ammunition feedback, with the current components shortage, where have all the primers gone?

I appreciate in the US it is apparent there is a ongoing shortage of components and factory rifle ammunition, here in the UK components are in short supply and the price is ever skywards!!!

I thought is it worth our while to show what we are currently using and give feedback? As I noticed there are several questions on this forum on what factory ammunition to use and opinion?

I wondered to keep it separate from the bullet data base thread.

So I noticed that you go to a gunshop this month they have Federal, next month its all gone now they have some Remington and then some time later it all changes again!!!

So quite rightly you have to reset your rifle and riflescope and not lose your range book! Here in the UK there is a shift to non lead rifle ammunition, no legislation as yet but in some areas market forces are coming in. So yet again another change and different brands on the shelves.

We travelled to SA earlier this year and opted to use factory for my R8 in 308w hand loads for the 375 H&h barrel and Factory for my husband's 8x68s. We had done some range practice and testing and low and behold change again, so this is what we used this time,

GECO 308w 170g TM

This was recovered from a Impala 129g in weight so approximately 76% retention. Shot was taken at about 175m slightly quartering on just in front of the shoulder.

The GECO brand is value brand but I have found it to be accurate and does a good job.

The next Remington,

150g SP Core-lokt

Now bizarrely I had been told that Remington was poor quality and not that good?? Here is a photo of the heart lungs Black Impala,

The animal was 150m away a proper windy morning, we waited for a good broadside shot took the shot and the animal ran round 20m full circle and was stone dead, no bullet recovered!

I had one poor shoot placement, where I had to take a second closer shoot to finish an animal, no fault of the cartridge.

I went on to shoot Blesbuck and Warthog with the 150g Core-lokt all no problem and never recovered a single bullet, ranges from 100m to 200m. So the Remington worked fine. There were no attempts to shoot a 1500 LB animal at 950m with these!!!

Finally RWS, not cheap and not stocked everywhere.

8x68s EVO, 200g

My husband used these, he shot a good selection of animals from Impala, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Blesbuck. He had one poor shot placement the animal was anchored when and where first hit but still alive so had to be finished off. Distance from 150m to 275m, we never recovered s single bullet! This is a premium bonded bullet, the PH were well impressed, pricey but well worth it. We don't get much feedback on RWS but it does a job!. Anyone who can get this in 300win, 30-06 or possibly 308w most definitely worth a try.

I appreciate everyone says don't skimp on cartridge and bullet quality, but thought let's start a thread to discuss what we are using in factory ammunition, possibly some of the lesser known brands, so as anyone travelling to Africa etc and wants to make an informed decision on what is available at their local gun shop.

So guys if you have feedback on the current factory ammunition your using please add here.

Rgds

 

[Hunter-Habib]

For 12 Gauge= Rottweil (birdshot), Federal Premium (OOO Buck)
For 7x57mm Mauser= Sellier & Bellot 175Gr Nosler Partition
For .30-06 Springfield= 220Gr Remington Core Lokt
For .375 Holland & Holland Magnum= Federal 300Gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (expanding), Norma 300Gr monolithic (solids)
For .600 Nitro Express= Labor Fur Ballistik 900 Gr copper jacketed softs and FMJ solids

 

[Doug3006]

You’re experience with the Core-Lokt bullets is typical. They get a lot of bad press from folks who like the super premium bullets like Swift A-Frames, BarnesX, Peregrines, etc. There’s nothing wrong with the old Core-Lokts when used on appropriate sized game. They were developed to be effective on Whitetails up to Elk. There’s no reason that they won’t be effective on similar sized plains game In Africa….as you saw on your safari. Super premium bullets make sense when the game gets bigger and tougher.

 

[JimP]

The Core-Lokt bullet has been killing game animals ever since Remington started to load ammo with them. From small game on up they get the job done.

Now if you want to go to the expense of a premium bullet then do so. I have been shooting premium bullets for the last 20 years in most of my rifles and don't see any need to go back. But the rifle that shoot the good old cup and core bullets are still doing their jobs.

 

[CoElkHunter]

You’re experience with the Core-Lokt bullets is typical. They get a lot of bad press from folks who like the super premium bullets like Swift A-Frames, BarnesX, Peregrines, etc. There’s nothing wrong with the old Core-Lokts when used on appropriate sized game. They were developed to be effective on Whitetails up to Elk. There’s no reason that they won’t be effective on similar sized plains game In Africa….as you saw on your safari. Super premium bullets make sense when the game gets bigger and tougher.

I've taken all my elk over the years with 225gr. Core Lokts in my .338WM. All one shot kills up to 150 yards. I used 180gr. Barnes TTSXs in my .300WM on my PG hunt this past June. ALL one shot kills up to 350 yards, with even some less than perfect shots. EXCELLENT bullet and may not go back to Core Lokts, but BOTH bullets have worked well for me. With the ammo shortage issues right now, trying to find ANY factory ammo in .338WM at a reasonable price is like looking for a unicorn. Time to find time to start reloading the .338s.

 

[mark-hunter]

375 H&H - norma swift a frame 300 grain (Africa), 300 grain soft point PPU (europe)
30-06, 300 win mag norma oryx 180 grain (All round, europe)
30-06 - Nosler ballistic tip, 180 grain, for roe deer
9.3x62 - old stock of ammo selleir bellot soft point 286 grain, (new lot, to be avoided doesnt cycle the bolt in semi), next will be Geco teilmaintel, or Sako hammerhead

 

[Longwalker]

If shooting factory ammunition in recent years I have been fully satisfied with the Norma Oryx in several calibers - .243, 7x57, 7x64, .308, 30-06, 9.3x62, 9.3x74R very consistent, accurate, and quick kills with deep penetration and good weight retention. I have a just a little bit of experience with the RWS Evo bonded bullets in .30R Blaser and so far agree with their precision, and deep penetration. The older RWS H-mantel has always been a very reliable performer in 7x64. I avoid Remington ammunition, far too many problems with Remington quality control recently but I liked Remington in the past. They went bankrupt for a good reason. Federal is consistently good, and often economical, and they load a variety of bullets in most calibers for a wide variety of purposes.

 

[shootist~]

+1 on Norma for overall satisfaction and quality. I reload, but will usually buy a box or two of factory for any new rifle. Norma seems to consistantly be of high quality relative to feeding, accuracy, and getting close to advertised velocity.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Hi guys thanks for the putting in your feedback . I hope there will be more to come?
Great feedback on the Core_Lokt!
Longwalker, Mark - Hunter and Shootist thanks for referencing Norma I have only occasionally seen it in the gunshop similar price to RWS, again difficult to regularly source.

 

[Longwalker]

An additional comment about Czech Sellier & Bellot. They are an old well established company and make a wide variety of ammunition especially for hard to find cartridges. I have used S&B with no problems at all, with the exception of bullets. Their standard cup and core bullets that are made "in house" have a plated steel jacket with soft lead cores. Their "soft point cutting edge" and regular soft point bullets are a fragmenting bullet design. They work OK for smaller or lightly built game at moderate velocities, but will break up on heavy bone or thick skin, especially when driven fast. Fortunately S&B offer a wide variety of bullets and if you choose their premium offerings they are good for hunting all game that the cartridge is suitable for.

 

[mark-hunter]

@Longwalker
Generally you are correct, especially for soft steel jacket that sticks to magnet, and for performance of spce.
I will just add that the latest lot of S&B in 9.3x62 did not cycle the bolt in my semi auto rifle, while other cartridges tested did cycle. (sako Hamerhead, and geco).

Another point - they do have wide variety of ammo, classic and premium bullets as you have noted. And they are very attractive in price.
However biggest lack in their production is actually lack of 375 H&H, or 458 win mag which are most common DG calibers, and have their own piece of market and consumers.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Hi guys how you all doing?
We have had some feedback, just wondering if anyone has used any Federal, Winchester, Nosler, Sako or any other brand on their recent travels to Africa etc???
Rgds

 

[nomspc]

Some years ago, I moved away from lead core to all copper bullets on game that my family would eat. I have found Barnes bullets, loaded by Barnes or Federal, to be outstanding performers in my rifles, mostly .308 150 grain, .375 H&H 300 grain and my single favorite hunting round, the 300WM 180 grain TTSX. In 3 different 300WM rifles, this round has accounted for elk, aoudad, axis deer, gemsbok, hartebeest, mountain zebra, warthog, Russian boar, mule deer. I’m soon off to Greenland for musk ox and caribou, and the Barnes VOR-TX factory ammo will be going with me.

 

[Rubberhead]

Here's the last Remington core-lokt that I ever intend to shoot at a game animal. Notice that the primer is dented but the bullet is still in the casing.

Remington marketers might be able to brag on the 100% weight retention, though...

BTW - I understand probabilities. But if I have a second cartridge failure from a second manufacturer, I still won't feel like it's my fault. If I have a second cartridge failure from Remington, it would be my fault...

 

[BourbonTrail]

Hi guys how you all doing?
We have had some feedback, just wondering if anyone has used any Federal, Winchester, Nosler, Sako or any other brand on their recent travels to Africa etc???
Rgds

I’m taking Federal Swift A-Frames and some Nosler Partitions with me on my upcoming trip. They both run about the same in my gun, but I do believe that the Noslers look like they go through better quality inspections. The Federals are barely nickel plated and have several blemishes on the cases. The Noslers appear flawless (too bad they’re not bonded).

 

[mdwest]

Now bizarrely I had been told that Remington was poor quality and not that good?? Here is a photo of the heart lungs Black Impala,

Prior to starting to hand load barnes TTSX and TSX (what I use for all but just a few of my rifles).. I almost exclusively used Rem Core-Lokt ammo for hunting.. It was affordable, easy to find (every Wal-Mart in the US had tons of it in common calibers on the shelf), and never once failed me on a deer, pig, or anything else I ever shot with it..

On a recent hunt in South Africa, another hunter in camp was using a .30-06 with 180 grain core lokt.. he took 2 impala, a big bodied blue wildebeest, and a record breaking 62"+ kudu with that rifle/load combo... with zero problems.. all animals dropped on the spot or moved less than 30 yards after being hit..

While not an a-frame or a ttsx.. I find no problem with core-lokt for plains game, or deer/antelope type animals in the US, Europe, etc.. and would happily use it again if it was what was available to me..

 

[colorado]

I've taken all my elk over the years with 225gr. Core Lokts in my .338WM. All one shot kills up to 150 yards. I used 180gr. Barnes TTSXs in my .300WM on my PG hunt this past June. ALL one shot kills up to 350 yards, with even some less than perfect shots. EXCELLENT bullet and may not go back to Core Lokts, but BOTH bullets have worked well for me. With the ammo shortage issues right now, trying to find ANY factory ammo in .338WM at a reasonable price is like looking for a unicorn. Time to find time to start reloading the .338s.

CoreLokt was the goto bullet until premium bullets like the Nosler Partition and the Bitteroot all copper bullets slowly took hold in starting in the late 70s. My youngest son took his first elk at 150 yards with a 270 shooting 130g CoreLokts. A one shot kill. Still very good bullets at lower (sub 2500 fps) muzzle velocities (30-30, 35 Rem, etc.)

 

[mdwest]

Here's the last Remington core-lokt that I ever intend to shoot at a game animal. Notice that the primer is dented but the bullet is still in the casing.

Remington marketers might be able to brag on the 100% weight retention, though...

BTW - I understand probabilities. But if I have a second cartridge failure from a second manufacturer, I still won't feel like it's my fault. If I have a second cartridge failure from Remington, it would be my fault...

I completely understand your position...

but.. it can happen with pretty much any ammo manufacturer...

I had the exact same thing happen with a factory Barnes Vor-TX .308 round in Alaska a couple of years ago..

Nice hard primer strike, but no "boom"...

thankfully the sitka deer I had in the crosshairs didn't move (about 225 yards away, uphill.. and had no clue we were there).. so I just cycled another round into the chamber.. squeezed again, and she was down...


All that said... Barnes was owned by Remington at the time lol... (now owned by Clarus)..

 

[steve white]

I don't just buy for the bullet, but for the accuracy as well. My experience has been that the rounds with better individual components have performed best, just like they do when I handload. That still rings true when I hear praise for brands like Norma, RWS, Lapua mentioned earlier--they have the brass that hand loaders look for, as they have more uniform dimensions (Lapua) or drilled, non-burred flash holes (Norma), etc, so I'm not surprised folks are getting good results. But even some former good performers like the higher velocity Hornady have been letting me down with erratic groups, which are easily proved the problem by switching to another round which immediately performs well in the same rifle, on the same day. It's hard to go factory if quality control, or whatever is making performance unpredictable. Surely ammo firms know by now that hunters want more performance than for a round to just go bang. Or maybe they are trying to provide cheapo rounds, or even just push their luck with brass forming machines that have worn out of spec and should have been replaced. There was a time when they felt they had to compete against the hand loaded stuff...
That said, yes, I like premium bullets, even in factory rounds.

 

[steve white]

375 H&H - norma swift a frame 300 grain (Africa), 300 grain soft point PPU (europe)
30-06, 300 win mag norma oryx 180 grain (All round, europe)
30-06 - Nosler ballistic tip, 180 grain, for roe deer
9.3x62 - old stock of ammo selleir bellot soft point 286 grain, (new lot, to be avoided doesnt cycle the bolt in semi), next will be Geco teilmaintel, or Sako hammerhead

You are at least the second contributor mentioning Geco--as I understand it, they are the actual manufacturers of the fabled Lapua match .22lr ammo, and THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING! Would love to be able to try some of their centerfire offerings....