Most accurate hunting ammo for MN 91/30

[adyptan]

What is the most accurate hunting soft point ammo for MN 91/30? Any thoughts about Prvi Partizan 150 gr soft point vs. Hornady 150 gr SST? What is better 150 gr or 180 gr for accuracy? Any positive feedback about S&B 180 gr soft point and Winchester 180 gr soft point?

[jaysny87]

Honesty the most accurate loads will always be handloads. Once you get past the initial investment you will never look back.
Out of the factory stuff available for hunting ive only ever used winchesters 180 soft points. they shot pretty good for factory loads.
Heavier bullets would be the way to go in my opinion.

[adyptan]

I was exactly thinking about Winchester 180 gr SP. I very much appreciate your piece of advice.

[jaysny87]

Adyptan, you're in houston if I remember correctly. Collectors firearms carries Winchester ammo for 7.62 X 54R. Last time I bought some from them they had the soft points in stock. But don't take my word for it they may have sold out since then. Buying from them will save you some $ on shipping cost.

[ShootnMathews]

The Winchester Metric line 7.62x54R 180 grain soft point loads shoot pretty fair in my Mosin. They actually did better before I cut the barrel. When the barrel was full length (91/30) the shot about 1.5" at 100 yards. Now with the barrel at 26" they shoot about 2.5". But I will say, I shot a deer with them when the barrel was full length at about 60 yards and the 180 sp left a massive hole. About a 6" exit hole in the lungs. Large hunk of lung actually fell through the hole and was hanging down while it ran off about 30 yards. I absolutely would not hesitate to use them again for hunting. Great round in my opinion for taking any big game species you want.

[Grimstod]

The ammonyou hand load is always better than factory ammo.

[ShootnMathews]

The ammonyou hand load is always better than factory ammo.

That is very true. But for the average person hunting at average distances. The Winchester is very good stuff. I know here in WV at least 80% , probably even 90%, and I would not be shocked if 95% of the game here every year is killed at less than 100 yards. I can probably count the number of deer I've killed past 100 yards on 1 hand. I know I can count the number past 200 on one hand. Hand loads are always better, but for 98% or more of the hunting I do here I would not be afraid at all to fun the winchesters. In fact I keep a few around here just for odd stuff like maybe the odd bear hunt or boar. Or even when I just feel like blowing a huge hole in a deer.

[adyptan]

Thank you, Gentlemen, a lot for sharing your experience! I have purchased both Winchester 180 gr SP and Hornady 150 gr SST. I also have heard that Winchester 180 gr leaves big big exit holes. Will try both on hogs next week.

Absolutely no doubts that hand loaded ammo is the best! Probably this will be the next step for me.

[Grindl]

Since you are in Texas , and you may be in more open areas hunting deer , where a 200-250 yard shot isn't out of the question , you might want to take a look at the S&B 180SP.
I've never used the Winchester , but I watched my brother drop a 12 pt.buck in Colorado using my 26" barrel, 91/30 at 243 yards.
The round hit and the buck took one step , and dropped straight down. The heart was gone , and there was a exit hole about 2" in diameter. Don't think there is very much difference between the S&B 180 Match and the 180SP accuracy-wise, at least out to about 300 yards , and it didn't destroy to much of the deer on the way through.

Over-all,I'd rate the S&B ammo right up there with any of the better quality stuff. I've used their ammo in my 9mm , .40S&W Glock, and P-64Makarov 9x18, and it has always performed as good as , or better than anything else, except "Loads". Ken has a video on his site of one of his guys shooting S&B Match. Good watch.

[adyptan]

Thank you for sharing this. S&B is a good stuff for sure. Also PPU 150 gr SP is very accurate too. Did anyone have troubles with Hornady steel cased 7,62x54r custom SST? I just shot 1 their steel cased round and the case stuck in the receiver, split or something. It took a gunsmith a lot of time and efforts to unlock the bolt. Never ever steel cased Hornady in my Mosin.