Winchester Super-X, .30-30 Winchester, PP, 170 Grain
Ammo Reports Team
Winchester Super-X .30-30 Winchester 170 Grain Power-Point — Ammunition Reference
At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | White-tailed deer hunting, medium-large game |
| Bullet Type | Power-Point — soft-point with exposed lead tip and notched jacket |
| Bullet Weight | 170 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Centerfire, boxer |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $29.44/box — $1.47/round |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Power-Shok .30-30 170 gr SP, Remington Core-Lokt .30-30 170 gr SP, Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 160 gr FTX |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2,200 | Winchester published data |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 1,827 | Winchester published data |
| Bullet Weight | 170 gr | Winchester published data |
| Bullet Type | Power-Point (soft-point, notched jacket) | Winchester published data |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | X30306 | Winchester published data |
| UPC | 020892200074 | Winchester published data |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, boxer primer |
Note — BC values: Winchester does not publish ballistic coefficient data for the Power-Point line. A commonly cited community estimate for a 170 gr flat-nose .30-30 projectile is approximately G1 0.254, but this figure is not manufacturer-confirmed and is not used in the ballistics table below.
Note — velocity source: The 2,200 fps figure is taken from Winchester’s published product page for the X30306 load, measured from a standard 24-inch test barrel. Real-world lever-action rifles typically use 20-inch barrels, which will reduce velocity by approximately 50–80 fps.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Barrel note: Published muzzle velocity of 2,200 fps is from a 24-inch test barrel. Values below use 2,200 fps as the baseline. Shooters using a typical 20-inch lever-action barrel should expect all velocity and energy figures to run approximately 50–80 fps lower than shown.
Sight height: 1.5 inches above bore. Zero: 100 yards. Estimated G1 BC: ~0.254.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,200 | ~1,827 | -1.5 |
| 50 | ~2,074 | ~1,622 | +0.9 |
| 100 | ~1,952 | ~1,438 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 150 | ~1,834 | ~1,269 | -3.7 |
| 200 | ~1,721 | ~1,117 | -11.2 |
| 250 | ~1,614 | ~983 | -23.5 |
| 300 | ~1,513 | ~864 | -41.8 |
Key takeaway: The 170 grain Power-Point load is well-suited to the ranges where .30-30 Winchester is most commonly used — inside 200 yards. Trajectory remains manageable to 150 yards with a 100-yard zero, making holdover straightforward for deer-sized game in wooded terrain. Beyond 200 yards, the relatively modest ballistic coefficient of the flat-nose projectile causes the bullet to shed velocity and energy more rapidly than spitzer-type loads, and drop becomes significant. Energy at 200 yards (~1,117 ft-lbs) still exceeds most accepted thresholds for ethical deer hunting, but precise range estimation becomes increasingly important past that point.
The Winchester Power-Point Bullet
The Power-Point designation refers to a specific soft-point bullet construction that Winchester has produced for decades. The jacket is notched near the tip — a feature Winchester calls the "Power-Point notch" — which is designed to initiate and direct expansion reliably upon impact. The exposed lead tip deforms on contact, and the notched jacket peels back in a controlled pattern intended to produce a wide wound channel while retaining sufficient weight for penetration on medium game.
This construction is a traditional cup-and-core design, meaning the lead core is swaged into a gilding-metal jacket. It is not a bonded bullet, so core-jacket separation is possible at high impact velocities or when bone is struck at close range. For .30-30 Winchester at the velocities involved — typically 1,800–2,200 fps across hunting distances — this is rarely a practical concern, and the Power-Point has a long field record on white-tailed deer.
The flat-nose profile is a practical requirement for safe use in tubular magazines common to lever-action rifles. A pointed or polymer-tipped bullet seated in a tubular magazine can, under recoil, cause the tip of one cartridge to contact the primer of the cartridge ahead of it — a serious safety hazard. The flat-nose design eliminates this risk entirely, which is why the 170 gr flat-nose remains the dominant configuration for .30-30 Winchester hunting ammunition in this weight class.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- White-tailed deer hunting at woods-range distances (inside 150 yards)
- Hunting from tree stands or blinds where shots are typically under 100 yards
- Lever-action rifles with tubular magazines — flat-nose profile is safe by design
- Hunters who prioritize proven, traditional bullet performance over premium construction
- Black bear hunting at close range in dense cover
- Jurisdictions where lead-core bullets are not restricted
Not the right tool for:
- Open-country shots beyond 200 yards — trajectory and energy loss become limiting factors
- Situations requiring a bonded bullet for deep penetration through heavy shoulder bone on large game
- Jurisdictions with lead-free ammunition requirements — this is a lead-core bullet
- Hunters seeking maximum retained weight for elk-sized game — a heavier, bonded load is more appropriate
- Rifles with box magazines where a pointed bullet would be safe — the flat-nose sacrifices BC unnecessarily in that context
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information, the Super-X Power-Point line has been in continuous production for many decades and is one of the most widely distributed .30-30 Winchester loads in North America. Winchester describes the load as designed for consistent ignition and reliable expansion across a range of temperatures — a relevant claim for hunters in cold-weather climates. The brass case and boxer primer construction are consistent with standard quality control in Winchester’s commercial ammunition lines. No recall notices are associated with this SKU at time of publication. All performance claims above come from manufacturer-published materials or open-source ballistic references, not structured field data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Power-Shok .30-30 170 gr SP | 170 gr | Soft-point flat-nose | ~0.254 | 2,200 fps | ~$27–$30 | Budget alternative; similar construction and velocity to Power-Point |
| Remington Core-Lokt .30-30 170 gr SP | 170 gr | Core-Lokt soft-point | ~0.254 | 2,200 fps | ~$28–$32 | Bonded-style partition; slightly better core retention than standard cup-and-core |
| Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 160 gr FTX | 160 gr | FTX polymer-tipped | ~0.330 | 2,400 fps | ~$33–$38 | Premium alternative; higher BC and velocity; safe in tubular magazine via flexible tip |
| Winchester Super-X .30-30 150 gr PP | 150 gr | Power-Point | ~0.294 | 2,390 fps | ~$28–$31 | Same bullet line, lighter and faster; flatter trajectory but less energy at distance |
| Hornady American Whitetail .30-30 150 gr SP | 150 gr | InterLock soft-point | ~0.186 | 2,390 fps | ~$28–$33 | Flat-nose InterLock; reliable expansion; budget-to-mid tier |
| Federal Trophy Bonded .30-30 170 gr TBST | 170 gr | Trophy Bonded Soft-Point | ~0.270 | 2,200 fps | ~$38–$45 | Premium bonded option; superior core retention for larger game; higher cost |
Price Reality
- At $29.44 per box of 20, this load sits at approximately $1.47 per round, which is within the normal range for mid-tier .30-30 Winchester hunting ammunition.
- Federal Power-Shok in the same weight typically runs $27–$30 per box, making it the closest budget alternative at a marginal savings.
- Remington Core-Lokt runs approximately the same price or slightly higher, offering comparable performance with a different core-retention approach.
- Hornady LEVERevolution commands a $4–$9 premium per box for meaningfully better ballistic performance at distance — a worthwhile upgrade for hunters who regularly take shots past 150 yards.
- A case price (typically 10 boxes, 200 rounds) for this load runs approximately $280–$310 when available, bringing the per-round cost to roughly $1.40–$1.55.
- Paying more than $38 per box for this specific load would be above fair market value unless supply is genuinely constrained. The Power-Point is a standard, widely available load and should not command a scarcity premium under normal market conditions.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Winchester Super-X, .30-30 Winchester, PP, 170 Grain, 20 Rounds
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FAQ
Q: Is the Winchester Super-X Power-Point 170 gr safe to use in a lever-action rifle with a tubular magazine?
The flat-nose Power-Point bullet is specifically designed for safe use in tubular magazines. In a tubular magazine, cartridges are stacked nose-to-primer, and a pointed or sharp tip can contact the primer of the cartridge ahead of it under recoil, creating a risk of unintended ignition. The flat-nose profile eliminates this contact point entirely. Winchester has designed this load for exactly this application, and it is the standard configuration for .30-30 Winchester lever-action rifles. No special precautions are needed beyond standard safe firearms handling.
Q: How does the Power-Point compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution FTX at hunting distances?
The Hornady LEVERevolution 160 gr FTX uses a flexible polymer tip that is safe in tubular magazines while providing a significantly higher ballistic coefficient (~0.330 vs. ~0.254) and a higher muzzle velocity (~2,400 fps vs. ~2,200 fps). At 200 yards, the LEVERevolution retains noticeably more velocity and energy and drops several inches less than the 170 gr Power-Point. For hunters who regularly shoot past 150 yards, the LEVERevolution is a meaningful upgrade. Inside 100 yards, the practical difference in terminal performance on deer-sized game is minimal, and the Power-Point remains a cost-effective and proven choice.
Q: Is this load appropriate for elk, or is it limited to deer-sized game?
The 170 grain Power-Point can take elk under the right conditions — specifically, close-range shots with careful bullet placement into the vital zone, avoiding heavy shoulder bone. However, the .30-30 Winchester cartridge as a whole is generally considered marginal for elk, and a standard cup-and-core bullet like the Power-Point does not offer the deep penetration and core retention that a bonded bullet provides. If elk hunting with a .30-30 is the goal, a premium bonded load such as the Federal Trophy Bonded or a similar construction is a more appropriate choice. For white-tailed deer and black bear at woods distances, the 170 gr Power-Point is well within its effective range.
Q: Does this ammunition work in .30-30 AI (Ackley Improved) or other wildcat chambers?
This is a factory load headstamped for standard .30-30 Winchester chambers. It will chamber and fire in a .30-30 Ackley Improved rifle, and doing so is a common practice for fire-forming brass. However, velocity and pressure behavior in a wildcat chamber differ from a standard chamber, and Winchester makes no performance claims for non-standard chamberings. AmmoReports covers factory ammunition in standard chambers only; consult a qualified gunsmith or the chambering’s documentation for guidance on wildcat use.
Q: What is the effective maximum range for ethical deer hunting with this load?
Using a 100-yard zero, the 170 gr Power-Point retains approximately 1,117 ft-lbs of energy at 200 yards — above the commonly cited 1,000 ft-lb threshold for white-tailed deer. Trajectory at 200 yards is approximately 11 inches of drop, which requires deliberate holdover. At 300 yards, energy drops to roughly 864 ft-lbs and drop exceeds 40 inches, making precise shot placement significantly more difficult. Most experienced hunters and ballistic references treat 200 yards as the practical maximum for this load on deer under field conditions. Inside that range, with proper shot placement, the Power-Point has a well-documented terminal performance record on medium game.
