Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Whitetail deer hunting |
| Bullet Type | Hornady InterLock Soft Point (lead-core, copper-jacketed with internal locking ring) |
| Bullet Weight | 150 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (factory primer size not verified) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $30.49/box — $1.52/round |
| Closest Competitors | Winchester Super-X 30-30 Win 150 gr Power-Point, Federal Power-Shok 30-30 Win 150 gr SP, Remington Core-Lokt 30-30 Win 150 gr SP |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2390 | Hornady product specifications |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 1902 | Hornady product specifications |
| Bullet Weight | 150 gr | Hornady product specifications |
| Bullet Type | RN InterLock soft point | Hornady product specifications |
| BC G1 | 0.186 | Hornady product specifications |
| BC G7 | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Manufacturer SKU | 80801 | Hornady product specifications |
| UPC | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Reloadable | Yes – brass case | Case/primer construction; exact primer specification unverified |
| Case Material | Brass | Case/primer construction; exact primer specification unverified |
| Primer | Boxer; factory primer size not verified | Case/primer construction; exact primer specification unverified |
Verified factory load: Hornady 80801, .30-30 Winchester, 150 gr. Source: Hornady product specifications. G7 BC and UPC were not found in the verified official sources.
Ballistics Table
Manufacturer data and calculated estimates are separated below. All trajectories shown use a 100-yard zero.
Official manufacturer ballistics. Hornady product specifications. Original published distances through 300 yards; unlisted distances are not interpolated. Test barrel: 24 inches. Sight height: 1.5 inches.
| Yards | Official velocity (fps) | Official energy (ft-lb) | Official trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2390 | 1902 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 1959 | 1278 | 0 |
| 200 | 1581 | 832 | -7.7 |
| 300 | 1276 | 542 | -29.6 |
Calculated estimate – not manufacturer data. 0-300 yards, 50-yard increments. G1 point-mass model (py-ballisticcalc); 150 gr, muzzle velocity 2390 fps, G1 BC 0.186, 100-yard zero, sight height 1.5 inches, sea level, 59°F, 29.92 inHg, 0% humidity, no wind. Model atmosphere is stated separately from manufacturer conditions. Actual results vary with firearm, ammunition lot and conditions.
| Yards | Calculated velocity (fps) | Calculated energy (ft-lb) | Calculated trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2390 | 1902 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 2165 | 1561 | 0.2 |
| 100 | 1952 | 1269 | -0.0 |
| 150 | 1753 | 1023 | -2.5 |
| 200 | 1569 | 820 | -7.8 |
| 250 | 1404 | 657 | -16.6 |
| 300 | 1262 | 531 | -29.9 |
Key takeaway: The manufacturer table and the 50-yard model serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable measurements. Energy alone does not establish a guaranteed hunting range or terminal performance.
The InterLock Bullet and Why It Matters in the 30-30
Hornady describes the InterLock as a lead-core, jacketed bullet with an internal ring that mechanically engages the core to help retain mass during expansion. Item 80801 uses the 150 gr round-nose InterLock. This is a mechanical core-retention feature, not a chemical bond. The manufacturer descriptions do not establish that other bonded .30-30 bullets fail to expand at comparable velocities.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail deer hunting inside 200 yards in wooded or brushy terrain
- Lever-action rifles chambered in 30-30 Winchester, including tubular-magazine designs (flat-point soft point is tube-magazine safe)
- Hunters who prioritize reliable expansion at moderate velocity over maximum range
- Shooters looking for a well-balanced factory load without paying premium bonded-bullet prices
- Firearms with 20" or 24" barrels where published velocity figures are most closely approximated
Not the right tool for:
- Shots beyond 200 yards where trajectory drop and terminal velocity become limiting factors
- Elk, moose, or other large heavy-boned game where deeper penetration from a bonded or monometal bullet is advisable
- Semi-automatic or bolt-action platforms that may feed differently than traditional lever-action designs
- Jurisdictions with lead-free requirements (this is a lead-core bullet)
- Hunters expecting magnum-level retained energy at extended range — the 30-30 is a short-range cartridge by design
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Hornady states that American Whitetail loads are assembled on the same production lines as their premium lines, using InterLock bullets that have been in continuous production for decades. The line is specifically described by the manufacturer as optimized for deer-sized game, with bullet weights selected to match the velocity and energy characteristics of each cartridge. Open-source field reports (not structured data) consistently note that the 150 grain InterLock expands reliably on deer at distances typical for lever-gun hunting and that brass quality is suitable for reloading, though this page covers factory use only. No recall or safety notice is associated with this load as of the time of publication. All notes above come from manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured submission data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester Super-X 30-30 Win Power-Point | 150 gr | Power-Point SP | 0.218 | 2390 fps | ~$28–$32 | Manufacturer reference: X30306. |
| Federal Power-Shok 30-30 Win SP | 150 gr | Soft Point | 0.218 | 2390 fps | ~$26–$30 | Manufacturer reference: 3030A. |
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-30 Win SP | 150 gr | Core-Lokt SP | 0.193 | 2390 fps | ~$28–$33 | Manufacturer reference: R30301. |
| Hornady LEVERevolution 30-30 Win FTX | 160 gr | FTX (polymer-tipped, tube-safe) | 0.330 | 2400 fps | ~$30–$38 | Manufacturer reference: 82730. |
| Federal Premium Trophy Bonded 30-30 Win | 150 gr | Trophy Bonded Tip | – | – | ~$38–$48 | Exact factory identity/specifications not verified. Original price estimate is not verified. |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 30-30 Win | 150 gr | Extreme Point SP | 0.215 | 2320 fps | ~$28–$34 | Manufacturer reference: X3030DS (2026 catalog; online velocity differs). |
Note: The Hornady LEVERevolution FTX load is a meaningful upgrade in trajectory performance due to its higher BC polymer tip, while the Federal Trophy Bonded represents the premium bonded tier. The Winchester Super-X Power-Point and Remington Core-Lokt are the most direct budget-tier comparisons with decades of field history.
Price Reality
- Typical retail: $28–$34 per 20-round box; case pricing (200 rounds/10 boxes) typically $270–$320 when available
- Per-round cost: approximately $1.40–$1.70 depending on retailer and timing
- The Remington Core-Lokt 150 gr typically runs $1–$3 less per box and offers similar terminal performance — the primary advantage of the American Whitetail is the InterLock’s mechanical core retention
- The Hornady LEVERevolution 160 gr FTX usually costs $4–$8 more per box but delivers a measurably flatter trajectory — worth the premium for hunters taking shots past 150 yards
- The Federal Power-Shok is typically the lowest-cost option in this comparison group, running $26–$30 per box
- Fair price benchmark: $30–$34 per box is a reasonable market rate for this load. Pricing above $38 for a standard 20-round box should be considered elevated unless supply conditions are unusually constrained
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Hornady American Whitetail 30-30 Winchester 150 Grain Interlock (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Q: Is the Hornady American Whitetail 30-30 Win 150 gr safe to use in tubular magazines?
This review concerns the exact .30-30 Winchester factory load identified in Official Specs. Follow the firearm manual and the ammunition manufacturer’s compatibility instructions for tubular magazines. Bullet-tip material alone does not prove magazine compatibility; this conclusion must not be generalized to other tipped bullets or other calibers.
Q: How does the InterLock bullet differ from a standard cup-and-core soft point?
A conventional cup-and-core bullet relies on friction alone between the lead core and copper jacket. Under high-velocity impact or when striking heavy bone, the core and jacket can separate, reducing penetration and energy transfer. The InterLock adds a raised ring machined into the interior of the jacket that mechanically interlocks with the lead core. This does not make it a fully bonded bullet, but it substantially reduces the risk of core-jacket separation at the moderate velocities typical of the 30-30 Winchester. The result is more consistent weight retention through a deer’s vitals compared to plain cup-and-core alternatives.
Q: How does this load compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution 30-30 Win for deer hunting?
This load’s verified specifications are 150 gr, 2390 fps and G1 BC 0.186. Compare factory tables only when their zero and test conditions are stated. The Ballistics Table separates published manufacturer values from the 50-yard calculated model; it does not establish comparative terminal performance.
Q: Is this load appropriate for deer-sized game only, or can it be used on larger animals like black bear?
The 150 grain InterLock at 30-30 Winchester velocities is well-suited to whitetail deer and similarly sized game. For black bear, opinions differ: the InterLock’s mechanical core retention provides more penetration reliability than a plain soft point, and many hunters have taken black bear cleanly with the 30-30. That said, for bear hunting — especially at close range where velocity is highest and shot angles may not be ideal — a heavier bullet (170 gr) or a bonded design like the Federal Trophy Bonded would provide a deeper penetration margin. For deer, this load is entirely appropriate at the distances the cartridge is designed for.
Q: What barrel length does Hornady use to measure the published 2,390 fps muzzle velocity?
The cited manufacturer ballistic data uses a 24-inch test barrel. Its published velocity for this load is 2390 fps. A shorter barrel can change velocity, but no fixed loss per inch is verified for every rifle or ammunition lot.
