Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Big game hunting |
| Bullet Type | SST (Super Shock Tip), non-bonded InterLock construction |
| Bullet Weight | 150 grain |
| Case Material | Brass (Long Action cartridge) |
| Primer Type | Boxer (Large Rifle Primer) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $44.99/box — $2.25/round |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Premium Vital-Shok 150 gr Trophy Bonded Tip, Winchester Expedition Big Game 150 gr Accubond CT, Remington Core-Lokt Tipped 150 gr .30-06 |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hornady | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| Cartridge | 30-06 Springfield | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| Product Line | Superformance | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 3,080 | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 3,159 | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| Bullet Weight | 150 gr | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| Bullet Type | SST (Super Shock Tip), non-bonded InterLock construction | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| BC G1 | 0.415 | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| BC G7 | — | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Manufacturer SKU | 81093 | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
| UPC | — | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer primer |
| Case Material | Brass | Case construction |
| Primer | Boxer (Large Rifle Primer) | Primer configuration; factory primer model not verified |
| Test Barrel | 24 inches | Hornady product data and 2026 catalog |
Source labels refer to manufacturer publications; unpublished parameters remain unfilled.
Ballistics Table
Official manufacturer data. Hornady product data and 2026 catalog. 200-yard zero.
| Distance (yards) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3080 | 3159 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2848 | 2701 | 1.4 |
| 200 | 2628 | 2300 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2418 | 1948 | -6.4 |
| 400 | 2218 | 1639 | -18.8 |
| 500 | 2028 | 1370 | -38.3 |
Calculated reference table – not manufacturer data. 0-700 yards in 100-yard steps. G1 point-mass model; factory muzzle velocity 3080 fps, G1 BC 0.415, 200-yard zero, assumed sight height 1.5 inches, sea level, 59°F, 29.92 inHg, 0% humidity, no wind and level fire. These assumptions are not a claim about factory test conditions. Calculated energy and trajectory are separate estimates; the distance covered does not establish an effective hunting range.
| Distance (yards) | Calculated velocity (fps) | Calculated energy (ft-lbs) | Calculated trajectory (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3080 | 3159 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2844 | 2693 | 1.4 |
| 200 | 2620 | 2286 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2406 | 1929 | -6.5 |
| 400 | 2203 | 1617 | -19.0 |
| 500 | 2010 | 1345 | -38.7 |
| 600 | 1827 | 1112 | -67.0 |
| 700 | 1656 | 914 | -105.7 |
The Hornady SST Bullet and Superformance Propellant
Two distinct technologies converge in this load, and understanding each helps explain why it performs differently from a standard .30-06 factory round.
The Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet uses a red polymer tip seated into a lead-core jacket. On impact, the tip drives rearward into the lead core, initiating rapid, controlled expansion. The InterLock ring — a raised band inside the jacket that interlocks mechanically with the lead core — is designed to keep the core and jacket together through the expansion process, reducing fragmentation and retaining usable mass for penetration. The result is a bullet that expands reliably at the velocities this load generates while still driving deep enough for shoulder-to-shoulder shots on deer, hog, and similar-sized game.
The Superformance propellant technology is the second element. Hornady’s Superformance line uses a proprietary blend of propellants engineered to burn more efficiently than conventional powders within standard SAAMI pressure limits. This is how the line achieves its advertised velocity advantage — typically cited as 100 to 200 fps above comparable conventional loads — without increasing peak chamber pressure, muzzle blast, or felt recoil in a meaningful way. The chemistry is optimized to remain consistent across a wide temperature range, which matters for hunters in cold-weather climates where standard powders can lose velocity.
Together, these two elements make this a purpose-built hunting load rather than a general-purpose or target round.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail, mule deer, and pronghorn hunting inside 400 yards
- Open-country shots where the velocity advantage of Superformance meaningfully reduces holdover
- Hunters using standard 22–24″ barreled .30-06 rifles where the propellant is optimized to perform
- Situations where reliable terminal expansion at moderate-to-long range is a priority
- Hunters who need a single load that performs consistently from early-season warm temperatures through late-season cold
Not the right tool for:
- Large or dangerous game (elk, moose, brown bear) where deeper penetration from a bonded or solid bullet is a more appropriate choice — the SST is designed for rapid expansion, not maximum penetration
- Target shooting or competition — the SST’s terminal design adds cost without any accuracy benefit over a match bullet
- Rifles with barrels significantly shorter than 22 inches, where the Superformance propellant may not fully combust, reducing the velocity advantage
- Jurisdictions with lead-free ammunition requirements — this bullet contains a lead core
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Hornady describes the Superformance line as delivering consistent velocity across temperature extremes, which aligns with the propellant chemistry designed for broad environmental tolerance. The SST bullet is described as producing high weight retention relative to conventional cup-and-core designs, though it is not a bonded bullet and should not be compared directly to bonded alternatives in terms of core-jacket integrity under extreme impact conditions. Multiple open-source field reports note reliable expansion on deer-sized game at ranges from 50 to 300 yards. No pattern of feeding or extraction issues has been identified in open sources for this specific load. All notes here come from manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured data submissions.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Premium Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded Tip .30-06 | 150 gr | Trophy Bonded Tip | 0.470 | ~2,910 fps | ~$55–$60 | Bonded construction; better penetration on heavy game; higher BC |
| Winchester Expedition Big Game .30-06 150 gr | 150 gr | Nosler Accubond CT | 0.435 | ~2,920 fps | ~$50–$55 | Bonded bullet; premium alternative for larger game |
| Remington Core-Lokt Tipped .30-06 150 gr | 150 gr | Core-Lokt Tipped | 0.414 | ~2,910 fps | ~$35–$40 | Budget alternative; similar BC to SST; non-bonded; widely available |
| Barnes VOR-TX .30-06 150 gr | 150 gr | TTSX (lead-free) | 0.397 | ~2,970 fps | ~$52–$58 | Lead-free; all-copper construction; required in lead-restricted areas |
| Hornady American Whitetail .30-06 150 gr | 150 gr | InterLock SP | 0.338 | ~2,910 fps | ~$28–$32 | Budget alternative from same manufacturer; lower BC; standard velocity |
| Nosler Trophy Grade .30-06 150 gr | 150 gr | Ballistic Tip | 0.435 | ~2,910 fps | ~$48–$54 | Similar terminal design philosophy to SST; slightly higher BC; premium price tier |
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $42–$50 per 20-round box depending on retailer and market conditions; case pricing (typically 10 boxes / 200 rounds) generally falls in the $400–$470 range when available
- Per-round cost: approximately $2.10–$2.50 per round at current pricing
- The Remington Core-Lokt Tipped in the same caliber and weight runs roughly $8–$15 less per box — a meaningful difference for high-volume practice, though performance characteristics differ
- The Federal Trophy Bonded Tip and Winchester Expedition Big Game both carry a $5–$15 per box premium over this load, offering bonded construction in exchange
- Fair price benchmark: $44–$48 per box represents reasonable market pricing for this load. Prices above $52 per box for in-stock product indicate price inflation and warrant comparison shopping. Prices below $40 may reflect older stock or promotional pricing
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Hornady .30-06 Spring 150 Grain SST (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Does the SST bullet perform differently than a bonded bullet on deer-sized game, and does it matter at typical hunting ranges?
The SST is a non-bonded, polymer-tipped bullet, meaning the lead core and copper jacket are mechanically interlocked via Hornady’s InterLock ring but not chemically or thermally bonded. At the impact velocities this load generates — particularly inside 200 yards — the SST expands rapidly and transfers energy efficiently into deer-sized tissue. Core-jacket separation is more likely at close range or high impact velocity than with a bonded bullet, but for whitetail, mule deer, and similarly sized game, this is rarely a practical concern. On heavier game such as elk or moose, a bonded bullet like the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip or Hornady’s own InterBond provides more reliable penetration through heavy bone and muscle. For the intended use case — deer hunting inside 350 yards — the SST’s terminal performance is well-suited.
What makes the Superformance load faster than a standard 30-06 factory round, and is there a tradeoff?
The Superformance line achieves its velocity advantage through a proprietary propellant blend that extracts more energy from combustion within SAAMI-compliant pressure limits. The result is approximately 100–200 fps more muzzle velocity compared to conventional .30-06 150-grain loads, which typically run 2,900–2,940 fps. The practical tradeoff is cost — Superformance loads carry a price premium over standard-velocity alternatives. Barrel wear and recoil are not meaningfully increased according to manufacturer data, and there is no evidence from open sources suggesting accelerated throat erosion specific to this load. The propellant is also optimized for temperature stability, which is a genuine advantage in cold-weather hunting conditions where some powders lose velocity.
Is this load appropriate for elk or larger North American game?
At appropriate ranges and with proper shot placement, the 150-grain SST can take elk, but it is not the most conservative choice for the task. Most experienced elk hunters and many ballistic references recommend heavier bullets — typically 165–180 grains in .30-06 — and bonded or controlled-expansion construction for reliable penetration through the larger bone structure and muscle mass of elk and moose. If elk hunting is the primary application, Hornady’s own InterBond or ELD-X loads in heavier weights, or competing bonded options, represent lower-risk choices. The 150-grain SST is at its best on deer-sized game where rapid expansion is an asset rather than a liability.
How does this load compare to the Hornady American Whitetail 30-06 150 grain, which is significantly cheaper?
Both loads originate from Hornady and share the same caliber and bullet weight, but they differ in bullet design and propellant technology. The American Whitetail uses an InterLock Soft Point — a conventional cup-and-core design without a polymer tip — and is loaded to standard velocity (approximately 2,910 fps). The Superformance SST adds the polymer tip for improved BC and more consistent expansion initiation, and the Superformance propellant for higher velocity. The ballistic coefficient difference (0.415 vs. approximately 0.338) means the SST retains velocity and energy better at distance and drops less beyond 200 yards. For close-range whitetail hunting inside 150 yards, the American Whitetail at its lower price point is a practical alternative. At longer ranges or in open terrain, the Superformance SST’s performance advantages become tangible.
Is this ammunition legal for hunting in lead-restricted areas such as California’s condor zone?
This load contains lead and does not meet a nonlead projectile requirement. California requires certified nonlead ammunition when taking wildlife with a firearm statewide, effective July 1, 2019. Verify the exact product against the current CDFW certification list and applicable hunting regulations.
