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Hornady Superformance .30-06 Springfield 180 Grain

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Ammo Reports Team 2 0 30-06 Springfield

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Official Specs

Note on BC G7: Hornady does not publish a G7 BC for this specific load. The G1 value of 0.480 is manufacturer-stated and appropriate for trajectory modeling at hunting distances. Long-range shooters requiring G7 values should derive them from measured drop data or use approximately half the G1 value as a rough starting estimate — but that figure should not be treated as authoritative.

Note on muzzle velocity barrel length: Hornady’s published 2,820 fps figure is derived from a 24-inch test barrel. Hunters using rifles with 22-inch or shorter barrels should expect a reduction of approximately 25–50 fps per inch of barrel removed from the test standard. Real-world results will vary.

Hornady Superformance .30-06 Springfield 180 Grain SST

$44.99

in stock

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.

Zero: 100 yards | Sight height: 1.5″ above bore | G1 BC: 0.480 | MV: 2,820 fps

Key takeaway: The Hornady Superformance 180gr SST launches with enough retained energy to meet the commonly cited 1,000 ft-lbs threshold for ethical deer-sized game well past 500 yards, and maintains over 1,600 ft-lbs at 400 yards — a figure many hunters consider adequate for elk. The trajectory is relatively flat to 200 yards, making holdover corrections modest within typical hunting ranges. Beyond 300 yards, drop accelerates meaningfully, and shooters should confirm their dope at field conditions rather than relying solely on calculated tables. The Superformance propellant system is specifically designed to minimize velocity variation across temperature extremes, which helps maintain trajectory consistency from cold-weather morning hunts to warm afternoon shots.

The SST Bullet and Superformance System

The Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet is one of Hornady’s core hunting projectiles and warrants explanation because it combines features often found separately in competing designs. The red polymer tip serves two purposes: it initiates rapid, consistent expansion at a wide range of impact velocities, and it protects the bullet’s profile during feeding in box magazines. The tip drives rearward into the lead core on impact, triggering expansion from the inside out rather than relying solely on hydraulic pressure from the wound channel.

Beneath the tip, the bullet uses an InterLock ring — a mechanical feature machined into the jacket that physically interlocks with the lead core. This is distinct from chemical bonding used in premium bonded bullets like the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip or Nosler AccuBond. The InterLock system is designed to resist core-jacket separation at higher impact velocities, though it is generally considered less robust than true bonded construction at close range or when hitting bone directly. For most hunting scenarios at moderate distances, this distinction is academic; at close range on large, heavy-boned game like bull elk or moose, a fully bonded bullet may provide more reliable deep penetration.

The Superformance propellant is a Hornady-proprietary powder blend that generates higher velocities than standard powders without a corresponding increase in peak pressure, felt recoil, or muzzle blast. The result is a factory load that runs approximately 100–200 fps faster than conventional .30-06 loads at the same bullet weight — a meaningful advantage that flattens trajectory and increases downrange energy retention.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Whitetail and mule deer at ranges from close timber shots to 300+ yards
• Elk hunting at moderate ranges where shots are expected within 300 yards
• Black bear hunting where rapid expansion and adequate penetration are both priorities
• Hunters who want a single versatile load for mixed-species western hunts
• Shooters whose rifles run well with higher-velocity loads and who want to maximize the .30-06’s performance envelope
• Cold-weather hunting where propellant temperature sensitivity in conventional loads is a concern

Not the right tool for:

• Very close-range shots on large, heavy-boned game (bull elk, moose) where a fully bonded bullet would provide more reliable penetration through shoulder bone
• Jurisdictions with lead-free ammunition requirements — the SST uses a lead core
• Benchrest or precision long-range target shooting — this is a hunting load, not a match load
• Hunters who prefer minimal pelt damage on medium game at close range, where the SST’s rapid expansion can produce significant tissue disruption

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Hornady states the Superformance line achieves consistent velocity across temperature ranges, which is a specific engineering goal of the propellant system rather than a general marketing claim. Third-party testing published in hunting and firearms media has generally confirmed velocity figures close to Hornady’s published 2,820 fps from 24-inch barrels, with some variation noted in shorter barrels as expected. The SST bullet has a documented history of reliable expansion across a wide velocity window, which is relevant for .30-06 hunters taking shots at varying distances. No active recalls or safety notices are associated with this load as of the time of publication. All notes here come from manufacturer claims and open sources, not structured submission data.

Competitors

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $42–$52 per 20-round box depending on retailer and market conditions
• Per-round cost: Approximately $2.10–$2.60 per round at typical retail
• Case pricing: Not universally available in case quantities; when found, case pricing (typically 200 rounds) may offer modest savings of 5–10%
• Versus Remington Core-Lokt 180gr: The Core-Lokt runs $28–$34/box — roughly $15–$18 less per box. That gap buys a higher-velocity load with a more aerodynamic bullet in the Superformance, but hunters on a budget who shoot at typical woods ranges may find the Core-Lokt adequate
• Versus Federal Trophy Bonded Tip 180gr: The Federal load runs $52–$58/box and uses a fully bonded bullet. Hunters targeting large, tough game may find the premium worthwhile; the Superformance is the better value for most deer hunting scenarios
• Fair price benchmark: Paying more than $55 for a single box of the Superformance 180gr SST represents the upper edge of reasonable retail pricing. Prices above $60/box should prompt comparison shopping

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Hornady Superformance .30-06 Springfield 180 Grain SST

Hornady Superformance .30-06 Springfield 180 Grain SST ammunition delivers exceptional velocity and accuracy with a lightweight design, ensuring consistent performance and minimal recoil. Experience hunting like never before with this advanced ammunition that outperforms conventional options.

$44.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

Does the SST bullet hold together well enough for elk hunting, or should I choose a bonded bullet instead?The SST’s InterLock system provides meaningful core-jacket retention compared to a plain cup-and-core bullet, but it is not a chemically bonded design. For broadside lung shots on elk at 150–300 yards, the SST performs reliably and produces rapid, lethal energy transfer. For shots involving heavy shoulder bone at close range — under 100 yards — a fully bonded bullet like the Nosler AccuBond or Federal Trophy Bonded Tip will typically provide deeper, straighter penetration. Most elk hunters who use the Superformance SST report clean kills when shot placement is sound; the limitation becomes relevant primarily when shot angle or range forces a marginal hit on bone.

How much faster is the Superformance load compared to standard .30-06 180gr loads?Hornady’s stated advantage is 100–200 fps over conventional ammunition at the same bullet weight. Standard .30-06 180gr loads from major manufacturers typically run 2,700 fps from a 24-inch barrel; the Superformance is rated at 2,820 fps — a difference of 120 fps in this case. That translates to roughly 4–5% more velocity, which produces measurably flatter trajectory and approximately 9–10% more muzzle energy. At 300 yards, that velocity advantage compresses somewhat due to aerodynamic drag, but the Superformance still carries a meaningful energy advantage over standard-velocity loads at extended range.

Is this load suitable for hunting in states or provinces with lead-free ammunition requirements?No. The SST bullet uses a lead core and is not compliant with lead-free regulations. Hunters in California and other jurisdictions with mandatory non-toxic ammunition requirements for big game should look at the Barnes VOR-TX line or other all-copper or copper-alloy loads approved for use in those areas. This is a legal compliance issue, not a performance criticism — the SST is an excellent hunting bullet where lead-core ammunition is permitted.

Will the Superformance load damage meat more than a standard .30-06 load due to its higher velocity?Higher velocity does increase the potential for hydrostatic shock and temporary wound channel size, which can affect meat near the impact site. In practice, the 120 fps difference between the Superformance and a standard 180gr .30-06 load is unlikely to produce a noticeable difference in meat damage compared to shot placement errors, which are a far larger variable. Hunters who are concerned about meat preservation should focus on shot placement — lung shots well behind the shoulder minimize edible meat loss regardless of bullet velocity. The SST’s rapid expansion does produce a pronounced wound channel, which is by design for quick kills rather than for minimal meat damage.

Can I use this load in a .30-06 rifle with a 22-inch barrel without problems?Yes, the Hornady Superformance load functions reliably in barrels shorter than the 24-inch test barrel used for published velocity data. The practical effect is a velocity reduction of approximately 25–50 fps per inch of barrel length below 24 inches, meaning a 22-inch barrel would yield roughly 2,720–2,770 fps rather than the published 2,820 fps. That reduction has minimal practical effect on hunting performance within 300 yards. Muzzle blast may be slightly more pronounced in shorter barrels due to higher residual gas pressure at the muzzle, but this is a characteristic of all higher-velocity loads and is not unique to the Superformance line.

Hornady Superformance .30-06 Springfield 180 Grain SST

$44.99

in stock