Winchester Super-X Power-Point .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP
Winchester Super-X Power-Point .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP
At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Big game hunting (whitetail deer, mule deer, black bear) |
| Bullet Type | Winchester Power-Point Soft Point — exposed lead tip, notched jacket |
| Bullet Weight | 170 gr |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (centerfire) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $35.99/box — ~$1.80/round |
| Closest Competitors | Remington Core-Lokt .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP, Federal Power-Shok .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP, Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 Win 160 Gr FTX |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2,200 | Manufacturer (Winchester) |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 1,827 | Manufacturer (Winchester) |
| Bullet Weight | 170 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Power-Point Soft Point | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | X30306 | Manufacturer |
| UPC | — | Not published |
| Reloadable | Yes | Manufacturer (brass case, Boxer primer) |
Note — BC values: Winchester does not publish ballistic coefficient data for the Super-X Power-Point line. The trajectory table below uses a commonly referenced community estimate of G1 ≈ 0.297 for this projectile, treated as an estimate only. Manufacturer-confirmed BC data will be added if published.
Note — Energy check: The stated muzzle energy of 1,827 ft-lbs is consistent with a 170 gr projectile at 2,200 fps. Calculated value using the standard formula (mv²/450,437) yields approximately 1,827 ft-lbs. No data conflict detected.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5" above bore. Estimated G1 BC: 0.297. Standard conditions (59°F, sea level).
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2,200 | 1,827 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 2,069 | 1,616 | +1.0 |
| 100 | 1,943 | 1,424 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 150 | 1,823 | 1,253 | -3.6 |
| 200 | 1,707 | 1,100 | -10.4 |
| 250 | 1,598 | 964 | -21.3 |
| 300 | 1,495 | 843 | -37.4 |
Key takeaway: The 170 gr Power-Point is a moderate-arc, moderate-velocity load optimized for woods and brushy terrain rather than open-country shooting. Inside 150 yards — the realistic effective range for most lever-action .30-30 hunting — trajectory is manageable and energy retention is strong. Beyond 200 yards, the soft point begins to shed velocity and drop meaningfully; hunters should hold off on shots past 200 yards unless conditions are controlled and the range is confirmed. At 150 yards, the load still delivers over 1,250 ft-lbs of energy, well above the widely cited 1,000 ft-lbs threshold for whitetail deer.
The Winchester Power-Point Bullet Design
The Power-Point bullet is one of Winchester’s longest-running hunting projectiles, distinguished by a circumferential notch cut into the jacket near the tip. This notch — sometimes called a "skiving" — is engineered to initiate and control jacket separation during expansion, promoting a consistent mushroom profile across a range of impact velocities. The exposed lead tip initiates expansion on contact, while the notched jacket peels back in a controlled pattern rather than fragmenting unpredictably.
For a lever-action cartridge like the .30-30 Winchester, this design is particularly well-suited. The .30-30 operates at relatively modest velocities compared to modern short magnums, so the bullet must expand reliably even at the lower end of the velocity range — especially on shots taken at 150–200 yards from a carbine-length barrel. The Power-Point’s construction is specifically tuned for this velocity window, making it a practical match for the cartridge’s performance envelope rather than a bullet designed for higher-velocity platforms.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail deer hunting in timber, brush, and close-cover terrain where shots are typically under 150 yards
- Mule deer and black bear at moderate ranges from a lever-action rifle
- Hunters using classic rifles such as the Winchester Model 94, Marlin 336, or Henry lever-actions chambered in .30-30 Winchester
- Hunters who prioritize reliable, proven bullet performance over cutting-edge ballistic technology
- Situations where a flat-nosed or soft-point bullet is required in a tubular magazine without concern for FTX-style polymer tips
Not the right tool for:
- Open-country hunting where shots beyond 200 yards are likely — the round-nose soft point loses velocity and drops significantly past that distance
- Hunters seeking the flattest possible trajectory from a .30-30 platform (Hornady LEVERevolution FTX offers a meaningful advantage here)
- Jurisdictions or hunting areas with lead-free ammunition requirements
- Target shooting or precision practice where consistent BC data is needed for ballistic calculations
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Winchester describes the Super-X Power-Point line as delivering consistent expansion across a range of impact velocities, which aligns with the notched-jacket design philosophy. The .30-30 170 gr load has been commercially available for decades and is among the most widely distributed lever-action hunting loads in North America, suggesting long-term production consistency. Open-source hunting reports frequently note that the Power-Point expands reliably on deer-sized game at typical .30-30 ranges, though structured terminal performance data (expanded diameter, retained weight) from independent laboratory testing is not available in published form for this specific SKU. All notes above reflect manufacturer claims or general open-source observations, not structured data submissions.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Core-Lokt .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP | 170 gr | Core-Lokt Soft Point | ~0.254 (est.) | 2,200 fps | ~$28–$33 | Budget alternative; same weight class; bonded-style partitioned cup design; widely available |
| Federal Power-Shok .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP | 170 gr | Soft Point | ~0.254 (est.) | 2,200 fps | ~$28–$33 | Budget alternative; similar velocity and energy; standard soft point construction |
| Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 Win 160 Gr FTX | 160 gr | FTX (Flex Tip) | ~0.330 | 2,400 fps | ~$35–$40 | Premium alternative; higher velocity and BC; significantly flatter trajectory; safe for tubular magazines |
| Winchester Super-X .30-30 Win 150 Gr HP | 150 gr | Hollow Point | ~0.270 (est.) | 2,390 fps | ~$30–$36 | Same Super-X line; lighter bullet, higher velocity; different terminal profile |
| Browning BXR .30-30 Win 170 Gr | 170 gr | BXR Rapid Expansion Matrix Tip | ~0.310 (est.) | 2,200 fps | ~$35–$42 | Premium alternative; polymer-tipped; designed for rapid expansion on deer-sized game |
| Barnes VOR-TX .30-30 Win 150 Gr TSX | 150 gr | TSX (lead-free copper) | ~0.289 | 2,335 fps | ~$48–$55 | Lead-free option; premium price; required in some California hunting zones |
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $33–$40 per 20-round box depending on retailer and region; case pricing (typically 10 boxes/200 rounds) generally falls in the $310–$370 range when available
- Per-round cost: approximately $1.65–$2.00 per round at standard retail
- The Remington Core-Lokt and Federal Power-Shok in the same 170 gr .30-30 configuration typically retail $5–$8 less per box, making them the primary budget alternatives
- The Hornady LEVERevolution 160 gr FTX offers meaningfully improved ballistics at a comparable or slightly higher price — buyers who shoot past 150 yards regularly should weigh that premium seriously
- At or below $36/box, this load represents fair market value for a name-brand, brass-cased hunting load; pricing above $42/box should be considered elevated unless supply conditions are unusual
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Winchester Super-X Power-Point .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP (Box)
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FAQ
Q: How does the Power-Point notched jacket actually affect terminal performance compared to a standard soft point?
The notched jacket on the Power-Point bullet creates pre-defined stress points that guide jacket separation during expansion. Rather than expanding in an irregular pattern — which can happen with plain cup-and-core soft points at lower velocities — the notch promotes a more uniform petal formation. For a cartridge like the .30-30 Winchester, which delivers impact velocities in the 1,500–2,200 fps range depending on shot distance, this controlled expansion mechanism helps maintain consistent terminal performance across the realistic hunting range. Independent terminal testing data is not available for this specific factory load, but the design intent is well-documented by Winchester.
Q: Is this load suitable for shooting from a tubular magazine lever-action without safety concerns?
Yes. The 170 gr soft point has an exposed lead tip rather than a polymer or pointed spitzer tip. In a tubular magazine, the concern is that a pointed bullet’s tip rests against the primer of the cartridge ahead of it, creating a potential for primer ignition under recoil. A flat-nosed or round-nosed soft point like the Power-Point does not present this risk and has been the standard configuration for .30-30 tubular-magazine rifles for over a century. This load is fully compatible with rifles like the Winchester Model 94, Marlin 336, and similar lever-actions.
Q: How does this load compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution 160 gr FTX for deer hunting inside 150 yards?
Inside 150 yards, the performance difference between the Power-Point 170 gr and the LEVERevolution 160 gr FTX is relatively minor in practical hunting terms — both deliver sufficient energy and reliable expansion for whitetail-sized game. The LEVERevolution’s advantage becomes more significant at 150–250 yards, where its higher BC and faster muzzle velocity produce a noticeably flatter trajectory and better retained energy. If your hunting situation consistently involves shots under 100 yards in dense cover, the Power-Point’s additional 10 grains of bullet weight and lower price per box may be the more practical choice. At longer ranges or in more open terrain, the LEVERevolution’s ballistic edge is meaningful.
Q: Can this ammunition be used for black bear or hogs, or is it limited to deer?
The 170 gr Power-Point is adequate for black bear and feral hogs within the .30-30’s effective range, provided shot placement is responsible. At 1,827 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and with a controlled-expansion soft point, the load has sufficient mass and construction for animals in the 150–400 lb range when shots are taken inside 150 yards. For larger black bears or situations where deeper penetration is a priority, some hunters prefer heavier-for-caliber or bonded options. This load is not recommended for elk or moose, as the .30-30 cartridge as a whole is generally considered undersized for those animals regardless of bullet selection.
Q: What barrel length does Winchester use to measure the published 2,200 fps muzzle velocity?
Winchester publishes velocity figures using a 24-inch test barrel, which is longer than the 16–20 inch barrels found on most lever-action carbines chambered in .30-30. In a typical 20-inch carbine barrel, real-world muzzle velocity for this load is generally 50–100 fps lower than the published figure — approximately 2,100–2,150 fps in practical use. This is a normal characteristic of factory ammunition specifications and affects all brands equally. Hunters using a standard Marlin 336 or Winchester Model 94 with a 20-inch barrel should account for this when estimating downrange performance.


