Ammo Reports Team
| 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 (factory primer size not verified) |
| 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) | 2200 | Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31 |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 1827 | Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31 |
| Bullet Weight | 170 gr | Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31 |
| Bullet Type | Power-Point soft point | Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31 |
| BC G1 | 0.241 | Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31 |
| BC G7 | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Manufacturer SKU | X30303 | Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31 |
| 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: Winchester X30303, .30-30 Winchester, 170 gr. Source: Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31. 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. Winchester 2026 catalog, p. 31. Original published distances through 300 yards; unlisted distances are not interpolated. Test barrel: 24 inches. Sight height is not specified in the cited Winchester table.
| Yards | Official velocity (fps) | Official energy (ft-lb) | Official trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2200 | 1827 | – |
| 100 | 1879 | 1332 | 0 |
| 200 | 1591 | 955 | -8.4 |
| 300 | 1346 | 683 | -30.8 |
Calculated estimate – not manufacturer data. 0-300 yards, 50-yard increments. G1 point-mass model (py-ballisticcalc); 170 gr, muzzle velocity 2200 fps, G1 BC 0.241, 100-yard zero, sight height 1.5 inches, sea level, 59°F, 29.92 inHg, 0% humidity, no wind. Sight height is an explicitly assumed model input. Actual results vary with firearm, ammunition lot and conditions.
| Yards | Calculated velocity (fps) | Calculated energy (ft-lb) | Calculated trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2200 | 1827 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 2033 | 1560 | 0.3 |
| 100 | 1874 | 1325 | -0.0 |
| 150 | 1723 | 1121 | -2.8 |
| 200 | 1582 | 945 | -8.5 |
| 250 | 1452 | 796 | -17.7 |
| 300 | 1334 | 672 | -31.0 |
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 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 | 2200 fps | ~$28–$33 | Manufacturer reference: R30302. |
| Federal Power-Shok .30-30 Win 170 Gr SP | 170 gr | Soft Point | 0.254 | 2200 fps | ~$28–$33 | Manufacturer reference: 3030B. |
| Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 Win 160 Gr FTX | 160 gr | FTX (Flex Tip) | 0.330 | 2400 fps | ~$35–$40 | Manufacturer reference: 82730. |
| Winchester Super-X .30-30 Win 150 Gr HP | 150 gr | Hollow Point | 0.218 | 2390 fps | ~$30–$36 | Manufacturer reference: X30301. |
| Browning BXR .30-30 Win 170 Gr | 170 gr | BXR Rapid Expansion Matrix Tip | – | – | ~$35–$42 | Exact factory identity/specifications not verified. Original price estimate is not verified. |
| Barnes VOR-TX .30-30 Win 150 Gr TSX | 150 gr | TSX FN, all-copper | 0.184 | 2335 fps | ~$48–$55 | Manufacturer reference: 21535 / BB30301. |
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)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Q: How does the Power-Point notched jacket actually affect terminal performance compared to a standard soft point?
This load’s verified specifications are 170 gr, 2200 fps and G1 BC 0.241. 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 suitable for shooting from a tubular magazine lever-action without safety concerns?
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 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?
The cited manufacturer ballistic data uses a 24-inch test barrel. Its published velocity for this load is 2200 fps. A shorter barrel can change velocity, but no fixed loss per inch is verified for every rifle or ammunition lot.
