Ask an experienced whitetail hunter to name the most classic cartridges, and they’re sure to list the .30-30 Winchester. The 125-plus-year-old chambering continues to defy the odds, not only remaining in production, but finding a home on more lever guns than ever before. 

Whether you own a lever, a bolt action, single shot, or even a handgun, loading the proper ammunition will help build success in the whitetail woods this fall. Here are a few GDC favorite flavors. 

Federal Premium Hammer Down

When Federal and Henry Repeating Arms joined forces to create a line of ammunition optimized for use in lever actions, they hit it out of the park. Federal Premium Hammer Down is quality ammunition, and the .30-30 is ideal for deer hunters. 

The nickel-plated casings are topped with 150-grain bonded soft point projectiles. The rounds are advertised with a muzzle velocity of 2,390 FPS. We’ve fired numerous chamberings in Hammer Down, and every one has been accurate and deadly, including the .30-30 Win. Plus, lever gunners will never have to wonder whether the rounds will cycle smoothly, with a modified chamfered case for easy feeding. 
 

Hornady Leverevolution

When Hornady debuted its LEVERevolution line of ammunition, effective ranges for many traditional lever gun rounds – including .30-30 – expanded. These .30-30 loads offer both 140-grain Monoflex and 160-grain FTX projectiles. According to company advertising, the elastomer flex tip bullets “provide higher ballistic coefficients and velocity increases of up to 250 FPS over traditional flat-point loads while still providing shock-absorbing safety in tubular magazines.” 

Both loads tout a muzzle velocity in excess of 2,400 FPS when fired through a 24-inch test barrel. The more aerodynamic projectile and increased BC make LEVERevolution a more accurate shooter at greater distances when compared to many other loads. Be forewarned, however, not all guns cycle the rounds reliably – but if your gun does, put the deer on notice. 
 

Barnes Vor-TX

Deer hunters seeking a lead-free option will find it hard to trump the Barnes VOR-TX. The .30-30 load is fitted with 150-grain TSX FN copper projectile. Upon ideal expansion, the bullet blossoms into sharp cutting petals. Built for safe and practical use in the tubular magazines of lever actions, the .30-30 rounds use a flat nosed hollow point design. Muzzle velocity is listed at 2,335 FPS. There’s little doubt that Barnes Triple Shock projectiles have built a reputation for terminal performance, and this load is no exception. 
 

Hornady Sub-X

As the suppressor market continues to grow, so does the subsonic ammunition selection. Believe it or not, even the lowly .30-30 has drawn suppressed hunting interests. Henry Repeating Arms builds lever guns with threaded barrels, and Hornady’s Sub-X family of factory ammunition is tailor-made for quiet. 

The .30-30 Sub-X uses a 175-grain bullet with a lead core, long grooves in its jacket, and hollow-point flex tip to expand at low velocity. How low, you ask? The advertised muzzle velocity on .30-30 Sub-X is only 1,050 FPS. The effective range will be less than with other ammo on this list, but partnered with a can, the deer will never know you’re there. 
 

Nosler Ballistic Tip

If tipped hunting ammunition is on your short list, few do it better than Nosler. The premium brand offers a 150-grain .30-30 Winchester load using the brand’s trusted Spitzer BT projectile. The base is heavily jacketed with the intent of created stout mushrooms on impact. Nosler’s boattail design has proven itself in accuracy testing over the years, and the .30-30 offering is one of the most accurate loads we’ve tested.