DEEP ENOUGH?! 30-06 150gr Federal Powershok Ballistics Gel Ammo Test

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

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[@oncall21]

Great video Mason. I’ve reloaded all my life. Lately however after watching your videos I’ve been trying Federal blue box and I’ve got to say from accuracy to performance I’ve been really impressed. Thanks for sharing. 🙏

[@clayp520]

Same here! Love Fed blue box.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Glad to be of service! They really do great for their price, so far at least. The 243 load is iffy but anything bigger seems good to go.

[@KennethPowell-kx3jt]

Long live the good ol “ aught six” thanks for your videos! I just ordered one of your shell holders for my marlin 336 😀

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Thanks!! Glad to be of service!

[@glhx2112]

I've taken 2 deer with that exact caliber/brand/weight. One huge doe ran about 15ft and dropped. One 6pt buck dropped in it's tracks. Doe was 215yrd shot & Buck was 100yrd shot. Gun was an old Savage 111 (with goofy box mag) that I got from a relative who used and abused it. Never recovered the bullets.

[@bds123087]

I have an old model savage 110. Excellent excellent rifles. The one I have is from the late 70s early 80s.

[@AA-fg3wj]

I have taken many NC whitetail deer with that exact ammo from an old Savage 111 rifle. Its accurate, affordable and it does not disappoint! I recommend this ammunition!

[@Prairiewolf45]

Me too my Remington 700 loves it too... great ammo at a very good price!

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Awesome 💯

[@Vanillagurilla91]

The same bullet works just as well at doing the job in the 308. Good video.

[@reloadnorth7722]

I use Speer BTSP 165 in my 308 and Speer Impact 190 in my 300 WM

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I bet, 308 vids coming

[@johncmitchell4941]

@@reloadnorth7722 Good choices IMO.

[@reloadnorth7722]

@@johncmitchell4941 Thankyou

[@bigal7125]

Thanks again for another "This is how I saw it, and this is how I came to the conclusion" video. Call it as you see it.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Glad to be of service!

[@Chuck1284-]

I had kinda lumped the Power Shocks in with Rem Core Lokts or Win Power Points, their bargain soft points that do okay but are kinda messy on the terminal end because they would lose quite a bit of their weight in the animal. I was a pleasant surprised with these, more like the Hornady Interlock where they kinda hold together without being bonded. Thank you for testing them Mason, great job as always.

[@nmelkhunter1]

Great, concise review. I have a 243 that likes 100 grain Federal power shocks. I watched a friend’s daughter kill a pronghorn buck with a broadside shot at about 200 yards using that gun and those 100 grainers. The bullet went right through both lungs with no problem. Of course pronghorns are fairly thin skinned critters.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Awesome! I think the 243 load is great for a little longer range like the 200 yard shot you mentioned. I’ve used them at 100 and under on a few east Texas deer (small, like pronghorn), and they tend not to penetrate as deep as I’d like at the closer ranges and higher velocities, of course it is a 243 and has limitations.

[@nmelkhunter1]

@@masonoutdoors_masonleather Well said.

[@bestestusername]

That's fantastic consistency for factory loads.

[@dimebag6982]

I believe they are Speer hot core bullets

[@benjaminbrown1179]

Fusions look and and act like speer gold dot rifle projectiles. Just polished compared to original speer coating.

[@danielrobey1759]

Might be, I've had great luck with the hotcore in common cartridges but I haven't hunted with them in anything extremely fast. I've got a 25/06AI that I use Barnes 100gr ttsx bullets and that's an awesome combination but for meat hunting I think that would be asking a bit much from the common cup and core types...

[@rynerenzaglia8006]

Great loading, looking forward to more.

[@Amado910]

I’m going to have to get me some and see if rifle likes them, sweet video keep them rolling 👍🏼

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Glad to be of service!

[@donwyoming1936]

Pretty good weight retention for a cup & core bullet that only uses the cannelure indentation to hold the core into the cup. Probably not going to go all the way through the larger bucks.

[@benson8686]

I shot my muley last fall with 308 150 gr power shock and was disappointed with the penetration. It went down fast, but I would have liked to see an exit wound. I'm switching to something else next season.

[@Tomas_Mariscal]

My 30-06 loves the stuff!

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

💯

[@realrimreaper69]

30-06 ftw 🏆

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

💯

[@Timpecoraro4414]

I believe they are or have been in the past Speer hot core bullets that are loaded in federal power shock ammo

[@modillo1986]

I wasn't sure if they were still. Last time I used the powershoks,7mm rem mag loading (150gr), was 2010. It put a massive hole in the exit wound that I could put my fist in. Corelokts don't have that problem. But they definitely do a good job

[@modillo1986]

I've used powershok for years, don't really care for it in my 7mm rem mag. But I will use it if that's all I can find. It is affordable for sure. I prefer corelokts. I do use them in my 6mm rem, 100 gr powershoks are outstanding for the little 6mm.

[@paulstoyek381]

Thanks for keeping the classics alive..This round would knock a northern whitetail on it arse..More of an elk round..IMO..

[@michaelkeselman]

With powershok, I've only used the 12ga steel shot for waterfowl and the 22 for rabbits. No complaints. It's cheap and does the job with consistency.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Good deal

[@johnnorman7708]

I think the 180 grain Power Shok is probably the better general purpose load. It's too bad they do not have a 165 grain weight in the economical Power Shok line.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I really like the 180s

[@johnnorman7708]

180s do a good job on game across a wide application. Personally I think 165 to 168 grains strike a better balance for weight and velocity but you cannot dismiss what has been achieved by common as dirt 180s over the last several decades. Cram a common 180 grain soft point load in your .30-06 rifle and go kill game. It's gonna work.

[@Prairiewolf45]

Absolutely a 165 grain powershok would get my $$ every time.

[@danielrobey1759]

@@johnnorman7708yep 👍 bullet integrity was never a problem until people started using magnums. Then the clowns use dirt cheap ammo in their magnums and wonder why their bullets blow up 🙄

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

I’d say Hornady could learn a thing or two from Federal about core separation and Federal could learn a thing or two from Hornady about ballistic efficiency and bullet marketing. Baffles the mind how much weight retention these have and no core separation… Is it just the lack of plastic tip or are they also employing some additional proprietary magic to keep these things together? They really do seem to behave like they are bonded… at least in that homogenous gel medium … might be a very different outcome through ribs and scapulas. Looks perfectly adequate for deer though.

[@yamahondazuki95]

Do you have a favorite 30-06 factory load for white tail hunting? I'm about to watch your ballistic gel series but curious if you came to the conclusion of your personal favorite?

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Excellent performance. Agreed a bit more penetration would be nice. But for deer these would be great. Elk is doable. Out a bit more distance it should get a bit more penetration. But there are plenty of /06 offerings for elk. Thank you.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Glad to be of service!

[@PassivePortfolios]

Excellent performance as usual from Federal Powershock ammo. Widely available at a decent price. What more can one ask for?

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Exactly 💯

[@BigdaddyE71]

I think these are speer hot cor bullets?

[@Accuracy1st]

Interesting. Mostly I handload but happen to get 100 rounds of this exact ammo on an auction site totaling $22/box to my door. I have a couple left hand Tikka Hunters, one in right hand, and a custom 30-06. I'll have to test this ammo soon. Been sitting on the shelf for about 8 weeks now. I'm getting 3000fps with 150 grain Berger VLDs in one of my 270 Winchesters with a 24" barrel. I loaded the 150 Nosler Accubond for my son's Tikka T3x 270 Win with H4831SC at 2960fps. Very curious how it would do in gel.

[@t08win]

another good video !! you need to buy a 35rem. But I have used the 180gr. version and have found hitting a 174lb dressed buck at 40yds in the spine. Found that the bullet didn't hold up well.

[@bouldergaming5192]

that's what i hunt with

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

💯

[@cjmcdaniel7322]

One of the best on the app for reviews. You mention the 150 3006, is 150gr 308 fusion coming?

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Yes

[@TTT-du6oj]

It may be the Speer hotcore bullets

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

It would be interesting to see the 30/06 150gr power shok vs the 180gr power shok. In particular the difference in penetration.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I did the 180s about a year ago, video is available

[@RandySmith-ci8eu]

I have one of mine 30:06 lined up with this ammo. It's good on deer and hogs

[@StreetLight099]

Isn’t that really slow for 30-06? 150gr 308 are 2800 at the muzzle right?

[@johnnorman7708]

John Barsness commented several years ago that factory loaded .30-06 150 grain ammo tended to run about 2800 FPS or so in actual use. He also noted that was a good thing because it didn't overdrive and over stress standard cup and core bullets. I agree that soft bullets operating above their optimum speed gives poor results sometimes.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

What would be nice is if the manufacturers didn’t put nonsense numbers on the box

[@johnnorman7708]

Yes. Might as well tell the truth on velocity from common length barrels. If it works on game properly, what difference does 100 FPS really make?Edit: Marketing would be the only real difference course.

[@johnnorman7708]

I am convinced that a moderate .30-06 hand load with actual muzzle speeds of around 2700- 2750 FPS and bullets of 150 grains is actually better than the stuff running in the 2850-2900 range. Any bullet can be made to act different by adding or reducing velocity.

[@ashtonpotts9787]

Nice, could you possibly try out the trophy bonded tip next 😊

[@skullfalker]

Another great review. When is the 7mm Rem Mag reviews?

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I’ll be filming 308, 7mag & 300mag simultaneously soon, vids will start going live probably July

[@jimscallen6452]

You need some new blocks. Great video

[@DNchap1417]

I’m assuming those numbers were made with a 24 inch barrel. Make no mistake, your results would be about 100 ft faster than a 308 with a similar barrel length.

[@chriswigington1572]

Wow that’s crazy to me I seen one of your 308 videos shooting 150 federal fusion and you were getting 2800 fps..

[@garyhosier4765]

Just getting an M1. Installing and new gas plug. Want to use a common commercial ammo but don’t want insane speed and power. 150 gr like that or slower even would be good. Thanks

[@Prairiewolf45]

I use Remington Corlokt 150gr in my M1 with adjustable gas plug. I read somewhere the Federal primers are softer and there's some chance of a slam fire... the corlokt works great for deer... I will say my Remington 700 likes this Federal load better for accuracy...

[@garyhosier4765]

@@Prairiewolf45 thank you. I knew someone would give suggestions. Thank you to MasonLeather also for posting these videos which give opportunities and experience.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I agree, great option for that

[@bradenhickman9154]

I use this exact load in my browning x bolt medallion, have shot two bucks one at 10 yards on the shoulder one at 150 behind the shoulder and have devastating effects. Exit on both deer

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Outstanding

[@josephhegedusiii9563]

Those are Speer HotCore bullets.

[@RogerSnell]

That's what I've heard.

[@TXBeardedWarrior]

Came here to say the same thing

[@reloadnorth7722]

I use Speer BTSP 165 in my 308 and Speer Impact 190 in my 300 WM

[@johnnorman7708]

If those are Hot Cor bullets, then that would help explain the excellent weight retention somewhat. Hot Cor process probably is the best method to build a tougher than average cup and core bullet.

[@kcinislit]

they USED to be speer hot-cor bullets, up until the early 2010’s i believe, they continued to load them in their .300 win mag ammo for awhile longer but that was the only one.. you can email federal and they’ll tell you that, and that’s why it no longer says that they’re loaded with speer bullets on the box

[@Bad_BowHunter]

Can you test this ammo on 7mm Rem Mag please

[@mr.mr.3301]

I’d love to some 308 videos. Bet they would get killer views

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

They’re coming

[@terrymcclendon8715]

If I have read correctly the power shok is speer hot core bullets but IDK for a fact

[@patrickrodriguez320]

Powershok blue box is wildly inconsistent across different calibers.

[@badbilly60]

i like my 150gr 06 be between 3000-3100 but still really good

[@Dm87509]

Would using a double boiler system help with discoloration when remelting the blocks

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

The melt process is not what causes discoloration, it is carbon residue left over from bullet impact. Some bullets don’t leave much, some look like an explosion occurred in the block. There is no way to filter out the carbon residue, it is like soot from a chimney. The clarity of the blocks is of little importance to me and the results of the tests, it’s just “nice to look at.” I’ll replace the blocks as they necessitate it. I do not reuse the same couple blocks over and over, I have around 50 of them that are in rotation.

[@atairuy]

Awesome deer bullet! Not exactly a very powerful load but awesome results

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

It’d certainly get it done 👍🏼

[@jacobmullins3644]

Now for hsm tipping point in 30-06

[@martinpeters4505]

I was out on the weekend and i shot the federal power shok 150 from my 30 06 and i got 2906 fps and 2870 from my Savage axes ....more data to come..

[@mydknight357]

Please consider testing some .35 Whelen.

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I’m going to do everything

[@mydknight357]

Cool. Thank you. I'm particularly interested in the Federal Fusion .35 Whelen 200 grain. I expect impressive performance.@@masonoutdoors_masonleather

[@John_Redcorn_]

150 _is_ light-for-caliber in ‘06, imho. Anything less than 180 youd be just as well served with a 308. Save the extra blast and recoil for when its needed 😬

[@MrAntuan25]

30-06 ❤!!!

[@billhendon1017]

Have you shot 6.8 western in the jell ?

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Have not, it’s way down the list

[@billhendon1017]

Cool !

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Glad to be of service!

[@charlconradie4935]

Sir.. if you can do a review on Sellier and Bellot 180gr SP for 30-06 I would really appreciate it. Thanks for the great content

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

I’ve got hundreds lined up, will do when I can

[@TODinWY]

They look more like Deep Curl bullets to me. This bullet will fly through deer-size game.

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

I'm just not a fan of 150s, especially in a 30-06 or bigger calibers. Prefer 165+ grainers. I know 150s will work, their sectional density stinks though. I have seen these same 150s explode out of a 308 on a deer. Nothing but lead explosion though deer. It was a pretty far out shot a family member did, but kind of crazy result. I do not think it exited, just went in and exploded.

[@danielhess39]

Great 👍🏼

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Glad to be of service!

[@ratdaddy7774]

I prefer 180 gr

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Me too

[@williamgaines9784]

If you want a plastic cartridge holder worse than Federal, try some Norma EvoStrike. Those things are child proof, adult proof, and just about need a second set of hands to get the cartridge free of the holder.😒

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Haha, they do double as an emergency fire starter though (there’s a cool video on Normas channel)

[@kearneydillon4803]

Those federal ammo holders are in 10 packs so you can wear one on your belt or sling. There are loops on each end. OBVIOUSLY inferior ammo holders to your leather work!!!

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

💯

[@bradbo3]

Dont need that much penetration with that kind of energy WHACKING the deer. Its going down….and quick with massive blood loss and hydro shock.

[@diggernash1]

All those deer would have been very dead

[@masonoutdoors_masonleather]

Absolutely

[@Manbunmen65]

30-06 is a dinosauer in a museum.

[@garytrainer1690]

🙄🥱🥱

[@terrymcclendon8715]

It's boring but the old war horse 30 06 is the most versatile cartridge in North America hands down

[@joejas22]

1. It killed just about everything on the planet 2. It’s cheap 3. It’s available EVERYWHERE. In almost every country. 4. It works 5. My grandpa said so!

[@johnappleseed9290]

Tried and true helped the US come out on top in WW2, Korea and Vietnam!