Hornady Superformance 30-06 Springfield 180 gr SST Ammunition: Elevate Your Hunting Performance

For the dedicated hunter, precision shooter, or outdoor enthusiast who demands unwavering accuracy, superior stopping power, and ethical performance in the field, the Hornady Superformance 30-06 Springfield 180 gr Super Shock Tip (SST) ammunition is an unparalleled choice. This isn't just another box of cartridges; it's a meticulously engineered system designed to address the critical challenges faced by modern hunters, ensuring flatter trajectories, less wind drift, and maximum terminal effectiveness from your rifle.

If you've ever asked yourself, "What is the best ammunition for deer hunting that offers both speed and ethical knockdown power?" or "How can I achieve consistent, long-range accuracy with my 30-06 Springfield rifle?", then Hornady Superformance 180 gr SST answers these questions with exceptional performance. It provides the confidence needed for that once-in-a-lifetime shot, transforming potential misses into successful harvests by delivering increased velocity without the penalty of added recoil or pressure.

The Science of Speed: Unpacking Superformance Technology

At the heart of this ammunition's superior performance is Hornady's revolutionary Superformance propellant technology. Unlike traditional powders that rapidly peak in pressure, Superformance propellants are engineered to accelerate the bullet longer, utilizing the barrel length more efficiently. This innovative approach results in a significant increase in muzzle velocity—up to 200 feet per second (fps) in some instances—without generating additional peak pressure or increasing felt recoil.

What does this mean for you, the shooter?

• Flatter Trajectories: The increased velocity translates directly into a flatter flight path for the bullet. This reduces the need for extensive holdover adjustments, especially at extended ranges, making target acquisition faster and more intuitive.
• Reduced Wind Drift: A faster bullet spends less time in the air, inherently reducing the effect of crosswinds on its trajectory. This is a critical advantage in open country or unpredictable weather conditions, where even slight wind shifts can mean the difference between a clean shot and a miss.
• Enhanced Energy Transfer: Higher muzzle velocity means the bullet carries more kinetic energy downrange. Upon impact, this increased energy translates into more decisive and efficient terminal performance, ensuring a quick, humane kill.
• Universal Compatibility: A common concern with high-performance ammunition is compatibility with various firearm actions. Hornady engineers meticulously developed Superformance loads to be safe and reliable in all firearm types, including semi-automatic rifles, lever-action rifles, and pump-action firearms, making it a versatile choice for any hunting rifle chambered in 30-06 Springfield.

This advanced propellant system fundamentally changes the ballistic equation, providing a tangible advantage for hunters aiming for precision and ethical results. It’s a testament to Hornady's commitment to pushing the boundaries of ammunition design.

The Super Shock Tip (SST) Bullet: Precision and Devastation Combined

Complementing the innovative Superformance powder is the Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet, a hallmark of precision and terminal performance. The 180-grain SST bullet is specifically designed for controlled expansion and deep penetration, making it an ideal choice for medium to large game.

Key design features of the SST bullet include:

• Polymer Tip: This distinctive red polymer tip serves multiple critical functions. It initiates rapid, devastating expansion upon impact, even at lower velocities experienced at extended ranges. Furthermore, the tip streamlines the bullet's profile, enhancing its ballistic coefficient (BC) and improving flight characteristics, while also protecting the soft lead nose from deformation in the magazine or during cycling.
• Secant Ogive Profile: The SST bullet incorporates a secant ogive design, a geometrically optimized shape that contributes to its exceptional aerodynamic efficiency. This profile minimizes drag, allowing the bullet to retain velocity and energy more effectively over distance, leading to flatter trajectories and less wind drift.
• InterLock Ring: A signature feature of many Hornady hunting bullets, the InterLock ring is a raised ring inside the jacket that is mechanically locked into the bullet's core. This patented design ensures the core and jacket remain together during expansion, promoting high weight retention. High weight retention is crucial for deep penetration and maximizing energy transfer within the target, leading to a more consistent and humane kill.
• Boattail Base: The tapered boattail base further enhances the bullet's aerodynamic efficiency and stability in flight. It reduces drag at the rear of the bullet, contributing to a higher ballistic coefficient and overall improved downrange performance.

When combined, these features make the 180 gr SST bullet a formidable component of the Superformance load, ensuring that the enhanced velocity translates into devastating and reliable terminal performance on game. It's engineered to perform ethically, delivering a quick, clean, and humane harvest.

Why the 30-06 Springfield? A Caliber for the Ages

The 30-06 Springfield caliber itself is a legendary cartridge, renowned for its versatility, power, and widespread use across the globe. Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1906, it has served admirably in military conflicts and remains one of the most popular and effective hunting calibers in North America and beyond.

The 180-grain bullet weight is particularly well-suited for the 30-06 Springfield. It strikes an optimal balance between velocity, kinetic energy, and bullet stability, making it exceptionally effective for:

• Medium Game Hunting: This includes popular species like whitetail deer, mule deer, and black bear. The 180 gr SST's controlled expansion and deep penetration ensure reliable performance on these animals.
• Larger Medium to Smaller Big Game: With proper shot placement, the 180 gr SST in 30-06 Springfield can also be highly effective for elk, caribou, and moose, particularly at reasonable ranges, due to its impressive muzzle energy of 3178 ft lbs.
• All-Around Performance: The 30-06 Springfield with 180 gr Hornady Superformance SST is often considered a superb "one gun" hunting solution, capable of ethically taking a wide variety of game across diverse terrains and conditions.

Its proven track record, combined with the technological advancements of Hornady Superformance ammunition, makes the 30-06 Springfield an even more potent and reliable choice for the modern hunter.

Real-World Hunting Scenarios: Where Superformance Shines

The benefits of Hornady Superformance 30-06 Springfield 180 gr SST ammunition become profoundly clear in practical hunting applications. Consider these common scenarios where this ammunition truly elevates your performance:

• Long-Range Shots in Open Country: When hunting in expansive fields or mountains, ethical shots at distances beyond 200-300 yards are common. The flatter trajectory of Superformance means less bullet drop and more predictable impact points, minimizing crucial errors due to misjudging distance or relying heavily on holdover. This greatly increases your confidence and the likelihood of a clean, ethical shot.
• Hunting in Windy Conditions: A persistent challenge for any hunter is wind. Whether it's a brisk crosswind or gusting conditions, wind drift can push a bullet significantly off target. The increased velocity and ballistic efficiency of the SST bullet, propelled by Superformance powder, reduces the time of flight, thereby minimizing the bullet's exposure to wind and ensuring it stays truer to its intended path.
• Dense Brush and Timber Hunting: While often associated with long-range, the 30-06 Springfield with an SST bullet also performs admirably in closer, denser environments. The bullet's construction ensures it holds together, even after potentially minor contact with light brush, before reaching its target. More importantly, upon impact, the rapid expansion ensures maximum energy transfer for a swift, humane take-down, critical in situations where an animal might quickly disappear into cover after being hit.
• Ethical Hunting Practices: At its core, hunting is about ethical harvesting. Hornady Superformance ammunition promotes this by delivering superior energy transfer and controlled expansion. This ensures that the bullet expends its energy efficiently within the animal, leading to quick and humane kills, minimizing tracking and animal suffering. The increased confidence in your equipment translates directly into better shot placement and more responsible hunting.

With Hornady Superformance 180 gr SST, you're not just buying ammunition; you're investing in a higher probability of success, greater shot-to-shot consistency, and the peace of mind that comes from using a product engineered for peak ethical performance.

Confidence in Every Shot: The Hornady Legacy

Hornady has been a leading innovator in the ammunition industry for decades, built on a foundation of precision engineering, rigorous testing, and a deep understanding of ballistic science. Their commitment to quality and performance is evident in every cartridge produced. When you choose Hornady Superformance, you're benefiting from:

• Decades of Expertise: Hornady's long history in ammunition design and manufacturing means their products are backed by unparalleled experience and knowledge.
• Cutting-Edge Research and Development: The Superformance technology and the SST bullet are prime examples of Hornady's continuous investment in R&D, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in ammunition performance.
• Consistent Quality Control: Every batch of Hornady ammunition undergoes stringent quality checks to ensure uniformity in components, powder charges, and bullet seating, guaranteeing reliable performance box after box.
• Trusted by Hunters Worldwide: From seasoned professionals to weekend enthusiasts, hunters across the globe rely on Hornady for their most critical shots.

This unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that when you load Hornady Superformance 30-06 Springfield 180 gr SST into your rifle, you're doing so with ammunition that is both reliable and exceptionally capable.

Purchasing Your Hornady Superformance Ammunition

For hunters and shooters seeking to maximize the performance of their 30-06 Springfield rifle, the Hornady Superformance 180 gr Super Shock Tip (SST) ammunition (UPC 090255811834) stands out as a premier choice. This high-performance ammunition is readily available for purchase at trusted retailers like DEGuns.com, ensuring you can quickly acquire the tools needed to enhance your next hunting adventure. Each box contains 20 meticulously crafted rounds, with 10 boxes per case, providing ample supply for target practice, zeroing, and your critical hunting excursions. Elevate your shooting experience and achieve greater success in the field by choosing Hornady Superformance, the smart decision for serious hunters.

Product Specifications and Ballistics Summary

Attribute	Detail	Value
Brand	Manufacturer	Hornady
Model Line	Product Family	Superformance
Caliber	Ammunition Type	30-06 Springfield
Bullet Type	Projectile Design	Super Shock Tip (SST)
Bullet Weight	Projectile Mass	180 gr
Muzzle Velocity	Initial Bullet Speed	2820 fps
Muzzle Energy	Initial Bullet Power	3178 ft lbs
Casing Material	Cartridge Construction	Brass
Application	Intended Use	Hunting
Game Type	Recommended Game	Medium
Rounds Per Box	Quantity Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	Quantity Per Case	10
SKU	Product Code	81183
UPC	Universal Product Code	090255811834