Check that box of Ammo before you head out!

Just a friendly reminder to all you hunters here.I have been getting ready to head out Sun morning for my late rifle elk nunt here in Nv.I have been trying to squeeze in some much needed range time to zero in the new factory load I will be using this yr.Last yr I used HSM loaded 165gr Bergers for deer with great success.1 and Done at 200 yds.This yr,Since I was going for elk,I decided to go with a bonded bullet,in this case the Federal 180gr Trophy Bonded Tip,which has been touted for great penetration and usually expanding.I bought a box of it and went out to zero in my 30 06.After shooting some other 180gr ammo to warm up and dialing that load in,I loaded some of the Federal ammo up and fired a couple of shots that went high so I dialed in a correction.Everything fell into place and I was rewarded with the next shot landing where I wanted it,then followed by the next 3 shots touching the previous shot leaving a ragged hole the size of a nickel.Eureka!I sez.A load that is accurate,and should be up to the task of taking down an elk.At that point,my shooting session was done.The sun was setting and the range was closing.Once I got home I opened up the ballistics app I use on my phone,Strelok+,a nifty little app for integrating all the ballistic info for a particular load,especially hold overs and dial ups at a specified range.Previously,when I had ordered the ammo,I went to Federals website to get their ballistic info,such as Muzzle velocity and BC to load into the Strelok app.What I found there was the info for a now discontinued load the 180gr Trophy Bonded Tipped"High Energy"load which clocked in at a sizzling 2880fps,Not knowing any better at the time,I took that as the specs for the ammo I had ordered online.I then entered this Mv spec into the Strelok app and was ready to use that.Now sitting at home,a little voice in my head said something is not right here.Sure enough,when I was at the range,I happened to look at the ballistic info on the box of ammo I was loading up my rifle with.The Mv stated on the box of ammo was 2700fps for the standard load,much different that what I had come across on Federals website.Digging around Federals website,I was able to find the spec for the standard load,which matched the specs on the box of ammo I had.Now I entered the correct Mv into the Strelok app,and realized I could have been in for a rude surprise,if I had not entered the correct data for the load I was actually using.

If I were you I'd chrony that ammo. Sometimes real-life don't match the box. mtmuley

The stuff printed on the box is very general. The fact is that it doesn't matter for most people who buy it off the shelf. The only sure way to get an accurate velocity is to chrony the rounds.

+1 to chronograph the load in YOUR rifle.
Also, the ballistic programs are fun but it's only a mathematical calculation program so I alway VERIFY at a couple of the longer ranges and sometimes find there are surprises.
My axiom is calculate but always range verify.
Have a great hunt,
Zeke

get close

I'd be shooting 200/400/600 before I went anywhere.

Thank you all for your replies.You are ALL correct.Ideally I would chrono the Mv and validate the trajectory at 200/400/600,but I am not at that level yet,and trying to make do with what I have at hand.I guess I was off on a tangent,being so excited over my upcoming Elk hunt.In the end it was all academic.I went the route Homer suggested.I will say the the Federal Tipped Trophy Bonded ammo produced excellent results.

...it works every time, and personally....it is way more exciting.

good job maxcarp

Thanks Homer,It was a lot of climbing and a lucky turn of the wind that put him in my sights at just over 100 yds.Before I spotted him,I was looking at a couple other bulls in the next bowl,that were over 1200 yds away.