(Haven't been able to do my water barrel testing yet)
Wondering if Federal's "Fusion" ammo performs any better than the 'traditional' round nose ammo. Is it a real improvement or a marketing ploy? Cost is about $1 over the traditional round nose that Federal still makes with a price about same with Winchester & Remington.
I have to admit I kind of like that sorta mushroom-shaped point. In +50 years of using the 'traditional' roundnose ammo in my 30-30 I've never ever had any kind of problem with accuracy or lethality.

I wouldn't call it a ploy, but I also don't think the bonded bullet technology and marketing is pointed toward the 3030. I think its much more beneficial in higher velocity rounds.

Federal fusion definitely performs well. But I agree that it may not be necessary with the 30-30.

You almost can't beat an old, beat up, open sight, 30-30 loaded with some heavier core locks. It's my go to pig stalking gun, or any medium sized game that I know I won't have to take a shot that's much more than a hundred yards.

The fusion ammo has a bonded core bullet for a dollar a box is cheep.

I haven't tried the fed-fusion yet, but the Winchester Power-Max Bonded 150gr 30-30 (Black/red box) surprised me with it's accuracy, and it's cheap too (think I paid $16.99 @ Academy). A great deal for bonded bullet! I reload Hornady FTX, and the Win Pwr-Max was easily just as accurate, not bad for a factory ammo.

Federal fusion is great ammo. But it's not needed for 30-30 velocities.

150grn corelocked. That is all.