3 of 3 .30-40 Krag factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 450 yd (Hornady Custom 180 gr SP (Spire Point) InterLock). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Custom 180 gr SP (Spire Point) InterLock | 180 | 450 | 2,430 | 940 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 180 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 180 | 400 | 2,430 | 845 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super-X 180 gr Power-Point | 180 | 400 | 2,430 | 871 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.