Rifle · SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.30-03 Springfield
The three-year cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.308″ · 7.823 mm
- Introduced
- 1903
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30-01
- Primary use
- Military (Historical)
- Status
- Active
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1903
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- U.S. Army Ordnance
- Manufacturer
- U.S. Military
- Standard
- SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 68 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 50,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 600 yd
- Max range
- 5050 yd
- Recoil
- 16–25 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .30-03 Springfield. Parent case: .30-01.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.82 | 0.308 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.64 | 0.340 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.20 | 0.441 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 23° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 11.94 | 0.470 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.14 | 0.045 | · |
| Neck length | 8.08 | 0.318 | |
| Case length | 64.52 | 2.540 | · |
| Overall length | 84.84 | 3.340 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .30-03 Springfield is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .30-03 Springfield? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .30-03 Springfield
Lineage
experimental predecessor
History
Adopted with the M1903 Springfield as an improvement on the .30-40 Krag. Used a round-nose 220gr bullet typical of the era. When Germany adopted the S-Patrone spitzer bullet in 1905, achieving dramatically higher velocity and flatter trajectory, the Army hurriedly developed a new load — the .30-06 — with a 150gr spitzer. Every .30-03 rifle had to be re-chambered.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .30-03 Springfield use?
- .30-03 Springfield typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .30-03 Springfield?
- .30-03 Springfield uses a 0.308″ (7.823 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .30-03 Springfield still in production?
- .30-03 Springfield is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .30-03 Springfield used for?
- .30-03 Springfield is primarily used for military (historical).
- What is .30-03 Springfield based on?
- .30-03 Springfield is derived from the .30-01 case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .30-03 Springfield archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 3 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
