The three-year cartridge. Replaced the .30-40 Krag in 1903 then replaced by .30-06 in 1906 after Germany showed the world what a spitzer bullet could do.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1903, United States
Parent case: None
Standardization: SAAMI
Bullet diameter: 0.308" (7.82 mm)
Case length: 2.54" (64.52 mm)
Overall length: 3.25" (82.55 mm)
Max pressure: 50,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:10
Muzzle velocity: 2200–2300 fps
Muzzle energy: 2365–2590 ft-lbs
Effective range: 600 yd
Common bullet weights: 220 gr
Primary use: Military (Historical)
Production status: Active
Also known as: .30-03 · .30-45-220
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.
Notable firearms: Springfield M1903 (first production)
Military use: {"country":"U.S. Army","years":"1903-1906"}
Similar cartridges: .30-06 Springfield, .30-40 Krag