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Rifle · SAAMI

.30-30 Winchester

.30 WCF7.62x51mmR

The .30-30 Winchester, introduced in 1895 as the .30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire), was the first American small-bore sporting cartridge loaded with smokeless powder.

Caliber
0.308″ · 7.823 mm
Introduced
1895
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.38-55 Winchester
Primary use
Hunting
Status
Active
Velocity2,200–2,390 fps
Energy1,900–2,050 ft·lb
Typical grains125 · 150 · 170 gr
Identity
Introduced
1895
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Winchester
Manufacturer
Winchester
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Abundant
Build
Case capacity
45 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:12
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
42,000 psi
Eff. range
200 yd
Recoil
10–14 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Nosler Ballistic Tip 150 gr, 2,390 fps, BC 0.220 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd23891901-1.5″—
100 yd220116130.0″0.0
200 yd20201359-5.7″-2.7
300 yd18471136-19.9″-6.3
400 yd1680940-44.3″-10.6
500 yd1520769-81.1″-15.5
600 yd1367622-133.1″-21.2

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingNosler Ballistic Tip150 gr · Ballistic Tip FP · 2,390 fps · BC 0.220 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetSIG Sauer Match Elite125 gr · OTM BTHP · 2,570 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .30-30 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀7.820.308✓
Neck ⌀8.380.330✓
Shoulder ⌀10.190.401✓
Shoulder angle15.7°—✓
Base ⌀10.720.422✓
Rim ⌀12.850.506✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.600.063✓
Neck length12.110.477≈
Case length51.792.039✓
Overall length64.772.550✓

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. .30-30 Winchester is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 315 active loads across 36 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 338 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesVOR-TX TSX FB150TSX FB2,3901,9020.198 G7
RemingtonHog Hammer150TSX BT2,3901,9020.198 G7
NoslerBallistic Tip150Ballistic Tip FP2,3901,9020.220 G7
BarnesVOR-TX TSX FP150TSX FP2,3901,9020.198 G7
NoslerBallistic Tip150Ballistic Tip2,3501,8390.220 G7
BarnesVOR-TX150TSX2,3351,8160.198 G7
RemingtonAccelerator55SP3,4001,412—
SIG SauerMatch Elite125OTM BTHP2,5701,833—
FederalPower-Shok HP125HP2,5701,833—
FederalAmerican Eagle125HP2,5701,833—
FederalGold Medal125BTHP2,5701,833—
FederalFusion125Fusion Bonded2,5701,833—
FederalLE Tactical125BTHP2,5701,833—
FederalVital-Shok125Trophy Bonded2,5701,833—
WinchesterUSA White Box125HP2,5701,833—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

8 reloading powders listed for .30-30 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Trail BossIMR SR-4759H4227A0Vectan A0IMR 4198LeverevolutionIMR 3031
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 .30-30 Winchester

12 models in the database chamber .30-30 Winchester. Browse all →

Marlin Marlin Model 336 Dark .30-30 WinMarlin Firearms Model 336 BL .30-30 Win 18.5-inchMarlin Model 336 TexanMarlin 336 TrapperMarlin Firearms Model 336 Trapper .30-30 Win 16.25-inchMarlin Firearms Model 336 Dark .30-30 Win 16.5-inchMarlin Firearms Model 336 Dark .30-30Marlin 336 Dark 30-30Ruger/Marlin Marlin 336 Dark .30-30 Win 16.5-inchRuger/Marlin Marlin 336 Classic .30-30 Win 20-inchMarlin Firearms Model 336 Trapper .30-30Marlin Model 336 Classic

Lineage

Immediate parent
.38-55 Winchester · necked down from

ⓘ necked to .30

Direct descendants (1)
7-30 Waters.25-35 Winchester.357 Herrett.30 Herrett.360 Buckhammer
Family TreeOpen .30-30 Winchester in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads338 factory loads for .30-30 Winchester↗Reloading8 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .30-30 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced in 1895 for Winchester Model 1894 lever-action. First American sporting cartridge to use smokeless powder. Has taken more deer than any other cartridge in North America.

FAQs

What twist rate does .30-30 Winchester use?
.30-30 Winchester typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .30-30 Winchester?
.30-30 Winchester uses a 0.308″ (7.823 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .30-30 Winchester still in production?
.30-30 Winchester is active; typical availability is abundant.
What is .30-30 Winchester used for?
.30-30 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
What is .30-30 Winchester based on?
.30-30 Winchester is derived from the .38-55 Winchester case.
What are the best powders for .30-30 Winchester?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .30-30 Winchester include Trail Boss, IMR SR-4759, H4227, A0, among 8 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 315 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →