Rifle · SAAMI
.30-30 Winchester
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
- Introduced
- 1895
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 45 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 42,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 10–14 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .30-30 Winchester. Parent case: .38-55 Winchester.
Performance
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| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.82 | 0.308 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.38 | 0.330 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.19 | 0.401 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 15.7° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 10.72 | 0.422 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 12.11 | 0.477 | ≈ |
| Case length | 51.79 | 2.039 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 64.77 | 2.550 | ✓ |
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
13 reloading powders listed for .30-30 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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 →
Lineage
necked to .30
Connected reference
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 13 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .30-30 Winchester
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 86 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →