Pistol · Not SAAMI standardized
.30 Herrett
Wildcat cartridge developed by Steve Herrett for the Thompson/Center Contender single-shot pistol.
- Caliber
- 0.308″ · 7.823 mm
- Introduced
- 1972
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30-30 Winchester
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1972
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Steve Herrett / Bob Milek
- Manufacturer
- Steve Herrett / Thompson/Center
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 32 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Boxer Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 55,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3750 yd
- Recoil
- 13.6–14.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .30 Herrett. Parent case: .30-30 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.
reloading data · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.82 | 0.308 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.36 | 0.329 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.29 | 0.405 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 10.69 | 0.421 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.83 | 0.505 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 7.37 | 0.290 | ≈ |
| Case length | 40.89 | 1.610 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 51.05 | 2.010 | ✓ |
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 Herrett is highlighted below.
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 Herrett
Lineage
History
Developed in the early 1970s by Steve Herrett for Thompson/Center Contender single-shot pistols. Created by necking down the .30-30 Winchester case to .30 caliber. Achieved excellent accuracy and ballistics for handgun-length barrels. Became a standard benchrest and silhouette cartridge for single-shot handguns.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .30 Herrett use?
- .30 Herrett typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .30 Herrett?
- .30 Herrett uses a 0.308″ (7.823 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .30 Herrett still in production?
- .30 Herrett is limited; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .30 Herrett used for?
- .30 Herrett is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .30 Herrett based on?
- .30 Herrett is derived from the .30-30 Winchester case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Manufacturer Hornady obsolete reloading data — .30 Herrett (case length 1.605", 30° shoulder) · parent_cartridge
- Secondary MidwayUSA — RCBS Case Forming Die Set '30 Herrett from 30-30 Winchester' · parent_cartridge
- Secondary LoadData.com — .30 Herrett SSP lab notes ('.30-30 case cut down to 1.605", shoulder blown out to 30°') · parent_cartridge
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 12 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
