A look at 30-30 Winchester ballistics including velocity, energy and drop data for some of the most popular loads among American shooters.

30-30 is among the most tried-and-true calibers among American outdoorsmen and shooters. So, what about the rifle caliber’s ballistics gave it staying power? Let’s explore what it’s capable of to find out.

.30-30 Win Fast Facts

• While over 100 years old, the 30-30 Winchester ammo one of the most popular rifle cartridges in America.
• Considered the entry-level round for hunting large game. Effective at dropping deer and black bear, yet most factory 30-30 loads lose efficacy for such hunting at distances greater than 200 yards.
• Best suited for hunting in wooded areas where long distance shots don’t present themselves.
• Outdated according to modern standards, but its nostalgia and some measurable advantages ensure the 30-30 will not fade into obscurity anytime soon.

30-30 Ballistic Chart

		Velocity (Feet per Second)						Energy (Ft. Pounds)						Bullet Drop (Inches)						Ballistic Coefficient
Ammo Name	Barrel Length	Muzzle	100 Yards	200 Yards	300 Yards	400 Yards	500 Yards	Muzzle	100 Yards	200 Yards	300 Yards	400 Yards	500 Yards	Muzzle	100 Yards	200 Yards	300 Yards	400 Yards	500 Yards	G1	G7	Sect. Density
Prvi Partizan 170 Grain FSP	24	2182	1878	1605	1369	1182	1054	1798	1332	973	707	527	419	-1.5	4.2	0	-17.8	-54.3	-115.7	0.254	0.136	0.254
Federal Power Shok 170 Grain SPRN	24	2200	1894	1619	1380	1191	1060	1827	1354	990	719	535	424	-1.5	4.2	0	-17.4	-53.5	-114.4	0.258	0.148	0.254
Federal Power-Shok 150 Grain JSP	24	2390	2019	1686	1399	1179	1037	1902	1358	947	652	463	358	-1.5	3.6	0	-15.9	-50.1	-109.8	0.218	0.11	0.224
PMC 150 Grain SPRN	24	2390						1902														0.224
Winchester Super-X 170 Grain Power Point	24	2200	1879	1591	1346	1158	1034	1827	1333	955	684	506	404	0.6	0	-9	-32	-74.2	-141.7	0.246	0.14	0.254
Prvi Partizan 150 Grain FSP	24	2379	2026	1707	1431	1209	1060	1885	1367	971	682	487	374	-1.5	3.5	0	-15.6	-48.3	-104.9	0.229	0.12	0.224
Hornady LeveRevolution160 Grain FTX	24	2400	2150	1917	1700	1504	1332	2047	1643	1305	1027	804	630	-1.5	3	0	-12.5	-37.2	-77.2	0.33	0.166	0.241
Fiocchi 150 Grain PSP	24	2390	1973	1606	1304	1095	975	1902	1297	859	566	399	316	-0.2	0	-7.56	-28.8			0.193		0.224
Hornady LeveRevolution 140 Grain MonoFlex	24	2465	2165	1887	1634	1412	1228	1889	1457	1107	831	620	469	-1.5	3	0	-12.8	-38.8	-82.2	0.277	0.14	0.211
Winchester Deer Season 150 Grain XP	24	2390	2021	1689	1404	1182	1038	1903	1360	950	657	465	359	-1.5	3.6	0	-15.9	-49.6	108.2	0.219	0.123	0.224
Winchester Super-X 150 Grain JHP	24	2390	2025	1697	1414	1192	1046	1903	1367	960	666	473	364	-1.5	3.6	0	-15.7	-49	-106.8	0.222	0.125	0.224

History of the Caliber

The 30-30 was introduced in 1895 as America’s first small-bore rifle round featuring smokeless powder. UMC, which was already partnered with Winchester at the time, first offered the 30-30 with a 160 grain bullet. UMC introduced the 170 grain bullet the following year, and today it and the 150 grain bullet are the most popular among 30-30 shooters.

A 30-30’s 150 grain bullet typically offers a 2,390 fps muzzle velocity, with 1,903 ft lbs muzzle energy. Its velocity becomes subsonic after 300 yards, yet its effective range is usually set at 200 yards. Many 30-30 cartridges boast a ballistic coefficient that isn’t too much higher than 0.2. These stats are relatively unimpressive, and trounced by several modern rifle cartridges. Nevertheless, the 30-30 is one of the most popular rifle rounds in America.

Staying Power

So what keeps such an old, underperforming round alive? Tradition, for one thing — hunters like the cartridges they grew up with, and hunters have grown up with the 30-30 for more than 125 years. The 30-30’s light recoil is another of its merits. A standard round with a 150 grain bullet produces approximately 10 ft lbs of recoil energy, which is about 7 ft lbs less than a 30-06 with the same projectile. (Although the 30-06’s muzzle velocity is around 21 percent faster.)

The 30-30’s lower muzzle velocity is gentle on bullets, preventing deformation and permitting the use of basic, more affordable designs. (A no-name soft point should serve a thrifty handloader just fine.) The 30-30’s relatively short range wouldn’t suit it for hunting on the plains or in the mountains, but hunters who stick to the woods would rarely need a round capable of performing past 200 yards. More than anything else, the 30-30 just works — what kills a deer kills a deer, simple as that.

The 30-30 is a lever-action round. Some shooters disparage the old design, but traditionalists can’t do without a satisfying “tchik-tchak” punctuating their shots. Because lever-actions utilize tubular magazines, in which rounds are stored tip-to-primer, 30-30 bullets tend to have flat meplats. This prevents the tip of the bullet from accidentally igniting the primer it touches. That’s not necessarily the most dangerous mishap, but it’s certainly disastrous to any rifle it occurs within.

30-30 Winchester Specs

Parent case	38-55 Winchester
Case type	Rimmed, bottlenecked
Bullet diameter	0.308-0.309"
Neck diameter	0.330"
Shoulder diameter	0.401"
Base diameter	0.422"
Rim diameter	0.506"
Rim thickness	0.063"
Case length	2.039"
Overall length	2.550"
Case capacity	45 gr H2O
Maximum pressure (SAAMI)	42,000 psi

Other 30-30 Winchester Attributes

• Federal’s fourth best selling rifle round in 2014, after the 223/5.56, 308/7.62, and 30-06, respectively.
• Some handguns that can chamber the rifle round are available, such as Magnum Research’s Big Frame Revolver.
• There is a debate as to whether the 30-30’s energy is sufficient for moose at any range, and several Scandinavian countries have banned it for that purpose.
• Not to be confused with the 30-01, 30-03, or 30-06. Don’t confuse it with a ham sandwich, either, or you’ll mess up your rifle and chip your teeth.