.30-30 rifle caliber question?

Question

I feel dumb asking this...

I have a .30-30 rifle. I know that this rifle is also known as a .30 winchester center fire. I am familiar with the ammo and know what it looks like. Yet I am confused about ordering some online.

I am considering ordering some ammo online. Some of the manufacturers I see listed do not have .30-30 ammo for sale. However I see .300 Winchester (even for non-winchester brand ammo). Is this another caliber or is it .30-30?

I am familiar with .300 Winchester MAGNUM and .300 Savage, yet these listings also have plain .300 Winchester in addition to those calibers.

Am I missing something here? .30-30 is one of the most popular deer cartridge, but when I look online (specifically www.cheaperthandirt.com) the options seem limited. I would think every major manufacturere would make .30-30 ammo.

Thanks,

Answer 1

The sites you visited probably are not offering .30-30 Winchester ammo. Although popular with some hunters, it is not 'out there' due to the relatively low velocity and limited bullet design (until recently had to be flat or round nose).

You are right, every major manufacturer offers .30-30 ammo. Overseas it used to be known as the 7.62x51(R)*. Federal, Remington and Winchester load .30-30 ammo. Try inquiring specifically for .30-30 like with Cheaper than Dirt. Or go to your nearest Academy or hardware store and just ask for it. While you are there ask about the new Hornady polymer-tipped, lever-action/revolution ammo specially made for lever-action, tube fed rifles n carbines. With Marlin making an ultra-nice, modern stainless steel .30-30 this ammo may breath new life into a decent, old round.

Good luck.

H

Answer 2

Sometimes the .300 Winchester Magnum is referred to as the .300 Winchester.
As for your lack of selection for the .30-30, blame it on the velocity and weapon design. The most common design of weapon for the .30-30 is the tube-fed lever-action. Until the LeverRevelution line of ammunition, the only safe bullet design for a lever-action was a flat pointed bullet. Under recoil, a spitzer bullet would impact the primer of the cartridge ahead of it with enough force to fire that cartridge. You would end up with a tube-full of cartridges going off at once in close proximity to very important body parts. That is one limiting factor in bullet selection. The other is bullets designed to perform at the lower velocity of the .30-30 in comparison with the higher velocities of the .308, .30-06, and .300 Win Mag (and Short Mag and SAUM and ...). Taking these things into account, manufacturers normally just offer about two loads each in .30-30. One will be approximately 150 grain flat-points and the other will be approximately 170 grain flat-points.

Answer 3

A good many ammo makers to make the 30-30 ammo; however, the loads are limited by the design of the lever action rifles chambered for it. 150 and 170 gr. rounds are about it.

The ammunition you buy should be labeled "30-30". Anything else is not appropriate for the rifle.

Answer 4

Your pretty limited on 30-30 ammo as others stated the 150 and 170 grain are standard. A reduced recoil 125 grain is available and the Hornaday LEVERution 160 grain is out there as well.

Answer 5

Make sure when you order that the ammo in specifically for the 30-30. There are several places on line which to purchase other than cheaperthandirt. Try Cabelas, BassPro or Sportsmansguide. They carry different manufactures but check to make sure they can ship the ammo to you because they may have restrictions on where you live.

Answer 6

Likely what you saw was 300 WinMag. Yes, the major manufacturers almost all make 30 WCF, but CheaperThanDirt is a reseller, and they have somewhat spotty inventory compared to the standard houses like Midway, Cabela's, etc. and certainly don't have the variety Dangerous Dave always kept.

Answer 7

Try Midway for 30-30 ammo

www.midwayusa.com

Answer 8

I have to back .40 Glock on his answer.