.30 WCF terminal ballistics

[Ray Newman]

Came across this link on the Marlin Owners forum. From the article:

“Closing Comments

“Heated debate often arises when discussing the merits and limitations of the .30-30. It cannot be reiterated enough, that the single greatest selling point of the .30-30, is not the cartridge itself but the compact, portable lever action rifles that house it. Second to this, the ammunition is plentiful and affordable, something which cannot be said of the more potent carbine cartridges. At close ranges, the .30-30 is a clean, effective killer of medium game. To those who use and rely on the .30-30, these factors outweigh any potential negative aspects of this cartridge in comparison to more potent, modern cartridge designs.”

Read all ‘bout it:
www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/ ... 0+WCF.html

 

[DGW1949]

My take on the matter is that within the confines that both were designed to be used, one compliments the other rather perfectly. The fact that 30-30 ammo can be had cheeper than other hunting ammo is just icing on the cake.
I didn't come to that conclusion nilly-willy, or from reading gun rags. I came to that conclusion after a lot of years which involved a lot of trial 'n error. In other word's, when it comes to deer rifles, you name it, I've tried it; commercial bolt guns from various makers, semi-autos, .308's, 30-06's, 8MM's, a lone .270 Model 700, an H&R single shot 45/70, an M1A, and various "converted" mil-surps. Most of those were fine rifles in their own right, some were extreamly accurate, and all were much more powerfull than my old Winchester 30-30. Thing is though, not a one was realy any better for doing what I need a deer rifle to do, and none were as handy to use nor as cheap to feed....so yep, they're all long gone now, I'm right back where I started, and as far as "terminal ballistics" goes.....the dern deer still don't know the difference.

DGW

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I love my 30-30 levergun also but for any given task there is probably a better cartridge and gun than the old 30-30. That's not to say there is a combination that is more versatile though.

 

[Dan in MI]

I always loved this argument. 30 WCF doesn't have enough power for deer hunting..............

50 million dead deer are wrong. :lol:

 

[Bucks Owin]

I always loved this argument. 30 WCF doesn't have enough power for deer hunting..............

50 million dead deer are wrong. :lol:

Heck, I bet the pipsqueak .44 WCF has killed about as many too! :shock:

Of course deer are much tougher now... :wink:

I do agree that it is the rifle itself that hunters love, not the cartridge so much... Although under 200 yds there's no flies on it either! 8)

 

[toysoldier]

Ballistically, the 30-30 is just about identical to the 7.62x39, which has been the world's most popular military round for a long time. With a spitzer bullet in a bolt-action or single-shot, it's better.