.30-30 Winchester
Also called: .30-30 Win, thirty-thirty, 30-30
The classic lever-action deer cartridge: mild recoil, short range, and well suited to brush and timber.
- Type
- Centerfire Rifle
- Bullet diameter
- .308 in
- Case length
- 2.039 in
- Overall length
- 2.55 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 150 to 170 grains
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 2,000 to 2,400 fps
- Recoil
- Moderate recoil
- Quarry
- Deer, hogs & pronghorn
- Typical range
- Deer to about 150 to 200 yards
- Availability
- Very common
Safety: In a tubular-magazine lever-action rifle, use only flat-nose or blunt-tip bullets. A pointed bullet can rest on the primer of the round ahead of it, which is a risk during recoil.
What it is good for
- Deer and hogs in thick woods and brush.
- Lightweight lever-action rifles that carry and handle easily.
- Hunters who like a traditional rifle with mild recoil.
Where it falls short
- The round-nose or flat-nose bullet drops fast past 200 yards.
- It is not a good choice for elk or larger game.
- Lever-action rifles with tubular magazines require flat-nose or other safe bullet shapes (see the safety note).
Easily confused with
- .308 Winchester: uses the same bullet diameter but is a much longer, more powerful, rimless cartridge for bolt actions.
Field notes
Introduced in 1895, the .30-30 has put more deer in freezers than almost any other cartridge. It is a short-range cartridge that suits thick cover where shots are close.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.