{"id":15363,"date":"2024-08-21T17:12:52","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T17:12:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=15363"},"modified":"2024-09-17T22:21:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T22:21:49","slug":"best-30-30-ammo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/","title":{"rendered":"Best 30-30 Ammo"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 30-30 is among the most popular .30 caliber cartridges in production, and it\u2019s maintained a top spot among hunters for decades. The 30-30 is a versatile cartridge offering respectable stopping power, manageable recoil, and good affordability. There are plenty of guns out there chambered in 30-30, including everything from budget options to higher-end rifles. So what\u2019s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo?manufacturer=1\">best 30-30 ammo<\/a>?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There aren\u2019t any easy answers, but we\u2019ve done our best to narrow your search to some of the top options.\u00a0 We\u2019ll also provide a rundown of the history of this cartridge, as well as its pros and cons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Cartridge Specs &amp; Ballistics Overview<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_15787\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15787\" class=\"wp-image-15787 size-large\" title=\"diagram of the 30-30 win round\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"a diagram of the 30-30 win round\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-768x579.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-2048x1543.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/30-30-Specs-1-790x595.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15787\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">From deer hunting to target shooting, the .30-30 has been getting the job done for more than one hundred years.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, 30-30 bullets range from 110 to 180 grains, with 150-grain and 170-grain projectiles being the most common. The case is 2 inches and the projectiles are most commonly used in lever-action rifles. The bullet diameter is .308 inches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Cartridge Specs<\/th>\n<th>.30-30 Win<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Parent Casing<\/td>\n<td>.38-55 Win<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bullet Diameter<\/td>\n<td>.308&#8243;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Neck Diameter<\/td>\n<td>.330&#8243;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Base\u00a0Diameter<\/td>\n<td>.422&#8243;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Case Length<\/td>\n<td>2.039&#8243;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Overall Length<\/td>\n<td>2.550&#8243;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Grain Weight<\/td>\n<td>110gr-190gr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Max Pressure (SAMMI)<\/td>\n<td>42,000 PSI<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At its core, the .30-30 Winchester is a versatile cartridge capable of delivering reliable performance in various hunting and shooting scenarios. Typically firing a .30 caliber, 150 to 170-grain bullet at velocities ranging from 2,200 to 2,400 fps, the .30-30 strikes a balance between power and recoil. That makes it suitable for everything from deer hunting to target shooting, and its moderate recoil makes it an excellent choice for shooters of all experience levels. Its flat trajectory and adequate energy retention also ensure effective performance at typical hunting ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding ballistics, the .30-30&#8217;s performance shines within its intended range of 100 to 200 yards. While it may not match the long-range capabilities of more powerful cartridges like the .30-06, it excels in most hunting environments. With proper shot placement and bullet selection, the .30-30 can cleanly take down deer, hogs, and other similarly sized game animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Best 30-30 Ammo<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned above, the most popular 30-30 cartridges feature either a 150-grain or 170-grain bullet. These projectiles offer a good mix of velocity and energy transfer. With that in mind, we selected the 150-grain and 170-grain counterparts of three of the best 30-30 cartridges. We also added in my personal favorites, the 140-grain and 160-grain LEVERevolution cartridges. Here are the options that made the list of the best 30-30 ammo:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Federal Fusion 170-grain<\/b><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_15790\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15790\" class=\"wp-image-15790 size-full\" title=\"federal fusion 170gr best 30-30 ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6710-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a phot of federal fusion 170gr best 30-30 ammo\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6710-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6710-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6710-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6710-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15790\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Federal&#8217;s Fusion bullet is specifically designed for deer hunting, offering the largest expansion and highest weight retention on the market.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo#federal-fusion-30-30-170-grain-fusion-20-rounds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal\u2019s 30-30 Fusion rounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> boast great weight retention and significant expansion. They are also \u201cskived,\u201d which helps ensure consistent expansion from the moment of impact. Gel block tests have shown these rounds to be among the most consistent in penetration and expansion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 150-grain variants boast a muzzle velocity of 2,390 FPS and muzzle energy of 1,902 foot-pounds. The 170-grain projectiles are slower, leaving the muzzle at 2,200fps. They also have less muzzle energy, registering 1,827 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Caliber<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Type<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Weight<\/th>\n<th>Velocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>Energy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>200 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>300 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>.30-30 Win<\/td>\n<td>SP<\/td>\n<td>170gr<\/td>\n<td>2,200 FPS<\/td>\n<td>1,827 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,950 FPS\/1,435 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,719 FPS\/1,115 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,510 FPS\/860 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h3><b>Remington Core-Lokt 170-grain<\/b><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_15791\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15791\" class=\"wp-image-15791 size-full\" title=\"remington core-lokt hunting ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6671-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of remington core-lokt hunting ammo\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6671-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6671-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6671-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6671-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15791\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hunter&#8217;s Gold: Remington Core-Lokt 170gr ammo has an\u00a0impressive energy transfer for harvesting deer.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remington Core-Lokt <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cartridges claim to deliver 2X expansion. These legendary soft-point bullets are a staple among hunters nationwide, and for good reason. They work. If your grandpa ever told you stories about the trophy buck he brought down, there&#8217;s a good chance he was using Core-Lokt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo#remington-core-lokt-30-30-winchester-150-grain-sp-20-rounds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 150-grain variant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers 2,390 FPS of muzzle velocity and 1,902 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo#remington-core-lokt-30-30-170-grain-sp-20-rounds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 170-grain projectiles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are identical to Federal Fusion, boasting 1,827 foot-pounds of muzzle energy and a velocity of 2,200 FPS.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Caliber<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Type<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Weight<\/th>\n<th>Velocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>Energy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>200 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>300 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>.30-30 Win<\/td>\n<td>SP<\/td>\n<td>170gr<\/td>\n<td>2,200 FPS<\/td>\n<td>1,827 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,894 FPS\/1,354 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,619 FPS\/990 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,380 FPS\/719 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h3><b>Winchester Power Point 170-grain<\/b><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_15792\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15792\" class=\"wp-image-15792 size-full\" title=\"winchester power point 170gr ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6688-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of winchester power point 170gr ammo\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6688-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6688-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6688-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6688-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15792\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Antlers Up: Winchester Power Point 170gr ammo is the go-to option for hunters looking to put meat on the table.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo#winchester-super-x-30-30-170-grain-pp-200-rounds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winchester Power Point <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">projectiles are very similar to Remington Core-Lokt in terms of design and performance. They have soft points, which ensure consistent, rapid expansion and a good energy transfer. They thump soft targets hard and put meat on the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of energy, the 150-grain and 170-grain projectiles deliver identical muzzle velocity and muzzle energy performance as their Remington and Federal counterparts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Caliber<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Type<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Weight<\/th>\n<th>Velocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>Energy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>200 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>300 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>.30-30 Win<\/td>\n<td>SP<\/td>\n<td>170gr<\/td>\n<td>2,220 FPS<\/td>\n<td>1,827 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,879 FPS\/1,332 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,591 FPS\/955 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,346 FPS\/683 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h3><b>Hornady LEVERevolution 140-grain<\/b><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_15793\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15793\" class=\"wp-image-15793 size-full\" title=\"Hornady LEVERevolution 140gr best 30-30 ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6650-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of Hornady LEVERevolution 140gr best 30-30 ammo\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6650-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6650-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6650-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6650-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15793\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Applied Science: An advance in ammo design, Hornady FTX 140gr provides tubular magazine-safe cartridges with polymer tips.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The LEVERevolution line of Hornady bullets<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of my absolute favorites. I like to run LEVERevolution bullets in all of my lever-action rifles, including my <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Henry .45-70,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but that\u2019s a story for another time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All LEVERevolution cartridges feature Hornady\u2019s patented Flex Tip technology. These elastomer tips offer improved ballistic coefficients while remaining safe for tubular magazines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hornady\u2019s 140-grain 30-30 cartridges are slightly faster than the aforementioned 150-grain projectiles, registering 2,465 FPS of muzzle velocity. They also deliver 1,889 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo#hornady-leverevolution-30-30-winchester-160-grain-ftx-20-rounds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 160-grain variants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer 2,400 FPS of muzzle velocity and 2,046 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. Those figures beat both versions of the Remington, Federal, and Winchester 30-30 cartridges on our list of the best 30-30 ammo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Caliber<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Type<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Weight<\/th>\n<th>Velocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>Energy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>200 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>300 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>.30-30 Win<\/td>\n<td>Poly<\/td>\n<td>140gr<\/td>\n<td>2,465 FPS<\/td>\n<td>1,889 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>2,183 FPS\/1,481 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,920 FPS\/1,146 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,679 FPS\/876 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h3><b>Precision One 110-grain\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15794\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6714-Web.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6714-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6714-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6714-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6714-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s not just for plinking. Precision One&#8217;s 110-grain full metal jacket rounds offer a light-grain-weight option suited for handling small game and varmints. Speed and balance play a role in stabilizing the bullet as it travels down range. You won&#8217;t get as much energy transfer at distance out of these compared to the heavier hunting rounds, but, we found the accuracy to be excellent. Precision One ammo is made in the USA from high-quality brass, powder, primers, and bullets for optimum accuracy, functionality, and tighter tolerances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Caliber<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Type<\/th>\n<th>Bullet Weight<\/th>\n<th>Velocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>Energy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n<th>100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>200 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<th>300 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>.30-30 Win<\/td>\n<td>FMJ<\/td>\n<td>110gr<\/td>\n<td>2,450 FPS<\/td>\n<td>1,466 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>2,165 FPS\/1,145 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,895 FPS\/877 FT LBS<\/td>\n<td>1,645 FPS\/661 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h2>\u00a0<b>The Good &amp; Bad Of 30-30 Cartridges<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s our take on where the 30-30 excels, as well as some areas where it falls short:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Pros<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Effective for Medium-Sized Game: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The .30-30 Winchester cartridge has a long-standing reputation for effectiveness in hunting medium-sized game like deer and hogs. Its moderate power and adequate energy make it well-suited for taking down game animals at typical hunting ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Manageable Recoil:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Compared to more powerful rifle cartridges, the .30-30 Winchester generates relatively mild recoil, making it comfortable for shooters of all experience levels to handle. This makes it an excellent choice for introducing new shooters to rifle shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Versatility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The .30-30 Winchester is a versatile cartridge suitable for various hunting scenarios, including hunting in dense woods, brush, or other close-range environments. Its flat trajectory and moderate recoil make it well-suited for hunting in these conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Availability and Affordability:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The best 30-30 ammo is widely available at most sporting goods stores, gun shops, and online retailers. It\u2019s also more affordable than other rifle cartridges, making it a cost-effective option for hunters and shooters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Cons<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Limited Long-Range Performance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While effective at typical hunting ranges, the .30-30 Winchester cartridge is not optimized for long-range shooting. Its moderate velocity and ballistic characteristics result in significant bullet drop at extended distances, limiting its usefulness for precision shooting beyond a few hundred yards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Bullet Selection: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> .30-30 cartridge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> typically utilizes round-nosed or flat-pointed bullets, which may not offer the same ballistic efficiency and long-range performance as more streamlined bullet designs. This can limit the cartridge&#8217;s versatility for certain hunting or shooting applications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Rifles Limited to Lever Actions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Although lever-action rifles chambered in .30-30 are iconic and beloved by many shooters, they may not offer the same accuracy or customization options as modern bolt-action or AR-style rifles. This can impact the cartridge&#8217;s overall performance potential in certain shooting disciplines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Moderate Energy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While sufficient for hunting medium-sized game, the energy delivered by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-30-ammo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.30-30 Winchester<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cartridge may be considered marginal for larger game species or hunting scenarios requiring deeper penetration and greater terminal performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ideal Uses for 30-30 Rounds<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_15796\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15796\" class=\"wp-image-15796 size-full\" title=\"the best 30-30 ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6752-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of the best 30-30 ammo\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6752-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6752-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6752-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6752-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15796\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Closer, The Better: The .30-30 Win is more efficient at taking mid-sized game at 100 yards than the .308 Win, or the .30-06.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 30-30 is great for hunting small to mid-sized game, including deer and hogs. It excels as a hunting cartridge and offers excellent stopping power and controllability. By pairing a reliable rifle with a good cartridge and a quality optic, you\u2019ll increase your odds of filling the freezer this upcoming hunting season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you can use the 30-30 for target shooting applications, it\u2019s far from the best option for this use case. The cartridge offers limited long-range performance and typically fires a heavy, round-nosed bullet, which means more bullet drop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>30-30 VS 30-06<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would be remiss to provide a breakdown of the 30-30 without comparing it to the 30-06. Both of these tried-and-true cartridges are a staple of the hunting community. The 30-06 is the heavier and beefier counterpart, offering a bit more pop and a greater transfer of muzzle energy. Conversely, the 30-30 is favored for its manageable recoil, affordability, and reliability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the .30-30 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield cartridges share the same caliber (.30), they are designed for different purposes and offer distinct ballistic characteristics. Here&#8217;s a brief comparison between the two:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Power and Range:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The .30-06 is a more powerful cartridge than the .30-30, capable of launching heavier bullets at higher velocities. As a result, it offers superior long-range performance and increased energy on target, making it better suited for hunting large game and shooting at extended distances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Recoil:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Due to its increased powder capacity and higher muzzle velocities, the .30-06 generates more recoil than the .30-30. While both cartridges are manageable for most shooters, the .30-30&#8217;s lighter recoil makes shooting more comfortable, particularly in lightweight rifles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Versatility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While the .30-06 excels in versatility and can take down a wide range of game species, the .30-30&#8217;s effectiveness is primarily limited to medium-sized game within moderate ranges. Hunters seeking a do-it-all cartridge may prefer the .30-06 for its broader range of applications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out our head-to-head comparison for a full <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/30-06-vs-30-30\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breakdown of the 30-30 vs. 30-06<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Legacy Of 30-30 Winchester<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winchester introduced the 30-30 in 1895<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and designed the cartridge for use in its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winchesterguns.com\/products\/rifles\/model-94.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Model 94 lever action rifle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The original 30-30 rifle fired a 160-grain projectile at nearly 2,000 feet per second. While most modern rifle cartridges meet or exceed the 2,000 FPS threshold, getting a projectile to travel that fast in the late 1800s was a feat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 30-30 holds the distinction of being one of the oldest centerfire rifle cartridges still in widespread use today. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its effectiveness for hunting medium-sized game and its manageable recoil. The .30-30 quickly became a favorite among hunters and shooters across America.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Best 30-30 Ammo At Widener\u2019s<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_15800\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15800\" class=\"wp-image-15800 size-full\" title=\"man shooting a 30-30 lever action rifle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9154-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of a man shooting a 30-30 lever action rifle\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9154-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9154-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9154-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9154-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15800\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Legend Lives On: For more than 100 years, the .30-30 Win has done the job with reliability and consistency.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 30-30 is a great all-around hunting cartridge, especially if you are in the market for a reliable, widely available, and manageable round.\u00a0 It runs just as well in your grandfather&#8217;s rifle, as it does in newer lever-actions being produced today. It provides respectable stopping power and a relatively flat trajectory inside 200 yards. If you\u2019d like to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/reloading-supplies\/bullets\/rifle-bullets\/30-30-bullets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">restock on the best 30-30 ammo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, check out Widener\u2019s huge selection.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 30-30 is among the most popular .30 caliber cartridges in production, and it\u2019s maintained a top spot among hunters for decades. The 30-30 is a versatile cartridge offering respectable stopping power, manageable recoil, and good affordability. There are plenty of guns out there chambered in 30-30, including everything from budget options to higher-end rifles. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":15798,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,203,693],"tags":[1962,1964,1965,1966,2505,2503,2504,2506,2496,452,2502,1406,588,467,1183,748],"class_list":["post-15363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ammo","category-centerfire-ammo","category-hunting","tag-30-30","tag-30-30-ammo-for-hunting","tag-30-30-federal-ammo","tag-30-30-hornady-ammo","tag-30-30-remington","tag-30-30-win","tag-30-30-win-ammo","tag-30-30-winchester","tag-ammo-guide","tag-ballistics","tag-best-30-30-ammo","tag-centerfire","tag-centerfire-ammo","tag-hunting-ammo","tag-lever-action","tag-lever-action-rifle"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Best 30-30 Ammo - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the history of the 30-30 cartridge and get recommendations on the best 30-30 ammo available on the market today.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best 30-30 Ammo - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn about the history of the 30-30 cartridge and get recommendations on the best 30-30 ammo available on the market today.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-08-21T17:12:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-17T22:21:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Brandon Smith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Brandon Smith\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/\",\"name\":\"Best 30-30 Ammo - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-21T17:12:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-09-17T22:21:49+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e890d12a45a66e48905870a5e8aa5e48\"},\"description\":\"Learn about the history of the 30-30 cartridge and get recommendations on the best 30-30 ammo available on the market today.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":683,\"caption\":\"Best 30-30 Ammo\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Best 30-30 Ammo\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog\",\"description\":\"Tips for shooting, self-defense, hunting and more\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e890d12a45a66e48905870a5e8aa5e48\",\"name\":\"Brandon Smith\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-thumbnail_image0-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-thumbnail_image0-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Brandon Smith\"},\"description\":\"Brandon Smith is passionate about all things firearms, including ammo, weapons, accessories, and tactics. He enjoys providing gun owners with practical information that they can use when target shooting, hunting, and protecting themselves and their loved ones. Check out his work here. Brandon also has his own YouTube channel, Trigger Talk, where he tests firearms &amp; equipment, reviews gun-related incidents, and provides practical tips for gun owners.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Triggertalk337\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/author\/brandon-smith\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Best 30-30 Ammo - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog","description":"Learn about the history of the 30-30 cartridge and get recommendations on the best 30-30 ammo available on the market today.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Best 30-30 Ammo - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog","og_description":"Learn about the history of the 30-30 cartridge and get recommendations on the best 30-30 ammo available on the market today.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/","og_site_name":"Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog","article_published_time":"2024-08-21T17:12:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-09-17T22:21:49+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":683,"url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Brandon Smith","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Brandon Smith","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/","url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/","name":"Best 30-30 Ammo - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg","datePublished":"2024-08-21T17:12:52+00:00","dateModified":"2024-09-17T22:21:49+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e890d12a45a66e48905870a5e8aa5e48"},"description":"Learn about the history of the 30-30 cartridge and get recommendations on the best 30-30 ammo available on the market today.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC6740-Web.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"caption":"Best 30-30 Ammo"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-30-ammo\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Best 30-30 Ammo"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/","name":"Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog","description":"Tips for shooting, self-defense, hunting and more","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e890d12a45a66e48905870a5e8aa5e48","name":"Brandon Smith","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-thumbnail_image0-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-thumbnail_image0-96x96.jpg","caption":"Brandon Smith"},"description":"Brandon Smith is passionate about all things firearms, including ammo, weapons, accessories, and tactics. He enjoys providing gun owners with practical information that they can use when target shooting, hunting, and protecting themselves and their loved ones. Check out his work here. Brandon also has his own YouTube channel, Trigger Talk, where he tests firearms &amp; equipment, reviews gun-related incidents, and provides practical tips for gun owners.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Triggertalk337"],"url":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/author\/brandon-smith\/"}]}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15363"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15835,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15363\/revisions\/15835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}