Lever guns and the 30-30 Winchester go together like a cold morning and a hot thermos. The round has filled tube magazines since the 1890s, and it still drops deer at woods ranges every fall. But 30-30 ballistics are modest next to a modern bolt-gun round. You get the most from it when you know what each load does. Below are the published numbers for the loads we carry, with notes on bullet shape, weight and range.
Where the 30-30 Came From
Winchester brought out the 30-30 in 1895 for its Model 1894 lever rifle. It was one of the first American sporting rounds made for smokeless powder. The name comes from its .30 caliber bullet and the original 30-grain smokeless powder charge.
It is a rimmed case that fires a .308-inch bullet. That is the same bullet diameter as the 308 Winchester, but the case is much smaller and runs at lower pressure.
Why Bullet Shape Matters in a Lever Gun
Most 30-30 rifles feed from a tube under the barrel. The rounds sit nose to primer in a line. A sharp, hard bullet tip could press on the primer of the round ahead when the gun recoils. That is why 30-30 loads use flat-nose or round-nose bullets.
Hornady solved the problem another way. Its FTX bullet has a soft, flexible polymer tip that is safe in a tube. The Hornady LEVERevolution 160 grain FTX uses it. Never load pointed spitzer bullets in a tube magazine unless the maker says they are made for it.
30-30 Ballistics Chart
These are maker-published muzzle figures. Every load name links to its product page.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Managed Recoil 30-30 125 Grain | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 125 | 2,175 | 1,313 | 20-round box |
| Fort Scott TUI 30-30 130 Grain Solid Copper | Solid Copper Spun (TUI) | 130 | 2,370 | 1,621 | 20-round box |
| Hornady MonoFlex 30-30 140 Grain LEVERevolution | Hornady MonoFlex Polymer Tip | 140 | 2,465 | 1,889 | 20-round box |
| Underwood 30-30 140 Grain Controlled Chaos Lead-Free | Lehigh Controlled Chaos Fragmenting Hollow Point | 140 | 2,400 | 1,791 | 20-round box |
| Hornady LEVERevolution 30-30 160 Grain FTX | Hornady FTX Polymer Tip | 160 | 2,400 | 2,046 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-30 150 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 2,390 | 1,902 | 20-round box |
| Federal Power-Shok 30-30 150 Grain Flat Nose | Jacketed Flat Nose | 150 | 2,390 | 1,902 | 20-round box |
| Federal HammerDown 30-30 150 Grain Bonded | Bonded Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 2,390 | 1,902 | 20-round box |
| Underwood 30-30 150 Grain Pro-Hunter | Sierra Pro-Hunter Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 2,450 | 1,999 | 20-round box |
| Barnes VOR-TX 30-30 150 Grain TSX Lead-Free | Barnes TSX Solid Copper Hollow Point | 150 | 2,335 | 1,816 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 30-30 170 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 170 | 2,200 | 1,827 | 20-round box |
| Federal Premium 30-30 170 Grain Partition | Nosler Partition Jacketed Soft Point | 170 | 2,200 | 1,800 | 20-round box |
| Barnes Pioneer 30-30 190 Grain Flat Nose | Barnes Original Jacketed Flat Nose | 190 | 2,040 | 1,756 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 30-30 190 Grain Hawk Flat Nose | Hawk Jacketed Flat Nose | 190 | 2,100 | 1,860 | 20-round box |
The bulk of 30-30 loads use a 150 or 170-grain bullet. The Remington Core-Lokt 150 grain lists 2,390 fps and 1,902 ft-lbs. The Remington Core-Lokt 170 grain lists 2,200 fps and 1,827 ft-lbs. The LEVERevolution load posts the best numbers in this group: 2,400 fps and 2,046 ft-lbs.
Reading the Numbers
Velocity is muzzle speed in feet per second. Energy is foot-pounds of work at the muzzle. Energy depends on weight and on speed squared, so speed moves it more.
What the table can’t show is how fast a blunt bullet loses speed. A flat nose has a poor ballistic coefficient. It sheds speed and drops quickly past woods distances. That is the main limit of 30-30 ballistics, not raw muzzle energy. The FTX and other soft-tip bullets have a sleeker shape, so they hold speed and energy better downrange.
Barrel length and weather
Many 30-30 carbines have 20-inch barrels. Factory numbers often come from longer test barrels, so your rifle may run a little slower. Cold weather slows powder burn, and high altitude reduces drag. If you want true speed for your carbine, use a chronograph.
Is the 30-30 Good for Deer?
Yes. It has taken a huge number of whitetail and black bear in thick woods. Its short, handy rifles point fast. Keep shots at the ranges where your bullet still holds enough speed to open. Most hunters keep the 30-30 at short to moderate woods distances.
150 grains: deer in the timber
The 150-grain bullet is the classic deer weight. The Federal HammerDown 150 grain bonded lists 2,390 fps and 1,902 ft-lbs and is built for lever guns. The Underwood 150 grain Pro-Hunter lists 2,450 fps and 1,999 ft-lbs.
170 to 190 grains: bear and bigger bodies
Heavier bullets go deeper. The Federal Premium 170 grain Partition lists 2,200 fps and 1,800 ft-lbs. The Barnes Pioneer 190 grain flat nose lists 2,040 fps and 1,756 ft-lbs.
Lead-free and light-recoil options
Some areas require lead-free bullets. The Barnes VOR-TX 150 grain TSX lists 2,335 fps and 1,816 ft-lbs. For young shooters, the Remington Managed Recoil 125 grain lists 2,175 fps and 1,313 ft-lbs.
Hunting rules differ by state. Check your state’s caliber, bullet and season rules before you hunt.
Subsonic 30-30 Loads
Subsonic loads stay under the speed of sound for less noise, often with a suppressor. The Hornady Subsonic 175 grain FTX lists 1,050 fps and 428 ft-lbs. That energy is far below a hunting load, so treat it as a range or pest round and follow your local laws.
30-30 vs 308 Ballistics
Both fire a .308-inch bullet, but the 308 Winchester case holds more powder and runs at higher pressure. In our stock, the 308 Remington Core-Lokt 150 grain lists 2,820 fps and 2,648 ft-lbs, well above the 30-30’s 150-grain Core-Lokt. The 308 also uses pointed bullets. For more, see our 308 Winchester ballistics guide, or check the 45-70 Government ballistic data guide for another lever-gun classic.
Shop 30-30 Ammo
Browse flat-nose, FTX and copper loads in our 30-30 ammo category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 30-30 good for deer?
Yes. The 30-30 has a long record on whitetail and black bear in timber and brush. A 150 or 170-grain soft point works well at woods ranges. Keep shots within the distance you have practiced, and check your state’s hunting rules before the season.
What is the difference between 30-30 and 308 ballistics?
Both fire a .308-inch bullet, but the 308 has a bigger case and higher pressure. In our stock, the 308 Core-Lokt 150 grain lists 2,820 fps, while the 30-30 Core-Lokt 150 grain lists 2,390 fps. The 308 also uses pointed bullets that hold speed better.
Can you use pointed bullets in a 30-30?
Not in a tube magazine, unless the load is made for it. A hard pointed tip can press on the primer of the round ahead under recoil. Use flat-nose or round-nose loads, or soft-tip designs like Hornady FTX that are built for tube magazines.
What grain bullet is best for a 30-30?
For deer, 150 grains is the common choice. For black bear or larger bodies, 170 to 190 grains adds penetration. New shooters may like a reduced-recoil 125-grain load. Match the bullet’s construction to the game and follow local hunting laws.
Is 30-30 the same as 308?
No. Both use .30 caliber bullets, but the cases differ in size, shape and pressure. The 30-30 has a rimmed case for lever guns. The 308 is rimless and runs at higher pressure. Never fire one in a rifle chambered for the other.
