The 30-30 is among the most popular .30 caliber cartridges in production, and it’s 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’s the best 30-30 ammo? 

There aren’t any easy answers, but we’ve done our best to narrow your search to some of the top options.  We’ll also provide a rundown of the history of this cartridge, as well as its pros and cons.

Cartridge Specs & Ballistics Overview

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.  

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.

Regarding ballistics, the .30-30’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.

Best 30-30 Ammo

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:

Federal Fusion 170-grain

Federal’s 30-30 Fusion rounds boast great weight retention and significant expansion. They are also “skived,” 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. 

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. 

Remington Core-Lokt 170-grain

Remington Core-Lokt 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’s a good chance he was using Core-Lokt. 

The 150-grain variant offers 2,390 FPS of muzzle velocity and 1,902 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. The 170-grain projectiles are identical to Federal Fusion, boasting 1,827 foot-pounds of muzzle energy and a velocity of 2,200 FPS.

Winchester Power Point 170-grain

Winchester Power Point 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. 

Speaking of energy, the 150-grain and 170-grain projectiles deliver identical muzzle velocity and muzzle energy performance as their Remington and Federal counterparts. 

Hornady LEVERevolution 140-grain

The LEVERevolution line of Hornady bullets is one of my absolute favorites. I like to run LEVERevolution bullets in all of my lever-action rifles, including my Henry .45-70, but that’s a story for another time.

All LEVERevolution cartridges feature Hornady’s patented Flex Tip technology. These elastomer tips offer improved ballistic coefficients while remaining safe for tubular magazines. 

Hornady’s 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.

The 160-grain variants 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. 

Precision One 110-grain 

It’s not just for plinking. Precision One’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’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.

 The Good & Bad Of 30-30 Cartridges

Here’s our take on where the 30-30 excels, as well as some areas where it falls short: 

Pros

Effective for Medium-Sized Game: 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.

Manageable Recoil: 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.

Versatility: 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.

Availability and Affordability: The best 30-30 ammo is widely available at most sporting goods stores, gun shops, and online retailers. It’s also more affordable than other rifle cartridges, making it a cost-effective option for hunters and shooters.

Cons

Limited Long-Range Performance: 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. 

Bullet Selection: The .30-30 cartridge 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’s versatility for certain hunting or shooting applications. 

Rifles Limited to Lever Actions: 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’s overall performance potential in certain shooting disciplines.

Moderate Energy: While sufficient for hunting medium-sized game, the energy delivered by the .30-30 Winchester cartridge may be considered marginal for larger game species or hunting scenarios requiring deeper penetration and greater terminal performance. 

Ideal Uses for 30-30 Rounds

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’ll increase your odds of filling the freezer this upcoming hunting season. 

While you can use the 30-30 for target shooting applications, it’s 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. 

30-30 VS 30-06

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. 

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’s a brief comparison between the two:

Power and Range: 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.

Recoil: 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’s lighter recoil makes shooting more comfortable, particularly in lightweight rifles.

Versatility: While the .30-06 excels in versatility and can take down a wide range of game species, the .30-30’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.

Check out our head-to-head comparison for a full breakdown of the 30-30 vs. 30-06. 

The Legacy Of 30-30 Winchester

Winchester introduced the 30-30 in 1895 and designed the cartridge for use in its Model 94 lever action rifle. 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. 

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.

Best 30-30 Ammo At Widener’s

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.  It runs just as well in your grandfather’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’d like to restock on the best 30-30 ammo, check out Widener’s huge selection.