Ballistics and early performance When the .30 WCF was introduced, it was seen as fast and flat-shooting: 160 or 165 grains at 1,900 to 2,000 fps and a 4 inch drop at 200 yards if sighted in for 150 yards. The cartridge's common loads are a 150 grain bullet (MV 2,390 fps from a 24-inch barrel) and 170 grain (MV 2,200 fps from a 24-inch barrel).
Use on big game in North America In Canada and the U.S., the cartridge has likely, at some point, been used on all big game species. More recently, it has been used on whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, caribou, elk, moose, and black bear. It is commonly said that in the U.S. and Canada more deer have been killed with the .30-30 than with any other cartridge, and perhaps this was true for a time in the U.S. Although military surplus rifles in .303 British were widely available in Canada, the .30-30 was so common that for many years the Hudson Bay Company and other stores in remote areas stocked only .30-30 ammunition. The .30-30 is commonly seen as usable on deer up to 150 to 200 yards.
Moose hunting and international legal considerations In Canada, the .30-30 has a long history of use on moose—one writer calling it "a standby for moose" in Canada's northern forests. In some circles, it continues to be used, yet modern opinions on its suitability for moose are mixed: Paul Robertson, a Canadian hunting firearms columnist, says, "Too many moose have been taken with the 30/30 to rule it out as good for this purpose as well." However, while the .30-30 is legal for hunting moose in
Newfoundland, Canada, provincial authorities do not recommend its use. The cartridge, with flat- or round-nosed bullets and 20th century powder charges, does not meet minimum energy standards required for moose hunting in Finland, Norway, or Sweden. Modern propellants which produce more energy with less pressure may be used in ammunition to exceed legal requirements for those who wish to hunt across Scandinavia from rifle length barrels without fear of consequential arbitration. Thor Strimbold, a Canadian who has made more than 20 one-shot kills on moose with a .30-30, advises most moose hunters to use more than minimal power if they can handle the recoil. It is generally agreed that large game can be struck by the average marksman at distances that exceed the capacity to bring them down cleanly. Therefore, depending upon precise implementation it is appropriate for a practical limitation with room for error in such tasks should be kept in mind accordingly for game such as elk and moose. Hunting technique and style, as well as law and culture, influence cartridge choices.
Recoil characteristics Average recoil from a typical 150-grain load at in a rifle has been calculated to be felt at the shooter's shoulder. For point of reference, that falls roughly between that of a
.410 and a
20 gauge shotgun. Ordinarily recoil feels similar to slightly greater than a
.243 Winchester, and about half that of the
.30-06 Springfield.
Affordability, rifle availability, and cultural persistence For a period of time, the Model 94 in .30-30 was relatively inexpensive, which helped its popularity. Today, the cost of a .30-30 is matched by some entry-level bolt-action sporting rifles. The .30-30 remains popular, though, among some hunters who value a short, handy rifle used at ranges that will likely not exceed . Mlllions of rifles have been produced in this caliber, with many passed on to a new generation of hunters. The practicality of hunting with an inherited rifle and cartridge, especially if the combination has been seen as effective at modest range, is an important factor in some circles. The widespread availability of .30-30 loads, which can cost less than some other calibers, is another factor. New rifles continue to be purchased and cartridge sales are strong.
Bullet design and magazine safety Because the majority of rifles chambered in .30-30 are lever-action rifles with
tubular magazines, most .30-30 cartridges are loaded with round-nose or flat-nose bullets for safety. This is to prevent a
spitzer-point bullet from setting off the
primer of the cartridge ahead of it in the magazine during recoil, resulting in potentially catastrophic damage to both firearm and shooter. The
Savage Model 99 was introduced in 1899 with a rotary magazine, in part, to avoid that issue. When used in single-shot rifles or handguns, such as the
Thompson Center Arms Contender or Encore series, it is common for shooters to
hand load the cartridge with spire-point bullets for improved ballistics.
Modern bullet innovations A notable exception to the "no pointed bullets" guideline for bullet selection in rifles with tubular magazines are the new flexible "memory
elastomer"-tipped LEVERevolution cartridges as produced by Hornady. The soft tips of these bullets easily deform under compression, preventing detonations while under recoil in the magazine, yet also return to their original pointed shape when that pressure is removed, thus allowing for a more
efficient bullet shape than previously available to load safely in such rifles. The more aerodynamic shape results in a flatter bullet
trajectory and greater retained velocity downrange, significantly increasing the effective range of rifles chambered for this cartridge. Depending upon the resources to which one has access, the ideal balance in terms of trajectory is typically found with 130–150 grain copper bullets, 135–165 grain copper jacketed bullets, and 150–190 grain cast or swaged lead bullets. Lighter bullets are excellent for medium game, though they tend to lose energy faster and be more susceptible to wind. Bullets on the heavier side may prove beneficial for specific rifles and circumstances. Flat pointed 170 grain copper jacketed bullets are the most popular trade off for heavier bullets, with minimal degradation to the handy "point and shoot" range, and cast bullets weighing around 180 grains may prove beneficial for retaining energy downrange with a similar trajectory. The heaviest bullets in commercially available ammunition weigh in at 190 grains, which cannot be achieved without reducing the powder charge, thus some power is necessarily traded for even greater consistency in penetration at short to medium range.
Bullet weight selection and practical trade-offs Customized unconventional loads with bullets in excess of 190 or 200 grains are not unheard of, with the added weight being considered desirable for intentionally reduced charges and lower velocities that are found a good fit for a particular rifle. Even with heavy bullets, rifles can still produce favorable trajectories in comparison with the original 19th century configuration which tended to run 1900 to 2000 feet per second with a standard sized bullet. Similarly, extra light for caliber bullets may be utilized by the hand loader. 130 grain bullets may be among the lightest commercially available options if one has access, and a fairly popular choice for custom reduced recoil loads on medium game. == Rifles and handguns chambered in .30-30 ==