30-30 vs 308 – Side By Side (Here Are The Facts)

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A lot of people want to know which is better, the 30-30 or the 308? You’ll find passionate opinions about both of these types of ammo, and each has its place. But one does have a slight edge over the other, as we’re about to see.

Choosing ammo for hunting isn’t always straightforward, but it doesn’t have to be as complicated as you may think. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the 30-30 vs the 308 to help you figure out which is the right one for you.

Comparing the 30-30 Winchester and the 308 Winchester

When comparing these hunting rounds, there’s a lot to think about. The Winchester brand has quite a history, dating back to the mid-1800s. The 30-30 was introduced in 1895 as an all-around smokeless powder cartridge and was basically designed for hunting.

Decades later, in 1952, the 308 was created as a replacement for military 30-06 ammo. It soon became popular with hunters everywhere, delivering both power and accuracy for long-range game.

Winchester originated both of these calibers, but many other brands soon got in on their popularity. Today, you have a lot of options for both 30-30 and 308 ammo, including different types and weights. While we can look at what makes these two types of ammo different, bear in mind that each brand and type of bullet will be different from the next.

Both the 30-30 and 308 are smokeless powder cartridges that are still popular today, but that’s where the similarities end.

When choosing between the two, there are many things to consider. These include things like ballistics, trajectory, accuracy, recoil, the weight of the rifle used, and more. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about these two 30-30 and 308 rounds to determine which one has an edge and how much that really matters.

How much does a 30-30 rifle weigh?

Many types of rifles that take 30-30 rounds are generally lever action, bolt-action, or pump rifles, but it’s really hard to say how much a 30-30 rifle weighs. It greatly depends on the rifle.

For example, both a Winchester Model 94 Trails End Takedown and Henry Lever Action use 30-30 ammo. The Winchester Model 94 Trails End Takedown weighs 6 lbs 12 oz, while the Henry Lever Action weighs about 8 lbs 5 oz. The weight range might not be huge, but there is a little less than a two-pound difference between them. Two pounds is enough to make a difference for a young or inexperienced hunter. So, it’s still important to pay attention to weight.

While 30-30 rifles are popular and you won’t have a hard time finding one, there are many more options for the 308. If you prefer a particularly lightweight or heavy rifle, the 308 will give you more options. But, 30-30 rifles are not in short supply.

How much does a 308 rifle weigh?

The 308 is a good option for bolt-action and short-action rifles and other machine guns. Again, there’s no specific weight for a 308 rifle because it depends on the rifle you’re talking about.

That said, more rifles take 308 rounds than 30-30 rounds. That means that you have more options, so you can find a variety of different weights. For example, a Savage Axis II XP weighs only 6 lbs 8 oz while a Springfield Armory M1A weighs about 11 lbs 4 oz. That’s a huge difference of about five pounds!

If variety and choice are what you crave, the 308 definitely has an edge over the 30-30. You’ll find something for just about anyone when you’re looking for a 308. As you’ll see, the biggest benefit of the 308 is its variety, and having so many options to choose from is just one of the perks.

Is a 30-30 and a 308 the same caliber?

Admittedly, the 30-30 and the 308 are similar in caliber, but they are not the same.

Why is this important? Because they’re not interchangeable, which means you do have to choose between them. Each of these rounds uses a different cartridge and chambers differently, so you can’t swap one for the other.

Is a 30-30 more powerful than a 308?

No. To be fair, the two are very close when it comes to power, but the 308 has a better velocity, which gives it a little more kick. This might be a little surprising since the 30-30 is a little bigger in size, but the size isn’t all that matters when it comes to power.

Why does velocity matter? Velocity tells you how fast the bullet moves. The faster it moves, the more accurate it is, and the farther it travels. So, if you’re aiming for something that’s 500 yards, you want the 308. It will hit the target harder, fast, and more accurately than the 30-30. Add a great .308 scope and you can be very accurate at these longer distances.

What is the effective range of a 30 30 vs 308?

The effective range of a 30-30 is roughly 100 to 150 yards. Most people who stick with a 30-30 use it for shooting within 200 yards, but some people will push it to 250 yards.

For the 308, it’s closer to 500 yards, though some people will tell you it’s much higher than that especially with a good long range scope. What’s important to note here is that the 308 is not only more effective at a longer range, but it’s also just as good if not better than the 30-30 at close range.

30-30 available actions vs 308 available actions

The 30-30 was originally used with the M94 and is still used in lever action rifles today. Although it is primarily a lever-action round, you may also find it in single action rifles. At one time, you could find 30-30 in bolt action and pump action rifles, but these have all been discontinued.

As for the 308, it’s much more versatile. It’s commonly available in bolt action autoloading rifles, though you will find it in single shots, too. The 308 is chambered for lever actions as well.

When comparing the two, you can see that the 308 is more versatile. It’s available in more actions and from a wide range of manufacturers. The 30-30 is a little more limited, but there are still plenty of 30-30 options available.

A lot of people see the 30-30 and the 308 as equal in a lot of ways, but this is one area in which the 308 has a clear advantage over the 30-30. If you only use a lever action rifle, though, the two are pretty equal in this respect.

Side by Side Ballistics

To make it easy to compare, here’s a table with the specs of the 30-30 and the 308 side by side. (Note that some of these specifications depend on the weight of the bullet and the rifle itself.)

You can see that, in many ways, the two are pretty evenly matched. The main differences are in range and velocity. These numbers are an estimate since the actual numbers will depend on the specific brand and type of bullet you’re using as well as the quality of your rifle.

	30-30	308
Size	0.308 inches	0.3 inches
Diameter	0.308 inches	0.277 inches
Length	2.029 inches	2.015 inches
Range	250 yards	500 yards
Velocity (per 200 yards)	1,916 ft/s	2,387 ft/s
Bullet Drop	175 yards	450 to 500 yards
Energy (per 200 yards)	1,304 ft/lbs	1,897 ft/lbs

Recoil

Recoil is a bit difficult to quantify because it depends on so many things, like the weight of the rifle, the cartridge, the barrel length, and the person shooting the rifle. Some people can handle more recoil than others, making it less of an issue.

That said, there is a noticeable difference in recoil between the 30-30 and the 308. Recoil is measured in foot pounds. For a 308, it’s about 22. For a 30-30, it’s only about 14. So, the 308 has a bit more recoil than a 30-30, which makes sense since it’s a little more powerful.

If recoil is a big concern, the 30-30 is a better choice.

Ammo Cost & Availability

The cost will vary depending on where you live and where you buy your ammo. On average, a box of 30-30 ammo costs about $22 and a box of 308 is about $30. So, the 308 is about $8 more expensive per box.

Now, the good thing about both the 30-30 and the 308 is that they’re popular sizes. That means that you can find them just about anywhere, whether you’re looking at a big box store, online, or your favorite local gun shop.

That said, again, the 308 has the edge here as far as variety goes. There are so many more options when you’re shopping for 308 ammo. So, not only do you have more choice when it comes to rifles that use 308 rounds, but you also have more choice when it comes to the type of rounds you use.

Is a 30-30 rifle good for hog hunting?

A 30-30 rifle would be okay for hog hunting at close range. It’s even powerful enough for large hogs at this range.

For long range though, a 308 beats the 30-30 in accuracy and power.

Which is better for deer hunting 30-30 or 308?

Most deer are shot at around 200 yards, which means that either a 30-30 or a 308 deer rifle would be acceptable. Again, though, if you’re planning on shooting from a longer range, a 308 is better.

What about hunting for elk, moose, or larger game animals?

Again, both the 30-30 and the 308 would work for elk, moose, or other large game within 200 yards or so, but the 308 will always be a better choice for long range hunting. The 30-30 was designed as a hunting round, and it is quite effective. But because the 308 is more versatile, a lot of hunters prefer it.

What is a 30-30 best for?

I mentioned a few times that the 308 is more versatile, so you might be wondering, why choose the 30-30? Well, to be fair, it does have its benefits.

Since the 30-30 has a lighter recoil, it’s a great choice for entry-level hunters, especially those going after big game. It’s more than capable of taking down a deer or black bear. If you prefer a lever action rifle, a 30-30 is a popular choice.

Although the 30-30 doesn’t have a very large range, it’s extremely effective within 200 yards. If you’re hunting in a heavily forested area, that’s about all you need.

As I mentioned, the main thing you miss out on when you choose a 30-30 is versatility. So, if you sometimes hunt deer in the woods but you think you might want to expand into larger game or different areas, a 30-30 might not be enough.

What is a 308 best for?

The 308 is good for everything the 30-30 is good for, except it’s more effective at long range and slightly more powerful. It’s also more versatile since you have a lot more rifles to choose from that use 308 ammo.

If you plan on hunting different types of game on different types of terrain, a 308 is a good idea. Because it’s so versatile, you can easily use it in many situations.

That said, remember, the 308 is a bit more expensive and has a harder recoil. So, if you’re worried about your budget or you’re a new hunter who prefers less recoil, the 308 might not be the best choice. If the price tag isn’t an issue, though, and you can handle a little more foot pounds, go for the 308.

Final Thoughts

To sum everything up, here’s what you need to remember.

Both the 30-30 and the 308 are effective options if you’re looking for something suitable for 200 yards or less. Overall, though, the 308 has an edge over the 30-30.

Why? Because it’s more versatile. Not only are there more rifle options that use a 308, but you can also use it at a longer range. It is a little more expensive and has more recoil, but if these things don’t put you off, the 308 is the best option.

I know that a lot of hunters have their favorite ammo, and if you’re partial to the 30-30, there’s no reason not to stick with it. It’s a bit of a classic and has a long and interesting history. My first deer rifle was a 30-30 Winchester lever action with a 1-4x scope, which I still have, and I love it.

Although the 30-30 and the 308 are not equal, they’re both very effective. The 30-30 may not have the range of the 308, but it’s good at what it does. There’s a reason it’s been around since 1895, and it’s easy to see why people would be loyal to this type of ammo.

That said, I recommend the 308 because of its versatility. I like having the option to use it in many different situations and that you can use it when big game hunting.

Ultimately, which is the best is the one that’s best for you. Both the 30-30 and the 308 have a lot to offer. They’ve both stood the test of time and many, many hunters have relied on them over the years. You can find each of them just about anywhere, and it’s safe to say they’ll both be around for a long time to come.