30-30 Winchester

This was the first American sporting cartridge designed for use with smokeless powder. Winchester introduced it in 1895 in their new, Browningdesigned, Model-1894 lever-action rifle. It was originally called the 30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire). The modern name derives from the era when this number was introduced, when blackpowder cartridges were often designated by caliber, charge and bullet weight. It is claimed that the original 30-30 factory loading used 30 grains of smokeless powder, which may well be true; hence, the 30-30 moniker. Designed for use in lever-action rifles, the 30-30 has always been loaded at relatively moderate pressures. Nevertheless, it has become quite popular, worldwide. In Europe, it is known as the 7.62x51R. This is the epitome of deer cartridges, particularly for whitetail hunting. As such, for nearly a century it remained the yardstick by which performance of all other deer chamberings was judged. Despite its widespread popularity throughout America, by modern standards, the 30-30 is, and always has been, best relegated to use on whitetail and mule deer. It is certainly marginal, at best, for use on elk. Only the most skilled marksman, who is willing to only take shots at close range and who will choose and use only the best available bullet should consider it for such hunting. In Europe, it is considered adequate
only for use on the diminutive roe deer.