.30-30 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .308 Winchester is about 430 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,390 vs 2,820 ft/s).
The .308 Winchester carries about 39% more energy at the muzzle (2,648 vs 1,902 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
The .308 Winchester's typical bullet has the higher BC (0.33), so it holds speed better and drifts less in the wind at long range.
On the same size target, the .308 Winchester has the longer point-blank range (266 yd), so you can hold dead-on a bit farther without adjusting.
Side by side
| .30-30 Winchester | .308 Winchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Lever-action whitetail and black bear round for woods and brush shots. | Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk. |
| Typical load | 150 grflat nose | 150 grsoft point |
| Muzzle speed | 2,390 ft/s | 2,820 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 1,902 ft-lbs | 2,648 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.19typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.33typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:12 | 1:10 |
| Practical range | 150–200 yd | 400 yd |
| Point-blank range | 212 yd6" vital zone | 266 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Lever-action carbineLight recoil; right at home in a 7-lb lever gun | Standard rifle, 7–8 lbModerate recoil; snappy in an ultralight |
Which one fits you?
.30-30 Winchester: Lever-action whitetail and black bear round for woods and brush shots.
.308 Winchester: Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .30-30 Winchester profile
- .308 Winchester profile
- .308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- .308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield
- 7mm-08 Remington vs .308 Winchester
- .243 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- .308 Winchester vs 7.62x51 NATO
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.