30-30 Winchester Ammo For Sale Online At Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo

If you are shopping for 30-30 ammo for sale, you already know why this classic matters. I grew up in timber country where a 30-30 Winchester ammo rifle kept meat in the freezer. The round is simple, honest, and proven. At Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com, we keep 30-30 ammo in stock because hunters like us still trust it when the light is fading, and a whitetail steps out at 100 yards.

What is 30-30 Winchester ammo?

30-30 ammunition, also called .30-30 Winchester, 30-30 win ammo, 30-30 cartridge, or 30-30 round, first appeared in 1895 for the Winchester Model 1894. It uses smokeless powder, a rimmed bottleneck case, and .308″ bullets, typically 150–170 grains. SAAMI lists a max average pressure of about 42,000 psi, and case/overall lengths are roughly 2.039″ and 2.550″. This balance of size, pressure, and bullet weight made it an ideal woods cartridge.

History

Winchester launched the .30 WCF (later called 30-30 Winchester) for the Model 1894. It became the first widely popular small-bore smokeless sporting round in the U.S. Marlin soon chambered it as well, and lever actions carried it into deer camps across North America. That legacy is why many hunters still pick up a Model 94 or Marlin 336 each fall.

Types of 30-30 ammunition

You will find three common hunting styles:

• Jacketed Soft Point (JSP/Power-Point): Traditional flat or round nose for tubular magazines. Great all-around performance on deer and hogs.

• Polymer-tipped (Hornady FTX/MonoFlex): Flexible tip is safe in tube mags and improves ballistic coefficient and trajectory. Ideal when you want a bit more reach.

• Lead-free tipped (MonoFlex variants): Similar aerodynamic gains, designed for lead-restricted areas.

These options cover the bases from thick brush to more open cuts, where you may stretch past 150 yards.

Specifications of the 30-30 Winchester ammo

• Bullet diameter: .308″

• Case type: Rimmed, bottleneck

• Typical bullet weights: 110–170 grains (most loads are 150 or 170)

• Case length / OAL: ~2.039″ / ~2.550″

• Max average pressure: ~42,000 psi (SAAMI), ~46,000 psi (CIP)
  These specs explain the round’s modest recoil and reliable expansion on medium game.

Design of the ammunition

30-30 ammunition is designed around a rimmed case for smooth extraction in lever-action firearms. Because most lever guns use tubular magazines, traditional bullets have flat or round noses to avoid primer contact. Modern polymer tips (Hornady LEVERevolution) solve that safety issue while improving downrange performance. The result is classic reliability with modern efficiency.

What is 30-30 ammo used for?

The 30-30 Winchester ammo shines in the deer woods. It humanely takes whitetail and similar game within typical eastern-woods distances. It is also effective against black bears and feral hogs when used with proper bullets and shot placement. Its strengths are fast handling, low recoil, and quick follow-ups in cover.

30-30 ammo for lever-action rifles

Think Winchester 94 and Marlin 336. These rifles made the 30-30 Win ammo famous,

30-30 ammo ballistics

Typical factory ballistics:

• 150-gr JSP: ~2,390 fps at the muzzle, ~1,900 ft-lb.

• 170-gr FP: ~2,200–2,300 fps, ~1,800–1,900 ft-lb.

• 160-gr FTX (LEVERevolution): higher BC; flatter flight than flat points.

Real-world chronograph data often shows ~2,050–2,150 fps from carbines, depending on barrel length and load. Expect a 100-yard zero to drop around 7–10 inches by 200 yards with traditional bullets; polymer-tipped loads reduce that drop.

30-30 ammo vs 30-06

Both rounds are American icons, but they serve different roles.

• Energy: .30-06 carries much more energy past 200 yards.

• Trajectory: .30-06 shoots flatter, especially beyond 200 yards.

• Recoil & handling: 30-30 has lower recoil and is often lighter in the field.

• Use case: In thick woods and within 200 yards, the 30-30 ammunition is easy to shoot and very effective. In open country and longer ranges, .30-06 wins.

Even so, within normal woods distances, both rounds put venison on the pole.

Lightweight, handy, and quick to shoulder. A scoped 336 with soft-point or FTX loads remains a practical, confidence-building deer rig.

30-30 Winchester size

Hunters often ask, “How big is a 30-30 Winchester?” Physically, you are looking at a 2.039″ case, 2.550″ overall length, and a .308″ diameter bullet seated in a rimmed bottleneck case. Those dimensions help lever guns feed smoothly while keeping pressure reasonable.

Best 30-30 ammo (field-tested picks)

As a hunter, I want clean kills and reliable function. These loads have earned trust:

• Winchester Super-X Power-Point, 150-gr JSP: A classic deer load with proven expansion. It prints tight groups in many carbines.

• Federal Power-Shok, 150-gr JSP: Affordable, consistent, and ideal for woods ranges. Many rifles love this load.

• Hornady LEVERevolution, 160-gr FTX: If you want a flatter path and better retained velocity, start here. The flexible tip is tubular-mag safe.

Your rifle may prefer one over another. Zero with the hunting load you plan to carry, then confirm at 150–200 yards.

Where to buy 30-30 Ammo online?

You can order bulk 30-30 ammo with fast shipping at Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com. We stock 30-30 ammo for sale year-round, including soft-point classics and modern FTX choices. Buy online, ship to your FFL where required, and be ready before the season opens.

FAQs (from common search questions)

Is 30-30 good for deer?
Yes. With soft-point or FTX bullets, 30-30 ammunition is a proven whitetail round inside typical woods ranges.

What is the effective range of 30-30?
Many hunters zero at 100 yards and keep shots inside 200 yards with traditional flat-points. Polymer-tipped loads can stretch that envelope. Know your drop before you go long.

What grain bullet is best for 30-30?
Most rifles shoot either 150-gr or 170-gr well. The 150-gr often shoots flatter; the 170-gr can penetrate more in close timber. Try both.

Can 30-30 take black bear or hogs?
Yes, with sturdy bullets and close-range shots. Many hunters use 150–170 gr soft points or FTX for controlled expansion.

Is 30-30 safe in tubular magazines with pointed bullets?
Avoid hard, sharp tips in tube mags. Polymer-tipped LEVERevolution bullets are designed to be safe and improve ballistics.

What is the difference between 30-30 and 30-06?
.30-06 carries more energy and shoots flatter at distance. 30-30 ammunition is lighter recoiling and optimized for the woods. Choose based on terrain and range.

Why buy from Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com?

We are hunters and shooters. We stock trusted 30-30 Winchester ammo in bulk, ship fast, and stand behind what we sell. Our inventory includes Winchester 30-30 ammo, 30-30 Winchester ammunition, and modern polymer-tip choices. Order today so you can sight-in this weekend.

Final word

The 30-30 ammo story is about results. A compact lever gun, a calm shot, and a deer down within sight. That is why I still carry mine. When you are ready to load up, Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com has 30-30 ammunition for sale and ready to ship.