Author Topic: .357 vs 30-30 ballistics (Read 2880 times)

fortress49 · « **on:** January 28, 2005, 07:16:56 AM »

In a short barreled carbine of say 16 inches, does the 30-30 lose its power advantage over the .375 magnum?

Obviously, if we compare a 30-30 in a 20 in barrel to a .357 in a 6 in barrel, the 30-30 wins on all counts: velocity at all ranges, power at all ranges, and trajectory at all ranges. But what happens when you fire the .357 from a longer barrel? Do the ballistics become more even? Especially when the 30-30 is fired from a short barrel such as the Marlin Spikhorn does it lose enough velocity, power, and trajectory to make it now comparable to the .357?

Buffalo Bore has some ammo that they claim matches 30-30 performance when fired in a rifle barrel. Any thoughts?

Matt

leverfan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2005, 10:42:01 AM »

Well, I looked in the Speer #13 for 30-30 info in a 14" barrel. Speer pushed a 150 grain bullet 2171 fps out of that barrel, and I've found their velocities to be very close to what my chronograph says, with the same barrel lengths.

Now, a 357 loaded with 140 grain bullets, out of a longer 18" barrel, only went 1934 fps for the Speer folks. Lighter bullet, longer barrel, and it still can't match the 30-30 for velocity, and that means it's shorter on energy, too.

Throw in the better sectional density of the 30-30 bullets, and it gets pretty hard to make a case for equal performance. I haven't seen the Buffalo Bore info, though. Is this another one of their magnum +P loads, just in 357? Or, perhaps they feel their load gives similar performance on game, and that's the basis for the claim.

Leverdude · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2005, 01:31:57 PM »

I suppose you could aproach mediocre 30/30 balistics with a real hot 357 load from a rifle but the similarity would end pretty close to the muzzle.
The external balistics of a relatively shory fat .357 bullet arent going to perform as well in the air as a relitively long .308 bullet. Arent going to perform as well on game either, penetration wise anyway.
A 357 IMO isnt ever going to outdo a 30/30. That said I love my 357 Rossi & very likely will be hunting whitetails with it next fall.

fortress49 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2005, 03:13:50 AM »

Thanks for the replies. You confirm what I have thought. But, here is a quote of what Buffalo Bore says on their web-site:

5. 18.5 inch Marlin 1894

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Gold Dot = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!!
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Gold Dot = 2298 fps---- Or this?!!!

Note items "C" and "D". These velocities match 30-30 ballistics and the 158 gr is close to the 150 gn 30-30. So, I am not sure.

Matt

fortress49 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2005, 04:19:25 AM »

FYI: Here is a link of a review for some of the Buffalo Bore ammo. Still not up to 30-30 levels but impressive.

Matt

http://www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKChurch_BuffaloBore.htm

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2005, 03:54:49 PM »

The original 30-30 load was a 160gr bullet at 1900fps (sound familiar 357 fans?). In a 16" barrel, it is doubtful you could tell any difference out to around 80-100 yards. Beyond that, the better sectional density of the equal weight 30-30 bullet would take over. The trick to it all is being able to hold the short trapper well enough to connect beyond a 100 yards. Adding 4 more inches of barrel (for balance) would make it a much better 150 yard gun.

shooter444002 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2005, 06:10:12 PM »

Yes you can believe those velocities. I have run factory rem 125gr out of my 18.5" marlin at over 2200fps and my load of lil gun under a 158gr sp runs over 2000 fps. Up close the little 357 hits hard for it size but is still outclassed by the 30-30 especially at long range or with some of the newer ammo.