.30-.30 and 7.63 x 39
- Thread starter RHC
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
They are both 30-caliber. Since the .30-30 is loaded to a lesser pressure than most other "really" modern cartridges--being shot in the older lever actions--The performance is not such-a-much.
Basically, the common .30-30 load shoots a 170-grain bullet at 2,200 ft/sec muzzle velocity; the AK round shoots a 1390-grain bullet at around 2,300 ft/sec.
"Best" is a function of your intentions with the rifle. Beaucoup variables--hunting, home defense, plinking, target...And, rifle styles within these--bolt action, single shot, semi-auto, lever action.
If you're talking the typical deer-hunting use, other than at fairly close range, they are marginal to minimum. It's not that they won't kill; the issue is a quick, clean kill, or anchoring an animal in the event of a bad hit.
Hope this helps, Art
Basically, the common .30-30 load shoots a 170-grain bullet at 2,200 ft/sec muzzle velocity; the AK round shoots a 1390-grain bullet at around 2,300 ft/sec.
"Best" is a function of your intentions with the rifle. Beaucoup variables--hunting, home defense, plinking, target...And, rifle styles within these--bolt action, single shot, semi-auto, lever action.
If you're talking the typical deer-hunting use, other than at fairly close range, they are marginal to minimum. It's not that they won't kill; the issue is a quick, clean kill, or anchoring an animal in the event of a bad hit.
Hope this helps, Art
RHC; They seem to have the same ballistics but the 30-30 is alot better. A 130 gr bullet or so versus a 170 gr bullet? I think with the bullet designs of both the 30-30 will expand or mushroom alot better. Experts have scratched their heads trying to figure out why a 30-30, a 35 Remington, or a 45-70 have worked so well over the years. They have proven records the Russian round doesn't. Just my thoughts, J. Parker
Kenneth L. Walters
New member
I based my choice here on the cost of ammunition. At about $80 per thousand from J&G, the 7.62x39 is about as inexpensive a cartridge as you are going to find in factory loads.
Another thing is the choice in guns. The 30-30 is only availale, as far as I know, in lever actions. The 7.62x39 comes in a number of now inexpensive semi-automatics (see J&G's & Robinson's web pages) and a nice, inexpensive CZ bold action.
I'd recommend the 7.62x39
Another thing is the choice in guns. The 30-30 is only availale, as far as I know, in lever actions. The 7.62x39 comes in a number of now inexpensive semi-automatics (see J&G's & Robinson's web pages) and a nice, inexpensive CZ bold action.
I'd recommend the 7.62x39
Hey! How 'bout a 7.62x39 in a lever action? That'd be cool!
DAL
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Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."
--Patrick Henry, during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788)
GOA, JPFO, PPFC, CSSA, LP, ARI, NRA
DAL
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Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."
--Patrick Henry, during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788)
GOA, JPFO, PPFC, CSSA, LP, ARI, NRA
Oops! I forgot about the shape-of-the-bullet factor.
Okay. How 'bout a 7.62x39 in a lever action with a ten-round detachable magazine? That'd be cool, too!
DAL
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Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."
--Patrick Henry, during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788)
GOA, JPFO, PPFC, CSSA, LP, ARI, NRA
Okay. How 'bout a 7.62x39 in a lever action with a ten-round detachable magazine? That'd be cool, too!
DAL
------------------
Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."
--Patrick Henry, during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788)
GOA, JPFO, PPFC, CSSA, LP, ARI, NRA
Owned both, fail to see any real ballistic difference,but...
My Model 94 weighs around 6 1/2 lbs, I guess. The ChiCom SKS I replaced with the 94 weighed about 9 lbs, and handled like an anvil. Ammo for the 30-30 is more expensive, but still not like the 416 Rigby.
While either trigger needs work, the 94 responds better,and starts off a few kilos lighter. SKS triggers are industrial strength.
Both work for deer hunting, and both serve for light duty neighborhood security. The 94 doesn't scare non shooters like an SKS or AK clone, it looks like John Wayne's rifle.And, the 7.62X39s are mostly still made in China, the largest dictatorship left on earth, by slave labor who have no chance of possessing one of those weapons privately.
Neither weapon system/cartridge has a clear advantage, take your pick...
My Model 94 weighs around 6 1/2 lbs, I guess. The ChiCom SKS I replaced with the 94 weighed about 9 lbs, and handled like an anvil. Ammo for the 30-30 is more expensive, but still not like the 416 Rigby.
While either trigger needs work, the 94 responds better,and starts off a few kilos lighter. SKS triggers are industrial strength.
Both work for deer hunting, and both serve for light duty neighborhood security. The 94 doesn't scare non shooters like an SKS or AK clone, it looks like John Wayne's rifle.And, the 7.62X39s are mostly still made in China, the largest dictatorship left on earth, by slave labor who have no chance of possessing one of those weapons privately.
Neither weapon system/cartridge has a clear advantage, take your pick...
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
OK, Sensop, if I must: The best cartridge in 30-caliber is the .30-'06.
, Art
, Art
Will Beararms
New member
Inside of 100 yards when cost, portability, follow-up shot capability and utility are factored in, the Marlin or Winchester 30-30 topped with a well-sighted in 4X or lower scope are the deadliest thick cover Whitetail killing machines known to mankind.