Confused on "30 cal" when buying bullets

T

taymag

New member
I started off reloading with 220gr MatchKing and 208 A-Max, both being advertised as 308 diameter and 30 cal.

What happens when a website sells 30 cal and it doesn't state the size? Couldn't it be 310-311 meant for loading AK ammo?

Second part of the question is for cast rounds... I've been shooting Palmetto Projectiles which are .310, Kingshooters which are .309 (both run great) and just ordered some Leatherheads which are .311, I know cast forms to the barrel a little easier which is why I can shoot .311 so why would another company make .309? Just preference?
 
I don't recall ever seeing a website that listed 30 caliber bullets without some indication of the exact diameter. You may have to look a bit more carefully, but by all sensible rules of commerce, that is the kind of information that no business is going to leave out of the listing. You could always look at the type of bullet and take the educated guess that a 220 hpbt isn't meant for a .303 brit or a 30 commie, that it's almost certainly .308. A 110 fmj is a carbine bullet, a 180 round nose soft point is for 30-30 rounds, and so forth. That's not a recommended process, guessing.

I'm not sure that I would consider shopping with a company that leaves such important information out.
 
Generally a website starts out your search by asking caliber . If it says 30 cal then the 308 bullets will be somewhere in the next page . It's then when the specific bullets are described that you see the actual diameter or the 308 designation . If I do run across a bullet that only says 30cal I don't buy it . Mostly because I know what I'm looking for and those bullets almost always have detailed description .

If your looking for a good deal on heavy 308 bullets check out down towards the bottom of these specials . I just bought the 500ct 175gr tipped smk for $135 + shipping
https://www.wideners.com/specials
 
With cast bullets, vendors usually have several diameters available. For the .30 caliber, usually .309 to .311 with .310 being ideal for many rifles. If you might be looking for additional cast bullet vendors, look at www.montanabulletworks.com. They have a wide selection of cast rifle bullet calibers and sized to several diameters. Jacketed bullets for .30 caliber rifles such as .30-06, .308, .300 magnums, etc, should always be .308.
 
Those are .308s, standard .30 caliber diameter. It's not that uncommon for vendors not to indicate diameter, especially with .30 caliber, since it is understood that .30 caliber is .308.
 
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taymag, actually the bullets diameters are shown in the grayed box/video on the link you provided. you just gotta zoom in to about 175 to read it.
 
Well all this stuff is odd.

303 is .311 or 312 and if they get it mixed up! I made the mistake of clicking on the wrong link one time.

If it is AK, then it will be listed as 7.62, but the Ruskies measure differently so is realty (311? )

Lead swags down easier and gets a better grip so it is a bit larger and some offering allow for a worn battle to still shoot.

Best bet are the Hand loading books, Sierra and Hornady cover it with sizes explained, others as well.

Or wicki it and an mfg site not the sales.
 
".30" by itself usually means .308.

Exceptions are .30 Luger, which is .312", and .30 Remington, which is .309". There are probably others.

The "other .30" ranges from .311 to .313. That'd be your .30 Luger, 7.62 Tokarev, 7.62x39, .303 British, 7.7 Arisaka, 7.62x54R, 7.65x53 Mauser...

Some of the number confusion was due to differences in whether the lands or grooves were measured, whether it was the barrel or bullet being measured, and differences in rounding between metric and inch units. And in some cases it was a deliberate name choice to try to prevent end users from stuffing the wrong cartridge into a gun and making a kaboom.
 
And in this case, being a Nosler product, you can go look in their manual or call them to ask. Their site simply has the same information you found already.
 
Going to any company's website is probably the first and most important step.

That isn't necessarily going to answer the most fundamental questions, but ordinarily, you can get accurate, detailed information. It is in a company's best interest to provide accurate and easy to understand information that will prevent problems.

You will hear the debate over and over, should a person limit his loading data to the figures provided by the powder provider, or is it safe to pick the biggest charge that can be found among a dozen books or online sources?

This is a simple answer. The company, for example, hodgdon, is not going to post data that could be dangerous if misused. Other people, such as online bloggers, are much less concerned about a person being maimed or killed when using their advice. Follow your own instincts, but the safest thing to do will probably be to follow the powder makers data, or the bullet maker's data. Trust the online resources from the people who are most concerned with keeping you safe.
 
30 calibre is the nominal bore diameter, That's the hole that gets drilled then rifled. Applies to .30-06, .308, .30-30 and stuff like the .303 British(that doesn't use a .308" bullet.). Pretty much any cartridge whose name starts with a '3' is a .30 calibre. So are things like the 7.5 x 55 Swiss. Uses a .308" bullet.
However, 7.62mm does not mean .308". 7.62 mm is the bore diameter. For example, the 7.62 x 39 and its big brother the 7.62 x 54R, use .311" bullets.
Don't try to figure out why cartridges are called what they are. Causes brain damage.
The .308" is the groove diameter. Buy bullets according to the groove diameter.
"...it doesn't state the size?..." It'll be there somewhere. However, 220 Matchkings and 208 A-Maxes don't come in anything but .308". Eventually, you get so you just know stuff like that. Especially with a brand like those.
"...the Ruskies measure differently..." Groove to groove just like the Brits and most of Europe vs land to land used in North America.
 
Yes cartridge names can drive you crazy ! Usually there is an .008" difference between bore and groove dimensions .Naming of civilian cartridges confuse things . The .300 Win Mag and the .308 Win have the same bullet dia , .308".Foreign types like the 6.5 MM are .264" but the REM 260 has the same bullet ! Let's leave it at that !:rolleyes:
 
I once bought some bullets that came in a green box and it stated on the box that they were 0.311" diameter. I was loading for a .303 British.

They shot like a shotgun at 100 yds.

Facing a dilemma, I got the box of remaining bullets and decided to weigh and measure diameter.

Weight was as advertised with standard and acceptable deviations.

Diameter? each and every one of them measured 0.309". I was disgusted and disappointed at the same time. Never bought a green box of bullets again after that for any caliber. That was around 1974.
 
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