Q: I know that the Winchester Model 1894 was first chambered for two black-powder cartridges, the .32-40 and .38-55, and less than a year later the .30-30 was added to the line-up. My question is: was the .30-30 originally loaded with black powder?
Also, could you recommend a good load for the .30-30 in my Model 94 using ADI powder and the Hornady 160gn FTX bullet?
Alan Norris
A The .30-30 was never loaded with black powder. Together with the .25-35, it was one of two smokeless powder cartridges introduced for the Model 94 late in 1895.
It was loaded with a 160gn flat-nose bullet and 30gn of a new smokeless propellant powder developed by Winchester to 1970fps and 1400ft-lb of energy, which was amazing in an era of heavy-bullet black-powder cartridges with rainbow trajectories.
However, the .30-30 wasn’t the first smokeless powder cartridge. Several rounds preceded it, including the .30-40 Krag.
My favourite load for the .30-30 with the Hornady 160gn FTX bullet is 30gn of AR2219, which gives 2280fps in the 20” carbine barrel and 2435fps in a 24” rifle barrel.
0 Comments