.307 Diameter Bullet in 30-30?

ChasHam · September 5, 2020, 08:00 AM

I was cleaning out some garage shelves and found an old box of Sierra bullets--at least 30+ years old.

The stock number printed on the box is 2010 along with ".30 Cal, .307 Diameter, 170 gr Flat Nose 30-30". The jacketed bullets have an exposed lead tip, are cannalured and have a flat base. Best I can tell with a high quality dial caliper is they measure .306

The Sierra website doesn’t even show a current .307 diameter bullet and stock number 2010 is for a .170 flat nose .308 for 30-30-- the customary diameter for 30-30.

So— can I load up these babies and feed them to my 1970’s Winchester 94?

mikejonestkd · September 5, 2020, 08:20 AM

There should be no problem using them in a .30-30. Accuracy might not be as good as a .308" diam bullet, but you may get acceptable accuracy from them.

There may or may not be a small issue with Neck tension, but you can easily check after seating a bullet in a resized case.

FrankenMauser · September 5, 2020, 11:41 AM

Run 'em. They should be fine.
There's always a chance that they'll shoot poorly if they're .306", but you won't know until you try it.

But....
Are you sure they measure .306"?
Sierra used to mark these bullets as ".307 Diameter" just to differentiate from other cartridges, but they were manufactured at .308" diameter.

rodfac · September 7, 2020, 10:13 AM

No worries...Sierra has always made superb bullets...my experience with them goes back to 1962...shooting on the Air Force hi power team, & that's all we shot through those accurized M-1's all the way out to 600.

Later, in my 60's, I shot the Service Rifle matches at Camp Perry, using a Colt HBAR...and the firing lines on Rodriguez & Viale were still dominated by bullets out of a green box.

As to your .30-30...my choice has been Sierra's 150 FP for many years, tho I've sometimes strayed due to availability. Most .30-30's...hell all of them...can't wring out the accuracy of the bullet due to tube magazines, barrel bands, two-piece stocks, et al. You're well served by those green box bullets...don't sweat the size!

Best Regards, Rod

ChasHam · September 7, 2020, 06:34 PM

Most of them measure .306, a couple a hair above-- but none at a full .307.

Thanks to all for the replies. I'll give them a try. No doubt they'll be more accurate than I can hold ;-)

https://imgur.com/a/48JVk6j

**Unclenick** · September 7, 2020, 08:10 PM

Are you measuring with an OD thimble micrometer? If it's a caliper, it isn't hard to get a measurement error that large. If that's what you are using, try pinching the jaws closed between your thumb and index finger to avoid flexing the beam. Do that both for the zero and the measurement.

Edit: I missed seeing the picture link. Mitutoyo is a good instrument, but I'd still use the pinching approach.

hdbiker · September 9, 2020, 03:07 PM

Your good. hdbiker

Bart B. · September 14, 2020, 07:59 AM

Best accuracy with all jacked rifle bullets happens when they're at least .0004" larger than the barrel's groove diameter.

Jim Watson · September 14, 2020, 08:18 AM

I remember when Sierra bullets specifically for .30-30 were listed at .307".
As Bart says, I don't think they would be best for target shooting, but it might be hard to tell a difference in a lever action carbine.

I would be dismayed to find them at .306" but would give them a try. As long as they had good bullet pull and the magazine spring didn't set them back, they might shoot ok.

Bart B. · September 18, 2020, 09:25 AM

7.62 NATO M80 ammo often has .3070" bullet diameter. The M118 match ammo bullets were .3085".

Military rifle teams sometimes used .3092" commercial match bullets replacing the arsenal match bullet in service rifles.

September 5, 2020, 08:00 AM	#1
ChasHam Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2018 Location: Deep South Posts: 130	.307 Diameter Bullet in 30-30? I was cleaning out some garage shelves and found an old box of Sierra bullets--at least 30+ years old. The stock number printed on the box is 2010 along with ".30 Cal, .307 Diameter, 170 gr Flat Nose 30-30". The jacketed bullets have an exposed lead tip, are cannalured and have a flat base. Best I can tell with a high quality dial caliper is they measure .306 The Sierra website doesn’t even show a current .307 diameter bullet and stock number 2010 is for a .170 flat nose .308 for 30-30-- the customary diameter for 30-30. So— can I load up these babies and feed them to my 1970’s Winchester 94?

September 5, 2020, 08:20 AM	#2
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	There should be no problem using them in a .30-30. Accuracy might not be as good as a .308" diam bullet, but you may get acceptable accuracy from them. There may or may not be a small issue with Neck tension, but you can easily check after seating a bullet in a resized case. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

September 5, 2020, 11:41 AM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,421	Run 'em. They should be fine. There's always a chance that they'll shoot poorly if they're .306", but you won't know until you try it. But.... Are you sure they measure .306"? Sierra used to mark these bullets as ".307 Diameter" just to differentiate from other cartridges, but they were manufactured at .308" diameter. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

September 7, 2020, 10:13 AM	#4
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	No worries...Sierra has always made superb bullets...my experience with them goes back to 1962...shooting on the Air Force hi power team, & that's all we shot through those accurized M-1's all the way out to 600. Later, in my 60's, I shot the Service Rifle matches at Camp Perry, using a Colt HBAR...and the firing lines on Rodriguez & Viale were still dominated by bullets out of a green box. As to your .30-30...my choice has been Sierra's 150 FP for many years, tho I've sometimes strayed due to availability. Most .30-30's...hell all of them...can't wring out the accuracy of the bullet due to tube magazines, barrel bands, two-piece stocks, et al. You're well served by those green box bullets...don't sweat the size! Best Regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

September 7, 2020, 08:10 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Are you measuring with an OD thimble micrometer? If it's a caliper, it isn't hard to get a measurement error that large. If that's what you are using, try pinching the jaws closed between your thumb and index finger to avoid flexing the beam. Do that both for the zero and the measurement. Edit: I missed seeing the picture link. Mitutoyo is a good instrument, but I'd still use the pinching approach. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 7, 2020, 06:34 PM	#5
ChasHam Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2018 Location: Deep South Posts: 130	Most of them measure .306, a couple a hair above-- but none at a full .307. Thanks to all for the replies. I'll give them a try. No doubt they'll be more accurate than I can hold ;-) https://imgur.com/a/48JVk6j

September 9, 2020, 03:07 PM	#7
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	Your good. hdbiker

September 14, 2020, 07:59 AM	#8
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Best accuracy with all jacked rifle bullets happens when they're at least .0004" larger than the barrel's groove diameter.

September 14, 2020, 08:18 AM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	I remember when Sierra bullets specifically for .30-30 were listed at .307". As Bart says, I don't think they would be best for target shooting, but it might be hard to tell a difference in a lever action carbine. I would be dismayed to find them at .306" but would give them a try. As long as they had good bullet pull and the magazine spring didn't set them back, they might shoot ok.

September 18, 2020, 09:25 AM	#10
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	7.62 NATO M80 ammo often has .3070" bullet diameter. The M118 match ammo bullets were .3085". Military rifle teams sometimes used .3092" commercial match bullets replacing the arsenal match bullet in service rifles.

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