Why not .30-30 semi-auto?
- Thread starter skinnygun
- Start date
PsychoSword
Moderator
Well 7.62X39 is very similiar to .30-30 except it is not rimmed and it's slightly less powerful. Rimmed rounds generally don't go together with autos, of course there's lots of exceptions, but that's just how it is.
PsychoSword
Moderator
Not to mention the flat nose bullets for tubular magazines.
In my software I just ran a 150 gr Speer FNSP bullet at 2350 for the 30-30, and a 150 gr .311 caliber Speer SSP at 2150 for the 7.62x39. Due to the more streamlined bullet, at 190 yards the 7.62x39 bullets speed had caught up and the trajectorys were within 5 yards. Get an SKS and be happy. 
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PsychoSword
Moderator
Thank you Captain Blatantly Obvious.
7.26x39 and 30-30 are nowhere near the same...30-30 outshines it in just about every aspect, especially with heavier bullets. Try loading 150 grain bullets or heavier in a 7.62 cartridge...they dont work very well if at all due to the lack of velocity. Both cartridges are at best 150 yard game stoppers...anything past that and they just dont have the reliable performance to drop good sided game, especially the 7.62x39 with its lightweight bullets. Game can and has been killed past 150 yards with both, but as an ethical hunter, i think one needs to realize the limitations of these cartridges. Try loading some 110-130 grain spitzers in your 30-30 and tell me the performance is the same...its no comparison(just dont do it in a tubular magazine!)! I can push 100-110 grain bullets nearly 3000 FPS out of a 20 inch barrel...no 7.62x39 ive ever seen even comes remotely close to that! Heres in interesting read on the 30-30 and varmint loads:
http://www.sixgunner.com/backissues/paco/3030varmint.htm
http://www.sixgunner.com/backissues/paco/3030varmint.htm
Tom Matiska
New member
Standard Model M was offered in 30-30 (early 1900's). The 30-30's rimless cousin (30 Rem) found its way into some Remington offerings like the Model 8. Niether was the small or light rifle you wish for.
30-30
I went another route for the 30-30. I bought a NEF single shot and to make it easy to start a couple hundred rounds of 150 grain from Wally on sale under $6 a box. Now I reload, since it's for my single shot I use pointed bullets exclusively. Of course it means I can't loan ammo to anyone with a lever action. I just love shooting the NEF's.
I went another route for the 30-30. I bought a NEF single shot and to make it easy to start a couple hundred rounds of 150 grain from Wally on sale under $6 a box. Now I reload, since it's for my single shot I use pointed bullets exclusively. Of course it means I can't loan ammo to anyone with a lever action. I just love shooting the NEF's.
Give the .308 another look. In factory loadings it doesn't recoil much and it's avilable in every style of action. Remember that you can always handload it down or get reduced recoil loads from Remington. I'll bet the 6 3/4 lb. BAR Shortstroke won't kick even with elk loads. Or how about a 7600 or BPR pump rifle.
30-30/7.62x39
the 30-30 and the 7.62X39 will never be the same because the russian round is loaded with 120-125 grain bullets and the 30-30 with 150s as a rule which means that though they may look the same the russian cannot compare.
if youve got some money kicking around buy a new short-trac BAR in .243 or if they make it 7mm-08 both are good rounds that pack a punch
the 30-30 and the 7.62X39 will never be the same because the russian round is loaded with 120-125 grain bullets and the 30-30 with 150s as a rule which means that though they may look the same the russian cannot compare.
if youve got some money kicking around buy a new short-trac BAR in .243 or if they make it 7mm-08 both are good rounds that pack a punch
Mannlicher
New member
Find an old Remington Model 8 in .30 Remington. It is a rimless cartridge developed to match the 30/30,
Remington has brought it back now, using the case to make the new 6.8 MM cartridge they propose to replace the 5.56 NATO round with.
Remington has brought it back now, using the case to make the new 6.8 MM cartridge they propose to replace the 5.56 NATO round with.
Lawyer Daggit
New member
30-30 rimless
I agree with Mannlicher. Cases for the old Rem round should be easier to get now.
Savage used to produce a pump action? .30-30, if you do not care for a lever have you considered a pump. It may take some tracking down and need some restoration but it could work for you.
Have you considered a 7.62x39 and reloading it with heavier pills? or even get one and rechamber it to the new 6.8 round, which ballistically seems pretty good?
I agree with Mannlicher. Cases for the old Rem round should be easier to get now.
Savage used to produce a pump action? .30-30, if you do not care for a lever have you considered a pump. It may take some tracking down and need some restoration but it could work for you.
Have you considered a 7.62x39 and reloading it with heavier pills? or even get one and rechamber it to the new 6.8 round, which ballistically seems pretty good?
The 7.62x39 is only available with 125 grain bullets? Someone better tell Cor-bon.
http://www.corbon.com/catalog/index...nfo&uid=12665&pi_id=49277&clist=0,49198,49276
150 grain Pointed SP at 2300 fps. Doh.
Quit picking the nits. The guy said he wanted the equivalent of a semi in 30-30. Looks to me like a $150 SKS Paratrooper and a $20 box of shells and he's there.
http://www.corbon.com/catalog/index...nfo&uid=12665&pi_id=49277&clist=0,49198,49276
150 grain Pointed SP at 2300 fps. Doh.
Quit picking the nits. The guy said he wanted the equivalent of a semi in 30-30. Looks to me like a $150 SKS Paratrooper and a $20 box of shells and he's there.
DAVID NANCARROW
New member
The thread starters words, "I have a Win 94a .30-30 the rifle is small lite-weight but I don't care for the lever action type rifles.Were there any semi-auto .30-30s in this small size rifle or would a semi-auto need to be larger?"
I don't see anything relating to an SKS in that statement. True, rimmed cased ammo is going to be a bit more tricky to feed, but certainly not impossible.
Having said that, the suggestions given hold merit. The SKS is not the only choice, but is not a bad one. The 742 Rem can be had in many calibers at or above the 30-30 power level for instance. Maybe even a 300 Savage? Pro's and con's all around.
I don't see anything relating to an SKS in that statement. True, rimmed cased ammo is going to be a bit more tricky to feed, but certainly not impossible.
Having said that, the suggestions given hold merit. The SKS is not the only choice, but is not a bad one. The 742 Rem can be had in many calibers at or above the 30-30 power level for instance. Maybe even a 300 Savage? Pro's and con's all around.
Edward429451
Moderator
Wouldn't a Ruger Deerfield in 44 mag be ballistically similar to a 30-30? semi auto to boot.
I loaded some 170g flatpoints (intended for 30-30) for my 308 and got very pleasing results accuracywise. They outshot the SGK's!?
I loaded some 170g flatpoints (intended for 30-30) for my 308 and got very pleasing results accuracywise. They outshot the SGK's!?
I have seen several posts here that claim the 7.62x39mm "cannot compare" to the 30-30 because of the difference between a 123 grain bullet vs. a 150 grain bullet. Please tell me, where that 27 grains is going to make a difference? It is okay to have a preference. In fact, it is good that everyone takes the time to think these things out and form a position. But again, I can think of no place where the .30-30 would outshine a 7.62x39 with good bullets because of the weight disparity of 150 vs. 123 grains.
If we extend this line of logic that 123 grain bullets fall short somehow, then 6mm Remington, .240 Weatherby, and .243, with their 100 grain bullets, might as well stay in the gun cabinet come deer season.
Now, a .30-30 is not maxed out at a 150 grain bullet, as there are 170 grain bullets. This might start to be a factor if a guy was going after something like a European wild boar or black bear, but I can only comment with authority on deer and antelope.
If we extend this line of logic that 123 grain bullets fall short somehow, then 6mm Remington, .240 Weatherby, and .243, with their 100 grain bullets, might as well stay in the gun cabinet come deer season.
Now, a .30-30 is not maxed out at a 150 grain bullet, as there are 170 grain bullets. This might start to be a factor if a guy was going after something like a European wild boar or black bear, but I can only comment with authority on deer and antelope.
Psychosword is not correct in his comparison of the 30-30 and the 7.62x39.
If you examine the bullistics of both rounds, 30-30 150 grain and the 7.62x39 in the 154 grain, you will see that the 7.62x39 which is a short stroked 30.06, out performs the 30-30.
By the way, the 7.62x39 was designed for autos. Think about it, the SKS, AK 47's and all it's varieties...
Jeffro250...I'm dazzled by what you said about the 7.62x39. The ballistics don't lie, between the 30-30 150 grain and the 7.62x39 154 grain, both JSP, the 7.62x39 wins it hands down! Numbers don't lie.
If you examine the bullistics of both rounds, 30-30 150 grain and the 7.62x39 in the 154 grain, you will see that the 7.62x39 which is a short stroked 30.06, out performs the 30-30.
By the way, the 7.62x39 was designed for autos. Think about it, the SKS, AK 47's and all it's varieties...
Jeffro250...I'm dazzled by what you said about the 7.62x39. The ballistics don't lie, between the 30-30 150 grain and the 7.62x39 154 grain, both JSP, the 7.62x39 wins it hands down! Numbers don't lie.