What is the best designed 30 caliber rifle cartridge? Part 1

[@Longtrailside]

It depends on the use. So its multiple. Though the most popular middle cartridges (308,30-06,300wm) can do most of what is required. Just depends on distance needed to do the required task at hand. If your talking about the most efficient the 300wsm is hard to beat. If they ever make a 300wsm with a prc bullet, that would be a very popular round. Especially since shusher cans are getting really popular in the hunting arena.

[@hopefulballistics]

Great comment! Thanks Longtrailside!

[@denisleblanc4506]

You were right about the barrel length issue in the manual. If you look at Hornady factory loads, with both Superformance loads with the same 150 grain SST, they both have the same muzzle velocity. I would guess the reason they used that case for the 6.5 Creed was to get rid of all the 30 TC brass they had laying around because they could sell it? Now we're cursed by the 6.5 Creed. Imagine if they had based it on the 308 case. They would not have sold as much 6.5 Creed ammunition because reloaders would have just necked down 308 cases and they would still be stuck with all those 30 TC cases. If they had used the 308 case for the 6.5 Creed it had already been done by Remington in their 260 Rem. An additional problem would have been if you tried to fire 6.5 Creed in your 260 Rem it wouldn't fit properly because of how much of the bullet sticks out of the neck.

[@hopefulballistics]

Interesting take Denis, thanks for the comment!

[@stevenlewis6781]

The 6.5 creedmoore is a wonderfully balanced cartridge, even though it gives up a few fps to the 260 Remington. Unless you’re using a rifle with a custom chamber, you’re probably not going to see any difference between the two. I’ve been a 260 proponent for decades, but the creedmoore is a more efficient cartridge. I didn’t realize the sketchy stuff Hornady was publishing on the 30 TC, but the 6.5 version is legit.

[@kylemartin832]

The next match up should definitely be the 30-06 (23.75" barrel) vs 300 RCM (20" barrel) because you're going to see complete opposite from what we saw today. For fun I looked through my books and other than Hornady, Nosler 8 has data for both 308 and 30tc. Same barrel length 24" and 308 has a slight edge over the TC except for the 180s. They are basically ballistic twins. So if no real benefit with the 30tc, 308 WINS hands down for availability and military use 👍🙏✌

[@hopefulballistics]

I’m pretty interested in doing a deep dive into the 300 RCM

[@kylemartin832]

@@hopefulballistics 300prc short lol

[@hopefulballistics]

@@kylemartin832 yep basically

[@herbievanbeveren1314]

Would be interesting to add barrel life in the comparison. Big part of a good design. Very nice video. tx.

[@jaybailleaux630]

My guess , 300 Winchester short magnum.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s a good one

[@alexgavieres8293]

I've been a fan of 6.5 Creedmoor for years now and have known the history and it's origin as the 30 TC...but just now I wondered...what was the whole point of a smaller case 30 cal? Checking Wikipedia, I was surprised to hear they tried to sell this as "30-06 in a smaller case". 😅 It's obvious now that it was all marketing hype. The big tell is that they turned off comments on their 30 TC video from 2010. This is a great video addressing this. I too am a big fan of the newer cases and understand their merit, but it's important to be able to examine them all thoroughly. Keep up the good work!

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment!

[@jmac6242]

Current ammo availability for the 30tc is a nightmare😢. I bought into the hype. Hornady started with three (3) cartridge selections for the 30tc. Now, the're only manufacturing one(1), 150gr. SST, in limited quanities, not readily available... Hype does not go bang.

[@hopefulballistics]

Sad but true

[@dennismoore9147]

u can get it in three different cartiages

[@jmac6242]

@@dennismoore9147 What are the three cartridges you re referring to? Where are these available?

[@northerntier87]

I purchased a 300 WSM its neat.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome

[@ratdaddy7774]

I'm not a 308 fan by any means however I found myself going for the 308

[@hopefulballistics]

I think it’s a good cartridge, and very available with rifles and ammo.

[@ratdaddy7774]

@@hopefulballistics 3006 here

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

308 Win in other load data is a bit faster. My vote is 308 Win. As you said... 30 TC is the parent case to the 6.5 Creedmoor.... that's a big no for me

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@tomlarue654]

Hornady ammo is not always accurate. 308 win 150 grain SSTs are advertised as 3000 fps. That ammo never shot real well out of either of my 308s.

[@hopefulballistics]

Interesting, thanks Tom!

[@ronlowney4700]

🤠 Speaking of "Intended Goals", the Younger Generation may not understand Why some of the older cartridges were designed the way they were (i.e. don't have the "Modern Touches")? So, I want to shead some light on that subject, for those that may not know! The 308 Winchester, just like the 30-06 Springfield that it was designed to replace, was a Military Cartridge that was designed to feed well (by having a gentle shoulder design)! A "Very Important Feature" if your life depends upon the gun not jamming/not feeding well! The Military viewed that as being "More Important" than a "little extra velocity" (i.e. by having a steeper shoulder to get a little bit more powder in the case)! The Modern Generation may not agree with me when I say that I agree with the military, for hunting purposes as well, that it is an "Important Feature" to me - more so than a little extra velocity! One reason to choose a short action cartridge is quicker cycle times between firings (but that would be negated if you had cartridge cycling issues)! Now the Winchester Short Magnums, at least when they first came out, were having feeding problems with those "short fat cases"! I would assume that has been corrected by now? But, can you confirm that for me? Does your 270 WSM have any feeding issues? 🤷‍♂️

[@hopefulballistics]

I’ve had no problems so far

[@ronlowney4700]

Thanks for sharing! 😁👍

[@patrickgallagher4344]

@@ronlowney4700 thanks for pointing that out about the tapered shoulder. I also like the older cartridges a little better then the newer stuff. Though I did buy a 6.5 creedmoor because I’ve always wanted a 6.5 Swede but I don’t hand load so I know I would never find ammo for it so I went with the creedmoor because ballistically it is almost identical! Other then that I’ll take the 308 30/06 or the 270 any day! Seems like hornady likes to try to reinvent the wheel 🛞 lol 😂

[@larrygabbard4896]

Love the shoulder angle of the tc. If the tc was the same length, it would be the winner. 308 is a better cartridge. Go Chiefs.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks Larry!

[@dennismoore9147]

ive shot nothing last 14yrs except 30 tc venture hornaday 150 sst after shooting at least 90 to 100 bucks with it ive lost 1 deer

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet!

[@Kscottfamily9]

I've had mine since they came out , I got the icon bolt action rifle . Absolutely a deer crusher. Love it ,

[@MangoMike316]

😎👍👍👍😎

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks Mike!

[@Chase-hh3ve]

First!

[@ellis2156]

'PromoSM' 😌

[@hopefulballistics]

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