30.30 VS 7.62 x 39

Nate.308

Nate.308

Regular
Rating - 100%
51   0   0
Hey all,

I wanted to start a general discussion about the advantages and disadvantages, in a variety of situations ie. hunting or survival, for the 30.30 VS the 7.62 x 39. I have heard them being compared several times before in the past. I recently found a way to securely mount an optic onto an SKS, it dosent look pretty but I think you have a very versatile rifle!! :D Any thoughts?
 
For the range of either rifle, I don't see that optics are any use whatsoever. Just something to go wrong that you didn't need anyway. As for comparing bullets, a 125gr 30.30 is very similar in speed and energy to a x39 R with 125gr bullet. However most people use 150 and 170gr in their 30.30 for hunting for better energy on the hits, in which case they are not the same at all compared to 7.62x39.

Both caliber are medium at best in energy. I prefer a bigger bullet for hunting, but they are fine for plinking.
 
Both capable of taking down a deer. The 30-30 is definitely capable of doing moose and bear, the x39 is limited by the weight of factory hunting bullets but would likely do in a pinch as well.
30-30 ammunition is available everywhere. Every last country gas station and hardware store in the country stocks this stuff. 7.62x39 might limit you to only the more well stocked sporting goods stores.
Now, do you prefer lever guns or semi auto? Both can be had in a bolt action or single shot as well.
My vote goes out to the 30-30 for versatility, handloads might even the field a bit though. And although I love to shoot my SKS most of the lever guns are just a lot better looking and handling, to me anyway.
 
kennymo said:
Both capable of taking down a deer. The 30-30 is definitely capable of doing moose and bear, the x39 is limited by the weight of factory hunting bullets but would likely do in a pinch as well.
30-30 ammunition is available everywhere. Every last country gas station and hardware store in the country stocks this stuff. 7.62x39 might limit you to only the more well stocked sporting goods stores.
Now, do you prefer lever guns or semi auto? Both can be had in a bolt action or single shot as well.
My vote goes out to the 30-30 for versatility, handloads might even the field a bit though. And although I love to shoot my SKS most of the lever guns are just a lot better looking and handling, to me anyway.
Click to expand...


I suppose I prefer a good semi auto, and thats why i got an SKS early on in my collection. Now, however I am enjoying shooting as an art form much more, I recently shot a .270 single shot and was blow away at the performance, dead on as well as a riot to shot! I am much more willing to explore other actions. I have been looking at a Henry golden boy lever action .17HMR to get a feel for the action at a low price. I don't think I have ever scene a 30.30 semi. I owe an SKS should I by pass the 30.30 all together and go with a lager cal. i.e. .308 if I have a mid range rifle already?
 
Nate.308 said:
I suppose I prefer a good semi auto, and thats why i got an SKS early on in my collection. Now, however I am enjoying shooting as an art form much more, I recently shot a .270 single shot and was blow away at the performance, dead on as well as a riot to shot! I am much more willing to explore other actions. I have been looking at a Henry golden boy lever action .17HMR to get a feel for the action at a low price. I don't think I have ever scene a 30.30 semi. I owe an SKS should I by pass the 30.30 all together and go with a lager cal. i.e. .308 if I have a mid range rifle already?
Click to expand...

All personal preference. I'm considering grabbing a Henry 30-30 tonight, I handled it in the store last week and can't get it out of my skull. In the end, it all comes down to what you want. Ballistically, I have enough firepower to hunt anything outside of Africa already, but damn I like guns!
 
7.62x39 is good in semi-auto, e.g. you can make 2 shoots vs. 1 shot in 30-30. You can have a nice load in 7.62x39 with Hornady V-Max bullet. At least this is what I have for hunting.

AMM-627.jpg
 
Nate.308 said:
I suppose I prefer a good semi auto, and thats why i got an SKS early on in my collection. Now, however I am enjoying shooting as an art form much more, I recently shot a .270 single shot and was blow away at the performance, dead on as well as a riot to shot! I am much more willing to explore other actions. I have been looking at a Henry golden boy lever action .17HMR to get a feel for the action at a low price. I don't think I have ever scene a 30.30 semi. I owe an SKS should I by pass the 30.30 all together and go with a lager cal. i.e. .308 if I have a mid range rifle already?
Click to expand...

If i have learned anything from these forums, it's that no you don't "need" it, but you owe it to yourself to have one of everything, just in case...

Joking aside, i like .308's, i will probably always have one, but i am considering a 30-30 to carry with me in thicker stuff where i won't be taking any shots past 50-75 yards.
 
guess_kto said:
7.62x39 is good in semi-auto, e.g. you can make 2 shoots vs. 1 shot in 30-30. You can have a nice load in 7.62x39 with Hornady V-Max bullet. At least this is what I have for hunting.

AMM-627.jpg
Click to expand...

Aren't the V max's varmit bullets? I wouldn't trust a thin jacketed bullet on big game.
As for AIMED shots, a lever gun will hold it's own against a semi in the right hands, with a six round mag on most of them to boot. Heck, ever seen anyone do the mad minute with a Lee Enfield? It's worth a Youtube search, some of those guys are damn good.
Cheers!
 
Baring a miracle you'll never see thousand round cases of 30-30 on sale for $200 or rifle + ammo combo's for $300. Not sure how much better you can get than that.
 
fiddler said:
For the range of either rifle, I don't see that optics are any use whatsoever. Just something to go wrong that you didn't need anyway. As for comparing bullets, a 125gr 30.30 is very similar in speed and energy to a x39 R with 125gr bullet. However most people use 150 and 170gr in their 30.30 for hunting for better energy on the hits, in which case they are not the same at all compared to 7.62x39.

Both caliber are medium at best in energy. I prefer a bigger bullet for hunting, but they are fine for plinking.
Click to expand...

IMO it takes more than just bullit weight to create energy. Bigger bullits won't create alot of energy without speed. Smaller calibres like 243/6mm with 90-100g bullits have more energy than the old 30-30 because of the speed factor.
 
dand883 said:
If i have learned anything from these forums, it's that no you don't "need" it, but you owe it to yourself to have one of everything, just in case...

Joking aside, i like .308's, i will probably always have one, but i am considering a 30-30 to carry with me in thicker stuff where i won't be taking any shots past 50-75 yards.
Click to expand...


It's also a totally acceptable CGN thing to buy a rifle to match the ammo you may have found at a good deal... Just because, (true story) lol. ;)

If you can afford it just buy both calibers.


MTLGUN said:
Baring a miracle you'll never see thousand round cases of 30-30 on sale for $200 or rifle + ammo combo's for $300. Not sure how much better you can get than that.
Click to expand...

That's not hunting ammo btw. ;)
 
Last edited:
Don't get me wrong, 7.62x39 is one of my favourite calibers, but it will never match the .30-30 170 grain or the 160 grain Superformance load for performance on deer, moose, elk and bear. 7.62x39 just cannot carry the weight.
 
fiddler said:
For the range of either rifle, I don't see that optics are any use whatsoever. Just something to go wrong that you didn't need anyway. As for comparing bullets, a 125gr 30.30 is very similar in speed and energy to a x39 R with 125gr bullet. However most people use 150 and 170gr in their 30.30 for hunting for better energy on the hits, in which case they are not the same at all compared to 7.62x39.

Both caliber are medium at best in energy. I prefer a bigger bullet for hunting, but they are fine for plinking.
Click to expand...

Never has there been more deer brought down by any other cartridge ever. The 30-30 winchester 94 was the deer rifle/cartridge! Somehow it changed in the past few years, probably due to optics and poor shooting ability.
 
I have a model 94 and an sks and a cz858, and for some reason the 30-30 seems to have way more kick in my shoulder than the other. Not too scientific, but that's how it is.

I do shoot 30-30 in hornady leverevolution though, maybe thats why...
 
After looking at the stats. It looks like this:
A winchester 30/30 with a 170 (weight) has a MV of 2200 ft/sec. And the ME of 1827 ft/lbs
A FMJ 7.62x39 with a 123 (weight) has a MV of 1653 ft/sec. And the ME of 2430 ft/lbs
Also TFSP makes a 7.62x39 in a 112(weight) that has a MV of 2391 ft/sec. And the ME of 3100 ft/lbs
And wolf make a 7.62x39 in a 154 gr. With MV of 1514 and ME of 2104 ft/lbs
So there isn't that much different between them, yes the MV on the 7.62 is a little lower, but ME in most cases are higher on the 7.62
The winchester 170 gr. Has one of the highest MV of all 30/30) on the chart I'm looking at, most being in the 1600-1850 (MV)range.
So the biggest different would be available : 30/30 every were! But I can see the 7.62 starting to be stock on alot of shelves, like ct. And your local gun shop. And not only surplus! But brand name. So soon the question will be, do you want a semi-Auto sks of a bolt or lever 30/30
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom