• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Breaking News
    • Industry News
  • Gun Reviews
  • Gear Reviews
  • Ballistics
  • Concealed Carry
    • Defensive Gun
  • 2A

Gunners Den

  • Ammo
  • Rifles
    • ar-15
    • SKS
    • M1 Garand
    • M1 Carbine
    • Mini
  • Shotguns
  • Handguns
  • Hunting
  • Reloading
  • Trade Shows
  • Gun Info

30 Carbine Ballistics, History, Other Info

December 9, 2021 By Joshua Gillem

M1 30 Carbine
M1 30 Carbine, another good choice for truck carry

The 30 Carbine is a relatively popular cartridge from days gone by. It was used heavily in WWII and is normally known as an underpowered rifle cartridge that would have been better suited for use in a handgun.

While there may be some truth to the fact that the 30 Carbine was underpowered when compared to other 30 cal rifle cartridges like the 30-06 Springfield, it was developed to fill a very specific need during war.

M1 Carbine:

The rifle was designed to be lighter weight than its older brother, the M1 Garand. It would become the go-between of the longer range Garand and Browning’s 1911.

It offered better range than the 45 ACP found in the 1911, but was lighter to carry and easier to maneuver than the M1 Garand was.

30 Carbine Cartridge Info:

The US requested Winchester make the ammo for the new lightweight rifle and they ended up with the 30 Carbine. They needed a bullet with a diameter of at least .27 and to still be effective out to about 300 yards.

What they ended up with was a .32 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge as the parent case that was designed to accept a round nose 308 caliber bullet.

The original bullets weighed 120 grains and could travel at about 2,000 FPS.

30 Carbine Ballistics:

The 30 Carbine ballistics are on average as follows: 2000 feet per second at the muzzle, with 977 foot pounds of energy. At 100 yards velocity drops to 1601, and energy drops to 626.

Hornady 110 Grain FTX Critical Defense:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS
Velocity (FPS)200016011279
Energy (FT/LB)977626399
Drop (Inch)/0-12.9

Winchester 110 Grain Super X Hollow Soft Point:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS
Velocity (FPS)199015671236
Energy (FT/LB)967599373
Drop (Inch)/0-13.5

Federal American Eagle 110 Grain 30 Carbine FMJ:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS
Velocity (FPS)199015641231
Energy (FT/LB)967597370
Drop (Inch)/0-13

30 Carbine Uses:

The 30 Carbine is still a relatively popular cartridge. There is a market for the hunting industry and the cartridge is capable of taking animals up to deer in size at closer ranges.

There is also a smaller segment of folks who use it for self-defense, utilizing the M1 Carbine in a “truck gun” for defensive purposes.

The Hornady FTX rounds listed above are good for self-defense in this rifle.

Conclusion:

The 30 Carbine has a rich history, and it seems like it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. All of the major ammo makers produce at least one loading for it, and some of them make more than one, as is the case with Winchester and Federal.

Filed Under: Ballistics, Gun Info, Hunting, M1 Carbine, Rifles Tagged With: ammo, ballistics, concealed carry, rifle, self-defense

About Joshua Gillem

Josh is a lifelong practitioner and student of the gun. He grew up shooting/hunting with his dad, and was given his first gun, a 12 gauge shotgun, when just a small boy. After high school, he joined the Marines where his love for firearms blossomed as he qualified with an M16A2, an M9, and a 240G. Josh has been writing about firearms and tactics for several years, is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and believes that each individual person has the right to self-defense by any means necessary. Currently residing in gun-friendly North Carolina, he carries a concealed gun on a daily basis, even in his own house.

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular Posts

Best AR-15 Manufacturers

When Will Ammunition Prices Go Down?

Handgun Ballistics Chart

Rifle Ballistics Chart

Muzzle Brake vs Comp vs Flash Hider

12 Best 9mm Handguns

45-70 Ballistics, History, Info

Best Optics Ready Pistols

Cheap Bulk 223 Ammo

Follow Us

YouTube

Facebook

Footer

Disclosure

Privacy Policy

About Us

Contact Us

Advertise

Contributors

Copyright © 2023 · GunnersDen.com ~ As a participant in the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate services, I may earn a small amount of money if you buy something after clicking on a link. It in no way increases the amount you pay and helps us stay in business. Please know that we only recommend products we trust and have used ourselves.