{"id":436207,"date":"2024-10-11T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=436207"},"modified":"2024-09-25T11:17:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T16:17:27","slug":"ammo-face-off-30-30-winchester-vs-45-70-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/ammo-face-off-30-30-winchester-vs-45-70-government\/","title":{"rendered":"Ammo Face-Off: .30-30 Winchester vs .45-70 Government"},"content":{"rendered":"

If lever-action rifles are part of your gun life, you\u2019ve probably debated the merits of different calibers. Two cartridges that are most associated with the lever-action platform are the .30-30 Winchester and the .45-70 Government, with the latter being the most popular. But when it comes down to it, which one\u2019s better? Should you get a rifle chambered in .30-30 Win or .45-70 Govt? Which cartridge is better for deer season? We will attempt to answer your questions in this face-off between the .30-30 Win and .45-70 Govt.<\/p>\n

\"30-30
The .30-30 Win has been around for a long time and has seen extensive use by everyone from cowboys to hunters. (Photo: Kat Stevens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s the .30-30 Winchester?<\/h2>\n

The .30-30 Win was made specifically for the Winchester 1895\u2014a classic lever-action rifle\u2014in 1895, which means the cartridge has been around for nearly 150 years. Further, the .30-30 Winchester cartridge<\/a> has the distinction of being the first smokeless powder small-bore rifle cartridge ever developed. It saw an enormous amount of use in its early decades and continues to be produced today. Some see it as Grandpa\u2019s cartridge, but that isn\u2019t giving the .30-30 Win enough credit for everything it can and has done.<\/p>\n

The .30-30 Winchester is a rimmed bottleneck cartridge with an overall length of 2.55 inches and a bullet diameter of .308 inches. Its SAAMI maximum pressure is 42,000 psi. Further, the .30-30’s parent cartridge was the .38-55 Win, which was designed in 1884 and remains in production as a boutique round. It’s spawned quite a few variants and is also the parent cartridge of the .360 Buckhammer introduced by Remington in 2023.<\/p>\n

\"45-70
The .45-70 Government is a big bore that can be a lot of fun to shoot. (Photo: Kat Stevens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s the .45-70 Government?<\/h2>\n

Something you might not know about the .45-70 Government cartridge<\/a> is that it was originally a black powder cartridge. It was designed to replace the .50-70 Govt, entering production in 1873. Further, the .45-70 Govt is a rimmed, straight-walled cartridge with a bullet diameter of .458 inches and an overall length of 2.55 inches. Maximum pressure is 28,000 CUP, with CIP\u2019s max being 32,000 psi.<\/p>\n

\"30-30
Two great cartridges, but which is better? (Photo: Kat Stevens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is .30-30 Win better than .45-70 Govt?<\/h2>\n

Now that you know a little more about the two cartridges, let\u2019s get into the real battle: is the .30-30 Win better than the .45-70 Govt or vice versa? First, let\u2019s consider this from a more technical perspective by comparing ballistics. Normally, I\u2019d do that by comparing two loads that are as similar as possible for bullet weight and type, but that\u2019s easier said than done with these two. Instead, we\u2019ll compare two loads that are as close as we can get.<\/p>\n

Hornady Leverevolution .30-30 Win 160-grain FTX ammo<\/a> delivers a muzzle velocity of 2,400 feet per second and muzzle energy of 2,046 foot-pounds. In contrast, Hornady Leverevolution .45-70 Govt 250-grain FTX ammo boasts a muzzle velocity of 2,025 feet per second and muzzle energy of 2,276 foot-pounds. So, while the .30-30 Win offering produces and maintains a higher velocity, it doesn\u2019t manage to deliver comparable energy to the .45-70.<\/p>\n

The trajectory using these two loads differs from what is expected. With a 200-yard zero, the .30-30-win load listed above has a drop rate of about 12.5 inches at 300 yards. As for the .45-70 Govt with the same zero, it drops 27.2 inches at 300 yards. That\u2019s not a shock, considering the .45-70 Govt has a significantly heavier bullet, but it is noteworthy.<\/p>\n

From a pure ballistic standpoint, you might say .30-30 Winchester is superior to .45-70 Government\u2014if you\u2019re specifically looking for a flatter trajectory. On the other hand, you\u2019d give the win to the .45-70 Govt if you don\u2019t mind the drop rate and do want the heavier bullet (and the increased energy that comes with it). This one\u2019s a bit of a draw because it\u2019s dependent on personal preferences and what you\u2019re using the gun for.<\/p>\n

Is .30-30 Winchester easier to shoot than .45-70 Government?<\/h2>\n

Felt recoil is a key factor in figuring out how shootable a particular cartridge is because, while it can be a bit subjective, it\u2019s also measurable. Basically, not everyone perceives felt recoil the same way, but the measurable foot-pounds in felt recoil make it easier to figure out what\u2019s going on. According to various studies, most shooters are prone to flinching when the felt recoil being produced exceeds 20 foot-pounds. For some shooters, anything past 15 foot-pounds of felt recoil is a no-go.<\/p>\n

Although the exact amount of felt recoil depends on a variety of factors, there\u2019s still a general range for every cartridge. The .30-30 Win produces around 14 foot-pounds of felt recoil, and the .45-70 Govt delivers about 30 foot-pounds of felt recoil.<\/p>\n

If the lever-action you\u2019re running is older, you\u2019re more likely to run into issues with a lack of padding or absorption in the stock. The older guns are strictly no-frills, which means the felt recoil tends to be more severe. Newer lever guns are designed for greater comfort, and that\u2019s important when you\u2019re talking about this kind of felt recoil. You can also reduce felt recoil by using ammo with lighter bullets because the overall load will be less aggressively made. Knowing how to stand and grip the rifle helps, too. There are a few tips and tricks for managing felt recoil, such as putting your weight forward into the gun more than you might otherwise. After all, being prepared for what\u2019s coming is more than half the battle.<\/p>\n

When it comes to comfort and felt recoil, there\u2019s really no contest. 30-30 Win is simply more comfortable to shoot.<\/p>\n

Is .30-30 Winchester better than .45-70 Government for hunting?<\/h2>\n

Face it: most lever guns are used for hunting. Both the .30-30 Win and .45-70 Govt are considered good for whitetail deer with the understanding that the wound cavity and possible meat loss is far greater with .45-70 Govt. Of course, there\u2019s more to consider than just that.<\/p>\n

The .30-30 Win offers a somewhat flatter trajectory with a slower drop rate and an approximate effective range of 200 yards. That effective range changes depending on the ammo you\u2019re using as well as your gun\u2019s barrel length, so keep that in mind. As for the .45-70 Govt, it has an admittedly sharp drop rate that gets worse with heavier bullets. Its effective range is generally going to be under 150 yards, depending on the usual factors.<\/p>\n

The bottom line here is the .30-30 Win has a fractionally better effective range on deer, but it isn\u2019t astounding. You also have to consider things like energy transfer on impact because that\u2019s an area where the .45-70 Govt easily wins. If you\u2019re hunting deer and prefer to minimize meat loss, experience less felt recoil, and have a little more distance, go with the .30-30 Win. But if you\u2019re hunting something like feral hogs and don\u2019t mind the felt recoil, .45-70 Govt could be perfect for you.<\/p>\n

\"30-30
As you can see, the .45-70 Govt is a significantly larger cartridge than the .30-30 Win. (Photo: Kat Stevens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Which cartridge wins?<\/h2>\n

Speaking as someone who\u2019s extremely fond of big bores, this one was a tough call. The .45-70 Govt can be fantastic, and I\u2019ve used it to take everything from deer to hogs to coyotes. However, it isn\u2019t one you want to shoot at length, and it can make a wound cavity so devastating you lose an entire shoulder off a whitetail deer. On the other hand, the .30-30 Win is an ideal cartridge for most hunters and those who just want to run levers at the range. Thanks to its lower felt recoil, follow-up shots are far easier to manage, and you\u2019re not likely to have a sore shoulder in the end. The flatter trajectory it offers might not be extreme, but it\u2019s still a factor. That said, the .30-30 Winchester is the winner of this face-off.<\/p>\n

Which cartridge do you prefer? .30-30 Win or .45-70 Govt? Tell us why in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If lever-action rifles are part of your gun life, you\u2019ve probably debated the merits of different calibers. Two cartridges that are most associated with the lever-action platform are the .30-30 Winchester and the .45-70 Government, with the latter being the most popular. But when it comes down to it, which one\u2019s better? Should you get a rifle chambered in .30-30 Win or .45-70 Govt? Which cartridge is better for deer season? We will attempt to answer your questions in this face-off between the .30-30 Win and .45-70 Govt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":436241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2608],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-436207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ammo-reviews"],"small_media_thumbnail":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/lever-30-30-45-70-1-300x225.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=436207"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":436936,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436207\/revisions\/436936"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/436241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=436207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=436207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=436207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}