M1 carbine is a .30 carbine.
30-30 is not actually, the same.
Here’s a pretty good reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rifle_cartridges
>> Neither one is a 30-30.
> I’m pretty sure the M1 is ...
Nope. The M1 Carbine fires a round called the .30 carbine.
It’s basically a pistol cartridge. Ballistics are below
.30-30 and way below 7.62x39. You may have trouble
finding .30C ammo other than FMJ. .30 carbine is iffy
for deer, although usually legal.
The M1 Rifle fires the .30-06, which is much more powerful
than any of the above.
> ... the Mini-30’s 7.62x39mm ...
The Mini-14 is now available in 6.8mm SPC,
which is supposed to outperform the 7.62x39.
> Buddy of mine has a Remington 6 cyl revolver
> that takes the 30 carbine rounds.
Remington? Or Ruger?
> Don’t know if I’d want to be behind that
> sucker when it goes off!
Not because of the energy, as I understand it,
but because the powder in factory .30c loads
is slower-burning, since it expects to have at
least a 16in barrel. In a handgun, a lot of
it is still burning when the bullet has departed
the tube. It’s the classic “same round for
rifle and sidearm” conundrum.
To understand the difference between the ballistics of various rounds you should pick up a copy of a reloading manual such as the Speer Rifle and Pistol Reloading Manual.
A Cartridge consists of four components- the projectile (bullet), the brass case,primer and powder load.
There are approximately 20 +/- cartridges (case,primer,projectile,powder) that all use the .308 diameter projectile (bullet) ranging from the 30 M1 Carbine through the 30-30 Levergun cartridge up to the venerable 30-06 and the 300 Weatherby Magnum.
Because it is chambered in a gas operated autoloading rifle, the 30 M1 Carbine cartridge is limited to the use of two projectile weights-100 grains and 110 grains-and a choice of four "flavors" one of which is a semi-jacketed hollow point which MIGHT be an adequate deer round at close range.
Until Hornaday recently developed a soft pointed tip (the Leverolution round) ALL 30-30 ammunition was BLUNT point because of the danger the tube magazine arrangement of the classic levergun would detonate cartridges whose primer rested on the pointed tip of another projectile (bullet).
So even though the weight of a 30-30 projectile can go to 170 grains ballistically the range and power are limited to about 100 yards, maybe 200 yards in the hands of a skilled marksman. (of course, everyone believes they are skilled marksman enough to take long shots!!??)
Before you give up on your levergun examine the Hornaday Leverolution round and see if it does not meet your needs for extended range and power.
Best regards,
M1 carbine is NOT a .30-30. In fact the cartridge it uses is so low-powered that it is actually illegal for deer here in Michigan, and should be everywhere.
The accepted name for that round is .30 Carbine. It’s essentially a no more than modest .30 caliber pistol round. The little rifle was in fact intended as a combat sidearm for officers and non-front-line troops, in place of John Browning’s legendary .45 Auto pistol. More accurate at longer ranges than the .45 pistol can be shot accurately, but hasn’t the power of the .45 Auto at ANY range. Other than the historical value, the only use the little M1 Carbine has is killing tin cans, and maybe rabbits. It’s really not even good enough to use as a self-defense round.
The .30-30 or .30WCF is a legendary deer round, but it’s never chambered in any semi-autos, because it’s a rimmed round, and can’t be made to feed well. Most .30-30 rifles are lever actions, Winchesters, Savage 99s, and that ilk.
The 7.62x39 however is quite acceptable as a deer cartridge, BUT you must use the proper ammunition. The cheap full-jacket military surplus ammo is NOT suitable for deer hunting, and in many states is probably also illegal for that use.