The 30 Carbine is a centerfire rifle cartridge standardised by SAAMI in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4. SAAMI sets its maximum average pressure at 40,000 psi, and measures its reference velocities in a 20.000 in standard test barrel rifled 1 turn in 20.00 in. This guide sets out SAAMI’s published reference velocity for each bullet weight, computes the muzzle energy each one carries, and compares the 30 Carbine with the 7.62 x 39 on the same basis.
30 Carbine ballistics chart: SAAMI reference data
SAAMI publishes one nominal mean instrumental velocity for each reference bullet weight, measured at 15 feet from the standard test barrel. It does not publish energy, so the ft-lb column is computed. Where SAAMI lists more than one velocity for a weight, both ends of the span are shown.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Bullet weight | Reference velocity | Computed muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|
| 110 gr | 1,965 fps | 943 ft-lb |
Manufacturer-published loads
SAAMI’s figures above are the shared reference. The tables below are different data: what each manufacturer publishes for a specific load we stock, taken from that maker’s own page for the item number shown. Each maker chooses its own test barrel, so its figures can differ from SAAMI’s reference velocity for the same bullet weight and should not be laid directly beside another brand’s.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load | Item no. | Bullet weight | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Ballistic coefficient | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady FTX® | 81030 | 110 gr | FTX® | 2,000 fps | 977 ft-lb | .178 G1 | 20″ |
| Federal Full Metal Jacket | AE30CB | 110 gr | Full Metal Jacket | 1,990 fps | 967 ft-lb | .165, drag model not stated | Not published |
| Remington Core-Lokt Soft Point | 28322 | 110 gr | Core-Lokt Soft Point | 1,990 fps | 967 ft-lb | .166, drag model not stated | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot FMJ | SB30A | 110 gr | FMJ | 2,024 fps | 1,001 ft-lb | 0.154 G1 | 23½” |
| Sellier And Bellot SP | SB30B | 110 gr | SP | 2,024 fps | 1,001 ft-lb | 0.157 G1 | 23½” |
| Underwood Xtreme Cavitator® | 854 | 85 gr | Xtreme Cavitator® | 2,150 fps | 873 ft-lb | 0.151 G1 | Not published |
| Buffalo Bore Hard Cast, Flat Nose, Gas Checked | 46D | 125 gr | Hard Cast, Flat Nose, Gas Checked | 2,100 fps | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Aguila Full Metal Jacket | 1E302110 | 110 gr | Full Metal Jacket | 1,990 fps | 967 ft-lb | Not published | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (test barrel) | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 110 gr (20″) | 2,000 fps / 977 ft-lb | 1,601 fps / 626 ft-lb | 1,279 fps / 399 ft-lb | 1,067 fps / 278 ft-lb | Not published | Not published |
| Federal 110 gr (barrel not published) | 1,990 fps / 967 ft-lb | 1,564 fps / 597 ft-lb | 1,231 fps / 370 ft-lb | 1,031 fps / 260 ft-lb | 919 fps / 206 ft-lb | 839 fps / 172 ft-lb |
| Remington 110 gr (barrel not published) | 1,990 fps / 967 ft-lb | 1,566 fps / 599 ft-lb | 1,234 fps / 372 ft-lb | 1,034 fps / 261 ft-lb | 922 fps / 207 ft-lb | 841 fps / 173 ft-lb |
| Sellier And Bellot 110 gr (23½”) | 2,024 fps / 1,001 ft-lb | 1,555 fps / 590 ft-lb | 1,145 fps / 320 ft-lb | 973 fps / 231 ft-lb | 880 fps / 189 ft-lb | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot 110 gr (23½”) | 2,024 fps / 1,001 ft-lb | 1,566 fps / 599 ft-lb | 1,163 fps / 330 ft-lb | 981 fps / 235 ft-lb | 888 fps / 193 ft-lb | Not published |
| Aguila 110 gr (barrel not published) | 1,990 fps / 967 ft-lb | 1,451 fps / 514 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (zero) | 0 yd | 50 yd | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 110 gr (100 yd zero) | −0.9 in | Not published | 0 in | −12.9 in | −47.2 in | Not published |
| Federal 110 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | +0.7 in | 0 in | −13 in | −49.1 in | Not published |
| Remington 110 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | +0.7 in | 0 in | −12.9 in | −48.9 in | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot 110 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | +0.4 in | 0 in | −12.9 in | −52 in | −127.8 in |
| Sellier And Bellot 110 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | +0.4 in | 0 in | −12.6 in | −50.9 in | −125.2 in |
What the numbers mean for a shot
SAAMI lists a single reference bullet weight for the 30 Carbine: 110 grains, listed at 1,965 fps, which computes to 943 ft-lb. SAAMI publishes no other weight for it, so the table has one row. For any other bullet weight, use the figures the maker publishes for that item.
None of this is a downrange figure. SAAMI measures at 15 feet, so retained velocity, energy and drop depend on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which SAAMI does not publish. Each product in our 30 Carbine ammo range lists whatever its maker publishes for that item.
Twist rate, chamber and pressure
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 30 Carbine is 20.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 20.00 in, with a .308 in groove diameter. That is the barrel every reference velocity above was measured in, not a statement about your rifle: a shorter production barrel will usually give lower velocity, and a twist slower than a bullet needs will not stabilise it. SAAMI measures the 30 Carbine in a 20.000 in test barrel, not the 24.000 in used for most rifle cartridges, so its reference velocities cannot be set beside theirs without allowing for the barrel. The maximum average pressure is 40,000 psi. Fire 30 Carbine ammunition only in a firearm chambered for it. Several unrelated cartridges share a number, so match the full designation on the box to the marking on your barrel.
30 Carbine vs 7.62×39: the SAAMI comparison
A figure from one maker’s catalogue cannot be laid beside a figure from another’s: each picks its own test barrel, zero and bullet, and many publish no test barrel at all. SAAMI is the shared basis, because it fixes one standard test barrel and one way of measuring velocity for every cartridge it lists.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 30 Carbine | 7.62 x 39 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 40,000 psi | 45,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | 20.000 in | 20.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | 1 turn in 20.00 in | 1 turn in 9.45 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | .308 in | .310 in |
| Lightest reference load | 110 gr — 1,965 fps / 943 ft-lb | 123 gr — 2,350 fps / 1,508 ft-lb |
SAAMI standardises the 30 Carbine at 40,000 psi and the 7.62 x 39 at 45,000 psi, so the 30 Carbine runs 5,000 psi lower. SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like velocity row to compare. Their standard test barrels differ (20.000 in, 1 turn in 20.00 in for the 30 Carbine; 20.000 in, 1 turn in 9.45 in for the 7.62 x 39), so compare the reference rows with that in mind.
What SAAMI cannot settle is anything past the muzzle. It publishes no ballistic coefficients and no downrange data, so it cannot say which cartridge shoots flatter at distance; that depends on the bullet. We stock the other side of this comparison too: 7.62×39 ammo.
30 Carbine ballistics questions
What is the maximum pressure of the 30 Carbine?
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 sets the maximum average pressure for the 30 Carbine at 40,000 psi.
What twist rate and barrel length does SAAMI use for the 30 Carbine?
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 30 Carbine is 20.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 20.00 in. Your own rifle may differ.
What muzzle velocity do manufacturers publish for the 30 Carbine?
For the 8 loads we stock from Hornady, Federal, Remington, Sellier And Bellot, Underwood, Buffalo Bore and Aguila, the makers publish muzzle velocities from 1,990 to 2,150 fps, for bullet weights from 85 to 125 grains. Each maker measured its own load in its own test barrel, so these are not SAAMI reference figures and are not directly comparable between brands.
Is the 30 Carbine more powerful than the 7.62 x 39?
SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like row. Its highest computed reference energy is 943 ft-lb for the 30 Carbine (110 grains) and 1,508 ft-lb for the 7.62 x 39.
What is the effective range of the 30 Carbine?
Effective range is not a SAAMI specification and it is not a measured figure. SAAMI measures velocity at 15 feet, so it says nothing about performance at distance; that depends on the bullet and the shooter.
How much does the 30 Carbine drop at 300 yards?
SAAMI publishes muzzle velocity only, so it cannot give a drop figure. Drop depends on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and on the zero range. A drop figure is unusable without its zero, so use the figure a maker prints for the specific load.
Where to buy these loads
Hilltop Armory carries 30 Carbine ammunition from Buffalo Bore, Federal, Magtech, Prvi Partizan, Remington and Sellier And Bellot. Browse the full 30 Carbine ammo range.
