Author Topic: 30 caliber question (Read 498 times)

freddogs · « **on:** December 22, 2003, 05:05:06 AM »

I've been thinking of getting a 30 caliber barrel for my contender and was considering a 30-30AI or a 300 whisper. I have a lot of 30-30 brass but I don't know anything about the whisper. Are these rounds similar in ballistics? Can anyone give me a few pros and cons of each? :excuseme:

helobill · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2003, 05:58:22 AM »

You can read all about the whisper at either the SSK website or http://www.quarterbore.com/300whisper/
A good article with some specific 30-30AI info is at http://www.precisionshooting.com/psm_2003_07_issue.html

Depends on what you want to use it for (and there are other 30 cal choices) and how much work you want to do. The 300Whisper is advertised to give you 2400fps with a 125gr bullet according to the SSK web site, a factory 30-30 will do better than that and the AI will exceed factory stuff (10-15%).

Forming brass is different too. For the AI all you have to do is load factory 30-30 and fireform it. The Whisper takes some "pulling and stretching" of the parent case.

In Illinois the 300 Whisper would be the choice because it's legal for deer season, the 30-30AI is not.
Hope it helps,
Bill

freddogs · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2003, 04:29:43 AM »

Thanks, these two articles were very helpful. Both cartidges are legal for deer in WI. Maybe i should look at other alternatives too since I'm in no hurry.

B_Koes · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:24:07 AM »

Better watch out...the name police are around. Only call it the .300 Whisper if you order the barrel from T/C or SSK! :eek: Of course, you could have somebody else make you a .30 caliber cartridge that is based on the .221 fireball.

As for the choice of hunting cartridges for .30 cal, there are a bunch of good choices. I would leave the .30x.221 out of the picture because while it is a good round, it doesn't offer maximum performance on game. Just the good ol' .30-30 unimproved is a great pistol round when loaded with spitzer bullets. The .30-30AI offers a bit of a boost over the unimproved version, but that may not really matter depending upon your expected usage. Other choices worth checking into are the .30 Alaskan, .308 Bellm, .309 JDJ