Light bullets
Many varmint-oriented loads use light bullets designed for rapid expansion. Their high muzzle velocity should not be confused with the behavior of a heavier match or hunting bullet.
THE CARTRIDGE LIBRARY · COMPACT RIFLE CARTRIDGE
.30 Carbine
A compact, rimless centerfire cartridge associated with the M1 Carbine. Its straight-sided appearance and .30 label do not make it interchangeable with rifle rounds such as .30-30.
2A Ledger reference desk · Sources checked October 18, 2026
Read the dimensions
- Overall · min–max
- 1.625–1.680 in
41.275–42.672 mm - Case length · max
- 1.290 in
32.766 mm - Bullet maximum
- 0.309 in
7.849 mm - Rim diameter · max
- 0.360 in
9.144 mm
Know the exact name
At a glance
- Cartridge family
- Compact rifle cartridge
- Bullet specification
- 0.3090 in / 7.849 mmBullet maximum
- Factory examples
- 3 loadsSelected, sourced examples below
- Weight in cited examples
- 110 grGrains measure mass, not powder charge
.30 Carbine is identified by its complete cartridge designation. The resource-table alternative is 30 Carbine. A caliber number, bullet diameter, or family resemblance on its own does not identify ammunition compatibility.
The M1 Carbine and M1 Garand use different ammunition. Garand-associated .30-06 data is not .30 Carbine data.
Dimensions: open the exact dimensional drawing ↗. The displayed number is bullet maximum, rather than an assertion that every manufactured projectile or barrel has this exact diameter.
Origins & evolution
Background & development
The .30 Carbine was developed for the U.S. light-rifle program in 1941. The requirement sat between two existing service arms: the M1911A1 pistol was compact but limited, while the M1 Garand gave soldiers a full-size rifle to carry. The resulting M1 Carbine and its cartridge were intended for personnel who needed a lighter, handier shoulder arm, rather than a direct replacement for the Garand’s full-power ammunition.
The cartridge’s later life extended beyond its original military platform. Ruger introduced a .30 Carbine Blackhawk in 1968, and other makers used the cartridge in automatic pistols and single-shot handguns. Those applications form a separate chapter from its wartime service and explain why modern ammunition references may include both rifle and handgun test barrels. The name preserves its connection to the M1 Carbine; it does not identify the .30-06 cartridge used in the M1 Garand.
Historical sources: Sierra: .30 Carbine cartridge history ↗
Construction changes the story
Loads, variations & specialty offerings
Longer bullets
Streamlined match bullets can retain velocity differently downrange. Bullet length, construction, rifling twist, and magazine constraints are product-specific; grain weight alone does not describe them.
Specialty construction
Monolithic, bonded, tipped, and subsonic products are distinct load types when offered. A match label describes a target role and does not automatically establish a hunting application.
In the cited .30 Carbine examples, bullet weights are 110 grains. These are the weights actually present in this source selection, not a claim that every possible loading is listed.
Bullet construction background: Hornady: anatomy of a bullet ↗. Exact product descriptions and velocities are cited in the factory table.
From the factory catalog
110 grains
1,990 fps
SPRN
Compare all 3 cited factory load records
| Maker / product | Bullet mass | Published construction | Muzzle velocity | Test barrel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal30CA | 110 gr 7.13 g | SPRN | 1,990 fps 607 m/s | 18 in | Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗ |
| FederalAE30CB | 110 gr 7.13 g | FMJ | 1,990 fps 607 m/s | 18 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| Hornady81030 | 110 gr 7.13 g | FTX® (20" Bbl) | 2,000 fps 610 m/s | 20 in | Hornady · PDF p. 185 ↗ |
Explore the published data
Ballistics you can inspect
Select a legend entry to add or remove its line. Hover or tap a plotted point, or use the position slider. With the graph focused, arrow keys move the inspector. Solid dots identify source points; dashed connectors show estimates between them. Load construction, pressure category, and test setup can differ even at the same grain weight.
Read the original values as accessible tables
.30 Carbine: factory velocity downrange
| Exact load | Source | Published points |
|---|---|---|
| 110 gr Federal SPRN | Federal | 0: 1990; 100: 1564; 200: 1231; 300: 1031; 400: 919; 500: 839 |
| 110 gr Federal FMJ | Federal | 0: 1990; 100: 1564; 200: 1231; 300: 1031; 400: 919; 500: 839 |
| 110 gr Hornady FTX® (20" Bbl) | Hornady | 0: 2000; 100: 1601; 200: 1279; 300: 1067 |
How to interpret the comparison
Changing bullet weight also often changes bullet design and propellant choice. Two curves are comparisons of the listed products, not a controlled experiment proving that bullet weight alone caused the difference. Catalog downrange points are projections under the maker’s conditions; barrel-study points are recorded observations in the study firearm.
Direct answers
Common questions
What is .30 Carbine?
A compact, rimless centerfire cartridge associated with the M1 Carbine. Its straight-sided appearance and .30 label do not make it interchangeable with rifle rounds such as .30-30.
What diameter does .30 Carbine use?
The cited dimensional standard lists 0.3090 inches (7.849 mm), bullet maximum. This drawing convention is different from a casual caliber nickname.
Are similarly named cartridges interchangeable?
The M1 Carbine and M1 Garand use different ammunition. Garand-associated .30-06 data is not .30 Carbine data.
Are the graph values measured or estimated?
The downrange view uses the exact manufacturer catalog records shown in the source table. Dashed connectors and intermediate inspector values use linear interpolation between the displayed source points. Calculated energy uses the listed bullet mass and velocity.
Does higher energy mean the best load?
Energy is calculated from mass and velocity. It does not establish accuracy, expansion, penetration, pattern density, recoil, or suitability for a particular firearm. Use the exact product documentation and firearm manual.
Trace the facts
Sources & methodology
Compiled by 2A Ledger from the linked standards, manufacturer publications, and identified test records. Checked October 18, 2026. Historical tests and older catalogs retain their original dates; a listing here does not establish current availability.
- SAAMI: dimensional drawing · PDF p. 108 ↗
- Sierra: .30 Carbine cartridge background ↗
- Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗
- Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗
- Hornady · PDF p. 185 ↗
Diameter figures preserve the cited drawing convention. Inch–millimeter conversion uses exactly 25.4 mm per inch. Factory specifications describe the maker’s test setup; your firearm, ammunition lot, temperature, and measuring method can produce different results. This is an educational factory-ammunition reference, not a reloading manual.