30TC

[AK Gun Man 88]

So I've been looking at the 30TC for the Pro Hunter. I live on an island in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska aka Kodiak. Getting ammo here for unusual rounds is difficult, not impossible. I have heard that the powder for this round is not available yet, and even if it is available, it's gonna take some magic getting that powder here.

I do not own a 308 or a 30-06 except my M1 (will not hunt with it). Also the last threads I could find on the 30TC are from '08-'09 time.

What are your thoughts on this round for me? I have been seeing that 30TC barrels are cheaper than most other calibers. I can reload this round but not to factory specs until the powder is available.

 

[LoonWulf]

It looks to have pretty much the same usage as the .308 ( I was looking at hodgdons load specs). Seems as good as the .308, if you can get the barrel cheaper, and get the cases.

 

[Abel]

So I've been looking at the 30TC for the Pro Hunter. I live on an island in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska aka Kodiak. Getting ammo here for unusual rounds is difficult, not impossible. I have heard that the powder for this round is not available yet, and even if it is available, it's gonna take some magic getting that powder here.

I do not own a 308 or a 30-06 except my M1 (will not hunt with it). Also the last threads I could find on the 30TC are from '08-'09 time.

What are your thoughts on this round for me? I have been seeing that 30TC barrels are cheaper than most other calibers. I can reload this round but not to factory specs until the powder is available.

The reason that they are cheaper is because no one will buy them. You have pretty much outlined the reasons not to buy one. I can't come up with one single reason to buy a 30TC. It is basically obsolete already. Go with the 30-06.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Never saw the "shine" of the new 30 TC cartridge. It's a tiny bit shorter than the .308. Looks to me like they simply just renamed the damn .308. Just another example of ammo makers trying to reinvent the wheel. Just get you a TC with a .308 barrel and go hunting!

 

[helotaxi]

They have claimed .30-06 performance from a short action. That's the appeal.

 

[Abel]

They have claimed .30-06 performance from a short action. That's the appeal.

The 300WSM works quite a bit better if you aren't satisfied with how well the 308 Win already does this exact same job. There is no real appeal. If there were, people would buy it and rifles would be chambered for it.

 

[helotaxi]

I agree that it's a solution looking for a problem in some regards. Problem with the .300WSM is the extra powder needed and the extra recoil since it surpasses .30-06 performance and goes right for the .300 Win Mag.

I personally don't see the appeal of the .30cal cartridges anyway.

 

[Dr T]

In looking at the cartridge some time ago, I came to the conclusion that it was little more than an improved 300 Savage loaded to much higher pressure. The 300 Savage case is based on a shortened 30-06 case, and, if you look closely, the 308 looks like a 300 Savage with a longer neck.

Given your location, I think you would be better served with the 30-06. The cost of brass, dies, and powder are likely to be more expensive to the point that the money you save on the barrel will be eaten up by other things.

That is, of course, unless you just want the 30 TC as a curiosity.

 

[Gtscotty]

In looking at the cartridge some time ago, I came to the conclusion that it was little more than an improved 300 Savage loaded to much higher pressure. The 300 Savage case is based on a shortened 30-06 case, and, if you look closely, the 308 looks like a 300 Savage with a longer neck.

Given your location, I think you would be better served with the 30-06. The cost of brass, dies, and powder are likely to be more expensive to the point that the money you save on the barrel will be eaten up by other things.

That is, of course, unless you just want the 30 TC as a curiosity.

+1, I really wouldn't pick up the 30 TC barrel just because its cheap right now, I agree that the cartridge is pretty much dead already. A good indicator of this is that CDNN has been selling off 30 TC Icon's for super cheap ($399) while at the same time selling Icon's in regular chamberings for a good bit more. I think I would just go with a 30-06 or 300 WM and call it a day, a short action cartridge is not really going to offer any benefit to you in a single shot rifle anyway.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Good Evening All,

Let me present another angle to this story if I may.

I have an Icon 30TC that I got cheap because of all the nay-saying about it. I was getting into handloading so learning to load the 30TC was no different from learning to load the 308 or 30-06.

True, the magic fairy dust powder that will allow the 30TC to exceed the 30-06 isn't available to reloaders but with good old BL-C(2) I'm able to get results that duplicate the 308. It is also my most accurate rifle. I've worked up load for 150, 165, and 180 grain bullets that meet or exceed the published results for the 308. I haven't gone with lower weight bullets because I've got lighter rifles to do that and I don't have any need for anything bigger. The 180 at 2640 fps (chronographed) is plenty for moose, at least according to my state's Fish and Game moose hunting recommendations.

For me, the 30TC has worked out well. Good luck to you which every direction you choose.

Dan

 

[Abel]

If Thompson Center's top chef had any brains, he would have gone with something besides a 30 caliber. Maybe a 6.5 TC or a 250 TC. The 30-06 loaded by Hornady with the Light Magnum recipe beats or matches the 30 TC, or so I hear.

 

[helotaxi]

The 6.5mm is over-rated and the quarterbore is outclassed by lots of things. 7mm is where it's at. Best balance of available velocity and high BC/SD bullets. The 7mm-08 shoots circles around the .308 and the .280 shoots flatter than the .30-06 with higher SD and better penetration from the same type bullet.

 

[Abel]

Yeah, its pretty much a crapshoot. You just never know what the consumer will take a liking to. Most of what I work with was around pre-1907. The 35 Rem & the 30-06 are the same age. The 30-30 is from 1895 or so. I'd love to get a fancy wildcat like a 25-06 or a 280!

 

[jhnrckr]

You know you have won the battle when Remington makes a .270 Winchester and Winchester makes a 7mm Remington. Choosing to make a TC named round is clearly the result of boardroom ego overload. you can buy t/c ventures and icon bolt guns deeply discounted at CDNN, yet another sign of life support being pulled.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Well, the "fairy dust" powder is available. It's called "Superformance" and marketed by Hodgdon, who provides it to Hornady for the .30TC.

The .30TC is just the .308wcf "modified" with match grade chambers and throats; And loaded to higher pressure. Nothing magical about it. FWIW; my brother has been getting identical ballistics from his Win. pre'64 Mod70 FW with either BLC2/Win748 and H4895.... for over 30yrs..... You can also exceed the .30TC with the good ole .30/06 and either RL15, RL17 or RL22..... which, depending on bullet weight....

FWIW; you can form .30TC brass by running .308 brass into a .30TC die, and trim to length.... no big deal....
However, factory ammo might be impossible to obtain five years from now.
I too thought "What was T/C thinking ???"

 

[LoonWulf]

the "Superformance" powder hodgdon sells is NOT the same as what hornady uses. Hodgdon also list NO loads for the .30 T/C with the powder it sells.

 

[helotaxi]

The Superformance ammo uses several different powders depending on the cartridge. The Superformance powder sold by Hodgdon is just one of the several.