The problem with the .30TC

[Uncle Mike]

Just exactly what is the problem with the 30TC cartridge?

Let us ponder this....

Lets use Hornady Ammo information. We'll omit the Light Magnum stuff in the 30-06 and 308 loadings...got to keep it fair.

.308 150gr. SST Interlock

M 200 400 500
V/E 2820/2648 2392/1905 2003/1336 1823/1107
Drop +1.5" 0" -24.9" -51.4"

.30-06 150gr. SST Interlock
M 200 400 500
V/E 2901/2820 2473/2037 2077/1436 1893/1193
Drop +1.5" 0" -21.5" -43.7"

.30TC 150gr. SST Interlock
M 200 400 500
V/E 3000/2997 2555/2173 2151/1540 1963/1283
Drop +1.5" 0" -20.0" -40.7


As we can see, the 30TC outpaces the 308 by a wide margin and the 30-06 by some...
It is.....Faster....Flatter.....and hits harder!

Now for the... well, 'it's too close to the 30-06 to worry with' crowd.

....and the 308 is HOW close to the 30-06...?

The 308 is around 4% slower and produces around 7% less energy than the 30-06 at 500 y-
The 30TC is around 4% faster and produces around 7% more energy than the 30-06 at 500y-

This smells.....

As for trajectory....
The 30-06 is around 15% flatter shooting than the 308 at 500y-
The 30TC is around 7% flatter shooting than the 30-06 at 500y-

So if the differences between the 30TC and the 30-06 are nearly the same as the differences between the 30-06 and the 308.....what is the complaint with the 30TC, I mean it does shoot flatter, faster and hits harder than both the 30-06 and the 308 AND it is a medium length cartridge.

Please forgive any wrong calculations... it was not me...lol hehehehe UM

 

[Z-Michigan]

Not enough benefit to choose a proprietary new cartridge for a 4-8% increase in performance at the expense of much higher ammo costs and lower availability? Even for handloaders brass availability and cost is significant.

 

[essayons21]

.308 = cheap

30-06 = cheap

30TC /= cheap

me = cheap

 

[Ol` Joe]

The 30TC is loaded by Hornady with their "Lite mag" technology. You are comparing that to standard 308 and 30-06 loadings. The 308 runs 3000 fps with a similar load and the `06 3100 fps. The TC does nothing the other two don`t already do IMO. The exception being it is harder to find and probably won`t be "on sale" at your local Mart" store anytime soon.

 

[browningguy]

Or just get a plain old .300 Winny if you need more velocity. I already have .308, 30-06 and .300, where does the TC fit in, something between a 30-06 and a .300 Win?

 

[R.W.Dale]

3000 fps + velocities are not unheard of for 30/06 shooting top notch handloads in a 24" barrel and about 100 to 150 fps less for 308

however! The handloader will NOT be able to improve apoun the ballistics of the already high strung 30tc factory fodder

 

[DIM]

I think what they need is 338 TC or 8.6mm TC something that will outshoot 338 RUM with a case similar to 338 WM so say 160 grain .338 with 3550 fps muzzle velocity
Don't know about 30 TC no one sells it around here, hmm can't find any .308 ammo either just some Remington corelokts, so I'm back to my reloading bench

 

[Runningman]

Looks to me like the marketing boys are trying to put their best spin on the 30 TC.

The 1st problem I see with the 30 TC is..... no factory 180 grain loads in a 30 cal? I'm sure the 150 and 165 will do for deer hunting. But what about the guy who also hunts Elk and or Moose? In the 30 cal most people I know use 180 grain bullets for Elk hunting.

The 2nd problem I see is. The 30 TC has slightly less case capacity than a 308 Win. Given the huge popularity of the 308 Win I don't think it was a good idea to introduce a short action 30 cal with slightly less case capacity than the 308 Win.

If you handload than it is unlikely you will be able to get the 30 TC to 308 Win velocity. Let alone the 30-06, with available powders from what I can see in Hodgdon annual manual. From looking at it I would bet the 30 TC uses a special unobtainable powder to average Joe reloader.

 

[Uncle Mike]

From looking at it I would bet the 30 TC uses a special unobtainable powder to average Joe reloader.

You are definitely right sir!

 

[DIM]

Loading .308 with 46 grain of RL 15 or 48 grain of IMR 4064 will make 150 grain bullets fly at 2950 fps I don’t see much of advantage using 30 TC, anyway I usually load my 155 grain bullets to 2700 fps they group better this way

 

[dubbleA]

Runningman sized it up very well. I have my doubts too with the average handloader working with Ruger compact magnum cartridges.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

All the cartridge proliferation of the last 8 years is going to come back to bite some people. In a couple of decades there will be many fine guns for which it'll be impossible to find ammo. With no earthly reason for a 30TC, it's almost sure to die an early death. A good '06 can be handloaded to exceed 3000fps with a 150 grain bullet without much trouble. For a meaningful increase in performance, jump to a .300 Win Mag.; a fine cartridge in it's own right with plenty of brass and load data available.

In the past TC took a sensible approach and never strayed far from its niche markets. Now the S&W influence appears to be pushing them into following the herd. We don't need another Ruger or Remington.

 

[Uncle Mike]

In the past TC took a sensible approach and never strayed far from its niche markets. Now the S&W influence appears to be pushing them into following the herd. We don't need another Ruger or Remington.

Yea, it seems that S&W has indeed influenced TC. You hear a hint of surprise in the voice many folks when they find out that TC is building a high end (so they say) bolt gun.

I'll have to say I was a bit surprised myself.... but why not? It seems that, around here at least, TC is thought of as a muzzle loader maker and nothing more.

The Icon does seem to have its merit, the ones we have sold have generated favorable opinions. The 30TC is not selling very well at all, at least with our shop, but talking with other shops around the country we have heard the same.

Shucks, one shop in the great white north we send bolts to had not sold one 30TC since its birth.