.30-30 Winchester Trajectory Calculator
See how .30-30 Winchester stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The .30-30 Winchester has taken more whitetail deer than any other cartridge in American history. With a 150-grain bullet at 2,335 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 8.2 inches of drop at 200 yards and 31.5 inches at 300 yards. Energy drops below 783 ft-lbs at 200 yards and 510 ft-lbs at 300 yards—effective on deer inside 200 yards, but the rainbow trajectory limits practical range.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Modern lever-action bullets like Hornady FTX offer better ballistics than traditional flat-nose loads. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (.30-30 Winchester) is pre-selected for the first load.
.30-30 Winchester Trajectory Chart
.30-30 Winchester Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2335.0 | 1816.44 |
| 25 | -0.41 | 1.56 | 0.453 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.033 | 2222.43 | 1645.52 |
| 50 | 0.23 | -0.44 | -0.128 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.068 | 2113.6 | 1488.31 |
| 75 | 0.39 | -0.49 | -0.143 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.104 | 2007.9 | 1343.17 |
| 100 | 0.0 | -0.0 | -0.001 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.143 | 1905.45 | 1209.6 |
| 125 | -0.98 | 0.75 | 0.218 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.183 | 1806.42 | 1087.14 |
| 150 | -2.63 | 1.67 | 0.487 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.226 | 1711.11 | 975.45 |
| 175 | -5.02 | 2.74 | 0.797 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.271 | 1619.94 | 874.27 |
| 200 | -8.24 | 3.93 | 1.144 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.319 | 1533.06 | 783.01 |
| 225 | -12.39 | 5.25 | 1.528 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.369 | 1450.76 | 701.19 |
| 250 | -17.56 | 6.71 | 1.951 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.422 | 1373.56 | 628.55 |
| 275 | -23.89 | 8.29 | 2.412 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.478 | 1302.15 | 564.9 |
| 300 | -31.5 | 10.02 | 2.916 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.537 | 1237.28 | 510.01 |
Take this table to the range
The .30-30 Winchester reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available .30-30 Winchester Ammunition Ballistics
Zeroing the .30-30 Winchester
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 150gr G1 .184 at 2,335 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). A hunting rifle with a scope in standard rings sits about 1.5" over the bore; the zero you choose sets how far you can hold on hair without thinking about the range. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
.30-30 Winchester zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 150-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 39 yd | 25 yd | 18 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 150 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.4" | +1.8" | +4.3" |
| Max ordinate distance | 70 yd | 90 yd | 115 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–165 yd | 0–194 yd | 0–94 yd (peak is over the zone; back inside 135–231) |
| Sight in at 100 yd | 0.0" (0.0 MOA) | +1.8" (+1.7 MOA) | +4.1" (+4.0 MOA) |
| Drop at 200 yd | -8.2" | -4.7" | +0.0" |
| Drop at 300 yd | -31.5" | -26.2" | -19.1" |
| Energy at 200 yd | 783 ft-lb | 783 ft-lb | 783 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 8" vital zone, ±4" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 400 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
.30-30 Winchester with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 150gr load first crosses the line of sight at 39 yards, peaks +0.4" at 70 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -8.2" at 200 and -31.5" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 353 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,335 | 1,816 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.4" | -1.56 | -0.45 | 2,222 | 1,646 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +0.2" | +0.44 | +0.13 | 2,114 | 1,488 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +0.4" | +0.49 | +0.14 | 2,008 | 1,343 | 1.4 |
| 100 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,905 | 1,210 | 2.5 |
| 125 | -1.0" | -0.75 | -0.22 | 1,806 | 1,087 | 3.9 |
| 150 | -2.6" | -1.67 | -0.49 | 1,711 | 975 | 5.8 |
| 175 | -5.0" | -2.74 | -0.80 | 1,620 | 874 | 8.1 |
| 200 | -8.2" | -3.93 | -1.14 | 1,533 | 783 | 10.8 |
| 225 | -12.4" | -5.25 | -1.53 | 1,451 | 701 | 14.0 |
| 250 | -17.6" | -6.71 | -1.95 | 1,374 | 629 | 17.7 |
| 275 | -23.9" | -8.29 | -2.41 | 1,302 | 565 | 21.9 |
| 300 | -31.5" | -10.02 | -2.92 | 1,237 | 510 | 26.7 |
| 325 | -40.5" | -11.91 | -3.46 | 1,179 | 463 | 32.0 |
| 350 | -51.1" | -13.94 | -4.06 | 1,129 | 425 | 37.8 |
| 375 | -63.4" | -16.14 | -4.70 | 1,086 * | 393 | 44.0 |
| 400 | -77.6" | -18.51 | -5.38 | 1,049 * | 367 | 50.8 |
150gr G1 .184 at 2,335 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 353 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.30-30 Winchester with a 150-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 150 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 150gr load first crosses the line of sight at 25 yards, peaks +1.8" at 90 yards, returns to zero at 150, and is -4.7" at 200 and -26.2" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 353 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,335 | 1,816 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +0.0" | +0.12 | +0.04 | 2,222 | 1,646 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +1.1" | +2.12 | +0.62 | 2,114 | 1,488 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +1.7" | +2.17 | +0.63 | 2,008 | 1,343 | 1.4 |
| 100 | +1.8" | +1.68 | +0.49 | 1,905 | 1,210 | 2.5 |
| 125 | +1.2" | +0.93 | +0.27 | 1,806 | 1,087 | 3.9 |
| 150 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,711 | 975 | 5.8 |
| 175 | -1.9" | -1.06 | -0.31 | 1,620 | 874 | 8.1 |
| 200 | -4.7" | -2.25 | -0.66 | 1,533 | 783 | 10.8 |
| 225 | -8.4" | -3.58 | -1.04 | 1,451 | 701 | 14.0 |
| 250 | -13.2" | -5.03 | -1.46 | 1,374 | 629 | 17.7 |
| 275 | -19.1" | -6.61 | -1.92 | 1,302 | 565 | 21.9 |
| 300 | -26.2" | -8.35 | -2.43 | 1,237 | 510 | 26.7 |
| 325 | -34.8" | -10.23 | -2.97 | 1,179 | 463 | 32.0 |
| 350 | -45.0" | -12.27 | -3.57 | 1,129 | 425 | 37.8 |
| 375 | -56.8" | -14.47 | -4.21 | 1,086 * | 393 | 44.0 |
| 400 | -70.5" | -16.83 | -4.90 | 1,049 * | 367 | 50.8 |
150gr G1 .184 at 2,335 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 353 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.30-30 Winchester with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 150gr load first crosses the line of sight at 18 yards, peaks +4.2" at 115 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is +0.0" at 200 and -19.1" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 353 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,335 | 1,816 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +0.6" | +2.39 | +0.70 | 2,222 | 1,646 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +2.3" | +4.39 | +1.28 | 2,114 | 1,488 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +3.5" | +4.44 | +1.29 | 2,008 | 1,343 | 1.4 |
| 100 | +4.1" | +3.95 | +1.15 | 1,905 | 1,210 | 2.5 |
| 125 | +4.2" | +3.20 | +0.93 | 1,806 | 1,087 | 3.9 |
| 150 | +3.6" | +2.27 | +0.66 | 1,711 | 975 | 5.8 |
| 175 | +2.2" | +1.21 | +0.35 | 1,620 | 874 | 8.1 |
| 200 | +0.0" | +0.02 | 0.00 | 1,533 | 783 | 10.8 |
| 225 | -3.1" | -1.31 | -0.38 | 1,451 | 701 | 14.0 |
| 250 | -7.2" | -2.76 | -0.80 | 1,374 | 629 | 17.7 |
| 275 | -12.5" | -4.35 | -1.26 | 1,302 | 565 | 21.9 |
| 300 | -19.1" | -6.08 | -1.77 | 1,237 | 510 | 26.7 |
| 325 | -27.1" | -7.96 | -2.31 | 1,179 | 463 | 32.0 |
| 350 | -36.7" | -10.00 | -2.91 | 1,129 | 425 | 37.8 |
| 375 | -47.9" | -12.20 | -3.55 | 1,086 * | 393 | 44.0 |
| 400 | -61.0" | -14.56 | -4.24 | 1,049 * | 367 | 50.8 |
150gr G1 .184 at 2,335 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 353 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the .30-30 Winchester
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" (whitetail, pronghorn) | 196 yd | 0 yd | 227 yd | +4.0" at 112 yd | 18 / 196 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 212 yd | 0 yd | 246 yd | +5.0" at 121 yd | 16 / 212 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Similar Calibers
.30-30 Winchester Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On .30-30 Winchester Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $631.44 | $0.00 | $631.44 |
$1.26
500 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $635.55 | $0.00 | $635.55 |
$1.27
500 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 200 | $239.95 | $19.67 | $259.62 |
$1.30
200 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $652.78 | $0.00 | $652.78 |
$1.31
500 Rounds
|