Which of these marginal calibers? .30 Carbine vs .223?
07-22-2011, 08:04 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,902
I have hunted whitetails with both of these cartridges, using an AR-15 in TX, and a .30 Carbine Ruger Blackhawk (ok, so it was a handgun, not a rifle). Both perform well as long as I keep things within reason.
From a rifle, I suppose I would rather have a .30 Carbine than a .223rem. As much as I love the AR-15 platform and it pains me to say it, but I'm also a big believer in using "bigger bullets". Given the choice between 55grns and 110grns, I'd prefer 110, and given the choice between 30 and 22cal's, again I'd choose 30cal.
However, that's assuming I'm keeping my shots WELL within 100yrds, closer to 50yrds. I'd honestly give the .223rem a longer max range than the .30carbine, since the .30 carb sheds energy like a prom dress, but inside 50-70yrds, I'd give the .30carb the nod.
From a rifle, I suppose I would rather have a .30 Carbine than a .223rem. As much as I love the AR-15 platform and it pains me to say it, but I'm also a big believer in using "bigger bullets". Given the choice between 55grns and 110grns, I'd prefer 110, and given the choice between 30 and 22cal's, again I'd choose 30cal.
However, that's assuming I'm keeping my shots WELL within 100yrds, closer to 50yrds. I'd honestly give the .223rem a longer max range than the .30carbine, since the .30 carb sheds energy like a prom dress, but inside 50-70yrds, I'd give the .30carb the nod.
07-22-2011, 08:21 PM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,902
I remember reading an article that I believe stated the .30 carbine had more energy at 100yds than a .44 mag did at 25yds, something to that affect, and just how the .30 is often states as being too light for deer, but almost no one would 2nd guess using a .44mag on a deer up close.
The .44mag actually has more energy at 100yrds than a .30carbine has at 50yrds (.44mag = 745 at 100yrds with a 240grn bullet, 1500fps muzzle velocity, .30carbine has 760ft.lbs. at 50yrds with a 110grn bullet with a 1990fps muzzle velocity).
Then combine this with the fact that the 110grn .30carb is only hitting 1990fps FROM A RIFLE, and a 240grn .44mag is pushing 1500fps with ease FROM A REVOLVER.
Yes, the .30carb outclasses the .357mag, but no, "it ain't no .44mag!"
07-22-2011, 09:49 PM
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,081
I remember reading an article that I believe stated the .30 carbine had more energy at 100yds than a .44 mag did at 25yds, something to that affect, and just how the .30 is often states as being too light for deer, but almost no one would 2nd guess using a .44mag on a deer up close.
Here is a link for the balistics charts incase you need to look for your self.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm
Last edited by fritz1; 07-22-2011 at 09:52 PM.
07-23-2011, 01:04 AM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pine Hill Alabama USA
Posts: 1,280
I've killed deer with both in my younger days. The only positive I can say about the 30 caliber carbine is that a M1 carbine is very light to carry. End of list. Shooting deer with it was like poking holes in them with a 30 caliber sharpened stick. They died,..... eventually. 30 cal hole going in and virtually the same size going out. Very little, if any, expantion.
Lets be honest. The M1 carbine was originally concieved as a weapon to be issued to truck drivers and other rear echelon military personel. I guess they figured why waste a M1 Garand on a guy that wasn't going to be in frontline combat. But on the other hand they needed "something" a little more accurate than a handgun in case they had an encounter with the enemy. And that's about all it is too. A little more accurate than a handgun. With the standard military ball ammo they were using knock down power must have been feeble. Take my advice if you every get charged by anything large and dangerous (be it human or animal) and all you have in your hands is a 30 caliber caribine; aim for the head. It's your only hope.
Lets be honest. The M1 carbine was originally concieved as a weapon to be issued to truck drivers and other rear echelon military personel. I guess they figured why waste a M1 Garand on a guy that wasn't going to be in frontline combat. But on the other hand they needed "something" a little more accurate than a handgun in case they had an encounter with the enemy. And that's about all it is too. A little more accurate than a handgun. With the standard military ball ammo they were using knock down power must have been feeble. Take my advice if you every get charged by anything large and dangerous (be it human or animal) and all you have in your hands is a 30 caliber caribine; aim for the head. It's your only hope.
07-24-2011, 02:52 AM
#15
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Port Neches, Texas
Posts: 5,514
B.S.!!!!!! LMAO!!! Where do you guys come up with this crap? The 30 carbine has 967ftlbs of energy at the muzzle and 373ftlbs at 200 yards versus the 44 mag. it has 1650 ftlbs at the muzzle and 661 ftlbs at 200 yards. There is no comparison! The 223 with a 64gr.sp has 1357 at the muzzle and 760 at 200 yards. both absolutely smoke the 30 carbine. Like I stated before the 30 carbine is absolutely useless as a hunting cartirdge.
Here is a link for the balistics charts incase you need to look for your self.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm
Here is a link for the balistics charts incase you need to look for your self.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm
