347: Ultimate Guide To The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges

347: Ultimate Guide To The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges

Author: John McAdams November 28, 2024 Duration: 51:53

Today, I discuss all of the other .30 caliber cartridges I didn't cover in episode 286. None of these rounds use a .308" bullet, but all are still .30 caliber cartridges and most fill a similar niche as the .308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield in various parts of the world. As always, I'll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I'll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well.

Cartridges covered: 7.5x55 Swiss, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54R, 7.62x53R, 7.65x53 Argentine Mauser, 303 British, 7.5x54mm MAS, 7.7x58mm Arisaka, 32-20 Winchester

Join me at the Dallas Safari Club Convention in Atlanta 9-12 January 2025. More details are forthcoming, but I'll be hosting an event for listeners and past, present, and future African safari clients at the show.

Sponsor: I'm giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you're asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Resources

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 345: 7mm Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
361: Wyoming Horseback Elk Hunt with Hunter McWaters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
I got the chance to sit down with Hunter McWaters from The Hunter's Quest in this episode. We discussed how he got interested in western hunting along with the story of a cool, horseback elk hunt he went on in Wyoming du…
360: 22 Creedmoor vs 22-250 Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:47
Today we're going to talk about two high octane 22 caliber centerfire cartridges: the 22-250 Remington and the 22 Creedmoor. We'll discuss the overall design characteristics and performance specs of each round, then comp…
Bonus 18: Upcoming Veteran Safari Hunt Announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:41
I have a few announcements to share with you on this unusual mid-week episode regarding our upcoming hunt for the military veteran we're conducting in June of 2025 and a special request for all listeners regarding future…
359: Bullet Selection 101 with Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:25
I got the chance to sit down with Aaron Davidson from Gunwerks at the DSC convention in Atlanta and we discussed the ins and outs of bullet selection, external ballistics, and terminal performance. I felt like I was drin…
358: 35 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:51
I discuss all of the 35 Caliber SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode. As always, I'll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengt…
Bonus 17: Reforming The NRA With Buz Mills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:54
Today Buz Mills from the National Rifle Association joins me on the show to talk about the upcoming election for the NRA board of directors. In any case, I'm a life member of the NRA and I'm saddened and disappointed wit…
357: Kevin Robertson's Two Near Death Experiences From Sable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:53
Kevin Robertson is back again today to talk about sable hunting. Just like we've done on the past we dive right into the details of sable: how big they get, where they live, why they're different from other species of pl…
355: Bongo At 5 Yards In The Rainforest With Hancke Hudson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:55
My ongoing Africa hunting mini-series continues this week with another special guest: Hancke Hudson. Hancke is a South African Professional Hunter who has spent the past 30 years hunting in the rainforests of Central Afr…
354: Hunting Leopard Up Close & At Night With Tanya Blake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:05
This is the first episode in my winter 2025 Africa hunting mini-series and I have a special guest on the show with me today: Tanya Blake. Depending on how long you've been listening to the show, you may recognize that na…