The 7.62×39 Russian and the 30-30 Winchester are two centerfire 30-caliber rifle cartridges that are extremely similar in terms of their external and terminal ballistics. Despite their similarities, these two rifle cartridges were designed for completely different purposes and rifles.
The 30-30 ammo was designed specifically for sportsmen and use in lever action rifles, while the 7.62×39 was developed for semi-automatic fire in the Russian built SKS and AK-47 rifles.
One was developed as a weapon of war, the other for sending whitetail deer and hogs to your freezer, but which one is right for you?
In this article we will investigate the differences and similarities between the 30-30 Winchester and the 7.62×39 to help you pick the right cartridge for your needs
What’s the Difference Between 30-30 vs 7.62×39?
The primary difference between 30-30 and 7.62×39 is their intended purpose. The 30-30 is an American rifle cartridge that was designed for use in lever action rifles for hunting medium sized game like whitetail deer. In contrast, the 7.62×39 is a Soviet rifle cartridge designed for use semi-automatic battle rifles.
