Federal .30 Super Carry

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I just received an e-newsletter from Firearms News which they send maybe once a week if you're a subscriber. Right up front, let me apologize for not providing a link. I'm a lousy linker--hard to be good at everything--so you might have to do a little work to find the article about the new Federal .30 Super Carry.

It is discussed at length by 3 "noted firearms experts" and they make lots of interesting observations. It seems that the bullet diameter is smaller than a 9mm but designed to expand, whereas they state that most commonly used handgun rounds utilized for defense were originally designed with FMJ projectiles, and that the JHPs were then designed to meet defensive needs. To me this is kind of a six-of-one half-dozen-of-the-other presentation, as it's if they work or not would seem to be what counts.

They all seem to agree that it is far superior to the .32 ACP and .380 ACP, but comes up about even with the 9mm Parabellum (Luger). The smaller diameter bullet is said to be an advantage in that a couple more rounds can be designed into a magazine, but I'm kind of wondering if 17-19 rounds of 9mm isn't already enough?

I thought this especially interesting in view of the recent thread about "What will replace the 9mm?" Perhaps this is it, but I have my doubts. One thing's for sure, it will be all over the gun magazines in the next couple of months, and you can make up your own mind. Both pistols chambered for the new cartridge, and the ammo will be scarce and expensive for awhile.

DG

[megasupermagnum]

Did you miss the 7 page "New .32 Rimless Cartridge" thread?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Guess so. Will look it up!

DG

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Found it and read all 7 pages. It could have been titled better. Guess it's all been said.

DG

[rockrat]

Probably be kind of a "flash in the pan" as were some of the WSSM's. Here for a short time, then fades away.

[Green Frog]

Has anybody seen an actual firearm that will fire this new “Wonder Cartridge”?

[bimus]

It sounds like a shortened 30 carbine I wonder what kind of pressure it makes ?

[Skipper]

Great solution to a nonexistent problem.

[dverna]

It sounds like a shortened 30 carbine I wonder what kind of pressure it makes ?

50k

[Kosh75287]

I have serious problems with the cartridge as a defensive round, especially if meant to be used on single-stack 9x19 pistols, or the 1911.
BUT! With an extra slide, barrel and recoil spring kit, what a nice conversion it would make, to a caliber suited for trail guns!

[dverna]

I have serious problems with the cartridge as a defensive round, especially if meant to be used on single-stack 9x19 pistols, or the 1911.
BUT! With an extra slide, barrel and recoil spring kit, what a nice conversion it would make, to a caliber suited for trail guns!

Just curious....what would it do that a 9mm will not do as a trail gun?

[RJM52]

Has anybody seen an actual firearm that will fire this new “Wonder Cartridge”?

I actually saw a high end Nighthawk 1911 today in a shop in Newport, NH...$4800!!...and no ammo....

[Kosh75287]

Just curious....what would it do that a 9mm will not do as a trail gun?

With the right projectile, destroy less meat.

[Texas by God]

I'll stick with the 105gr Lee swc at 1200 fps from the 9mm - and not freak out when I lose brass in the grass.......

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[dverna]

With the right projectile, destroy less meat.

Why spend money on a new slide, mags, dies etc. Just get a light recoil spring and load a 9mm FMJ at 850-900 fps.

[725]

Brilliant. In a time of short supply, a new brass cartridge is being marketed to solve a problem that doesn't exist. I'll put my fortune teller's turbin on and suggest it'll disappear soon.

[dkf]

The 9x19 does not have a penetration or expansion problem, maybe at one time some bullets did but not anymore. The .380 is on the edge. There are several .380 bullets out there that will even reliably expand in a Ruger LCP sized pistol, but penetration usually lacking. You can get adequate penetration with the .380 with a non HP bullet whether cast, a fmj or even a bullet like the Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator but the damage is not as good as HP. For an LCP sized pistol the old school 90 XTP is one of the best choices IMO.

The .30SC looks to me to be better performing than .380 but a good bit but not up to 9x19 levels. With the pressure of the .30sc at 50k psi and the COAL of it, you are not going to use it in LCP sized guns for several reasons. It is going to have to be used in 9x19 sized guns. So basically the only advantage I can see with the .30sc is an extra round or two in the magazine depending on the gun it is used in.

[Kosh75287]

Why spend money on a new slide, mags, dies etc. Just get a light recoil spring and load a 9mm FMJ at 850-900 fps.

Okay, assuming that the first sentence is a question, my answer would be: "NO reason, if the new round doesn't interest you. Please feel free to drive on."
On the second sentence, one reason not to use FMJs at low velocities on small game is that it's a really excellent way to produce wounded, suffering and irretrievable animals, instead of meet for the pot. A 115-125 gr. .312" LSWC at 1000 f/s or above should work quite well. I know from personal experience that a 110 gr. FMJ at almost twice that velocity (.30 Carbine) is NOT reliable.

[sharps4590]

Great solution to a nonexistent problem.

My sentiments exactly, an answer to the question never asked. But, without it, what is there that can be hyped? Certainly not availability of components.

[Hickok]

Like the .45 GAP compared to the .45 ACP........the .30 Super Carry compared to the 9mm Luger.....the old 45 and the old 9mm just keep on truckin'!!!

Hey, I have a great idea...let's make a cartridge to replace the .308 Winchester/7.62x51,...and call it 30 T/C,.......