.30 TC

The .30 Thompson Center, also known by its abbreviated name, .30 TC is the first headstamped cartridge developed for Thompson Center Arms by Hornady, an ammo maker in Nebraska. It was released for sale in 2007. It was initially offered in the Icon series of bolt-action rifles, which were released at the same time. It was an attempt by Thompson Center to make a 308 Winchester length round with 30-06 Springfield performance. While it did accomplish this goal, consumer acceptance was low, and the round has remained on the sidelines. The 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge was created by necking down the .30 TC and that cartridge has achieved widespread popularity.

Overview
The .30 TC is a non-magnum that is somewhat shorter and wider looking compared to the .308 and .30-06. However, while in a gun, all three weigh roughly the same but the .30 TC produces less recoil. The case length of the .30 TC is 1.92 inches. Although it is somewhat shorter than the .308, the .30 TC still manages to cast a 150-grain SST bullet downrange that is nearly 200 fps faster. The .30 TC can even outshoot the 150-grain SST faster than the .30-06 case, which is also longer in size compared to the .30 TC (2.494 inches). The .30 TC has a performance delivery equivalent to the .30-06. The cartridge is approximately an inch shorter if one uses Hornady’s Superformance ammo. When loaded with the 165-grain SST bullets, the .30 TC has a fifty fps advantage over the .30-06, which has a velocity of 2,850 fps. The .30 TC delivers energy and speed that equals to, or tops the .30-06 as a smaller cartridge. Trends in ammunition has changed over time to be shorter and wider than previous cartridges. It has been understood that gunpowder burns more efficiently in shorter casings that have a wide diameter.