Looking to have a centerfire CPA built for cast bullet matches. I understand  that.32-40 is “the” traditional caliber of choice, but was wondering about how the venerable.30-30 Winchester would compare with regard to bullet selection, reloading, but most important accuracy. Ideally I’m looking for suggestions/advice from those who have experience without both.
PS I reload jacketed bullets, but this will be my first venture into casting and reloading cast bullets.  Thanks, Tom

As frnkeore pointed out, if you get the basics of a good rifle, bullets, etc. nailed down, plus practice a LOT, it won't matter whether you are shooting a .30-30 or .32-40. You are gonna be able to shoot match winning scores 

For CBA style shooting (fixed ammo), use the 30-30. 

For Schuetzen style shooting use the 32-40. CPA rifle = 32-40.

And with a CPA 32-40 vs 30-30 is just a matter of ordering 2 barrels with the action and then you can answer your own question. Might as well add a 22RF barrel (block, extractor) while you're at it.

Dr.J wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2025 at 12:32pm:


I've had experience with the .30-30 and the .32-20 CPA. I started with the .30-30 with the thought of shooting both ASSRA and CBA matches with the same rifle. I bought a SAECO plain-base .30 caliber 185 grain mold from their Barry Darr offerings. I already had a RCBS 30-180-SP mold for my .30-'06 Ruger #1. Then I purchased a Hoch action with a Hart 1-10 twist barrel, and the wood for it. The barrel was chambered with a 3 degree (included angle) custom throat. 

This was not as easy as first envisioned. 
1. - The different alloys meant draining the pot before casting. (I ended up buying a second pot.)
2. - The breech-seating for ASSRA matches was with a push seater requiring being very careful to be consistent.
3. - Two different lubricants, Javelina Schuetzen and Gray's #24, again requiring two lubri-sizers. 
4. - Two sets of brass, this meant two sets of 100-round boxes differing in color for easy separation.

Work got busy with six and seven day workweeks and I got tired of the constant changes in loading procedures once I got home. I traded the Hoch action rifle for two Walther PPK's in .32 ACP and .380 ACP. The work bonus was good the next year so I bought a CPA in .32-20 CPA and never looked back.

To the original question, the accuracy of both cartridges relies on the choice of action, the choice of barrel and, most importantly, the choice of gunsmith. I shoot both types of matches with the .32-20 CPA, ASSRA and Plain-Base CBA. This rifle is the most fun I've had in years of shooting.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences with both cartridges.  At 77 and rapidly approaching 78, I’m looking for a new challenge and trying to eliminate as many of the big mistakes as possible. It looks like a .32-40. Thanks again, Tom

All good advice, and here's my perspective. You can indeed have it all in one gun and I think the .30-30 would have an edge if one also wanted to dabble in CBA competition at somewhat higher velocity employing gas checks, and ASSRA stuff, all with the same gun. It's no big trick to breech seat .30-30 - especially if dealing with a lever push seater (I've always felt that such gizmos provide more consistent/straight seating than a plugged case.) Of course there's nothing saying one can't cook up a gc'ed .32 mold and take the old .32-40 off to the CBA races and shoot non-plain base categories as well. 

Personally I'm married to the .32-40, mainly for logistical reasons now, but am eyeing .30-30 for the next rifle.

If I ever stick another .32 target rifle together it will be a 8.15X46R. Tough accurate little case and handles BP with ease if one chooses to use blasting powder.

It just so happens, that the 8.15x46 is a shortened 30/30 case, or even a closer parent case match, is a 225 Win, necked up  The 8.15x46, is actually right in between the 30 & 32 at .316/.317 groove but, much closer to a 30 cal bore.

I like it, too! But I think Joe's talking more like a regular 32 barrel for his build. 

There are all kinds of cartridges that can work in 30 and 32 cal. There is only .013 difference between 30 and 32 groove diameter.

There is a little recoil advantage to the 30 cal if, OH is a major focus. I like a .308, 32/35, much more accurate with BP that 32/40 but, the cases are not easy. A much easier one would be the 30/78. A 1.75 lg, 30/30 case, straight tapered to a 30 neck. The 30 Herrett would also work, neither are traditional but, they came before the Miller or the RKS so, I would call them more tradition than those two.

It's not the size of the bullet that matters for accuracy. That has been proved by the number of 250's that the 25 cal has done. I think it's a matter of a well built rifle, front and rear rest and the SHOOTER.

frnkeore wrote on Feb 4^th, 2025 at 6:06pm:


As it happens, one of my projects after we complete our move is to have the barrel setback on a Uberti High Wall in .30-30, then rechamber it to .30 Herrett.

Seems like a good way to go, capacity wise, as evidenced by the Miller and RKS. The fact that I have 19 different .30 caliber bullet molds to experiment with might just keep me busy for the next decade or so. 

westerner wrote on Feb 4^th, 2025 at 8:38pm:


In my reading about the 8.15x46R I’ve seen a lot of different diameters, from essentially .30 caliber all the way up to .326 or more.

If there is consistency about the round, it is its inconsistency! I imagine yamoon could comment on that aspect….

My Aydt slugs at .321. My Stahl manufactured in 1891 slugs at .316. I have Jacks old German rifle and the bore slugs at .314. 

Thinking the Germans normalized the 8.15X46R in 1908.

Here you go, Kurt
Arnie