.30 R Blaser

The .30 R Blaser is a modern rimmed rifle cartridge with German origins, developed in the early 1990s by Blaser Jagdwaffen GmbH and RWS (Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstofffabriken). Its conception responded to the need for a high-performance, rimmed .30 caliber round optimized for use in break-action rifles, such as combination guns, drillings, and double rifles, which require a solid extraction system. The .30 R Blaser filled a void left by aging rimmed calibers like the .30-06 Springfield and the 7x65R, offering a cartridge that could handle higher pressures and deliver modern ballistic performance in traditional European hunting rifles. The cartridge quickly gained popularity across Central Europe, especially among hunters who valued the versatility and accuracy provided by the cartridge in single-shot and break-action firearms.

For ammunition reloaders, the .30 R Blaser presents a compelling case due to its straightforward design and reloading potential. Designed for high-precision shooting and reliable extraction, the cartridge features a rimmed bottle-neck case, making it suitable for a variety of break-action hunting rifles that are still in widespread use across Europe. It can be loaded with a wide variety of .308-inch bullets, which are readily available to reloaders, providing great flexibility in load development for different hunting scenarios. Many reloaders appreciate the cartridge’s strong case construction, which supports repeated loadings and consistent performance. Its chamber pressure, with a maximum of around 4,000 bar (approximately 58,000 psi), allows reloaders to approach .30-06 Springfield levels of performance while retaining the reliability of extraction brought by a rimmed design.

The primary application of the .30 R Blaser is hunting, where it serves as a versatile all-rounder capable of taking medium to large game. In European forests and fields, it is a favored choice for shooters using combination guns, especially those hunting roe deer, red deer, wild boar, and even mouflon. The cartridge’s ballistics make it suitable for hunting at a wide range of distances, from close-quarters woodland situations to longer-range shots in open terrain. Hunters appreciate the .30 R Blaser’s manageable recoil, flat trajectory, and reliable stopping power. The rimmed case also ensures flawless operation in doubles and break-actions, where rimless cartridges may sometimes fail to extract cleanly, making it a favorite among users of traditional firearms.

The .30 R Blaser is also used beyond hunting, particularly in shooting sports and precision marksmanship competitions that allow rimmed cartridges. Its inherent accuracy and reliable ballistics have led to its adoption by some target shooters, especially in European countries where the cartridge is widely available and supported by ammunition manufacturers. Reloaders can tailor their handloads for any purpose, enabling the full exploitation of the cartridge’s potential in different shooting disciplines.

Typical bullet weights for the .30 R Blaser range from 150 grains to 180 grains, mirroring many other popular .30 caliber cartridges. Lighter bullets, such as 150 or 165 grains, offer flatter trajectories and higher velocities for medium game and open country shooting, while 180-grain projectiles provide deeper penetration and greater energy transfer for larger or tougher game. The cartridge case length is approximately 68 mm, with an overall cartridge length of about 91 mm, and it utilizes standard large rifle primers for ignition. Its velocity and energy rival those of the .30-06 Springfield, ensuring it can effectively take on most European and North American game species. For reloaders, the wide availability of component bullets and powders makes the .30 R Blaser adaptable to a multitude of hunting and sporting needs, while the proven design ensures many reload cycles and consistent accuracy in the field.