.30 R Blaser

The .30 R Blaser (7.62×68mm R) is a rimmed bottlenecked centerfire cartridge developed for hunting in 1991 by Gerhard Blenk, the then owner of Blaser Jagdwaffen GmbH and Dynamit Nobel which then owned RWS ammunition.

.30 R Blaser
.30-06 Springfield 11.7 g (180.6 gr) Norma Vulkan (left) and .30 R Blaser 11.7 g (180.6 gr) RWS UNI Classic rifle cartridges
TypeRifle
Place of originGermany
Service history
In serviceNever issued
Production history
DesignerGerhard Blenk, Blaser, RWS
Designed1991
Produced1992 - present
Specifications
Parent caseNone
Case typeRimmed, bottleneck
Bullet diameter7.82 mm (0.308 in)
Neck diameter8.73 mm (0.344 in)
Shoulder diameter11.20 mm (0.441 in)
Base diameter12.20 mm (0.480 in)
Rim diameter13.50 mm (0.531 in)
Rim thickness1.40 mm (0.055 in)
Case length68.00 mm (2.677 in)
Overall length95.00 mm (3.740 in)
Case capacity4.94 cm3 (76.2 gr H2O)
Rifling twist305 mm (1-12 in)
Primer typeLarge rifle or Large rifle Magnum
Maximum pressure405.00 MPa (58,740 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
9.7 g (150 gr) KS 940 m/s (3,100 ft/s) 4,285 J (3,160 ft⋅lbf)
10.7 g (165 gr) DK 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 4,334 J (3,197 ft⋅lbf)
11.7 g (181 gr) UNI Classic 860 m/s (2,800 ft/s) 4,327 J (3,191 ft⋅lbf)
11.7 g (181 gr) Blaser CDP 940 m/s (3,100 ft/s) 4,724 J (3,484 ft⋅lbf)
13 g (201 gr) KS 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) 4,147 J (3,059 ft⋅lbf)
Test barrel length: 600 mm (23.6 in)
Source(s): RWS / RUAG Ammotech[1]

Design

The cartridge is a de novo design and was constructed to outperform popular hunting cartridges like the .30-06 Springfield and 7.92×57mm Mauser. When compared with the .30-06 Springfield the .30 R Blaser features an equal maximum chamber pressure of 405 MPa (58,740 psi) piezo pressure - which is fairly high for a rimmed rifle cartridge - but more cartridge case capacity, allowing the use of more propellant. The .30 R Blaser performance does however not reach the power level of .30 caliber magnum cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum that feature more cartridge case capacity and higher maximum chamber pressure levels.[2]

As a rimmed cartridge the .30 R Blaser is designed for use in break action rifles such as double rifles and combination guns as well as for single shot rifles such as the falling block action rifles. Break action rifles using rimless .30 caliber chamberings like .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield can be fairly easy rechambered for the .30 R Blaser.

The cartridge was commercially introduced in 1992 by Blaser Jagdwaffen (Blaser hunting weapons) and RWS ammunition. As of 2009, RWS is its only manufacturer.[2]

Cartridge dimensions

The .30 R Blaser has 4.94 ml (76 grains H2O) cartridge case capacity. The exterior shape of the case was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in break action rifles.[2]

.30 R Blaser maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm).

Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 ≈ 20.01 degrees. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 305 mm (1 in 12 in), 4 grooves, Ø lands = 7.62 mm, Ø grooves = 7.82 mm, land width = 4.47 mm and the primer type is large rifle or large rifle magnum depending on the load.

According to the official with C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente Pour L'Epreuve Des Armes A Feu Portative) guidelines the .30 R Blaser case can handle up to 405.00 MPa (58,740 psi) Pmax piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.[3] This means that .30 R Blaser chambered arms in C.I.P. regulated countries are currently (2013) proof tested at 506.00 MPa (73,389 psi) PE piezo pressure.

Contemporary use

The versatility of the .30 R Blaser for hunting all kinds of American and European game and the availability of several factory loads[4] and the fact that it uses standard .30 caliber projectiles all attribute to the .30 R Blaser chambering popularity in break action hunting rifles. Loaded with short light bullets it can be used on small European game like fox or medium game such as roe deer and chamois. Loaded with longer heavy bullets it can be used on medium and big European game like wild boar, fallow deer, red deer, moose and brown bear. The .30 R Blaser offers good penetrating ability due to a fast enough twist rate to enable it to fire relatively long, heavy bullets with a high sectional density. The (former) legal banning of (ex) military service cartridges in countries like Belgium, Italy and France, makes that the .30 R Blaser can be used for hunting in such jurisdictions.[2]

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See also

References
  1. "RWS Ammunition Ballistic Data & Application Consultant". Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  2. Barnes, Frank C. (2009). "European Sporting Cartridges". Cartridges of the World: A Complete and Illustrated Reference for Over 1500 Cartridges. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 416–417. ISBN 978-1-4402-1330-4. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  3. C.I.P. TDCC datasheet .30 R Blaser
  4. RWS centerfire rifle cartridges
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