The 30 Thompson Center, abbreviated as 30 TC, is the first headstamp cartridge manufactured for Thompson Center Arms by Hornady, a Nebraska ammunition maker. Thompson Center, noted for its precise rifle caliber single-shot handguns, Encore rifles, and muzzleloaders, formed a cooperative venture with Hornady, a Nebraska-based ammunition manufacturer, to produce the.30 TC. The 30 TC was viewed as a relatively novel loading for 30 caliber bullets at the time of its release, claiming to deliver.30-06 performance from a shell even shorter than the.308 Winchester.
The cartridge was first available in the Icon line of bolt-action rifles, which were produced at the same time as the cartridge. Thompson Center attempted to produce a 308 Winchester length round that performed like a 30-06 Springfield round. The ultimate outcome was only partially successful since, while it met the target goal, customer approval was poor, and the round was shelved.
The 30 TC, measuring 0.308 in (7.8 mm) x 1.920 in (48.8 mm), is a non-magnum cartridge that is shorter and thicker in appearance than the.308 and should create even less recoil in weapons weighing the same. The cartridge will undoubtedly put down a deer or antelope with authority. Elk and even a moose have been killed by the.30 TC with SST rounds, although such explosive expansion would make anyone wary of shoulder punching an elk or bear with it. In terms of accuracy, recoil, and performance, the 30 Thompson Center certainly has a lot going for it.