.30 Herrett

.30 Herrett

The .30 Herrett is one of the most successful handgun hunting wildcats ever developed, created during the early 1970s by Steve Herrett and Bob Milek specifically for the Thompson/Center Contender pistol platform. Based on the .30-30 Winchester case, the cartridge was shortened and reshaped to improve powder efficiency in short barrels while still delivering strong ballistic performance. The design quickly gained popularity among handgun hunters and silhouette shooters who wanted rifle-like accuracy and power from a compact single-shot handgun.

Unlike the original .30-30 Winchester, which was designed around rifle-length barrels, the .30 Herrett was optimized for barrels commonly ranging from 10 to 14 inches in length. By reducing unnecessary case capacity and improving combustion efficiency, the cartridge was able to achieve impressive velocities while producing less wasted powder and muzzle blast. The result was a highly efficient .30 caliber handgun cartridge capable of excellent accuracy and effective medium-game hunting performance.

Brass for the .30 Herrett is typically formed from standard .30-30 Winchester cases through trimming, resizing, and fire-forming procedures. Since the cartridge relies heavily on proper shoulder positioning for headspacing in many Contender chambers, careful die adjustment and consistent brass preparation are especially important. Handloaders often favor medium-burning powders that provide efficient pressure curves and complete powder burn in shorter barrels.

Handloader Issue #54 examined the .30 Herrett during the cartridge’s early rise in popularity, highlighting its effectiveness and growing reputation among specialty handgun shooters. Even decades after its introduction, the cartridge remains respected for its efficient design, excellent accuracy, and important role in the development of modern handgun hunting cartridges.

Source: Handloader Issue #54 – March, 1975