The .30 Carbine (aka .30 M1 Carbine) was designed during the 1930s by Winchester and was officially adopted by the U.S. Ordinance Department in 1941. Although it has been chambered in many types of firearms, it is most commonly encountered in auto-loading surplus carbines.

There have been many so-called reproduction "M1" carbines, but most of these are not built to the same specifications as the military guns and feature notable internal design changes. Some of these have been known to fire with the action slightly out of battery. Such rifles should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith.

Thirty Carbine cases are tapered, but carbine dies are available at a higher cost, which will save considerable time and is money well spent. If steel dies are used, cases must be lubricated before sizing, which should be removed before firing, or case head thrust will be increased (and will potentially cause cylinder rotation problems if ammunition is used in revolvers).

Recommended "starting" loads containing Hodgdon H-110 and Winchester 296 powders should not be reduced, or erratic pressures and velocities may occur. None of the accompanying data exceed SAAMI maximum average pressure limits of 40,000 cup.

A taper crimp is required, which should be applied as a separate step after the bullet is seated to the correct overall cartridge length.