longtimetrying52
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Anyone load for the &-30 Waters? I want to find a hunting load using 120 Noslers. I think this could be a real deer gun. Appreciate anyone that has any info to share.
7-30 Waters Loads
- Thread starter longtimetrying52
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snuffy
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In what configuration? Lever gun or contender?
longtimetrying52
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- Nov 10, 2008
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I'm sorry, I neglected to state, my shooter is a Contender, 23 inch barrel.
NCsmitty
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I suggest looking at www.hodgdon.com for loads. It's not a real popular cartridge and theoretically you need to maintain the 30-30 pressure levels but it is a very efficient cartridge. It's a good deer round within its practical range. TC may have loads at their site too.
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
GooseGestapo
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It's been quite a few years since I loaded any. I loaded them for a friends Win M94 XTR.
These are the loads we used:
120gr Nosler FP
Federal Case
Fed. 210 primer
H414 @ 42.0gr (book max. use usual work-up procedures)
Factory duplication load.
139gr Hornady FP
Fed. Case
Fed. 210 primer
H414 @ 38.5gr (slightly over book max. but gave no pressure signs and was sub MOA from his rifle for 3-shots.) This load was his favorite. Complete penetration on every deer shot, and excellent expansion.
Now days, I'd use Reloader 15, which wasn't available back when I was loading for this superb cartridge. I wMarlin had seen fit to chamber for this round!!!
He had over 100 long-guns at his death in Mar. 1998. He said of ALL his guns and over 1,000 deer taken over 40yrs, that this was his #1 favorite rifle/cartridge. #2 was a BLR in .358wcf. He'd had the barrel shortened from 24" to 17.25" by Walker Arms in Selma, AL. It was much more accurate after cutting and crowning with Magazine shortened. Velocity loss was around 50fps, only!
(Alabama has a "deer a day" limit, and two a day on either sex days. (now,most of the season in many counties). He also hunted in Georgia, so got "two" limits per year to fill. So, all deer were legally taken.)
These are the loads we used:
120gr Nosler FP
Federal Case
Fed. 210 primer
H414 @ 42.0gr (book max. use usual work-up procedures)
Factory duplication load.
139gr Hornady FP
Fed. Case
Fed. 210 primer
H414 @ 38.5gr (slightly over book max. but gave no pressure signs and was sub MOA from his rifle for 3-shots.) This load was his favorite. Complete penetration on every deer shot, and excellent expansion.
Now days, I'd use Reloader 15, which wasn't available back when I was loading for this superb cartridge. I wMarlin had seen fit to chamber for this round!!!
He had over 100 long-guns at his death in Mar. 1998. He said of ALL his guns and over 1,000 deer taken over 40yrs, that this was his #1 favorite rifle/cartridge. #2 was a BLR in .358wcf. He'd had the barrel shortened from 24" to 17.25" by Walker Arms in Selma, AL. It was much more accurate after cutting and crowning with Magazine shortened. Velocity loss was around 50fps, only!
(Alabama has a "deer a day" limit, and two a day on either sex days. (now,most of the season in many counties). He also hunted in Georgia, so got "two" limits per year to fill. So, all deer were legally taken.)
Last edited:
snuffy
Member
Mine is a 14" contender. I have a 3 X 9 burris LER handgun scope on it, makes it a lethal rig for deer.
My best load is with the 120 Nosler ballistic tip with IMR-4895 at top loading. I can't find the load data, it's been years since I even had the barrel on my frame. I was able to get the high 2300's with the load. Your longer barrel would be able to get much higher velocities.
The one deer I got with it was using the now discontinued 120g nosler solid base spitzer. It performed as expected on a 50 yd. shot on an average sized doe more than 20 years ago.
One thing I must mention. When sizing a 7 X 30 Waters shell for use in a contender, make sure you don't set the shoulder back too far. Yeah, I know, it's SUPPOSED to headspace off the rim, but doing it that way can lead to case head seperations. If you're converting 30-30 cases the 7X30, back the FL sizer off a turn, size one, then try to chamber it. It shouldn't go all the way closed. Turn the die down gradually until you can close the barrel with a snap. This ensures the shoulder is tight against the chambers shoulder. If you're using factory shells fire-formed in your chamber, the procedure is the same.
My best load is with the 120 Nosler ballistic tip with IMR-4895 at top loading. I can't find the load data, it's been years since I even had the barrel on my frame. I was able to get the high 2300's with the load. Your longer barrel would be able to get much higher velocities.
The one deer I got with it was using the now discontinued 120g nosler solid base spitzer. It performed as expected on a 50 yd. shot on an average sized doe more than 20 years ago.
One thing I must mention. When sizing a 7 X 30 Waters shell for use in a contender, make sure you don't set the shoulder back too far. Yeah, I know, it's SUPPOSED to headspace off the rim, but doing it that way can lead to case head seperations. If you're converting 30-30 cases the 7X30, back the FL sizer off a turn, size one, then try to chamber it. It shouldn't go all the way closed. Turn the die down gradually until you can close the barrel with a snap. This ensures the shoulder is tight against the chambers shoulder. If you're using factory shells fire-formed in your chamber, the procedure is the same.
Kernel
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