reloding for 7-30 waters

[flipajig]

I have a 7-30 contender with a 15 bullberry barrel plentey of brass so im looking for a info to save the $. I understand that each gun likes a paticular load and bullet weight with a paticular pdr. I plan to use it for punching holes in paper along with hunting deer and hogs. Every thing i can find talk about 120grn and 140 grn. with the short supply of pdr and primers now (and no end in sight)any help would be appreciated. thanks

 

[MMCSRET]

My experience with an early 14" Contender barrel in a 1st generation frame lead me to the Hornady 139 gr. Spire point. Thats the nice thing about a single shot, you can use pointed bullets. You can't do that with the Winchester lever guns. Search out a Hornady load manual from 15 years ago, or find the Contender Load manual. It will have data. "Google" is your friend.

 

[NCsmitty]

Here's a good article with some loads listed.

http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/7-30.htm


NCsmitty

 

[41 Mag]

I have one of the older Contenders with a 14" barrel on it. I picked it up specifically for a handgun hunt in Wisconson. My fireform loads consisted of some Rem 150gr bullets I picked up on sale. I cannot put my hand on the exact book I pulled my data from but it was back in 03/99 when I worked up my initial loads. I formed 100 cases then and still have over 60 of the originals.

I settled on RL-15, CCI BR-2 primers and using either the Hornady 139gr SPBT, the Rem 140gr CL, or my favorite but more expensive, the Nosler 140 Ballistic Tip, my final load shoots easily into 1" or less cluster out to 200yds, if I am haveing a good day. Generally 100yds is simply enlarging the initial hole.

When forming your cases don't get overly caught up with having the bullet shoved into the lands. This will give you some higher pressures. Simply put the false shoulder on the case which will allow you to close the action with some felt tension. This keeps your pressures safe for the action and also holds the case firmly in place. I think the Nosler manual prior tot eh last one released has an excellent article on formeing cases in it.

Definately try several primers, if you have them to try. I used Winchesters when I initially started out but when I switched over to the BR-2's my velocities dropped to just over a 10fps variation, and the groups came into the one hole version consistantly, instead of occaisionally.

I did a LOT of research on the bullets used, and found when talking to the manufacture's that they were very eager to help me out with my intended goals. I simply wanted at least double caliber expansion out to 250yds. This isn't as easy a task as it seems for some bullets. Do not be afraid to use the match type bullets like Berger, or Hornady's A-Max. Due tot he lower initial velocities from the shorter barrels, they generally end up working as good or better than bullets made for higher velocities. This is not to say that the satandard bullets do not work or work well, as they do, but sometimes on thiner skinned vritters they do not expand as well as they would at higher velocities.

I can get into more detail if your interested just shoot me a PM.

Got to shut it down for now however as the lightning is getting a bit much around here.

 

[Seafarer12]

I use a 130 grain lee cast bullet for fireforming with 5744. I like to keep up the pressure for forming but want to keep the velocity down. I like running a 120 grain jacketed for hunting. I likt to experiment with powders and havent decided on one yet.

 

[FredT]

I use 2 bullets and one powder in my 7x30 Waters. 100 grain Hornady HP over 40.0 grains of 748 powder and the 140 Ballistic Tip over 34.0 grains of 748. The 100 grainers worked great on a Pdog hunt, 200 yards or less. The 140 BTs worked well on white tail deer. Their accuracy is awesome. To fire form just load a normal load in the half formed case and shoot it. Accuracy is almost the same as for a formed case.

 

[Ateam-3]

I have an older contender with a 14" barrel. Like '41 Mag' said, I use RL-15 for my loads exclusively. This has given me the best accuracy by far. I use WLR primers and 120gr bullets for both hunting (Nosler BT) and target shooting (Sierra SP). My load is the same for each bullet 35.5gr of RL-15 and the OAL is 2.890. This generates around 2350 fps for my hunting round. I may not be as good of a shot as '41 Mag', but I have had several 100yd. groups between 1 and 1.5". If you choose to use this load, you may want to reduce the powder charge by 0.5gr and work up. Confirm this load on the manufacturer's website. Anyway, the 7-30 is a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[flipajig]

thanks for the info. it should help out a bunch all i need to do now is find some pdr and primer (LOL)