7-30 Waters

[RBHarter]

Tell me all about the pros and cons.

I know the basics of the cartridge, shoulder pushed forward on a 30-30 ,case gains maxed out the 94, same weights as the parent, slicker bullets. ..... what about at the business end in the real world?

 

[Josh]

Very cool round, my grandfather has one in his contender. With pointed bullets it is close to the 7-08 in velocity and trajectory. As a cast bullets shooter I don't know much about it. I know Ken Waters held it in high regard.

 

[oldblinddog]

I killed a Texas Hill Country spike buck (about 90 lbs. live weight) with one. 139 gr Hornady FP. It was pitiful. I was NOT impressed. Sold the rifle, (a Winchester 94).

 

[RBHarter]

Well that's a start.
I have an old Stevens 325C in 30-30 which is in no way a problem. I also have a 7mm bbl with a seriously shot out chamber, it'll take a .301 slip fit in a fired case . The 1st 1.5" of bbl is pretty r o ugh too. So if I lop off the bulk of the chamber it's a shoe in for the 325 or a 340 having most of 6 " available in diameter to thread . I need another 7mm in a Mauser like a fish needs a bicycle but there might be enough for a 110 to get a 280 Rem or AI .

I was thinking that the Waters might be a better case for cast than the others.

 

[Josh]

Well that's a start.
I have an old Stevens 325C in 30-30 which is in no way a problem. I also have a 7mm bbl with a seriously shot out chamber, it'll take a .301 slip fit in a fired case . The 1st 1.5" of bbl is pretty r o ugh too. So if I lop off the bulk of the chamber it's a shoe in for the 325 or a 340 having most of 6 " available in diameter to thread . I need another 7mm in a Mauser like a fish needs a bicycle but there might be enough for a 110 to get a 280 Rem or AI .

I was thinking that the Waters might be a better case for cast than the others.

I must say, an old savage 340 rebarreled to 7-30 would be pretty cool. In a bolt rifle you would have significant improvement over a lever rifle and it would be light weight and easy to carry.

 

[John]

I have a 23" bbl in a contender. With 139 gr bullets in my opinion I am almost too slow for the weight. It does good work with 120 gr but they are hard to find. I have been playing with LeveRevolution and my alloy was way too soft. If I wanted to hunt deer or Lopers with it I am pretty sure I could get a 120 gr bullet around 2650 fps which is no great slouch in a fun little gun. Is it an improvement on the 30-30? is the 7mm 08 an improvement on the 308? My thought are no just different. In the 94 Win lever rifle if you could find fp bullets I would love the velocity and handling. In the contender rifle it might be bettered by others but remains a fun gun my grandchildren can hunt with.

 

[RBHarter]

I have several 7mm moulds in 130,150 and 168 gr as well as a 130 and 140 gr 6.8/270 cal that paper patch well in at least 1 other 7mm . I have secured dies so rimmed or rimless eventually I will have a 7-30 Waters or a shortened 280 Rem or a 7x57 or a 284 Win or maybe I better just not get to crazy .... wait I got it a 28-Savage

 

[Josh]

I spoke with the old man who loves his, he said 37 gr of IMR 4064 below a 120 gr soft point or ballistic tip is his go to load. This books at 2650ish FPS from his 24" barrel.