7-30 waters and 30-30 win.

[steelhead51]

Whats the difference both apper to be close to each other? I load for 30-30 but was thinking on a 7-30 waters for contender

[Gibbsfan]

i have a 7-30 waters in a contender super 14 that shoots great you can even use 30-30 brass to make the case and shoots 139 grain bullet at 2400fps

[SHOOTALL]

The 7X30 is a necked down 30-30 with the shoulder moved forward to give more room for powder . I had one in a super 14 it was a very nice gun . I still have a win. in 7X30 and like it alot. I found the 7X30 to shoot a bit flater but both are good on deer . A good friend had the 30-30 in a contender .

[steelhead51]

Thats what I have a 30-30 contender G2 I shoot the same load [ 30 gr. reloader #7  with nosler 125 grn. ballistic tip bullet ] in the G2 as I do in a H&R handi rifle both are excellent in my opinion.

[jhalcott]

 I have the 14" 7-30 contender. I have NOT found a more accurate load than the Fed factory stuff. I have tried several bullet/powder combinations so far. Neither cast nor jacketed loads go under the 1 to 1 1/2" mark that factory hits easily!

[skarke]

I shoot a 30 30 now, and have shot the 7x30 in the past.  The main benefit I could measure is regarding brass stretch.  The 7x30 doesn't much, but the 30 30 does a lot.

Both are pretty accurate out of a Super 14, and I wish that I still had the Waters.  If you shoot factory loads, IMHO, it's a wash at appropriate pistol distances.

I've shot the 125 Noslers out of the 30 30 for years, and for me, it has been a great bullet.  It zips out there pretty fast on top of 748.

[charles p]

Had shoulder surgery several years ago and ortho surgeon said no shooting that fall.  Got a Contender in 7-30 and learned to shoot left handed while my right arm was in a sling.  Took five deer in two years.  Longest shot was 156 yards.  I liked the Sierra 130 SSP bullets better than 120 Nosler BT.  Never fired the factory flat point at anything but paper.  Ball powders work great.  I think the 7-30 is a good pistol round for the Contender.  I own two Contenders in this caliber.  One is a factory SS 14" barrel and the other a Fox Ridge 15" barrel.  I can not tell any difference, thus I recommend the one that is cheaper.  Gave a frame and 15" barrel to my son.

One thing I learned when I switched to left handed pistol shooting - I did not know how to flinch left handed.  My best all time rifle group was shot left handed as well.  The mind is a terrible thing.

[burntmuch]

Hey charlesp how fast you pushing those 130 SSPs. I got a box. was gonna try them in my 7mm-08. just wondering how fast to push them.

[securitysix]

One thing I learned when I switched to left handed pistol shooting - I did not know how to flinch left handed.  My best all time rifle group was shot left handed as well.  The mind is a terrible thing.

I'm cross-dominant (right handed, left eyed).  The upside of this is that I already know how to shoot left handed.  The down side is that I also know how to flinch both right and left handed.  Consider yourself lucky.

[41 mag]

Whats the difference both apper to be close to each other? I load for 30-30 but was thinking on a 7-30 waters for contender

This was the first, and most shot of several barrels I have for my Contender. It was purchased for a WI handgun only hunt. The most accurate load I worked up from various powders and bullets was the 140gr Nosler BT over RL-15, using Win-WLR primers, in Win formed cases. This load is simply boring to shoot at 100yd only tearing the hole more ragged.

The only deer taken with the load was a doe at 283 lasered yards. Hit just behind onside shoulder and exited through the offside leaving nothing much in between. To say I was impressed, would be an understatement.

If you go with the 7x30, don't be afraid to try the heavier bullets, they might put a big ol smile on your face. Most folks stick with the 120 - 130 grain stuff, but the longer and heavier bullet will get the job done on both accuracy and game.

Good luck,
Mike / Tx