Effective deer ranges for 14" 7-30 Waters & 260Rem

[hans g./UpS]

I'm curious asto the effective ranges for whitetails with 14" barrel pistols in 7-30Waters[Contender] and 260Remington[XP100].I realize this is subjective,but assuming:
-accurate load
-supported position
-range verified[e.g.laser rangefinder,etc.]:
effective ranges=?
Thanks.

[Graybeard]

I personally consider about 225 to be max for the Waters. Others consider it a longer range round. I don't. The 260 should be up to 300 yards with right ammo if the shooter is.

GB

[Capt Hamp Cox]

Graybeard,

What has been your experience with 7-30 beyond 100 yds?  Mine is limited to two bucks (one at 65 yds and one at 80 yds) taken with Contender with Super 16 barrel and 5X Burris.  The first was shot with original Federal factory load, quartering toward me, hit on point of near shoulder, bullet lodged under skin near last rib on off side.  He dropped in his tracks.  Field dressed weight about 90 lbs.  Second was shot with handload of 130 gr Sierra handgun bullet over an upper end load of H414, broad side, hit behind right shoulder - exited behind left shoulder.  He ran about 15 yds and was dead when I got to him.  Field dressed weight about 100 lbs.

I don't have any reservations about being able to hit what I'm shooting at out to 200+ yds with my Contender, but haven't personally experienced any handgun kills beyond 100 yds.

Hamp

[GBO MGMT]

Hamp, I've not used it on game much past 100 yards. Where I hunt that's a long shot. That's one reason why I am maybe more conservative in what range I think it good for. I just honestly don't think the bullets will expand properly past 200-225 yards. By then they are down to the velocity the bullet makers say they won't expand at. I believe them.

I guess my longest shot was around 125 yards with the Sierra 130 SSSP and it expanded fine there.

I've shot it on targets out to over 300 yards. I can shoot MOA out about that far from a bench with it but the water filled jugs I've shot with it out there sure didn't impress me. Makes a hole but sure not much more.

GB

[Capt Hamp Cox]

Graybeard,

Really appreciate your response, which pretty much confirms what I've been speculating.  I think something in the neighborhood of a 150 to 175 long paces will be my outer limit with the 7-30 on deer until I can prove to myself otherwise.

Hamp