7-30 Waters Contender Handloads

[Steve 48]

Anyone have a good load for the 7-30 Waters in a 14 inch Contender factory barrel?? I have been using the Factory Federal Premiums and they shoot well but I have enough brass to start reloading. Steve48

[Kenster67]

Steve,

I'm shooting half to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yds with 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips, CCI 200 primers, and 35.5 grains of Win 748 powder.  This will be my deer load this year.  I've also got a great load for groundhogs using the 110 grain Speer TNT's.

Kenster

[GatorTC]

http://brooker16.com/Contender/7-30%20WATERS%2034g%20IMR4064.jpg


Most loads I have tried grouped less than an inch at 100 yards!

 

[JON8777]

120 grain Noslers, 36.5 of 748 and CCI Bench rest primers. Prints under 1"

[Kivaari]

I had good luck with this in a 14" barrel :

.375 Win brass, necks turned down for fit
130 grain Sierra "pistol" bullet now discontinued, however
34.3 grains of Varget
GM210 primer
OAL set for bullet off the rifling minimally

chrono'd 15 rounds
avg velocity some 2250
extreme spread 39
sd of 12

shooting ragged holes at 50 yards

[MnMike]

My 14" likes 100s, 120s, and 140s. It hates 130s. For deer, I use the Nosler 120 with Varget. I have also had luck with Win 748, but in Minnesota, I get velocity changes on this powder as the temp moves from +100 degrees to -30 degrees. Varget is more forgiving.

mike

[Ex-Cajun]

Well, whatayaknow.  I just tested some out this weekend that were in the 5/8 - 1/2 inch size from my Bullberry's 16"er.  120gr Barnes X in front of 35 gr of IMR-4064  That sucker's LOUD but puts 'em where I point 'em.
This is the 7-30 improved (although I don't think it matters much.  Load density was poured to the shoulder.  CCI BR2 primers.

[spinafish]

Now, how can one be an ex  Cajun, I thought it was like being a Marine., just sorta ingrained!!  

[Ex-Cajun]

I've been asked that before.  I belive the conclusion was that I'm a "relocated" Cajun!
I've been away for 20 years, It's gotten to where things with Cayenne Pepper are starting to taste HOT again!

Travis

[spinafish]

well, where you are know you should have plenty of jalapenos!, to take the place of the cayenne, frankly, I love them all!

[Kivaari]

..sounds about right for Varget which usually works best at high loading densities with lighter bullets.

One thing I had to "watch" was the loading density with the thicker .375 Win brass which is some heavier than the normal 30/30, 7/30, or .38/55 brass..

With this brass and a 130 grain Sierra, about 34.6 grains was pretty much max sans the improved case....real boomers aren't they?