Fireforming 7-30 Waters

[THEPLUMBER]

I ran some 30-30 brass thru my Dillon 7-30 Waters sizing die . I was planning on loading these with 31gr. of 4064 behind nossler 120gr. ballistic tips.  Is this an ok starting load or do I need to use a reduced load the first time to reform the cartridge shoulder? Thanks,

[spinafish]

I always use my standard load when fireforming 7-30 from 30-30.  Works just fine and is usually is as accurate as the 1st load from the fireformed brass..

[LaOtto222]

I have not fire formed the 7-30 Waters case, but have plenty of others. I usually use a recommended starting load for the case I am fore forming for. I use as cheap a bullet as I can get and use them for scope sighting, plinking and just general fun shooting until I get them all shot up, then I get serious with load development with the formed cases. I know there are several formulas using Bullseye and corn starch and all kinds of other ways, but I like to shoot and can think of no way better than to shoot at some thing while fire forming. Right now I am having some fun forming up some 22 K Hornet cases. Fortunately I had several hundred 55 grain boat tails given to me, so the bullets were free (a big expense).

BTW - If you buy 38-55 or 375 Winchester cases and form them to 7 -30 Waters, you will not have to fire form. Of course you will need to step down the necks once or twice.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Catfish]

I have found that when you try to form cases with a lite load that they usually do not form well. I use alot of fire froming round to groundhog hunt with. I have found them to be as accurate as formed case loades if your useing a load your gun likes.

[Lloyd Smale]

I  bought a cheap lee mold that casts a 7mm bullet and load it to about 2000 fps. This will give good case forming and your not wasting expensive jacketed bullets. Added bonus is there great small to mid size game loads so you can shoot things while you form cases. There surpisingly accurate out of my tc.

[Blowtorch53]

Hi Plumber,

What you are doing is fine.  You might find that you have an accurate load even in the original caliber brass and they will fireform perfectly.  Ths 7-30 Waters brass is easy to make.  Use new or once fired .30-30 brass though.  I learned this the hard way with a .30-30 AI.  After the brass has been fired a number of times in the original caliber,  it gets very brittle and will split at the base or the head might seperate.  This is not something you want in anything, especially a Contender!  I don't think I lost a single piece of brass the first time fireforming with my 7-30 from good .30-30 brass.  It's a simple and easy thing.  748 is the best powder I've found for good 7-30 loads.  Have fun!!!

Blowtorch

[SHOOTALL]

I used cheap bullets at a starting load for mine and never had a problem . Used new , once fired and old brass . I do check old brass with a bent wire with a point on it to see if a crack is forming and toss brass that shows the defect . I used to shoot the fire formed brass in both a contender and Mod 94 , now just the 94 as i sold the cont. I found that FL sizing helps after fire forming for the 94 .

[THEPLUMBER]

I've been away for a few days , but I wanted to say thanks to all who responded. Your input has been a lot of help. Thanks.