Coug, I have a ? for you, and anyone else

[Sean]

I was looking at Gun Parts Corps Website after reading an article on the web about the 7-30 Waters, GPC lists Win 7-30 Barrels for about $70. Do you think it would be worth the time, effort, and money to put one of these together? I have a bud who has a 7-30 Contender and really likes it. Is it better left in the Contender? What do you think? I think I just want another lever gun to fool with and this sounds like fun and maybe useful to.

Also, I was talking to our friend Glen the other day about my new Encore barrel. He asked what you thought of it. I told him I didn't know if you had read the post over on the Encore Rifle page. Anyway, the barrel is a 20" Heavy Taper .350 Rem Mag barrel. The whole gun with out a scope weighs just over 5 lbs. SO what do you think of that one? Sean

[Dutch4122]

Sean-

I had the same idea about a 7-30 Waters in a Lever Action carbine last spring.  I ordered one of those Winchester factory made 7-30 Waters barrels from Gun Parts Corp. and I do have some advice for you on that process.

First, when you order the barrel I suggest that you call them directly and order by phone.  Try to speak with a human being and make it very clear that you want a "hand picked" barrel.  I ordered mine via their website and when I got my barrel it had several "blemishes" on the outside and "crud" in the bore.  I cleaned it up as best I could and was able to determine that the barrel would be just fine; although it will need to be re-blued.  Long story short, make them pick you out a good one the first time so that the $70 "deal" doesn't end up costing you more.  Also, I have been told that if the barrel is not acceptable that Gun Parts Corp. will exchange it and make it right for you.  I decided not to return it so I can't testify to their customer service.

Next, make sure that the action you intend to use is an Angle Eject action as these barrels were not made for the top eject M-94's.

Last of all, a gentleman that I corresponded with on another site advised that he had chronographed the 7-30 Waters in both a 24 inch rifle and a 20 inch carbine.  He reported losing only 50-75 fps in the 20 inch barrel versus the 24 inch rifle barrel.  So, it sounds like the 20 inch barrel would be a great idea in a rifle considering its better balance and handling.

I haven't finished my 7-30 Waters yet as I am waiting to find a good deal on an Angle Eject M-94 to re-barrel.  Please let me know how your project turns out and what the final cost was.  I hope to have mine done by next winter.  As I said before, I'm waiting for a good deal locally on an Angle Eject .30-30 which the local shops seem to think are worth about $269.00 (used) lately :eek: !

Hope this helps,

[coug2wolfs]

Sean

The part about the 5 pounds I LIKE, a lot!  The 7-30 Waters is a low recoiling round and will wallop the snot out of deer sized game with good shot placement.  The bullets we have now allow the little 7mm to do proper stuff for a quick kill.

Just so long as one does not start tryin to pop deer way out there with it, it should do fine.  That's why Glen got dissapointed with the 35 Rem.  As luck would have it, he got a shot at a good deer way out there and he went for it.  Bad results of course.

Glen is a big boy, and as such, he gets pounded HARD by rifles.  The -06 is actually more gun than he is comfortable with. Maybe he could do a 308, or even a 7mm-08, both are good rounds.

Last I knew Carole was totin a chopped down 44 lever gun and she did just fine with it.

If you got the time an the froggies, go for it. And BTW, let us know how the project pans out  :wink: