Author Topic: Got gun (7-30 waters), need to make it go BOOM! (want info) (Read 1831 times)

bandit · « **on:** February 25, 2003, 04:08:57 PM »

Well, Ive been wanting one of these contenders for years. Ive been researching, reading ..every night
on the net about these things for weeks. Been reading all over the place about G2 delays... The latest
gun show comes up, and blam...I walk by one of the gun shops booths...and sitting there right in front
of my face is MY GUN. T/C Contender, blued, super 14 barrel, factory muzzle break, 7-30 waters, w/ a
2.5-7x t/c scope. It was in great shape. I couldnt pass it up. I purchased it for deer hunting and just
for the pure enjoyment of having a nice toy to go have some fun at the range. I also just recently
purchased an RCBS rockchucker master reloaders kit, and am brand new to reloading. In fact I just got
my reloading bench setup this past wknd, and havent even loaded a round yet. Im planning on doing some
serious reading, before I attempt to load a single round. So...all you avid contender
fans (nut's!) and anyone familiar w/ reloading for the 7-30 waters, please feel free to write some books here
and give me some guidance. Also if you have any hunting stories about taking game w/ this caliber, hell
we'd all enjoy hearing your story. GB where are U!

Thanks in advance...the bandit!

ARCHER · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2003, 04:33:43 PM »

So you got a new toy and nothing to make it go bang,HA HA HA !! What you need to do now is just give that toy to your good friend ARCHER, out of the goodness of your heart. I know he can make it do something! HA HA YOUR HUNTING BUDDY ARCHER!

OLDMAN · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2003, 02:09:51 AM »

Bandit,
PJ would be a good source for anything you need to know about loading the 7-30 Waters.

flatlander · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2003, 03:03:26 AM »

There are a couple of older threads to check out in this forum that might cover some of your questions. One is "questions on 7x30 waters" by DonT and another is "7-30 loads" by Newbie. They cover some basics (the search funtion on this site is excellent!).
You will be happy with your 7x30. I have almost the same rig that you have except I have a leupold scope. It is a great shooter. Recoil is light and accuracy is good, too. I haven't had to shoot mine past 100 yards at game yet, but it sure did the job on a 200 lb. hog in Texas at that range. It broke the near shoulder and caught lungs and the heart, and exited. Dropped him immediately. Just be sure to have on hearing protection with that muzzle break. It ports the sound right back at you. I made the mistake once of forgetting to replace my muffs before making a shot. I thought that I was bleeding from my ears. It won't happen again.

coltfan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2003, 08:26:39 AM »

I recently got a lot of good information here, regading the proper bullet seating depth for loading the 7-30 Waters. I believe it is titled "proper bullet seating depth" I would strongly suggest you read this post.

You may see someone recommend the loading manual for the Thompson Center Contender, however before you run out and order it like I did, I will caution you that it is nothing more than a re-print of the same information from the Speer, Hornady, Nosler, and Sierra reloading manuals. I could kick myself for buying it, since I already own the Speer, Hornady and Nosler manuals. I would have been better off just buying the Sierra manual.

Best of luck with the new gun.

bandit · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2003, 12:04:27 PM »

First off I'd like to thank everyone thats responded to my post so far. Ive already replied directly to flatlander, and wish him luck in his future hog hunting in Texas. He actually answered several questions that I had planned on posting, regarding bullets he's using, etc.

Coltfan, you also answered another one of my questions, regarding whether I should purchase the T/C load manual. Since Ive already received one manual w/ my rcbs master realoading kit, and had already been planning on purchasing both the sierra and nosler manuals..i should be in good shape.

Oldman, thanks for the commment re: contacting pj for reloading info. That should be helpful as well.

Im new to these forums, and dont believe Ive used the search function yet, so will research that further this evening to see what other info I can pull from this site.

If anyone else has any comments, it'd sure be appreciated. Thanks again.

...Bandit/Phoenix AZ

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2003, 12:38:26 PM »

Bandit,

I have a couple of 7x30 Waters barrels that I use. Send me an e-mail and maybe we can chat a little on the telephone about my loading for them and stuff.

bandit · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2003, 04:12:51 PM »

Well, Ive been experimenting w/ the search feature as recommended above, and for us folks new to the 7-30 waters, I found this little "GEM", that Im going to add to my post:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/730.htm

This is exactly the type of information that Ive been looking for.

Bandit

Tommyt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2003, 01:04:54 AM »

Bandit Here is a 7-30 before and after it was fire-formed from a 30-30 and I got lucky and recoverd the spent round
The deer wasn't that fortunate :lol:
Cut the brake off it is not needed ask around and I think you'll here more about haveing it removed .
just my $.02

flatlander · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2003, 03:18:59 AM »

That does bring up a question that I haven't got around to posting, yet. I have the same 14 inch hunter barrel, and the break is loud. Is it worth my while to have it chopped off, or would I be better served by trading it off on a std bull barrel?

Tommyt · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2003, 10:04:56 AM »

Mine started as a new 14 hunter I sent it out its now 12 3/4" and I like it
I don't like 14 " barrel's 10's are my Favorites but
I would not want the
7-30 in 10 I believe it would lose to much and hit the hand a bit harder
I would like it in 16 so I can reach way out and touch something

hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2003, 12:11:42 PM »

:grin: love this barrel,ok wheere do i start. my best load is 130 speer sp
with 30 grains of imr4895, gives 1940 f.p.s. and .38" group at 100 yds.
imr3031 w/34 grains works good with 120 grain nosler ball. tips. for 2355 f.p.s. and .72" group at 100 yds. the col on both these loads in my barrel is 2.79 over all. u need to check yours, but i find seating the bullet out helps accuracy and lowers pressure. i have no break on mine and recoil is mild,very easy to shoot. i've killed 3 deer with it 2 at 90 yds. 1 at 60 yds.
3 step blood trail is the longest. can't beat that. hope this helps you good luck and enjoy.

bandit · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2003, 06:59:36 PM »

Hunter & TommyT, thanks for adding to my post. Ive been spot checking this intermittantly, and now have a pretty darn good bit of information collected that Ill be printing out. This info will then get immediatly relocated to my reloading bench area! It sure looks like Ive got my work cut out for me...as far as reading as well as a running list of reloading supplies that I need to get ordered asap. I actually just got back from the Hunting expo at the Fair grounds in Phoenix this evening. Was drooling all over those nice mulie and white tail mounts they have down there. Thanks to my boss, Im also skipping work tomorrow to return to the Fair grounds, so that I can attend the hunting & fishing seminars that they are having throughout the day. I really look forward to going to these every year. I started hunting somewhat late in life...so am trying to play catch up. Been having issues w/ trying to get my work schedule to allow me to take the Arizona hunters education course. I finally got fed up this week, and will be commuting to Flagstaff over the next couple of wknds to knock the course out. Also got lucky & managed to get one of my hunting partners to slip away from work and do the same. hehe Its pretty darn hard to get drawn for elk down here. My hunting partner just finally got drawn about a year or so ago. Took him 8 yrs this last time before he got drawn. I need this class, for the extra point.

Bandit

rimfire · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2003, 02:42:55 AM »

Have a 13" VVCG SS 7-30 barrel. Light load of 35 gr Win748 behind 120 NBT dropped three deer this past season in their tracks. Not one took a step, 2 of them were at about 45 yards, the third about 90 yards.

Love this caliber...easy to shoot...took the two at 45 yards offhand. No fear of the recoil and the bullet perfromance pleased me greatly. Hit some shoulder structure on two of the three animals and still had no bullet to recover. The doe at 90 yards was relatively huge for Western NY, outweighed the 6 point by at least 45 pounds, and she dropped like a stone with a shoulder shot.

I always suggest this to other handgun hunters. Wear a pair of the easy insert earplugs on a string around your neck. Handguns are fun, but hearing damage is not. You should have the time to stick them in your ears for most shots. I did it on all three animals and never felt too rushed. Sure was nice not to hear ringing for the rest of the day. I admit if a huge buck was standing at 30 yards on edge I doubt the earplugs would be a priority, but most of the time it is a simple precaution for your future hearing health.

billjoe · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2003, 01:07:47 PM »

I tried a lot of different loads with my 7-30 and IMR4064 with Nosler 120 Ballistic tips did a number on a nice buck this fall. He collasped on the spot. Forget W748 in my barrel.

bj :-D

hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2003, 01:14:13 PM »

GOOD advice rimfire . my ears ring ALL the time. to much m60 machinegun fire without ear plugs when i was young and dumb.