Author Topic: 7-30 Waters Ammo (Read 2135 times)

LaSouthpaw · « **on:** July 16, 2005, 08:17:37 AM »

I am planning to get a 12" hunter barrel in 7-30 waters for my contender.What is availble in factory ammo? I will reload, but need some supplies first.

jason280 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2005, 08:30:58 AM »

I think Federal is the only company currently loading for the 7-30 Waters. If I remember correctly, they load a 120gr Sierra bullet in their Premium line.

fast*eddie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2005, 02:05:46 PM »

Jason hit it on the head . Only one round available. Get some 7-30 brass or some 30-30 and full length size it . I use the Sierra 130 gr spitzers for
reloads .

JD338 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2005, 05:09:21 AM »

Federal is the only commercial load available.
I ordered new brass (Federal) for my 7-30 Waters Contender Super 14" and it has worked out well for me.
I have developed a very accurate load using the 120 gr Nosler BT, well under MOA.

Let me know if you need any further help.

Regards,

JD338

MnMike · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2005, 05:47:52 PM »

I tried a bunch of loads with Sierra 130s - I have had luck with their stuff in other calibers. Nothing worked well. !40s shot OK but I don't trust the expansion of these rifle bullets. I was getting good groups with factory 120s (flat point) so I tried the BTs that JD338 suggested and my groups tightened up. The factory stuff is not bad, but why use flat point in a contender?

mike

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2005, 07:05:41 PM »

gander mountain has them for 21.99 a box if thers one around your house

billjoe · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:19:47 AM »

JD338, What powder and primer are you using for the Nosler 120s?
I've tried a number of formulations and am still looking for the one that suits me. 2" groups is about the best I can do.
Thanks.
bj

JD338 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:02:49 AM »

billjoe,

The load I developed for my Contender 7x30 Waters with a Nikon 2.5X8 scope using the 120 gr Nosler BT is 34.5 grs Varget, Fed Case, and Fed GM210M primer. COL is 2.864"
My best 3 shot group is .225" at 100 yds.
This is a hot load which produces excessive muzzel blast. It can be seen on a bright day. The primers show no sign of pressure in my gun.
Please reduce by 10% and work up carefully.

Other loads with the same components that have produced sub MOA include:

33.5 grs IMR 4895

35.0 grs RL15

I have setteled on RL15 as my hunting/target load. It shoots .75 MOA but is much more plesant to shoot than the Varget loads and its excessive muzzel flash.
As with all loading data, please work up carefully.

Hope this data is helpful to you. Let me know how they shoot for you.

Best Regards,

JD338

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2005, 05:38:04 AM »

Here's a link to Federal's web page on 7-30 Waters ammo...

http://www.federalcartridge.com/ammo40/bal_details.asp?id=212&firearm=1&bc=0.215&muzzvel=2700&bulletwgt=120

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2005, 05:46:05 AM »

BTW, those same Federal Cartridges are $16.97 at the Sportsmansguide.com...Check out the link:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=148334

LaSouthpaw · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2005, 05:27:24 PM »

Thanks for all of the info!! Now I just need to see if I am going to get a 7-30 barrel.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2005, 12:25:51 AM »

Federal is not the only commercial supplier of the 7-30 Waters; We also supply it.

GatorTC · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2005, 07:35:28 AM »

I have had good luck with Nosler 120g Ballistic Tips with IMR4064 and Federal brass with CCI 250 primers. It seems to be a caliber that has a lot of good loads.

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

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2005, 06:44:40 AM »

Quote from: Reed1911

Federal is not the only commercial supplier of the 7-30 Waters; We also supply it.

I did not know that Ron...That's good to hear. It is nice to have choices. Thanks for the info.

flatlander · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2005, 06:16:24 AM »

I was just over checking out Ron Reed's site. He does have a lot of 7-30 ammo in a large range of bullet weights to choose from! The 7-30 just became more practical for the non-reloader. No limitations due to flat nose bullets.

sphar · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2005, 03:56:55 AM »

I got my first Contender last winter - new G2 with a 12" .22LR Match for target practice, quickly followed by a 10" 7-30 Waters for this deer season.

I don't reload, and don't know much about the different bullet styles, etc. The Federal factory ammo is working fine for me at the range, but I'm real interested to see that Reed's has several other options available.

Of Reed's 7-30 offerings, any recommendations for deer hunting with a 10" Contender? Any insights appreciated.

flatlander · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2005, 03:13:51 PM »

Try this for starters on the 10" barrels:

http://www.reloadingroom.com/page43.html

I'd stick to the lighter bullets, but that is just personal preference.