6.8 Remington vs. 7-30 Waters

[stoutstuff]

Any one have advise on these two rounds as an antelope / deer round on a contender carbine?

[skb2706]

My choice would be the 7-30 Waters for a couple of reasons. I like rimmed cases in my break action guns, its just handier. 7-30 Waters brass can be made up from 30-30 brass which is about as common as dirt and cheap too. Both would work well on antelope and deer I just like the Waters better.

[tom ga hunter]

I have a 7-30 but not a 6.8. I agree with all above +..1.better selection of bullets 2.Higher fps 3. larger base of users thus more reloading data.  The 7-30 is my summer carry rifle with sierra 100 hpts & my sometimes deer rifle with 140 sierra flat bases, 140 bal tips & 145 hot cores. I have some 139 hornady SST's & 130 Sierra single shot bullets but have never tried them. The rimed cartridget is a big deal when reloading under hunting conditions.

[Bluedot]

I have had no trouble with my 16" bbl. carbine and the 140 Partition on 5 antelope and this year I used same 7-30 Waters cartridge with my 14 inch pistol on an antelope. All boiler room shots and they performed great!

[manofthe45]

If you roll your own than the waters gets the nod, but if you are talking factory loaded ammo I would have to give it to the 6.8 for now. 

[bcp]

No reason you can't have a rimmed 6.8.  Just have it chambered in 6.8, cut a rim recess, and form your cases from 30-30.

Bruce

[spinafish]

I have both calibers..the 7-30 is a 16" carbine barrel and the 6.8 is the new G2 23" rifle barrel.  I like them both, but between my two barrels and my handloads, I believe the 6.8 is more accurate..alot of factors involved..one's a short tapered barrel and the others a 23" almost bull barrel.  There are far more factory loads available for the 6.8 than the 7-30.  The 7-30 will handle heavier bullets than the 6.8 if that is a factor.  7-30's can be made from 30-30s brass (usually free firing range brass).  6.8 is expensive at the moment as is most other brass.  I believe the 6.8 to be the ultimate beginners rifle..hardly any recoil.

[glwenzl]

can't compare but I luv my 7-30 Wters!

[Davemuzz]

can't compare but I luv my 7-30 Wters!

Yeah, I'm with glwenz on this one. This past summer I hit a groundhog at 120 yards with my T\C sebenthurdy 14" barrel. Scoped of course....off a shooting stick and with a sling. Way too much fun!!!

Dave