effective whitetail range for TC14 7-30 Waters?

[hans g./UpS]

Going to place a stand facing an open field.Any opinions on the effective range of a rested,scoped,non-ported 14"Contender in 7-30Waters for whitetails?
Thanks.

[BCB]

hans g./UpS,

150 yards...Some will probably say farther, but 150 yards is far enough...BCB

[Dan Chamberlain]

150 is plenty.  If you had a great rest and a good scope a spitzer bullet and lots of practice you could go 200, but with your setup 150 should be a sure thing.

Dan C

[Graybeard]

I consider it a solid 225 yard deer killer assuming you are up to the job of putting the bullet where it belongs. I "might" stretch it to 250 given just the right set of circumstances but feel that is pushing it. This is assuming a broadside or near broadside shot.

I place this limit on it because of the velocity of the bullet has fallen off low enough at that range that proper expansion of the bullet becomes iffen at longer ranges and bullets of this diameter do depending on expansion for proper function.

GB

[jhalcott]

200 or so depending on YOUR ability! I have taken deer in Md. on crop permits with a 6.5 jdj (ported 14")at much further BUT had backup in case.
 There isn't much difference in the 7-30 & 6.5jdj. I used a 2.5x8 leupold scope and the best rest I could find,usually a sand bag on a rock or tree branch.   lots of luck ,jh
     ps practice,practice,etc..

[Mikey]

hans:  I would go with what Graybeard and jhalcott recommend.  The 7-30 is a solid 200 yd cartridge.  Mikey.

[Hawkeye]

I know they work at 140 yards. I practice alot with both of my 7-30's and I have them 1.5" high at 100yds and they are about 2" low at 200yds. I shoot them off of sand bags, sticks and tree limbs for practice. A good rest, trigger control and you can make 150 easy.

Mike

[Graycg]

Good advice given here,
   I recommend that you get a target that approximates the kill zone of a deer and see how far out you can hit it with every shot...that is your maximum range and that counts much more than the killing range of the 7X30; unless of course, you are VERY, VERY good!!

regards,
  Graycg

[xphunter]

Ditto what was said above....and add to that under field condtions (add to the reality by jogging in place for awhile to get your heart rate up)  with field rest(s).
That is exactly what myself and a number of guys will be doing a couple of weeks from now.  I just wonder if we can effectively out-shoot (distance +accuracy wise) the capability of our handguns to effectively down deer-sized game.

Ernie

[44 Man]

Did exactally that a few years ago.  Called the Rupert Challange, you came in cold, shot ONE 3 shot group at 150 yds from a makeshift rest, then you were done for that day.  Best shooter each group, (revolver-100 yds, single shot pistol-150 yds, rifle-250 yds) under field conditions took all.  Best group with a T-C was 7/8" at 150yds (I shot 1 1/8") both with 7-30 waters.  That cartridge will do the job!

[Graybeard]

But David, hitting isn't the problem. Will the bullet expand? Most likely not. Without expansion it is not an effective deer killer. Also trajectory at 300 yards is beginning to rainbow and you need to know both the trajectory and distance rather precisely to properly place the bullets. I too have shot some really nice MOA groups with the 7-30 at 300 yards on a shooting range from a bench. But in the field from field positions? I still think it a 225 yard deer killer. Some have killed deer with it further. I won't attempt it. I have better choices if the range is that long.

GB

[kciH]

With proper shot placement from the proper angle with the proper projectile the effective reliable killing range of a 7-30 Waters is 250yds, or however far you can keep EVERY shot from ANY rest that you wil be using on a 8" circle.  Can it kill further than 250yds?  If you're an excellent shot and very lucky, but I wouldn't rely on it much past 200yds.  You need perfect conditions and be a VERY good pistol shot to hit a simple paper plate at 250yds off of a field rest--EVERY TIME.  That 250yds depends very heavily, as GB stated, on proper projectile selection.  I've had good luck with the 130gr Sierra SSP bullet, and the Hornady 120gr SSP bullets out to about 200yds with the 7mm TC/U and 7mm BR, but you have to have a broadside shot in my opinion, and you'd best not be hitting the deer solid on the shoulder at that range.  I shoot a .284 Winchester in a XP-100 now, and I can't find any field situation where I would pull the trigger on an animal past 250yds with a superb rest, but I would have the confidence to know that the cartridge has plenty power and the bullets will perform at that range.

The bottom line is that no cartridge is going to reiliably kill anything any further away than you can hit it with a bullet of proper design in the proper location.  The effective range is up to you and your proficiency and hopefully sound judgement as a hunter.

[44 Man]

Ok guys!  Yes the 7x30 will go 300yds (depending on the shooter) but it will do a solid 150-200 yds EVERY time.  One thing that comes out of all of this is that the 7x30 is one of (if not THE) best all around deer cartridges produced.  It's pleasant to shoot, accurate, and capable.  It will do everything asked of it.  You do not need the latest super short fattest magnum to take a deer.  Go out and practice, then go hunting.  All that money you save not buying the latest designer cartridges can be used to buy more guns!