7-30 waters for the wife

[celisup78]

Just as the title says, I am looking to get a 7-30 waters contender carbine barrel. This rifle setup will be used by my wife (smaller body frame size) to deer hunt, but I am sure that it will make it into my hands occasionally. I am trying to decide between the 16" and 23" barrels. As far as I can see, the pros of the 16" barrel is shorter length/less weight/can be used as a pistol barrel if so desired, however bullet speed will be somewhat slower than the 23" barrel and I think that the balance might be nicer with a longer barrel. The frame will have the synthetic hardware on it. For those of you with either length barrel can you tell me what your opinions are as far as the length barrel that would be appropriate. Thanks

[skb2706]

Couple of thoughts

My 23" full bull barrel 7-30 Waters, ready to hunt with scope, mounts, ammo and strap weighs 7.2 lbs. Not light but for a complete ready to hunt gun not bad.
It is far easier to shoot than my shorter 16 1/2 " full bull barrel .221 in carbine setup. A 16" barrel is difficult to work with in a carbine. Much harder to steady or shoot off hand.
Get a 23" full bull, you can always have it cut and crowned but you can't make a shorter one longer.

My ideal length for a G2 carbine is 21" full bull.

[SHOOTALL]

the 7X30 is a great round ! had a contender with 14 inch bbl ( handgun ) now hunt with a Winchester-94 with a 24 inch bbl
the power difference was noticeable . In the rifle I have taken does up to 12 pointers nothing has gone more than a few steps . I like it because it has very little kick ! YOU i mean your wife will enjoy it for sure !
By the way i tried all sorts of ammo and 120-140 all worked good , its like ya can't pick a bad one .

[Heavy C]

My ideal length for a G2 carbine is 21" full bull.

This is what I was going to recommend.  I have a 21" full bull in 223.  It is not heavy at all, and it handles great.  The 7-30 Waters is a great round - I have it in a 14" on my G2 pistol.

[celisup78]

thanks for the replies. I am having some trouble finding a 21" full bull 7-30waters, aside from paying the higher prices for a custom barrel. I can find full bull 23" barrels and tapered 21" barrels. What are your opinions when comparing those two? Also, what is the advantage of a 21" full bull vs a 23" full bull? Thanks for the help.

[glwenzl]

Couple of thoughts

My 23" full bull barrel 7-30 Waters, ready to hunt with scope, mounts, ammo and strap weighs 7.2 lbs. Not light but for a complete ready to hunt gun not bad.
It is far easier to shoot than my shorter 16 1/2 " full bull barrel .221 in carbine setup. A 16" barrel is difficult to work with in a carbine. Much harder to steady or shoot off hand.
Get a 23" full bull, you can always have it cut and crowned but you can't make a shorter one longer.

My ideal length for a G2 carbine is 21" full bull.

I might be interested in the barrel scope if sold separately...

I have a 7-30 in a 14" and the Hornady discontinued SSSP 120 gr bullets are awesome with it.... always wanted the longer barrel to start my boys out with on deer...

[Messer]

Couple of thoughts

My 23" full bull barrel 7-30 Waters, ready to hunt with scope, mounts, ammo and strap weighs 7.2 lbs. Not light but for a complete ready to hunt gun not bad.
It is far easier to shoot than my shorter 16 1/2 " full bull barrel .221 in carbine setup. A 16" barrel is difficult to work with in a carbine. Much harder to steady or shoot off hand.
Get a 23" full bull, you can always have it cut and crowned but you can't make a shorter one longer.

My ideal length for a G2 carbine is 21" full bull.

I might be interested in the barrel scope if sold separately...

I have a 7-30 in a 14" and the Hornady discontinued SSSP 120 gr bullets are awesome with it.... always wanted the longer barrel to start my boys out with on deer...

I don't think he was offering for sale - just stating that HIS 7x30 weighed in at 7.2 lbs. in hunting trim. (but I could be wrong)

Take care,
Bob S.

[celisup78]

Besides the fact that you aren't allowed to post things for sell in a non-classified forum, there was never talk about anyone selling their stuff. Just so that my question doesn't accidentally get buried in the off topic discussion, I will re-ask. I can find full bull 23" barrels and tapered 21" barrels. What are your opinions when comparing a tapered vs bull barrel? I am sure that that has been discussed before but I haven't looked yet - if so, please point me in the right direction. Also, what is the advantage of a 21" full bull vs a 23" full bull - several have mentioned that they would prefer the shorter barrel? Thanks

[SHOOTALL]

Ken Waters went with a 24 inch bbl on the model 94 ( for a reason ) I have one and it is good !
A friend wanted one but Winchester had stopped making the 24 inch bbl and went to a 20 inch bbl . After seeing game taken with both and shooting both I feel the extra 4 inches does matter . Mr. waters invented it so he should know !

[Elwood]

Remember that although the 7x30 isn't such a big shell it does have a sharp kick in a contender carbine. I bring this up because I took my boys out shooting a couple of weeks ago in preparation of their upcoming deer season. A elderly friend tagged along. He wanted to shoot our rifles he shot the 270 just fine but when he shot the 7x30 he shot prone. He had trouble finding the target in the scope but when he fired he was hit with the scope, hard. He got eleven stitches to close up his eyebrow! I feel guilty.
Elwood P. Dowd

[azmike]

I have a.223 and a 30-30, both 23" Bull barrels. 

I don't  think I would want shorter than 20 inches.  The 23 inch balances very well for me, and I fear that a 16 inch barrel may feel too muzzle-light.