new barrel, 7 X 30 waters , with factory ammo

[irold]

 OK, I need to hear from all of you 7 X 30 guys out there.   My son just bought a 7 X 30 , 14 " contender  with a T/C scope.  2.5 to 7 I think.
 He also found some Federal 120 gr to start out with....we will be reloading our own eventually.  He was really disappointed with it today.  His first groups were about 3 inch at 50 yds....about the same at 100 or maybe a little bigger.   Now, he can shoot..this is the same kid that shoots clover leafs with his 308 Encore at 100 yds....Every thing on the scope and base and rings seem tight...has anyone experienced this kind of behavior with factory ammo in the 7 X 30.   Thanks...I'm kinda anxious to hear.   IROLD

[handi243]

IF you are using the Federal 120 i got ok luck with them BUT when i started loading it things really got interesting. I loaded my 7-30 brass with 140 gr accubonds the bullet i will be using this fall. I then loaded some some 30 30 brass with 120gr ballistic tips to form even forming brass this thing came to life. At 50 yrds or so it shot under an inch. The accubonds did about the same I think if you load for it with is the way to go with this cartridge I just came from trying some 150gr sierra bullets they shot about an 1". I changed scopes from a 4x burris to a Bushnell trophy 2x6 I really suggest loading for it i'm using Varget in mine gook luck to you.
 

[irold]

Thanks ,  Handi ,   appreciate the info.   We will be loading for it.....seemed a little odd that it didn't shoot any better than it did with factory stuff.  Most of my Encore/ Contender barrels have shot decent with factory , then as you said they come to life when you taylor make what they like.   Just seemed like it should have done better at 50 yd than a 3-3.5 inch grp...his 100 yd grp though didn't seem to open up much over that...maybe he had a bad day. I'll try some 140 accubonds,  ever use IMR 4895 for the 7X30 (?)  , hoping to use that since I use that on several other loadings.  Thanks again

[rbergum95]

in my 7-30 super 14 i had real good luck with the federal 120's. would print sub 1 1/2 inch at 100 with them. with handloads it REALLY shoots well. i use varget and hornady 120 SSPB's for most of my loads, and winchester 748 and sierra 130 SSPB's as well. either of those loads will regularly print 3/4 inch or less at 100. since both of those bullets have since been discontinued i am going to give the 120 noslers a run. most guys have had luck with them.

[Alaska Dave]

With the Federal 120's my son get's around 1 1/4" in his 16" barrel at 100yds. Haven't started reloading for it yet as i'm still getting things put back together. Dave

[Who Me?]

Here's a couple of targets at 100 yards using my T/C Contender (G2) with the 14" barrel.  The first target is with Federal factory 120 gr. ammo and the second target is a moderate handload I used to fire-form cases.

[irold]

Thanks guys , I beginnin to think I'd better check screws again or make sure they're not bottomed out or something.....My boys sure not getting groups like that......Thanks again

[stoutstuff]

I bought a new 23" 204 Ruger barrel from TC's custom shop for my Contender carbine last year that I had to send back to them. They admittedly had to lap it and retest it and returned it, it now shoots -MOA. Drove me crazy changing scopes, tightening screws etc. Have fun!

[irold]

Seems like its a hit or miss thing getting a good shooter from T/C....not sure why , it didn't use to be that way.  At least most of the time they stand behind their products........

[jhalcott]

 Irol, let me throw a wrinkle at you. MY 7-30 was shooting those 3"@100 groups when I first got it. Factory or hand loads ! I almost sent it out for a rechamber (not sure to what?),then on a whim I swapped scopes from Bushnell 2x6 to Burris 2x7. That old ammo and the factory stuff both shot smaller groups,some as small as 1 inch off sandbags.!! Try another scope before you decide that it's a barrel problem.

[454-hunter]

Now ,Irol, Listen I am new to the tc field and only own a 460 tc encore but was immediately shocked when I tried the tc for the first time. I have been shooting big bore handguns sice 2000 and I tell you I have had this happen in more than one gun that  owned. It happened with a 44 mag num and then a 454 casull and then the tc encore all shot terribly with factory ammo . So I went with some factory ammo in the 460 I jumped from the 200 sst's and some factory corbon loads and loaded some 300 grain (cast performance bullets)  My groups went from 3 and four inches at fifty yards to cutting holes at fifty yards. yeah thats right it was the factory  ammo and when I switched to my loads wa la it was like someone opened up a whole new world of shooting and my woes where over.try some good handloads. before you get it rechambered or something drastic. and yes it could be the scope too.
Stan

[irold]

All good food for thought..........Thanks IROLD

[Buck O Bob]

Check the chamber to bore alignment, not an uncommon problem in factory T/C barrels.