Questions about Contender 7-30 Waters

[BCall]

Hi guys, this is my first post here, but I am looking for some advice on my Contender barrel. I originally bought a 14" stainless hunter barrel in 7-30 Waters a number of years ago. After having a terrible time with it, I spoke to T/C, and sent it in to have it checked. About a week after sending it in, they had the fire, and my barrel was in it. They could not replace it with a 14", so I agreed to take a new 12" hunter barrel in its place.
I have not had much success with this barrel either. I don't feel it is accurate enough, and it has been really inconsistent. Sometimes shooting 1", sometimes 3"+. I am unsure, but it could be just me. I find the muzzlebrake on the hunter barrel really uncomfortable to shoot, and think it could be really contributing to the inconsistency. I feel like I'm getting slapped in the forehead everytime I pull the trigger. I have come to the conclusion that I just do not want a muzzlebrake, I would rather deal with the recoil, at least I can manage that.
If you had this issue, what would you do with it? Should I just trade it off, or would it be cheaper to send it off to have the brake removed? I have considered having that done, but if it does not shoot well still, then I don't know what to do with it. Maybe a rechamber job? I worry about some of it though, as I am on a limited budget. I do reload for it, but nothing really seems to make a difference.
I am using Leupold scope mounts, and a Weaver 2.5-8 pistol scope. You can see I have had it for a while, but I do not shoot it much. I have taken 2 deer with it, but both were under 50 yds.
I like the caliber, but would like more consistency. My contender is also a stainless one with the black grips. I would like to have a stainless barrel for it, but at $250+ for a new one, and I am unsure if the new barrels will fit, it has been a tough call for me.

What would you guys suggest? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Billy

[Bugflipper]

Please describe your shooting form, what I mean is how is it hitting your hand? No worries, there are some good contender shooters here, one will get you going right without spending much money.

[BCall]

I have been shooting the gun rested on a front sandbag, with the butt of it resting on a flat bag. I've been trying to hold firmly, without squeezing it to death. It has very little recoil, it pretty much comes straight back a small amount. The trigger is a little heavy, but I am a little leary of getting it too light, so I have not messed with it. I have checked the mounts, and tried 2 different scopes, with out success.

I have been trying to hold it like I hold a golf club, firm but not too tight. I've tried to keep it so the recoil pushes somewhat evenly across the heel of my hand, and using my left hand to steady, and adjust the elevation on the rear bag. I do not know if this is proper shooting form, but it is what feels comfortable to me. I usually shoot rifles in a similar fasion off of the bags-rested evenly on the front and using my left hand to adjust elevation by squeezing the ears of the rear bag. Never had a problem as long as I focus on a smooth trigger pull.

I'm not sure if this is the information you were looking for, but I hope it helps. Thanks, Billy

[Bugflipper]

 OK bud, I'm not a contender expert by any means, I've had one for 10 or 12 years. Seems I just don't take it out much anymore though. I'll try to help a bit until some of the other guys chime in.

 First off lets look at the trigger. Adjust your overtravel. You may have already, but at any rate there is an allen screw on the back of the trigger gaurd. Screw it in all the way. Now back it off until the hammer will fall. Go a bit more until you find your confort level. Personally mine stays about a half a turn past break, just in case dust or debris accumulates so it will fire when needed. Just bear in mind the shorter the pull stroke, the less likely you will be pulling off center.
 The poundage I'll leave up to you, less resistance would be less knocking off kilter, but go with what you are comfortable with. It's better to have peace of mind and enjoy yourself while shooting it.

Next I want you to set up like normal and dry fire. Pay attention to how much and which way you pull. Now lets try to modify the grip a bit. Act like you are shooting an auto pistol. With the right hand forget about any pressure on the grip. It is just there for trigger control. The left hand will squeeze the right one and give you a moderate grip. Of coarse rest on your bags. At work we carry the glock 23( compact 19 in 40 cal). The FBI rangemasters showed us this method and it worked tremendously.
I'm not saying there is a right or wrong way, just the average was 84
(80 is passing), now it is 98.
 And by all means dry fire a lot. Look at where the cross airs are when your trigger breaks. Modify the whole system until every shot is natural.
One more tip when dry firing every now and then put a penny on top of the reciever. Try to pull smoothly and not let the penny move when the hammer falls.
Good Luck

[Graybeard]

I suggest you sell or trade it off and get a 14" without the brake.

[Hopalong7]

I'm with GB on the brake...get rid of it....I hate those things...I wouldn't cut it off cause I'd rather have a 14" tube for the 7-30.  The 7-30 is one of, if not THE most popular deer hunting barrels made for the Contender....no reason it shouldn't perform satifactorily.  Bugflipper gave good advice on the trigger and hold....so I'll go to the sand bag rests.  Rest the forarm on the front bag right up against the trigger guard.  It won't seem as stable at first but it will be when you get used to it.  Don't put the butt on the rear bag!!!...put the bag back under your wrists, holding the grip in both hands in mid air.  Again, this may take a little getting used to, but trust me it works.  The key is doing everything the same each shot!!!  Your point of aim may have to be adjusted when you alter your hold but with time your groups should be consistantly smaller.  I try to let the gun rotate upward as it fires, keeping my arms extended and most of the rotation take place at the shoulder.  This is not critical with the recoil of the 7-30, but some day you may want a 45-70.  You probably already know, but just in case, you don't have to pull the hammer to dry fire (unless it's a G-2). GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[BCall]

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm going to try what you suggest this weekend. I'm going to give it one more chance before I make a decision about it. Hopefully you advice will help. I really liked the idea of the brake when I first bought the gun,  recoil is not much more than a .22, but in practice I have not been able to adjust to it I think. I have only taken a couple of does with it, and would really like to take a decent buck with it this year, so I decided to make a concerted effort to either make it work, or get something that will. If I can't make myself comfortable with shooting it after this weekend, I'll probably do something else. Thanks again guys, your help is much appreciated. Billy

BTW, it is an original Contender, not a G2, so I'm going to try some more dry fire in my basement during the evenings before this weekend. Will new Contender barrels fit this gun? Thanks again

[HL]

I agree with GB. Ditch that one and pay the few extra dollars and get a barrel from a custom maker. I would venture to believe the throat and the crown are your problem.

My 7-30 will hold 1/2-3/4" groups at 100yds consistently.

All my barrels are custom. I started with TC barrels, but after some bad experiences such as yours, I went totally custom, with no regrets, and some very accurate shooters.

[Keith L]

And my 7-30 is just as described: 12 inch hunter with brake.  It shoots well.  My son can do better with it than I can, but even in my old hands it is way sub moa at 100 yards.  I don't mind the brake, but when hunting with any pistol I have to use ear protection.  I normally don't when hunting with a rifle.  I know it is annoying for people around me at the range, so I am careful not to shoot it when there are folks next door.

[Curtis]

Just for grins try shooting with just the front bags for a rest, I've had some funny reactions on occasion from resting the grip.  I usually rest only the forend but I sometimes rest my wrist too if I've had too much caffiene that morning.

Curtis

[hunterspistol]

  Curtis said it, I rest the forearm on sandbags and hold the grip in my right hand. If it wants to kick upward, I usually lay my left fingers over the scope to keep it down(just not if I don't absolutely have to).

[BCall]

Thanks guys, I will post my results after this weekend. I appreciate all of the help. Billy

[poncaguy]

I have a 14" 7-30 coming from Ed's TC................I'll let you know how it shoots.

[jhalcott]

  I have a 14" 7-30 TC. It will shoot tiny groups with FACTORY ammo. I haven't found a sub inch load for it yet and I've tried a bunch. Cast or jacketed doesn't matter,I can get to 1 1/4" once in a while but can't get to the inch mark.

[BCall]

After about 50 rounds of shooting this weekend, and some thinking it through the beginning of this week, I think I have decided to go ahead and either sell or trade off this barrel. Your advice did help guys. I was getting much more consistent groups with way fewer fliers shooting it this weekend. I tried to rest just my forearms on the bags and the front rested on a large bag, working on a smooth trigger release and trying to get a good follow through. I was getting 3 shot groups of 1 1/2" consistently at 100 yds. I feel more comfortable at long range now, the problem is I have to concentrate so hard to get those groups, I don't feel it is worth it. The muzzle blast is very distracting for me, and I feel it messes with me more than the recoil would. So, thanks for the help guys, your tips helped, and I'm sure they will help me on any new barrel I acquire. I really appreciate it, Billy

[billjoe]

I have to agree with Keith.  I had a 14" barrel that was very inconsistent and I tried umpteen loads through it.  I got tired of hearing about how well every one elses 7-30 shoots that I finally decided it must be my barrel.  I sold it and bought a stainless hunter with the brake and they are like night and day.  I like the lack of recoil and the accurracy is way better.   Now I'm a happy shooter with my 7-30.  Still though, I prefer my 6.5JDJ.  If you trade up, consider that one.
bj