Need Pet load's for 7-30 Waters

[hylander]

:? I am Shooting a Contender 14"
So far I am not happy with the accuracy, 1.5-2" groups.
I would like to get .75" or better.
I am useing fed Premium 7-30 nickle brass.
Tight chambering around the top of the neck.

The powders I have are 748, varget, 3031.
Bullets are 120SP, 130SSP, 140SBT all Sierra.
Using T/C scope on 6X from sand bags.
Any help most appreciated.

[Graybeard]

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/730.htm

GB

[Robert]

That' the first time I have seen THAT data...2520?  Definately going to try those loads.  I'm shooting a 16" barrel, so will definately start lighter and work up....but I really like 2520 in my 375 and 356.  As a matter of fact...I think the 2520 will work even better in a longer barrel.

[Toolpush]

I have been working with IMR 4895 as of late in my 7-30. Been up to 35gr.  But after getting to understand frame stretching in a contender I understood it prudent to back off a few grains for the longevity of the pistol.  The down side was the hotter I loaded it the better the groups got! I was within 30 fps of what the Serria book said was max.

 748 looks good in the books but with the 130gr and 100gr bullets I have not got it to perform with good groups.

I have been using  H322 and 100gr bullets to fire form.  At 2350 fps the gun will shoot close to 1" groups if I do my part. and this is a fire form load. Maybe someone will explain to me why I have trouble besting this load when I reload the brass after fire forming.

Hope some of these ramblings do you some good

Toolpush

[BCB]

hylander & Toolpush,

I have found H-335 to be a good powder in 3 of my Contender barrels--.223 Remington, 30-30 Winchester, and the 7-30 Waters.  I am using the Hornady Single Shot Pistol bullet in each caliber.  All are M.O.A. or better shooters most of the time.  We all have bad days from time to time!!!

“Why can’t the 1-inch accuracy be improved upon?”…One thing that I have discovered with Contender barrels is the amazing amount of tool chatter that is present in most new factory barrels.  If you look closely, you can usually see marks that are perpendicular to the rifling/bore.  Also interesting is the fact that I have started loading for a new barrel and shot amazing groups with the first 20 or so rounds.  The next trip to the range indicates sadness!!!  Groups seem to then open and stay in the open position!  I really don’t know why this happens.  Maybe fouling in the rough area of the bore.  Cleaning seems to be critical to good accuracy in the Contender, at least until the roughness is gone, or mostly gone.  My .223 barrel is absolutely an M.O.A. or BETTER shooter out to 200 yards from my bench.  I nearly gave up on this barrel in the beginning.  One day, mostly in desperation and lack of caring, I thoroughly cleaned the bore with Sweet’s 7.62 mixed with J&B Bore Cleaner.  I used a couple of stainless brushes (many will cringe at using these—that is all I use on all of my weapons) and I cleaned that bore, literally, all day long.  I would use the brush and then let it set awhile.  Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat,…You get the picture!!!  I honestly believe that I smoothed the bore by doing this.  PLUS, this barrel had approximately 400 rounds through it!  Sweet’s DOES NOT recommend letting their cleaner in the bore for too many minutes.  Heed that warning.  I didn’t care at the time and I didn’t see a problem with using it all day long.  Just my opinion.  Regardless, the combination of 400+ rounds and THOROUGH cleaning allowed this barrel to begin shooting as I had hoped it would.  I honestly think these barrels will improve with use and cleaning.  Patience is surely a virtue with Contender barrels!!!  Good-luck…BCB

[Duffy]

BCB,
I know what you mean about the roughness. It's the same in the Encore bbls. My Hornet bbl looked as if they didn't even clean the bluing bath out of it. The 708 being stainless was better but it had the silver coating that they put on the bbl sprayed inside the bore.
After firelappiing both of them they shoot much better and don't foul as much either.

Ryan

[T/C nimrod]

hylander - the 7-30 waters is an inherently accurate cartridge IMHO. There is a very broad range of powders and bullet weights that shoot very well through it. During my load development for this cartridge, which totals over 3 years exclusively developing for a 14" barrel, I found that overall length plays a significant role on accuracy. Now, keep in mind I'm talking about my barrel, yours may be different.  3/4" and under at 100 yards is not asking too much from this caliber, actually I'd expect it. Have you tried putting the bullets right up to the lands?

[Questor]

Why don't you ask some pointed questions about Winchester 748 powder. It may be very good for this cartridge. I tried 760 for my 6.5JDJ and decided to stick with it after trying several other powders.  It's really good stuff.

[Bob in TX]

I loaded up a test load with the new 127 gr. Groove bullets for my 7-30 Waters Contender. I quit after my first 2-3 shot groups. The first group was .841", the second group was .654" for a .75" group average at 100 yards. I used 35.5 grs. of W-748 in Win. brass with a WLR primer and 2.775" OAL. I am ready to try it in the field.

This is the same load I use for the 130 gr. SSP bullet.........thanks GB.

Bob

[hylander]

Thanks for everyones input.
I tried 29g.-30.5 3031, Sierra 120sp. This gave my best groups, 4shots .69 & .71 with one flyer in each group, opening the group to
1.56 & 2.38, All my groups have one flyer :cry:  Why is This.
35.5 of 4064, 120sp gave 1.35" the only load with no flyer.
At time of testing it was Sporting a T/C 3-9X32 on 6X.
Now it is wearing a Trohpy 2-6X32 As Recommended by GrayBeard
and other's on this board.

Bob in TX:
Where did you get the 127 gr. bullet's, Who makes'em.[/u]