7-30 waters barrel problem

[skiforce]

I own a contender that originally came with a 357 Max 14" ported barrel.  I recently bought a 7-30 waters barrel.  For some strange reason, it will not pop a primer.  I have tried to fireform loads and thought that my pistol powder or primers were not good.  So I loaded up rounds with rifle powder and tried that out.  No luck.  It looks like the primers are not being hit hard enough.  I have never had a problem with my 357 max and I load small rifle primers in those.  Any ideas? 

[scratcherky]

The first thing to do is check your headspace.

[skiforce]

Headspace on a rimmed cartridge?

[cwlongshot]

MAN, You did have a bad day at the range huh???

Sure, headspace off the rim with rimmed cases and off the shoulder on rimless rifles and off the case mouth for pistols...

Does the case sit flush or below flush in the chamber?

CW

[skiforce]

I have been shooting for years and this is the first day I did not have fun while shooting.    Horrible day.  The back of the cartridge is .016" +/- .002 above the end of the barrel.

[Keith L]

Check the locking bolts.  My guess is that you need to polish them slightly to allow complete lock up of the barrel.  Even a good cleaning of that part of barrel and frame may do it.  And close the action firmly.  Then try.  Far more common than the much discussed head space issue.

[skiforce]

Yep, you got it.  I slammed the action closed and presto, a poped primer.  Thanks.  You guys rock!

[Keith L]

Use a sharpie and color the locking bolt surfaces and then open and close the action a few times.  Where you see the marker rubbed off are the high spots.  Use a stone and polish those areas without changing the shape of the bolts.  Take it easy: a little bit goes a long way.  Reassemble and try.  Keep going until you don't have to slam it and  you are good to go.

[sbhg]

DON'T GO GRINDING OR POLISHING ON ANYTHING UNTIL YOU CLOSE THE ACTION ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER AND PULL THE TRIGGER, LOOK AT THE HAMMER AND MAKE SURE IT IS NOW RESTING AGAINST THE FRAME.
You shouldn't have to slam the action closed.
If the hammer fell to the frame, then you know your cases are too long (shoulder to rim) you will have to turn your die down a little bit to correct that (1/8th turn at a time).
Size 1 case (@ 1/8 down), put in the chamber, close, pull hammer, and trigger to see if it falls to the frame now.
If it doesn't turn the die down another 1/8th turn and repeat until the hammer will reliably drop.

You don't want to set it up to headspace on the rim, if you do you'll just end up going thru cases faster.
These cases stretch enough if sized correctly, you don't want to add anything more to it.

If you enjoy shooting this cal., I suggest a light bullet and small powder charge to save your cases. I have to trim every 2 firings w/ hunting loads.

BTW Once you have your die setup, you can use 30-30 brass. You'll have to fireform them, but they are a little cheaper than 7-30 brass. You'll also have to keep them seperate and load them different than the 7-30 cases.
BTW2 DON'T BUY FEDERAL 30-30 CASES, IF YOU DO DECIDE TO GO THIS ROUTE. I had to pull bullets and throw 120 cases away when the necks started splitting. I was told remington and winchester will not do that. I haven't bought new brass yet, so I can not confirm that.  Good Luck.