Author Topic: New 7X30 Waters. Fireforming Brass (Read 992 times)

MarkM · « **on:** October 06, 2004, 02:33:55 AM »

I have recently picked up a T/C contender in 7X30 waters. This is my first Contender and I am excited to shoot it. I am also excited to hand load for it. I have reloaded for several years but just standard rifle calibers 3006, 270 ect. What are some bullets and loads that work well from a 7X30 Waters in the Contender? I intend to use this gun on Mule Deer, Antelope and Varmints.

I have heard you can make 7X30 Waters cases from 30-30 brass by fire forming them. I have never done anything like this before can someone explain how it is done?

Also does this cartridge work better full length case resizing or just neck sizing? The dies I have picked up are full length dies do I need to pick up a neck die or can I just back out the full length die a few turns?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I am excited to enter the world of handgun hunting.

Mark

sjf · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2004, 04:50:57 AM »

I have a 7x30 14" and a carbine with a 21". I'll give a list of the loads I found most accurate and for fireforming.

Fireforming IMR 4320, 31.5 gr, 162 Hornady BTSP,2.864 COL, REM 9.5.

Hunting Loads max or close to it work up carefully.

RL 15, 35.0 gr, 120 Ballistic Tip, 2.903 COL, REM 9.5. (.87" 5 shot group)
RL 15, 35.0 gr, 120 V-MAX, 2.83 COL, REM 9.5. (.95" 5 shot group)
IMR 4064, 36.0 gr, 120 VMAX, 2.915 COL, REM 9.5. (1.1" 5 shot group)
H380, 40.0 gr, 120 Ballistic Tip, 2.903 COL, REM 9.5. (.75" 5 shot group)
Varget, 34.5 gr, 140 Sierra SP, 2.885 COL, REM 9.5. (.88" 5 shot group)
Varget, 34.5 gr, 139 Hornady SP, 2.903 COL, REM 9.5 (1.25" 5 shot group)
WW 748, 39.6, 100 Hornady HP, 2.805 COL, REM 9.5, (1.0" 5 shot group)

I have used the RL 15 load with 120 ballistic tip and the 120 VMAX the most. Both make exceptional deer bullets in the contender. Based upon the penetration I've gotten on whitetails and mulies I wouldn't even hesitate to use either of these bullets on black bear. The hornady seems to be the softer of the two based upon entrance and exit wounds. but I have yet to recover either bullet. My hunting buddy used to make fun of my funny looking handgun but after seeing how well it dumped deer he decided not to make fun of it any more.

As you can see REM 9.5 primers are my favorite for this cartridge.
I have used many others but 9.5's have consistantly given me the best groups.

My 14" currently has a 2.5x7 scope but as soon as I can afford it I will change it over to a 3x12 PA burris like I have on my .223 16". It is by far the very best scope I've ever used on a contender.

I used WW and REM 30-30 brass for fire forming, I screw the resizing die in until I can take a resized case and it will just nicely chamber when the barrel is closed on the frame. I used a long heavy bullet and seat it so that it just barely touches the rifling, by doing that you make sure that it properly sets the shoulder. I tried neck sizing but cannot get the action to shut properly, instead I use the full length die set so that it only resizes about 3/4 of the way down the neck. This keeps you from overworking the brass by oversizing it and also works great for accuracy in my pistol.

The contender is a very accurate system, play with overall lengths and primers until you find the combination that works best for you. If I could have only one powder for the 7x30 I would use RL 15 with H380 running a close second.

I use the harris benchrest (short ) bipod attached to the forearm and a sand bag under the grip to do my accuracy testing. Consistant head placement is very crucial to shooting well with a pistol scope.

MarkM · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2004, 05:47:14 AM »

Thanks sjf, that is some good information.

Mark

flatlander · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2004, 06:41:07 AM »

Not to dodge the question, but you will probably find a LOT of info on this round if you use the search function on this forum (see the button at the top of the page). Be sure to search against the TC Handgun forum only in the lower part of the search page and change the button to "search for all terms" in the upper part of the page or you will get a million topics that probably won't apply.
There is an ad on the TC classified from Reed Ammo for 7-30 ammo made from 375 brass which is a bit stronger than the 30-30 brass for about $37/100. Also, you might consider brass from EA Brown. They are selling for $30/100 or so last time I checked. You can't fireform 30-30 for much less than that very easily, especially if you have to buy 30-30 brass to start with. Just adding more options to consider.

crawfish · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2004, 02:54:53 PM »

Why go through all the crap associated with fire forming brass when you can get it here http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/122870 . Then again what pay this price for unloaded brass when Federal sells loaded ammunition for about $18.00 a box of 20 http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/637747 .

bob helget · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2004, 11:34:26 AM »

Local Fleet Farm has 7-30 Federal Premium ammo for $12.75 per box. Apparently no one is buying it around here so they are trying to get rid of it. I bought some for the brass and to compare to my reloads. Shooting the factory ammo had the added benefit of confirming headspace problem as the factory ammo had primers backing out too.

Anyone have any experience with the hunting performance of the factory 7-30 ammo?

crawfish · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2004, 03:09:01 PM »

Funny you should ask. I have had a 7X30Waters barrel for about 6 years and shot it a bunch when I first got it but the only two deer killed with it were both killed with the Federal 120g load. I sighted in the scope using that ammo which didnt use up much. I had purchased 2 hunter packs when I got the barrel so I had 60 rounds. Ft. Bragg had a special doe hunt and decided to use it. Killed two that weekend. Havent used that caliber on game since. Like my .41s too much. BTY the Federal ammo worked very well. Both short range, front shoulder pass through, both deer dropped in place.
Just remembered son #2 killed a pig two seasons ago with that Federal load. He only said that the gun worked well.

Steve P · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2004, 03:27:57 PM »

I picked up RP 30-30 brass for about $.08 each from the cowboy shooters. Sized it up with full length sizer adjusted so that false neck and rim just filled my chamber and the contender closed with a firm grip. 12 grains of Unique and RCBS 145 cast bullet fireformed them nicely. After a little trimming and checking of the primer pockets, my load with the Nosler Ballistic tips will stay within minute of half scale chicken at 200 meters. (I have a leupold 2x scope on it.) I also have Federal factory brass. I like the RP better. Price is right also.

Steve

MnMike · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2004, 04:56:53 PM »

I bought the Federal brass and quickly decided it needed fire forming. The primers backed out. After shooting a reduced load with the bullet pressed to the lands, the brass worked fine. My barrel likes 120 and 140gr but not 130 gr.

good lick

mike