30-30 vs 7-30

[webrehm]

In a 14" BB, which round would be better? I won't be reloading, at least initially.
Do both rounds kick about the same and have the same performance?

tks for your help

Dennis

[wheelgun]

If you will not be handloading I would vote for 30-30.I have 7-30 and two 30-30 tubes.Both are good rounds,recoil is not bad at all to me.

[skb2706]

7-30 Waters is a great round in a Contender but as wg said.........if you don't handload definitely go with the 30-30. finding ammo for a 7-30 is not always easy to do. I handload so I prefer the Waters..................

[webrehm]

is there any difference in the velocity of factory loads with the same bullet weight? 
Is 30-30 ammo available with pointed bullets for best long range performance?
Accuracy wise it seems I hear bad reports about the 30-30, the one report I read on the 7-30 was excellent (< 1 moa) accuracy with the federal 120 loads.

tks again,

Dennis

[B_Koes]

The .30-30 now has pointed bullets with the introduction of the LEVERevolution http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=198.  This makes it the handsdown winner for factory loads.  However handloading levels the playing field and the improved case of the Waters makes it more appealing.

[HL]

IMO, the 7-30 Waters would be the way to go. From my experience, it is more accurate with just a little less recoil. Very little difference in ballistics.

[klong]

I shot my 7-30 today to verify that the scope was still on and everthing was functioning correctly.  I shot 2 rounds at 100 yds off sand bags, under the barrel and just behind my wrist, bullets were touching. The thing is that this is not uncommon. This is with the scope on max power of 8X. Then shot 6 rounds at 200 yds to see the exact drop with this load for the 120 Nosler BT. The group was 1 1/2" tall by 3" wide and around 3" low.

I said all this to add my 2 cents for the 7-30 if you can find the ammo. I have never shot the factory stuff in the 7-30 though. The 30-30 may do as well also. I have never shot that round in a TC. Good luck either way.

[con10der309]

i would agree with those who said 30-30 you have more to choose from in factory ammo and most 30-30 ammo is a lot cheaper to blast away than the waters,jim

[neald]

I have taken deer with both rounds, I do not think that either deer (if they could talk today) knew what the difference was. The felt recoil in both was close to the same. I shot a lot of different loads in each, I was just trying out different loads to see what was more accurate and comfortable.

But, as others have stated, if you are not going to reload, go with the 30-30.

Neal

[C A Plater]

Having both the only problem is that 7-30 ammo is scarce and brass scarcer.   The seven shoots a bit flatter due to lighter bullets and a bit more capacity.  With the .30-30 you can get a much larger selection of bullets both cast and jacketed and loaded ammo is widely available and for half the price of 7-30. 

[Flash]

In a 14" BB, which round would be better? I won't be reloading, at least initially.
Do both rounds kick about the same and have the same performance?

tks for your help

Dennis

If you intend to reload eventually, I would recomend the 7x30. The 7mm balistic co-efficient is far superior to the 30 caliber bullet. The few rounds that you'll shoot won't break the bank when it comes to the price difference in ammo. The balistic tip boat tails in the 7x30 can mean the difference in a good shot and a poor shot or a long shot and a shot not taken. Go with the 7x30, you won't regret it.

[HL]

Another thing about the 7-30 is there is tons of brass available. There's no need to purchase any expensive brass head stamped "7-30" when you can use the standard 30-30 brass and fireform with cheap bulk bullets. The cost to fireform is still much cheaper than buying the 7-30 stamped brass.