Author Topic: 7-30 Waters Load Data (Read 5501 times)

Who Me? · « **on:** December 20, 2006, 03:01:45 AM »

I recently bought a 14" barrel in 7-30 Waters for my G2 T/C Contender. Does anyone have load data for a 140 gr. bullet and Winchester 760 powder? I'm looking for a mid-range load to fireform some cases. I would imagine that the reloading book "Ken Waters' Pet Loads" would have the information. Unfortunately, I don't have that yet.

BCB · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2006, 11:07:56 AM »

Who Me?

I have the Pet Loads books and Waters does not use 760 in his load development. There is an update in one of the Handloader Magazines, but I can’t seem to find it. I will look later.
I think Win 760 is a bit slow, although it certainly could be used with the 139-140’s. Are you sure you don’t mean 748? Win 760 is in the H-414 burn range and maybe near the 4350’s. I have used the 4350’s for some of my Waters loads, but I always had better luck with the mid-range powders…H-335, WC-844, 2015BR, or 748. If you have any of those powders, data is readily available. The Waters may be my favorite Super 14” barrel. Regardless, good-luck…BCB

BCB · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2006, 11:53:50 AM »

Who Me?,

I just went through a few of my older Handloader Magazines and the following articles would be of interest to you if you can find copies of these issues…

Handloader # 131…January-February 1988
An in-depth article on the Waters in a Super 14” Contender by Dave Scovill. 4064 or Reloder 15 is the slowest powder he uses.

Handloader # 144…March-April 1998
7-30 Waters Pet Loads Update by K. Waters. He uses 37-38 grains of Win-760 with a 139 grain bullet. He indicates 38 is NEAR MAXIMUM.

Handloader # 215…February-March 2001
K. Waters takes another look at his creation! No mention of Win-760 at all in this article. Reloder 15 is the slowest powder used.

As I previously mentioned, I think Win-760 is to slow for all the bigger the Waters case is. Still, good-luck with your new Contender…BCB

BCB · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2006, 12:50:18 AM »

You're Welcome!!!...

Who Me? · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2006, 04:30:13 AM »

BCB,
Thanks for the information! The reason I wanted to use WW 760, is that I have a pound of it that I've had for probably 15 to 20 years and never used much of it. I wanted to use it for fire-forming cases for the 7-30 Waters. After posting my question, I did find a reloading site that listed W-760 From 32.5 grains to 38.0 grains with the 140 gr. bullet. The information you provided confirms the data. Last night I loaded up 60 rounds using 33.0 gr. of 760. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate this weekend and I can try them up. Most of the information I have found agrees with your suggestion of WW 748 as the most accurate powder for this case. I plan on buying a pound to try out once I get my cases fire-formed. I think I have some 4350 and H-335 on the shelf, so I'll try those too!

Wayne

HL · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2006, 08:01:57 AM »

You may want to try IMR 4895. I found it to work best with my barrel. Very good accuracy.

MnMike · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2006, 06:10:29 PM »

748 is the best in my barrel in the summer, but in the cold, Varget beats it. Since deer season is in chilly November here in Minnesota, I use Varget.

JMHO,
mike

ourway77 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2006, 03:17:14 AM »

Hunting in Delaware is usually very mild, usually never below 40 degrees, so I have used W-748, with outstanding accuracy. The best group I got was with 120 grain bullets that were designed for the 7-30. I have never hunted with Contenders in the past, always wheel guns, so this will be a new experience for me. And if it ever drops below 40 it will make no difference it will be 72 from my bedroom window. LOL

Who Me? · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2007, 06:25:09 AM »

Quote from: HL on December 27, 2006, 08:01:57 AM

You may want to try IMR 4895. I found it to work best with my barrel. Very good accuracy.

I received the new Sierra Reloading manual for Christmas and found that they listed IMR 4895 as the most accurate load for their various bullet weights. I have a pound of IMR 4895 that I bought recently, so I will definately try that! I've also read lots of recommendations for 748, so I think I'll try that also. I hadn't considered Varget, but I use it in my .204, .22-250 and .30-06 so it might be worth trying in the 7-30 Waters.

Meanwhile, I settled on 33.0gr. / W-W 760 and 140 gr. Remington Core-Lokt bullets (the cheapest bullets I could find) to fireform the cases that I had. I was amazed with the accuracy with these fire-forming loads. I seated the bullets to the cannelure which was .050" off the lands and sighted in the scope at 25 yard to get it on the paper. I shot a 5 shot group that had 3 shots in one hole. The 3-shot group measured .050" center-to-center. I also shot a 5 shot group at 50 yards that had 3 shots which measured .375" center-to-center. I wonder how well this thing will shoot when I get serious about load development?

Thank You to everyone who replied with suggestions. This is great info!

Who Me? · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2007, 06:26:56 AM »

Quote from: MnMike on December 27, 2006, 06:10:29 PM

748 is the best in my barrel in the summer, but in the cold, Varget beats it. Since deer season is in chilly November here in Minnesota, I use Varget.

JMHO,
mike

Mike,
What part of MN are you from? I live in Ham Lake, which is about 20 miles North of Minneapolis. Originally from West-Central MN, around "Fergus Falls".

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2007, 01:31:26 PM »

I've had my 7x30 Waters 14" Hunter Barrel since 1995. My best load is 36.5 grs. of W748 under a Nosler 120 BT. Fed Brass & Fed 210 Primers, seated to 2.850 OAL. The OAL is very important with most Contenders. Mine are made of 30-30 Brass because 7x30 brass wasn't very available back then. I'm still using most of the original brass I made back then. I have a Simmons 2x7 on it and on a good day I can cut a ragged hole 5 shot group @ 50yds on my pistol range. ( 1/4" ). But every gun is different. Thats what makes shooting fun. NOTE: I color the heads on the 30-30 brass so they don't get them mixed with 30-30 loads.

skb2706 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2007, 04:24:32 AM »

Just ordered a new 7-30 barrel yesterday after several years of not having one. Your post got me thinking so I perused my loading manuals. Barnes lists some loads for 760 but it does not appear to be ideal...if it works go for it. I liked 748 ...in my 'other 7-30 Waters life'.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2007, 03:41:21 PM »

I got a 7-30 Waters for Christmas. After forming some brass I loaded up some Nosler 140gr. Balistic tips over 33gr. of IMR 4895. These bullets are touching at 100 yards! I have a Leupold 2.5-8X EER scope mounted on the barrel but I am very happy with this one. This was the first powder\bullet combo I tried and I think I'm done experimenting.

Oh yeah...OAL of 2.850 and Winchester primers.

Dave

Who Me? · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2007, 05:04:38 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on January 03, 2007, 03:41:21 PM

I got a 7-30 Waters for Christmas. After forming some brass I loaded up some Nosler 140gr. Balistic tips over 33gr. of IMR 4895. These bullets are touching at 100 yards!

WOW! Excellent results. Is that set up as a pistol? Great signature line you have, it sounds like a title for a Country-Western Drinkin' Song to me!

It ranks right up there with "I kissed her on the lips, but left her behind for you"

Who Me? · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2007, 05:05:26 AM »

Well, I didn't format that very well did I! $:-\$

Who Me? · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2007, 05:09:50 AM »

I stopped at Sportsmen's Warehouse last night and bought some W-W 748, CCI benchrest primers and Sierra 100 gr HP varmint bullets. I'll load up some test loads with IMR 4895 and W-W 748 powders and see what it likes. I also bought some .30-30 brass to form into 7-30 Waters. Has anybody loaded the Sierra 100 gr. HP's ? I'm thinking about trying them out on Prairie Dogs next spring.

Who Me? · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2007, 05:12:55 AM »

Quote from: OLDHandgunner on January 02, 2007, 01:31:26 PM

I've had my 7x30 Waters 14" Hunter Barrel since 1995. My best load is 36.5 grs. of W748 under a Nosler 120 BT. Fed Brass & Fed 210 Primers, seated to 2.850 OAL.
I have a Simmons 2x7 on it and on a good day I can cut a ragged hole 5 shot group @ 50yds on my pistol range. ( 1/4" ).

How far off the lands are you seating the bullet? Does that Simmons scope seem to hold up okay?

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2007, 01:44:00 PM »

WHO ME ?
Not sure how close it is to the lands. I don't like to seat a bullet any less than the bullet dia. The accuracy kept getting better until I reached 2.900 OAL, so I stopped. T/C scopes @ one time were made by Simmons, not sure now. I have 2 Simmons 2x7. One on the 7x30 Waters & the other on a 30 Herrett. No problems with them at all. My other barrels have Leupold, Burris & T/C Scopes. Good Luck with yours.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2007, 01:49:57 PM »

Whome,

Yes, my 7-30 Contender is setup as a pistol. I have the 14" Super barrel on it.

Dave.

Who Me? · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2007, 04:04:26 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on January 04, 2007, 01:49:57 PM

Whome,

Yes, my 7-30 Contender is setup as a pistol. I have the 14" Super barrel on it.

Dave.

Dave,
That's great shooting! I think I have some Nosler BT's left over from my testing loads for my 7mm Rem. Mag. I'll try your load.

ourway77 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2007, 01:14:35 AM »

Here is a 5 shot group at 50 Yrds using 748 powder.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/ourway7/HPIM0775.jpg

Who Me? · « **Reply #21 on:** February 09, 2007, 03:56:02 AM »

ourway77

Nice shooting! I have some loads ready to test, but winter has finally arrived in Minnesota. It's been below zero F. for something like 15 days. Currently, it is -6 degrees F. and the wind chill is -20 degrees F. Just too dang cold to sit at a bench for any length of time. I'll have to wait for warmer weather. $:-\$

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2007, 03:08:27 AM »

ourway77
Nice shooting & a great group. This is the way my T/C 14" Hunter 7x30 Waters shoots with W-748. ( If I'm having a good day ). Most people don't have a hunting rifle that will shoot that good. Waiting for the wind to stop blowing and the temperature to get a little above 0 so I can get out and do some shooting.

BCB · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:54:51 AM »

Who Me?
I don’t think you will have to worry about how close you should get to the lands in a Contender barrel, especially with the light 100 grain bullet. The ogive of that bullet probably won’t come close to the lands if the bullet is seated into the shell case just enough to hold it in place—I may be wrong—but I don’t think so. T/C cuts the throats about ½ mile too long in all the barrels I have had. I shoot the 120 Hornady SPSSP bullet and it jumps “a long way” to the lands. I forget the distance but it is far. The base of this bullet is seated about ½ way down the neck of the case. I don’t shoot jacketed bullets much anymore. I do shoot the Lyman 287346 cast bullet and it is long enough that I seat it into the throat. If I open the barrel when the round is not fired, sometimes the bullet will stick in the barrel. I would be very careful about seating a jacketed bullet that tight into the lands/grooves. Oh, by the way, I have 9 Contender barrels and all are topped with Burris 'scopes... Good-luck…BCB

ourway77 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2007, 11:59:46 PM »

WhoMe, that is darn cold, Crank up the stove if you have one. OldHandgunner, that was one of the best groups I ever shot, at other times not so good but I don't show them much. The 7-30's shoot very well, everyone I talk too have the very same results. I have a Virgin Vally barrel 12" and it seems to shoot everything well. A friend sent me the original 120 grain bullet made for the 7-30 Waters, (no longer made) I still have about 500 will use for hunting only.Gentleman please furnish your loads with other weights. Shoot Safe, Shoot Good. Lou

fast*eddie · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2007, 06:01:20 AM »

I recall someone on GB's site mentioned using your fire form load at setup as your hunting loads a couple years ago . I shot a doe with a necked down 30-30 cartridge with a 120 gr Sierra single shot pistol bullet and H335 powder . It is now fire-formed !

MnMike · « **Reply #26 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:24:01 PM »

The 100gr Sierras shoot fine. Actually I get the best groups out of my Contender with 100s and 140s. I am not sure why the 100s shoot good, but the 140s I use for fire forming are nearly touching the lands. I don't hunt with them becase they are more designed for 7-30 or 7 Mag. They probably wouldn't expand well at 7-30 velocities.

mike