30-30 vs 7-30 Waters

[bluetopper]

I'm trying to decide on a new 14 inch barrel for my Contender pistol and I'm trying to decide between the 30-30 and the 7-30 Waters cartridge.

Is the neck size the only difference in cartridge dimensions or is the base of the cartridge longer and shoulder blown out some too on the 7-30?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If I were trying to decide between the two I would list what the new barrel will be used for, the distances I would be shooting and everything else that's important to me and then buy the one which fills a majority of, or will be better at what I listed.

Good luck deciding...

 

[bluetopper]

Target shooting mostly......group size at 100 yards. A fun gun using spitzer bullets, not round nose bullets found in factory 30-30 loadings.

For hunting they both would be quite adequate.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Love my 7-30 contender,MOA groups to 150(longest range I have access to).I fire form all my brass from 30-30 brass.Necked down to 7mm and shoulder is blown out to hold more powder.Contender specific data is available in pistol section of manuals ..I have the 14 in with muzzle break.You will love it.Oh and fantastic on deer as well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Target shooting mostly......group size at 100 yards. A fun gun using spitzer bullets, not round nose bullets found in factory 30-30 loadings.

For hunting they both would be quite adequate.

In that case I would choose the one where components would cost me the least or are most available. In reality the 30-30 would bore me but the 7-30 Waters is different...

 

[Greg Mercurio]

It's a great cartridge, and it's a ton of fun in the 14" Contender.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Have a couple of 7-30 TC barrels. They are accurate beyond belief IMO and real deer killing machines.

 

[flipajig]

++1 also for the 7-30 I have a 15" made by Bullberry and I it's a shooter.
I had a 30-30 and sold it I didn't need two deer getters. Now a 30-30AI now that would be interesting.
Also if you decide to hunt with it you can't beat the 120 grain Nosler BT.
This group was shot at 100 yards.
Flip

 

[1-12 INF (M)]

I have a 14" Contender in 30-30 that's been great for silhouette (with 150g FMJ spitzers), but it might be replaced by an 11" 7-30. The 7-30 has less taper and a sharper shoulder, but the base and rim are the same size. I was considering a 7mm TCU for hunting, but will go with the 7-30 for more oomph. So far it's as accurate as the 30-30. You can't go wrong with either one, and the decider would be if you reload or not. Although the 7-30 is commercially loaded, the 30-30 is much easier to find.

 

[cfullgraf]

The 7-30 Waters is based on the 30-30 case. 7-30 waters might be as easy to form as 7mm International Rimmed. 7mm International rimmed is also based on the 30-30 case and similar to the 7-30 Waters.

7mm International Rimmed is formed by passing the 30-30 case through the size die then fire forming.

So, cases may not an issue.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Target shooting mostly......group size at 100 yards..

Do yourself a favor and look into some if the TCU cartridges.


Why?

Because if you care about group size you'll care about being able to get lapua brass to work from.

 

[hoghunting]

If you don't reload, then take the 30-30 as more types of ammo are available. If you reload it's still a toss up as both cartridges are extremely accurate in the 14" Contender.

 

[41 Mag]

One thing about sizing the brass for the 7x30. Set your sizer down a little at a time using the chambered brass to check for fit. You want to only neck it down to the point you can "just" close the action on it with a slight crush. Once there check one or two more cases before you lock it down for good.

This gives you a solid lock up on the case so that when you fire form it it is held secure when the charge goes off, and doesn't end up with any major stretch or free play on the now formed case. After you have formed your cases you can ease it down until it just touches the shoulders.

I think one of the Nosler manuals had a great description on this one or two versions back. It might be in the latest one as well I haven't looked.

As mentioned above either are a hoot and either one you choose will probably be quite accurate. I have the 7x30, and the 30-30AI both in 14" and either one will shoot better than I can hold them at 100 and 200yds.

With my 7 I went with 140gr loads simply due to the fact I wanted more down range energy for feral hogs or a bigger deer. I used the Nosler Ballistic Tip which gives plenty of expansion even at the lower down range velocities. With a good rest they easily shoot 1" or so at 200yds.

My two powders have been H4350 for the 30-30 and RL15 for the 7x30. I use bulk Win cases and have not had any issues with them what so ever.