7-30 waters cartridges won't chamber.

[WestKentucky]

TC contender shooting 7-30 factory loads and a few reloads (verified the lot by pulling 3 of 12 down and weighing load, reassembling.

I have one of each that will not chamber properly. One is a factory federal load and one is a 30-30 that's been reformed. Both have the same problem. With the barrel off they seem to pass plunk at first but when compared to a known good load they seem to be head spacing about .003 further back and are not allowing the action to close. I'm thinking that the shoulders are likely too far forward, but with this being a rimmed cartridge I thought it would headspace from the rim. Anybody had this issue before that might be able to help? I can't get to my calipers (remodeling manroom...stuff piled into one end to allow construction on the other)

 

[rcmodel]

If the shoulder is too far foreword?

It can't go in the chamber far enough to headspace on the rim.

As you just found out!

Color one with a black dry-erase marker, or candle smoke soot, and press it in the chamber as far as it will go.

Where it's not black anymore when you take it back out is your tight spot.
Betcha its the shoulder though!


rc

 

[witchhunter]

West, adjust your sizer die so that the contender will just close easily, and don't neck size contender rounds, it causes problems with the lockup real easy. Sounds like those cases are perfect for setting up your die, being a little long in the shoulder.

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree with witchhunter. When I was shooting my 7mm Int Rimmed Contender in teh 1980s, I sized the case so that the action just closed easily, or maybe with a smidge of resistance.

I would have to snap the action closed, if I closed it easily, it would not latch.

Essentially, the case does headspace on the shoulder.

This was before the time of case comparator gauges such as RCBS Precision Mic or Sierra Bump gauge so I have no idea the amount of shoulder movement, if any.

It was considered the best way to get good accuracy at the time.

7mm Int Rimmed is very similar to the 7-30 Waters.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Common problem with Contenders in 7-30Waters.
Mine is the same.
I had to grind about 0.010" off the bottom of my sizer die to get it to set the shoulder back far enough to allow easy closure of action on previously fired/resized .30/30 brass.

But, the tight chambers/tolerances are also why they shoot sooo goood.....
With 35.0gr of RL15 and 115-120gr bullets (Nosler or Speer) it shoots 3-shot cloverleafs at 100yds.
I size cases to just allow easy closure of action and bullets are just off the lands in the throats.
Federal cases (I just happened to have a lot I'd picked up from public range), Federal 210 primers.
Fireformed with 7.5gr Unique under 130gr Lee RN cast bullet tumble lubed, no gascheck.