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7-30 Waters #7174800 05/20/18 03:06 PM
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skinnerback Offline OP
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I've got the itch for one pretty bad for some reason, in a Thompson Contender. I've never owned or shot a 7-30 Waters or a Contender. For those who have, what are your thoughts on it? Will mainly be used for deer, pigs, & yotes within 100-125 yrds. Kinda wanting something new for a buggy gun.

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7174804 05/20/18 03:16 PM
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From a website called Terminal Ballistics Research.


www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/7-30+Waters.html


"Cases for the 7-30 Waters can be formed from 30-30 brass while best powders are those in the Varget range or slightly faster. From the 24 barreled M94, maximum safe working velocities are 2700fps with 120 grain bullets, 2600fps with 130 grain bullets and 2500fps with the 140 grain bullets. In the Contender rifle, realistic velocities include 2500fps, 2400fps and 2300fps respectively."

I don't see why it wouldn't work just fine on Deer, Hogs, and Coyotes.


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7174805 05/20/18 03:18 PM
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Havent owned one but I can read a ballistics chart. Obviously a fine short (200 or so and under) range cartridge. Plus I have read a lot of good things from folks using it in that platform. Many say its the best round the platform offers for just what you describe.


Originally Posted by Russ79
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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: J.G.] #7174807 05/20/18 03:19 PM
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up

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: Nogalus Prairie] #7174809 05/20/18 03:23 PM
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skinnerback Offline OP
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Yes, and I think it'll be a fun little gun to shoot. Also need to find a good holster for a Contender w/scope that will mount on a buggy....

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7174818 05/20/18 03:37 PM
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The first Contender handgun I bought was in the early 90's and still have it, along with a 21 inch carbine barrel for it. Never have shot anything with the carbine barrel but targets however the handgun has around 10 whitetails to its credit and a few coyotes at ranges from 10 yards to 225 yards.

I was using one of the now discontinues reloader powders and had great accuracy and single digit ES but that powder was very temp dependent and is where I learned not to workup a load in December and count on it in July. 120gr Nosler BT work great in the round and with Varget you can get them to the 2500fps range from a 14 inch barrel which will take care of what you have described.

Since Mr. Waters designed the round for lever actions the only factory load ever for it uses flat nosed bullets. In a Contender you can use any bullet profile you want. The only cases I have ever seen dedicated to the Waters are Federal which are soft brass and will not last as many firings as brass formed from say Winchester or Remington brass. Fire forming is easy to do from 30-30 brass. Run the 30-30 brass through a 7-30 Waters full length sizing die load it up and shoot it. However for fireforming the brass I like to use new brass and a lighter load of one of the faster burning powders listed for the cartridge with a heavier bullet seated into the lands, same process Nosler gives for forming 280AI brass from 280 brass on the powder and bullet.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7174819 05/20/18 03:39 PM
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Will see later if the Holster I have has the maker in it sti3ll, this holster was made for a scoped Contender and is a shoulder holster that works ery well


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7174833 05/20/18 03:48 PM
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I have been a T/C contender shooter for many years in various calibers including the 7x30 configured as a carbine. You didn't specify if you were contemplating a pistol or carbine.

I can say that the 7x30 is an excellent deer/hog killer at the ranges you mention having used it to take 6 deer or so & a couple of unlucky hogs. You can buy factory ammo but the 7x30 in the TC really shines when you use pointed bullets, so you are going to want to reload. I suggest 125gr Sierras or Nosler BT. The brass is easy to make from .30-30's. Some of the once fired brass (probably from mod 94's) is pretty rough & bulged. I recommend buying brand new brass & size it to have a secondary shoulder for a "crush-fit" in the chamber & then fire-form your cases. The TC carbine itself, being a hinged 2-piece rifle, is a bit "touchy" as to how it is being held & shot. I hunt mostly out of deer blinds so I am careful to rest the rifle on the forend & never against anything else (such as against a window corner or shelf).

If you do a little research, you'll find that the 6.8mm SPC is the ballistic twin to the 7x30. The big advantage to the 6.8 is the bullet selection which, unlike the the 7x30, are designed specifically for deer size animals in 2500 fps muzzle velocity range. The 6.8 is readily available in the T/C also.

JIMHO...


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: kmon11] #7174843 05/20/18 03:54 PM
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Thanks Kmon, I will be reloading soon. up I was in the process of buying all of my reloading stuff and getting started (and got a bunch of great tips from a few fellows on here), then the storm put all of that on hold BUT - it's gonna happen. My 30-30 has been my buggy gun for a good while, so feel like I'm cheating on it now going with a 7-30 roflmao but at least I can use the brass!

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: pertnear] #7174849 05/20/18 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: pertnear
I have been a T/C contender shooter for many years in various calibers including the 7x30 configured as a carbine. You didn't specify if you were contemplating a pistol or carbine.

I can say that the 7x30 is an excellent deer/hog killer at the ranges you mention having used it to take 6 deer or so & a couple of unlucky hogs. You can buy factory ammo but the 7x30 in the TC really shines when you use pointed bullets, so you are going to want to reload. I suggest 125gr Sierras or Nosler BT. The brass is easy to make from .30-30's. Some of the once fired brass (probably from mod 94's) is pretty rough & bulged. I recommend buying brand new brass & size it to have a secondary shoulder for a "crush-fit" in the chamber & then fire-form your cases. The TC carbine itself, being a hinged 2-piece rifle, is a bit "touchy" as to how it is being held & shot. I hunt mostly out of deer blinds so I am careful to rest the rifle on the forend & never against anything else (such as against a window corner or shelf).

If you do a little research, you'll find that the 6.8mm SPC is the ballistic twin to the 7x30. The big advantage to the 6.8 is the bullet selection which, unlike the the 7x30, are designed specifically for deer size animals in 2500 fps muzzle velocity range. The 6.8 is readily available in the T/C also.

JIMHO...



Thank you. I'm wanting the pistol, not the carbine barrel. I'm also a fan of the 6.8 SPC, it's hell on pigs. up

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7174862 05/20/18 04:20 PM
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only deer ive seen killed with it took 6 shots from a model 94 carbine.

guy was shooting 120 grain bullets


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: txtrophy85] #7174907 05/20/18 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
only deer ive seen killed with it took 6 shots from a model 94 carbine.

guy was shooting 120 grain bullets



Was that the cartridge's fault, or the driver?

Last edited by FiremanJG; 05/20/18 05:31 PM.

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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: J.G.] #7174909 05/20/18 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
only deer ive seen killed with it took 6 shots from a model 94 carbine.

guy was shooting 120 grain bullets



Wad that the cartridge's fault, or the driver?


My bet is on the driver being at fault


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: txtrophy85] #7174913 05/20/18 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
only deer ive seen killed with it took 6 shots from a model 94 carbine.

guy was shooting 120 grain bullets



Yeh somebody needs some practice LOL.

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: kmon11] #7175083 05/20/18 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted By: kmon1
Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
only deer ive seen killed with it took 6 shots from a model 94 carbine.

guy was shooting 120 grain bullets



Wad that the cartridge's fault, or the driver?


My bet is on the driver being at fault


The first shot was good, second was ok.

The rest were just putting rounds into the deer with the last being a coup de grace.





For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: txtrophy85] #7175086 05/20/18 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: kmon1
Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
only deer ive seen killed with it took 6 shots from a model 94 carbine.

guy was shooting 120 grain bullets



Wad that the cartridge's fault, or the driver?


My bet is on the driver being at fault


The first shot was good, second was ok.

The rest were just putting rounds into the deer with the last being a coup de grace.





So, where did the first shot go? And would it have been adequate to drop the animal leaving a blood trail?

As many deer are killed with a .223 or 22-250, I find it hard to believe that a 7-30 wouldnt work.

Last edited by Tactical Cowboy; 05/20/18 09:29 PM.

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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7175187 05/20/18 11:07 PM
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Why not just do 7x57R?


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: Tactical Cowboy] #7175230 05/20/18 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted By: Tactical Cowboy
As many deer are killed with a .223 or 22-250, I find it hard to believe that a 7-30 wouldnt work.


^^My thoughts, as well.


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7175412 05/21/18 05:03 AM
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Why not step up to the 45-70? Or the 460XVR? Or the 50?


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7175471 05/21/18 12:11 PM
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7-30 Waters and a 120 Nolser Ballistic Tip would be a great combo.



Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: BigPig] #7175478 05/21/18 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: BigPig
Why not step up to the 45-70? Or the 460XVR? Or the 50?


roflmao

Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7175511 05/21/18 12:44 PM
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Excellent round for Texas deer. Manageable recoil and pretty accurate. Back when I had several Contenders and shot competition I had a bunch of barrels. However I sold the whole lot a couple decades ago. I wouldn't mind having an AR in that round.


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7175521 05/21/18 01:04 PM
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checked that holster I said I would and it has no markings of the maker.

Mostly hunting with it though I attach a sling to the foregrip the nut there for mounting the forearm has the same thread as uncle mikes sling studs, cut one of the studs down to fit the depth and screwed one in the base of the grip. Sling over shoulder makes for easy carry and using for steadying the shot with the sling


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: J.G.] #7175719 05/21/18 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: Tactical Cowboy
As many deer are killed with a .223 or 22-250, I find it hard to believe that a 7-30 wouldnt work.


^^My thoughts, as well.


First shot was a heart/lung the second shot a lung/liver.


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Re: 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7175739 05/21/18 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted By: skinnerback
Originally Posted By: BigPig
Why not step up to the 45-70? Or the 460XVR? Or the 50?


roflmao


That was a serious question wife


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