The 7-30 Waters

[Highwind]

Over the years I've revisited the ballistics, velocity, case design / capacity and bullet availability for the 7-30 Waters... Many will know it's a 7mm bullet on a 30-30 case. It seems practical and worthy of consideration - but few seem to use it, a few seem to talk about it. So what are your thoughts on the 7-30 Waters as a deer hunting cartridge...?

 

[FLHTCUI]

Google Ken Waters and his pet loads.....
Rob

 

[Boomer]

There are quite a few .30 caliber bullets designed to expand at .30/30 velocities, whereas most 7mm bullets are designed to handle the high linear and rotational velocities associated with full size and oversize 7mm cartridges. That might be a disadvantage when the 7mm's advantage with equal weight bullets is perhaps an increase of 20 yards range. A better option might be to load 125 gr bullets to 2600 fps in the .30/30.

 

[Falconflyer]

If you want a 7mm round in a Model 94 Winchester then it fits the bill, I just never wanted one...

In my mind, the 94 is a short range rifle at best, not that it can't be shot further but few people do. Mostly it's a fast handling bush gun and at short range the 7mm round can't do anything that the .30 cal round can't do better. If having a rimmed round in a Thompson Contender is your thing then I guess it's ok.

 

[Jim870]

Abandoned by bullet manufactures not many flat or round nosed bullets offered in 7mm these days. I'll take a .30-30 over it.

 

[elimsprint]

It's a great cartridge for break action single shots, I use it in my Contender, but as there are few to no flat nose 7mm bullets it's pretty useless in a tube fed lever gun. I think Federal is the only company making factory loads for it now.

 

[dan belisle]

Had both this and a 7mm Int-R in one of my Contenders. Preferred the 7 Int-R. - dan

 

[Brutus]

There are quite a few .30 caliber bullets designed to expand at .30/30 velocities, whereas most 7mm bullets are designed to handle the high linear and rotational velocities associated with full size and oversize 7mm cartridges. That might be a disadvantage when the 7mm's advantage with equal weight bullets is perhaps an increase of 20 yards range. A better option might be to load 125 gr bullets to 2600 fps in the .30/30.

Quite a while ago I handloaded into the 30-30 the Speer 110 grain Plinker hollow point over top some IMR 4198.
Pet Loads formula from Ken Waters.
The estimated velocity very close to 2500-2550 fps.

It was quite accurate at 100 yards, but obviously shot higher than factory 150-170.

Novice shooters and teenagers appreciated very much the resulting less recoil and accuracy of this bullet handload.

 

[WhelanLad]

think it just goes to show how good those 7mm-08s are........ it will floor? the 7/30 five ways til sunday

agree the break open or single shot it would be cool for something different, or perhaps whitetail specific brush gun etc.

 

[Highwind]

I looked up the Pet Loads of Ken Waters and found a Youtube video that offers some insight on the publication. Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHizhjjsXJQ

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

The 30-30 WCF was a rimmed cartridge with smokeless powder for flat nosed bullets in lever actions. Hunting and shooting have advanced since those were the design constraints. It is often compared to the 7-08. I think that says enough.