7-30 Waters
In 1977, Ken Waters, technical editor of
Handloader and Rifle magazines, began developing a 7mm wildcat on the
.30-30 case.
Ken's primary objective was to design a modern high performance cartridge
that operates at chamber pressures compatible with Winchester Model 94 and
Marlin Model 336 rifles. In 1984, U.S. Repeating Arms announced the availability
of the 7-30 Waters chambering in a Winchester Model 94 with a 24" barrel.
In 1986 Thompson/Center began chambering 10", 14" and 20" Contender barrels
for the cartridge.
The 7-30 Waters is loaded by Federal with Nosler 120 grain flat nose bullet
at over 2700 fps. Considering that chamber pressures are held to a maximum
of 40,000 CUP, this is an outstanding performance from a rifle designed back
in the late 1890's. Unlike factory loads in many other calibers, the Federal
7-30 load actually reaches its advertised velocity in the Model 94. In the
14" Contender barrel, the factory load exceeds 2400 fps, making it the faster
factory loaded cartridge suitable for big game hunting available in the
Contender.
The 7-30 Waters has proven its capabilities in the field on big game
weighing up to 300 pounds at woods ranges. As this is written, two bullets
of flat nose form are available to handloaders for use in rifles with tubular
magazines. For whitetails, the 120 grain
Nosler is an excellent performer, but
when greater penetration is needed for Mule Deer and Black Bear, the 139
grain Hornady is a better choice. Any
of the available 7mm bullets of spitzer form offer excellent accuracy and
down range punch in the Contender. When loaded with a 120 grain spitzer,
the 14" Contender barrel delivers over 1100 foot pounds of energy at 200
yards. The 7-30 Waters is not at all choosy about what powder it is fed,
but for the one powder handloader,
H335, or H4895
are good powders to start with.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual 26th Edition
| 7-30 Waters Reloading Components & Accessories | |
| 7mm Caliber (.284) Bullets | RCBS
Ammo Box (#86902) |
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