...7.30.WATERS...

Discussion: 
 

From Donald L. Harne 

Where does one get or how does one make 7-30 Waters Improved brass? 

What kind of ballistic performance can you get with a 21 inch barrel? (i.e. can it approach the 7X57 mauser?). 

How is it "improved" over the 7-30 Waters? 

What kind of dies do you use? 

From rjs7m@holmes.acc.Virginia.EDU 

By firing loaded 7x30 Waters ammo in a barrel chambered for the Improved round. Or by necking down 30-30 ammo to 7mm and firing them in the Improved chamber. 

Not sure if you can use the Std. 7x30 dies - you might have to by ones just for the Improved round. 

Most of the Improved rounds I've seen increase velocity around 150 - 200 FPS over the parent round (all things being equal). 

The general term "Improved" means that the case taper has been removed and the shoulder angle blown out (usually to 40 deg.). This gives more room for powder sometimes better case life. Improved barrels will still chamber and fire the parent round with no damage - but the opposite is not true. 

Good shooting, Bob 

From glenn@arraytech.com 

Use factory 7-30 brass this brass I have found to be much better than 30-30 brass. Load up these rounds with a heavy 140 - 160 grain bullet with minimum spec loads and blast away. It's pretty neat to see the brass change shape. I've had some trouble sizing new R+P 30-30 brass and have had no luck finding new 7-30 federal brass. I may have to fork out the $14 - $15 for factory loaded 7-30 and take them apart to load them down for fire forming. 

I'm using Redding dies and I am not sizing the brass except for 80% of the neck. 

What kind of ballistic performance can you get with a 21 inch barrel? (i.e. can it approach the 7X57 mauser?). 

NO BUT.... I have a 7-30 Imp. It is everything I wanted in the 7-30 but couldn't have. It is a Bullberry 7-30 Imp 20" carbine barrel. I'm getting about 2400 - 2450 with a 140 grain. I think I can do better but I am just getting started. I used the same load I used in the 7-30 carbine barrel from TC. 

How is it "improved" over the 7-30 Waters? > Brass life!! #1 is the shoulder angle and body of the brass is straighter. #2 Bullberry makes a much tighter chamber than TC this keeps case stretch to a minimum. Velocity wise there is not much difference. But when it's hard to find brass ( 7-30 ) every little bit helps.