7mm-30 Waters vs 7mm-30 Waters Improved

When fire forming my .30-30 Winchester cases into 7-30 Waters I had a bit of a surprise. See the attached photo of a fired case vs a full-length resized cartridge. I suspect the rifle barrel for my Contender was re-chambered to an Improved cartridge without the barrel being re-stamped. Can anyone visually confirm this?

My Cartridges of the World book seems to validate this based on the photos in the book.

Second question. Assuming I am correct, will a standard 7-30 Waters neck-sizing die perform the same as an Improved neck-sizing die? All reloads will be in a single Contender barrel.

The neck looks to be to short for an AI.

Some specs. here https://www.chuckhawks.com/7-30Waters_Imp.htm

Looks like the 7mm cartridge that gary reeder made/touted for contenders.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3leggedturtle

Looks like the 7mm cartridge that gary reeder made/touted for contenders.

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I think you nailed it.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/...sl/print_topic

https://www.reedercustomguns.com/inf...cartridges.htm

Lets go with the GNR assumption for a moment. How do you reload it? Where do you get the dies? If its a custom die set for $160+ I will return the $230 barrel that was mismarked. I do not mind a $50 problem but I do not need another project gun.

Maybe you'll get lucky and can neck size it with 7-30 die or a 7mm08 , flipping short neck tho! Case has very little taper,maybe a 30/30AI will size the body. CH4D might have a similar die reasonably priced. Happy searching. Best i can tell you for now. Todd/3leg

Wow thats a short neck!!

Yea I agree its def not a “factory” chamber! ::)

I like the lil Waters! I havent replaced mine yet. This last spring, I sold off a 30/30 to help fund it and it hasnt happened yet. :(

I made brass from 375 Winchester cases for mine.

Good luck

CW

I spoke to the owner at Reeder guns and he was very informative. If it was a GNR cartridge the dies are $125. It could be done but I would have to send barrel to confirm chambering. With the time and money it starts to become a project.

Reeder did indicate case life would be longer due to headspacing on the shoulder, 300 fps faster, form from .30-30 Winchester, and indicated that short neck was not a problem (.375 Winchester and .38-55 would decrease internal volume).

My two cents, factory cartridges exist for a reason. If this cartridge was on the cutting edge I think we would see it more. The GNR predates the 7-30 Waters by three years. If I need more 7mm power, the 7mm-08 or 7mm Magnum are called for calling for an Encore. Making a break action light magnum without factory printed and SAAMI support seems an unnecessary risk.

Called seller and they are a class act and will refund me. I will let them take on the project if they desire.

Was that a pistol or carbine barrel? A carbine would be a little deer stomper.

Carbine barrel. Highly effective yes but looking for semi-custom wildcat, not full-on project. If I need a true deer stomper I have bigger guns and calibers. Our 100-150 lb deer in SC do not require significant firepower.

As a side note, my understanding is the Contender (particularly G1) is known for stretching if you get too wild with the energy and pressure.

As a future note for anyone else reading this, Reeder confirmed that a standard neck-sizing die would push the 7mm GNR shoulder back if used.

Hornady makes universal neck sizer dies based on caliber. With that tiny neck I'd want specific dies though.